--- title: Secrets to Data Mining Success with SAP APD description: Learn why Data Mining SAP APD and SAP Business Objects Predictive Analytics are powerful tools for achieving new levels of performance image: https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/An%20image%20of%20the%20SAP%20Analysis%20Process%20Designer%20APD%20interface%20with%20data%20mining%20capabilities%20such%20as%20Decision%20Trees%2c%20Clustering%2c%20Association%20Analysis%2c%20an-1.jpeg --- ![SAP APD](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/An%20image%20of%20the%20SAP%20Analysis%20Process%20Designer%20APD%20interface%20with%20data%20mining%20capabilities%20such%20as%20Decision%20Trees%2c%20Clustering%2c%20Association%20Analysis%2c%20an-1.jpeg) # Secrets to Data Mining Success with SAP APD Table of Contents ## Ready to Deploy Data Mining Technology   Does this describe your current situation?  You have [implemented SAP](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/sap-sem-cpm-risk-register-design-template) wall-to-wall, you have followed all the [**SAP Best Practices**](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/how-to-select-the-best-sap-best-practice-solutions); you have a solid [**Strategy Management** ](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/developing-balanced-scorecards)system in place, such as the [**Balanced Scorecard**](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/how-to-develop-balanced-scorecards-improve-strategy-execution-draft), but so do your [competitors](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/inbound-marketing/4-ways-to-bring-digital-innovation-to-your-company)?  Are your [financial results](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/what-is-the-tco-of-that-shinny-new-system-youre-about-to-buy) just so, so?  Well, maybe it is time to roll out the [big guns](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/learn-what-makes-sap-dfps-solution-different) of the black art of [**Data Mining**](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/learn-more-about-our-sap-business-intelligence-consulting-services), and get all [predictive modeling](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/inbound-marketing/42-lead-qualification-questions-to-ask) on your [business processes](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/5-kpi-design-best-practice-guidelines). ## What is APD in [SAP BW](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/understanding-sap-bw-in-5-minutes)? SAP actually has a variety of data mining applications and [analysis tools](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/senior-executives-use-strategic-analysis-to-create-shareholder-value), including the [**Analysis Process Designer **](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/7-ooda-loop-mistakes-to-avoid-by-using-sap-analytics)(APD) and the [**SAP Business Objects Predictive Analytics workbench**](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/sap-businessobjects-bi-4-advanced-analysis-demo).  The output from the data mining process using the APD and workbench can both be stored in SAP BW or sent and used in the SAP Customer Relationship Management ([CRM](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/inbound-marketing/3-ways-to-implement-crm-marketing)) system for further [analysis](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/total-cost-of-ownership-tco).  The APD out-of-the box [data mining capabilities](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/how-to-build-a-sap-sem-bps-retail-industry-value-case) and data mining techniques which include: - Decision Trees - Clustering - Association Analysis - Scoring - Weighted [Scoring Tables](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/how-to-use-sap-webi-tutorial) - ABC Classification ## Supports Your Data Mining Steps   You can also create your own [data mining models](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/10-sap-data-migration-mistakes-to-avoid) with the SAP BW APD tool as well, leveraging the [data warehouse](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/identifying-cause-of-data-load-error-when-using-a-sap-bw-dtp) as a source of data.  Of course, this tool allows your data miners to write ABAP programs and use them anywhere along the data flow you are setting up within APD to perform additional advanced processing functions, such as recognizing data patterns.  The [output from from](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/inbound-marketing/how-important-is-data-governance-to-internet-marketing) any of these ABAP programs can be used as ‘seed’ data to be fed back into BW.   