Do we need planning subscription to use predective functions in SAC?

[ash_123]

Hello,

We are planning to expand our SAC BI reports and include predictive functions in couple of areas. We understand that we need to move from NEO to CF before we will be in a position to think about predictive. I am seeing many examples of predictive planning and assuming that we need planning licenses to use predictive in stories.
Do we need planning licenses / subscriptions for predictive functions in SAC?

Thanks

AS

[DebjitSingha · Accepted solution]

Hello ash_123,

You do not need planning license to use predictive features.

Though using predictive scenarios and training for planning setup adds more value. In short predictive planning makes more sense.

Smart predict is available with BI licenses as well, only restriction is datacenter (As your mentioned). Smart Discovery uses Predictive Analysis as well, this is available under BI license subscription as well. In-fact both predictive license types ( Predictive Content Creator and Predictive Admin) consumes BI Licenses (show below)

Predictive feature is only available on non-SAP datacenter. All tenants hosted on AWS data centers and probably Azure in near future (as SAC will be made available on Azure as well).

Some highlights -

Introduction to Smart Predict

Hope this helps. Let us know if you have any query around this topic.

Viewers/ readers - If you find above information helpful, feel free to up-vote (arrows on left side).

- Debjit

[ash_123 · Accepted solution]

Thanks debjit.singha for the detailed explanation. License part is interesting. For some reason I am not able find Predictive licenses in my tenant. Is this because we are on Neo?

[DebjitSingha · Accepted solution]

hello ash_123, Predictive Admin and creators are roles. They consume BI license type only. You should be able to locate them under Main Menu > Security > Roles

Predictive roles are available in Neo tenant as well. Prediction is used in other areas as well (as explained by Priti). Smart disctovery is the most prominant one.So if your plan is not to buy Planning licenses (comparatively way costlier than BI license), then also you should be in position to use smart and predictive features. If there is no consideration of planning in SAC, then Predictive planning function is not required.

[ash_123 · Accepted solution]

Thanks, I was looking under Administration.

By any chance do you have a link that goes over what and type predictive algos are using in smart discovery...

[DebjitSingha · Accepted solution]

smart discovery uses regression algorithms.

Thanks,

Debjit

[PritiSAC]

Hi ash_123

1. There are different predictive functions in SAC example Time Series Forecasting, Smart Discovery, Smart Grouping and Smart Predict. For these you don't need Planning license/subscription. Although you can also use them against planning models when you have planning license.
2. Also except Smart Predict, all other functions are available in Neo as well, however SAC's strategy in general is to move towards CF.
3. From your description it looks like you may be seen reference to Predictive in Planning, which is a capability that makes use of Smart Predict. So you create Forecasting predictive scenario and apply the results to your planning data for example as a 'Forecast' version. For this you would need planning license as this function is integrated with planning model.
4. To summarize: for utilizing Predictive features you can work with standard license and augmented your BI with predictive analysis without needing Planning license.

Hope it helps,

Priti

[ash_123]

Thanks priti.mulchandani for explanation.

Curious though - why SAP didn't consider Neo here. Both SAC and Data server are from SAP itself. Is SAP thinking about not expanding or retireing SAP data centers...

[TammyPowlas]

For predictive planning, yes, you need a planning license

You can use predictive scenarios without the planning license if your tenant is on Cloud Foundry

[PritiSAC]

ash_123 There are several advantages around CF architecture for example Open-ness, Choice of hyper-scaler and Scalability that SAP Analytics Cloud decided to base it's strategy on. You can find reasoning and details here.