One of the critical functions of the SAP Data Service software application is to transform and integrate data so that users can develop and execute workflows to extract SAP data. This is done from various sources such as data stores, web services, databases, and applications.  

Once the data is extracted, it can be used by businesses for real-time analytics after processing and formatting it to meet their requirements. The SAP data that is extracted is used for querying Data Services. This leads to quick responses as per a pre-determined workflow along with batch processing which is the older version of data transformation. 

The tool best suited to extract SAP data is the SAP Extractor. Previously known as the BW Extractor, it is a highly effective data management factor of SAP. The Extractor extracts SAP data from the source systems for storing in business intelligence systems or downstream data warehouses. In short, the SAP Extractor inputs the extracted data into SAP BW applications. 

The Functioning of The SAP Extractor  

Let us now see how the SAP Extractor works to extract SAP data and the best tool for it. 

The Extractor can either be the typical Data Source or customized to provide details of full-load delta processes of various types. The data transfer activity is remotely controlled by SAP BW with the entire process being fully-managed and automated by SAP. 

However, to extract SAP data, users must first define the load process with an InfoPackage in the scheduler. This prerequisite is started by a request IDoc to the source system when the InfoPackage is to be implemented with process chains used for executions. 

Types of SAP Data Extractors  

There are three types of SAP Extractors to extract SAP data. 

What are the Types of SAP Data Extractors

There are three types of SAP Extractors that can be used to extract SAP data.

• Application Specific Content Extractors are used to extract SAP data with BW content, FI, HR, CO, SAP CRM, and LO cockpit.

• Application Specific Customer-Generated Extractors are used for the extraction of data that are related to LIS, FI-SL, and CO-PA. 

• Cross Application Generic Extractors that work exclusively with the DB View, Infoset, and Function Modules.

Businesses must choose the precise SAP Extractor to extract SAP data that matches their requirements the best. 

Optimized Tool To Extract SAP Data

The SAP ETL (Extract, Transform, and Load) tool is optimized to extract SAP data. It extracts SAP data from various sources, transforms the data at the source to match the data structure supported by the target, and loads the processed data into a central storage repository or a data warehouse.

The benefit of the SAP ETL tool to extract SAP data is that it can work with data in its native form such as unstructured, semi-structured, or structured data. This tool is especially useful for its ability to extract SAP data and transform it outside the application.