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17.5 Transformations & DTPs

1. Transformation role​

A BW transformation maps source fields and semantics into a target structure.

SAP documentation describes transformations as the place where source fields are converted into the format of the target, with rules for cleansing, integration and derivation.

2. DTP role​

A Data Transfer Process transfers data from a source to a target and executes the transformation.

A simplified runtime is:

Source
  |
Extraction
  |
Transformation
  |
DTP
  |
Target

3. Transformation versus DTP​

Do not combine the concepts.

Transformation defines how data changes.

DTP controls the transfer and runtime behavior.

4. Runtime engineering​

A DTP design should consider:

  • extraction mode,
  • filters,
  • package processing,
  • error handling,
  • runtime properties,
  • target behavior,
  • scheduling,
  • monitoring.

5. Error handling​

For critical flows, define:

  • how bad records are isolated,
  • how failed packages are identified,
  • whether an error DTP is required,
  • how corrected data is reprocessed,
  • how business reconciliation is performed.

6. Process chains​

Process chains orchestrate dependent BW processing.

A typical pattern:

Load source
   |
Validate
   |
Transform
   |
DTP
   |
Activate / optimize
   |
Publish

Modern Datasphere task chains and BW bridge process chains solve related orchestration problems but are not identical implementations.

Exercise​

Design a nightly Procurement pipeline with:

  • source extraction,
  • transformation,
  • DTP,
  • error handling,
  • reconciliation,
  • downstream publication.

Explain what should happen after a partial failure.