Load Time Independant Object to Time Dependant Object

[Former Member]

This is a common situation in a data warehousing environment were the time dependacy of an object (master data or Hierarchy) is not maintained in the source system but needs to be maintained in the DW system.

Lot other ETL tools automatically provide the SCD type-2 functionaly which automatically makes the previous record in the DW system as a old record and update the "SCD to-date" field either system date - 1(day or sec) and inserts a new record with "SCD From-Date" as system date when ever an attribute that we are tracking for "SCD type-2" changes value which is different from the value that is present in the DW.

Can we achieve the same in BW? Please let me know.

[Former Member]

The 'to-date' of existing record is adjusted by BW when you are changing the attribute with a different (or overlapping) 'from' date. Following is what SAP says in online help

"Master data must exist between the period of 01.01.1000 and 12.31.1000 in the database. When you create data, gaps are automatically filled. When you change or initially create master data, in some cases, you must adjust the validity periods of the adjoining records accordingly."

I think 12.31.1000 is a typo and it meant 12.31.9999.

You may follow this at http://help.sap.com/saphelp_nw04/helpdata/en/04/cce63736544d4de10000009b38f8cf/frameset.htm

It may not exactly be the same as what you describe in other ETL tools.

[Former Member]

Ajay, Thanks for your response. As you said the solution you mentioned only works for certain cases.

Anyone else have any other suggestions on this topic?