A little known, and perhaps underused capability of the APD is a data-cleansing workbench. The **Predictive Analytics Workbench** from [SAP BOBJ](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/sap-bobj-consultant-profile) provides predictive [data mining](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/develop-a-data-governance-framework) capabilities including: - **Trend** and **Pattern Analysis** - [**Forecasting**](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/unleashing-business-success-balanced-scorecard-strategy) and **Planning** capabilities - Ability [to feed data](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/inbound-marketing/how-important-is-data-governance-to-internet-marketing) to both **interactive dashboards** and the BW system The workbench is especially powerful in the [**Retail Industry**](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/sap-partnership-advisory-services) when it comes to using data mining and [predictive analytics](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/inbound-marketing/42-lead-qualification-questions-to-ask) to understand, model and respond to [customer behavior](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/how-to-use-sap-bw-to-prevent-retail-losses).  What do I consider the secret to successfully using these tools? - Good **[quality data](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/data-quality-best-practices-for-effective-sap-bw-reporting) available** from the [data warehouse](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/understanding-the-most-common-sap-data-warehousing-concepts) or other source system - An **openness** to going where the data takes you. - Having business [processes](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/how-to-get-the-webi-universe-data-source-connection-setup) that are [amenable to **mathematical analysis**](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/inbound-marketing/12-sap-crm-content-management-system-requirements), i.e., [customer affinity modeling](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/inbound-marketing/how-can-hubspots-growth-suite-actually-help-you). ## Which Industries Use Data Mining Consulting One industry that I have seen some heavy duty statistical analysis used in is the transportation industry, particularly the trucking industry, where it gets pretty deep very quickly.   Think enroute merges.  Tends to bring a room full of servers to their knees. SAP APD is just one of the tools in the wider suite of SAP BW tools and data warehouse applications.  That is one of the reasons the APD process can become complex, it's a powerful tool designed to deal with vast amounts of complex data.    ## Data Mining Consultancy   Our data mining consultant engineers and data scientist have deep expertise in applied statistical analysis and would appreciate the opportunity to work with you to solve your toughest problems.   [![Request Data Mining Consulting Support](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/118735/30188997-f4ba-4142-b580-f0200068f643.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/118735/30188997-f4ba-4142-b580-f0200068f643)   People Who Read This Also Read: - What are 2 [Primary Focus](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/what-are-2-primary-focus-areas-for-sap-airline-customers) Areas for SAP Airline Customers? - 3 Ways to [Design KPIs](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/3-ways-to-design-kpis-using-sap-solution-map-composer) Using SAP Solution Map Composer - Top 10 Benefits for Financial Analysis in the [Latest SAP EP4](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/top-10-benefits-for-financial-analysis-in-the-latest-sap-ep4) - BusinessObjects [Explorer](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/businessobjects-explorer-best-practices) Best Practices   Topics from this blog: [Business Objects](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/topic/business-objects) [Data Mining](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/topic/data-mining) [Predictive Analytics](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/topic/predictive-analytics) [SAP APD](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/topic/sap-apd) ### Download SAP BW Mindmap Learn what SAP Business Warehouse is and what it does in under five minutes [![Get this Mindmap](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/118735/8db2ad37-8211-47a3-86ae-09b6b2bb297b.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/118735/8db2ad37-8211-47a3-86ae-09b6b2bb297b) [mailto:someone@yoursite.com](mailto:someone@yoursite.com) ### Lonnie D. Ayers, PMP About the Author: Lonnie Ayers is a Hubspot Certified Inbound Marketing consultant, with additional certifications in Hubspot Content Optimization, Hubspot Contextual Marketing, and is a Hubspot Certified Partner. Specialized in demand generation and sales execution, especially in the SAP, Oracle and Microsoft Partner space, he has unique insight into the tough challenges Service Providers face with generating leads and closing sales using the latest digital tools. With 15 years of SAP Program Management experience, and dozens of complex sales engagements under his belt, he helps partners develop and communicate their unique sales proposition. Frequently sought as a public speaker in various events, he is available for both inhouse engagements and ** remote coaching. ** ![Balanced Scorecard Consultant](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/hubfs/social-suggested-images/Balanced%20Scorecard%20Certified%20Graduate.jpg) He also recently released a book **"How to Dominate Any Market - Turbocharging Your Digital Marketing and Sales Results",** which is available on [ Amazon.](https://www.amazon.com/Dominate-Turbocharging-Digital-Marketing-Results/dp/1728357950/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&qid=1589182458&refinements=p_27%3ALonnie+D.