In this chapter, we have taken a look at several reporting tools (both from SAP and from other vendors) we can use to connect to SAP HANA and extract and analyze our data. We've seen that SAP has a tool, Lumira, allowing for rapid analysis of data using drag and drop of fields making it simple to do slice and dice analysis.

In a similar vein, Tableau allows us to create reports using drag and drop of fields, and then allows us to incorporate these reports in graphical dashboards.

We also looked at data analysis using Microsoft Excel, probably the most ubiquitous tool in use today, and one that most users are familiar with.

Lumira does not need any specific driver to be installed to connect to SAP HANA, as it's built into the tool. Excel and Tableau, however, need a driver to be installed.

We also saw some limitations of reporting tools; Lumira can see and use our input parameters and hierarchies, whereas Tableau and Excel cannot see the input parameters. Excel can use our hierarchies...