06.01.2026
Real-time controlling redefined
Author: Jan Göhringer, SAP Finance Consultant specializing in SAC at BDF EXPERTS
The challenge in project controlling
For SAP finance managers and controllers, concurrent costing is a critical process. It provides the necessary transparency regarding the current status of costs and revenues in projects. This includes, for example, the latest information from production orders, purchase orders, and customer orders. However, in many companies, this process is characterized by latency and complexity. Data is often fragmented, needs to be replicated, and does not reflect the actual, current status. This leads to delayed decisions and makes it difficult to accurately investigate the causes of deviations.
The solution lies in the seamless integration of S/4HANA data into modern analytics platforms. While classic MIKA reporting already exists in the S/4HANA system, the MIKA dashboard in SAC addresses the challenge of leveraging the power of SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC) to enable real-time project controlling. The SAC dashboard is a complementary solution for improved data presentation and overview, transforming the complex data of concurrent costing into an intuitive, immediately available basis for decision-making.
1. The technological basis for real-time decisions
The greatest added value of MIKA lies in its architecture, which is consistently geared toward the use of live data. This is a decisive factor for controllers who depend on maximum timeliness and data consistency.
Live Connection: The end of data latency
MIKA uses the Live Connection feature of SAP Analytics Cloud. Unlike import models, where data must be replicated in SAC, the data remains in the source system—SAP S/4HANA—at all times.
- Real-time controlling: Every analysis and report directly accesses the latest postings in the SAP system. There is no time delay due to nightly or hourly loading processes.
- Maximum security: Since no data replication takes place, sensitive financial data remains secure in the SAP system. SAC acts solely as a visualization and analysis layer, which meets the compliance requirements of many companies.
CDS Views: Consistency and performance from S/4HANA
The basis for high-performance data provision is formed by the Core Data Services (CDS Views) in S/4HANA. These optimized views serve as a consistent and high-performance data basis for MIKA. They ensure that complex calculation data is logically prepared in the SAP system before it is visualized in SAC. This not only guarantees high speed for data queries, but also a uniform definition of key figures across all reports.
The architecture of MIKA, which is shown in the attached architecture diagram [reference to architectural graphic in PDF below], shows the direct connection from the PPG (portfolio/quota) via the Project System to the SAC MIKA Dashboard. This underscores the end-to-end transparency that is essential for effective project controlling.
2. The business USP: The 3-step deep dive analysis
The key business advantage of MIKA for controllers lies in its logical and intuitive analysis structure, which enables quick navigation from the overall overview to the detailed level. It divides the analysis into three dashboard pages that build on each other:
Level 1: Overview (Quick Check)
The overview page provides all the important key performance indicators (KPIs) for the selected project at a glance. It serves as an initial summary and enables quick orientation. Controllers can immediately see where action is needed, for example, due to deviations between the offer, budget, and current project calculation.
Level 2: Detail (root cause analysis)
From the overview, controllers can dive directly into the detailed view. This page provides an in-depth analysis at the item level. Here, detailed tables can be viewed for precise review of cost types, budgets, and actual values. This level is crucial for precise root cause analysis: Where do the deviations come from? Which cost types are exceeded? Intuitive filtering by PSP elements and cost types allows you to quickly focus on the relevant areas.
Level 3: Overall (Strategic Control)
The overall view provides a consolidated view of the entire area – independent of individual projects or PSP elements. This strategic perspective is ideal for management reporting and overall control of the entire portfolio. It enables trends to be identified and strategic decisions to be made on a broader data basis.
This three-level structure ensures that controllers can switch from the macro to the micro level in a matter of seconds, which massively increases efficiency in controlling.
3. User experience and future viability
The use of SAP Analytics Cloud as a front end guarantees a modern UX/UI. The dashboards are clearly structured and intuitive to use, which significantly increases acceptance among end users—the controllers. An innovative detail that underscores MIKA's user-centric design is the integrated theme switch. The ability to easily switch between light and dark designs ensures optimal readability in any situation and on any device.
Strategic outlook
MIKA is not a static solution, but is continuously being developed. Future enhancements will make the respective contribution margins from MIKA reporting directly available in SAC to make the analysis even more comprehensive. In addition, work is underway to integrate an import model as an alternative database to offer maximum flexibility for varying user requirements.
Conclusion: Precision and speed in controlling
PPG-MIKA from BDF EXPERTS closes the gap between the data complexity of S/4HANA and the need for real-time transparency in project controlling. Through the consistent use of SAP Analytics Cloud Live Connection and high-performance CDS views, SAP finance managers and controllers get a tool that:
- Speed (real-time data without replication).
- Guarantees precision (consistent data basis from S/4HANA).
- Increases efficiency (intuitive, three-step deep-dive analysis).
Learn more:
Would you like to learn how to switch your project controlling to real time and significantly increase the efficiency of your concurrent costing? Request a live demo of MIKA now and experience a deep dive into your S/4HANA data.