+Ayers&s=books&sr=1-1&text=Lonnie+D.+Ayers)**** [View All Articles by Lonnie D. Ayers, PMP](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/author/lonnie-d-ayers-pmp) ## The SAP Blog Subscribe to our blog and receive SAP BW Updates, demand generation, inbound marketing, sales enablement, technology and revenue generation insights and ideas delivered right to your email. [mailto:someone@yoursite.com](mailto:someone@yoursite.com) ![SAP](https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/viewthroughconversion/960101754/?value=0&guid=ON&script=0) ![](https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=199270410761059&ev=PageView&noscript=1) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/secrets-to-data-mining-success-with-sap-apd#blogposting", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "about" : [ { "@type" : "Thing", "name" : "Learn", "sameAs" : "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Learning" }, { "@type" : "Thing", "name" : "Data Mining", "sameAs" : "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data_mining" }, { "@type" : "Organization", "name" : "SAP", "sameAs" : "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SAP_AG" }, { "@type" : "Thing", "name" : "Analytics", "sameAs" : "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Analytics" }, { "@type" : "Thing", "name" : "tool", "sameAs" : "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tool" }, { "@type" : "Thing", "name" : "data", "sameAs" : "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data" }, { "@type" : "Thing", "name" : "predictive analytics", "sameAs" : "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Predictive_analytics" }, { "@type" : "Thing", "name" : "mining", "sameAs" : "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mining" }, { "@type" : "Thing", "name" : "Performance", "sameAs" : "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Performance" } ], "author" : { "@id" : "https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/about-lonnie-ayers#person" }, "description" : "Secrets to Data Mining Success with SAP APD.", "headline" : "Secrets to Data Mining Success with SAP APD", "inLanguage" : "en", "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/secrets-to-data-mining-success-with-sap-apd#webpage" }, "mentions" : [ { "@type" : "Thing", "name" : "implemented", "sameAs" : "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Implementation" }, { "@type" : "Thing", "name" : "Practices", "sameAs" : "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Best_practice" }, { "@type" : "Thing", "name" : "Strategy", "sameAs" : "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strategic_management" }, { "@type" : "Thing", "name" : "financial", "sameAs" : "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finance" }, { "@type" : "Thing", "name" : "results", "sameAs" : "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Result" }, { "@type" : "Thing", "name" : "predictive modeling", "sameAs" : "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Predictive_modelling" }, { "@type" : "Thing", "name" : "business processes", "sameAs" : "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_process_modeling" } ], "name" : "Secrets to Data Mining Success with SAP APD", "publisher" : { "@id" : "https://www.sapbwconsulting.com#organization" }, "url" : "https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/secrets-to-data-mining-success-with-sap-apd" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://www.sapbwconsulting.com#website", "@type" : "WebSite", "name" : "SAP BW Consulting, Inc.", "publisher" : { "@id" : "https://www.sapbwconsulting.com#organization" }, "url" : "https://www.sapbwconsulting.com" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://www.sapbwconsulting.com#organization", "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@id" : "https://www.sapbwconsulting.com#logo" }, "name" : "SAP BW Consulting, Inc.", "sameAs" : [ "https://www.linkedin.com/company/543163/admin/", "https://www.youtube.com/user/SAPBWConsulting/", "https://twitter.com/Lonniea39", "https://www.facebook.com/SAPBWConsulting" ], "url" : "https://www.sapbwconsulting.com" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://www.sapbwconsulting.com#logo", "@type" : "ImageObject", "caption" : "SAP BW Consulting, Inc. logo", "url" : "https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/hubfs/sapbwconsulting_logo.png" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/about-lonnie-ayers#person", "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Lonnie D. 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