Onboarding IT Admin - Digital Audit Preparation

Guide for IT Administrators to prepare for our solution zapAnalytics - Digital Audit Preparation

zapAnalytics - Digital Audit Preparation

zapAnalytics - Digital Audit Preparation licenses the one-time creation of a project in our software zapAnalytics. For digital audit preparation, your SAP data is extracted, and the zapliance indicators are automatically analyzed. The result is a compilation of PowerBI files and exports that allows the user to understand SAP usage, identify key risk and opportunity indicators, and gain deeper insights into the data.

Estimated Preparation Time: 120 Minutes

Topics:

• General Information about zapAnalytics
• Technical Requirements: Hardware
• Technical Preparation: zapAnalytics
• Access to zapAnalytics
• PowerBI Desktop
• Installation of Software Updates
• Impact on the SAP System
  
  

General Information about zapAnalytics

zapAnalytics is a web application based on Java Spring. SAP data extraction is performed via RFC and requires only a reading SAP user authorized with SAP standard function modules. A PostgreSQL database is necessary, which is set up with the standard parameters of zapliance. All data is stored locally and remains either in files or in the connected PostgreSQL database.

The duration for data extraction and processing can vary significantly depending on the amount of data, and it may take several days. A stable network connection to the ERP and possibly the target system, such as PowerBI, is required to ensure data flow.

The duration for data extraction and processing can vary significantly depending on the amount of data, and it may take several days. A stable network connection to the ERP and possibly the target system, such as PowerBI, is required to ensure data flow.

Technical Requirements: Hardware

The hardware specifications depend on the data volume. For efficient data extraction and processing, we recommend a virtual machine with the following specifications:

• Operating System: Windows 64-bit (e.g., Windows Server)
• Processor: Modern multi-core processor (at least 8 cores)
• RAM: At least 64GB, scalable to 128GB
• Storage: At least 1 TB with read/write speeds of at least 100 MB/s
• Availability: Uninterrupted availability during data extraction and processing (disable backups or server reboots)

zapAnalytics requires the specified resources during data extraction and processing. After data processing is complete, the system resources can be reduced in coordination with the relevant department and zapliance.

Average hardware setup time: 60 minutes

Technical Preparation: zapAnalytics

Preparation for Installation:

• Administrator rights for installation.

• Installation of Java 21 or newer.

• Install a PostgreSQL database (version 15 or newer). By default, the settings and parameters provided by zapliance are used. For example, adjust the /data/postgresql.conf file as follows:

• Ports in the internal network for SAP (3300, 3600, 3299) and optionally web access from client computers (9007 and optional 8080) must be allowed through the firewall.

• Set up Remote Desktop (RDP) access for the Audit Manager and optionally the auditors.

• Align Windows Updates (Patch Schedule) for the server with the project requirements and reschedule updates if necessary.

Installation of zapAnalytics (possibly together with zapliance):

• Download the installation package and content bundle. Both are provided by zapliance.
• Install zapAnalytics.
• Register the zapAnalytics process as a Windows service (start automatically) and adjust the RAM allocation.
• Set up users and projects in the software.
• Upload the content bundle into zapAnalytics.
• Start the project.

Average installation and setup time (excluding approval procedures): 60 minutes

Access to zapAnalytics

Access the web interface via https://localhost:9007/login on the server.

If a client computer is directly in the internal network, the web interface can also be accessed via the host's IP address (e.g., https://hostIP:9007/login).

The software includes a self-signed certificate (.jks), enabling standard HTTPS communication.

PowerBI Desktop

The result files from the zapAnalytics Digital Audit Preparation contain the deliverables defined in the content package. These typically include .parquet files with the result data and PowerBI template files (.pbit). The templates are opened with PowerBI Desktop, and the results from the .parquet files or directly from the PostgreSQL database are imported. This generates a PowerBI report (.pbix).

Optionally, the PowerBI Desktop report (.pbix) can be published and authorized by the PowerBI Service.

PowerBI licenses are generally not part of the offer. If our offer includes a workshop, either:

• grant zapliance access to the PowerBI Dashboard, or
• send the result files to zapliance.

Note: We recommend 8GB RAM or more for using PowerBI Desktop.

Installing Software Updates

Software updates are regularly provided by zapliance. Customers receive update notifications via email and the Knowledge Base. Customers are responsible for updating the software, as this cannot be automated.

Software updates are performed by:

1. Reinstallation,

2. Importing updates or content bundles (during runtime).

All forms of updates can only be executed with encrypted, zapliance-signed files.

Reinstallation:

• Download the latest installation package from zapliance.
• Pause all data operations and stop the current process/service.
• Deregister the registered Windows service.
• Install the update by reinstalling with the new package.
• Adjust RAM allocation if necessary.
• Register the Windows service again.
• Start the Windows service.

Average update time: 10 minutes.

Updates during Runtime

zapliance offers engine files and content bundles (.zip) that can be uploaded during runtime to update functions or enable new features and analyses in the software. This process can be managed from the frontend without requiring direct access to the host machine, usually without IT support.

Average update time: 5 minutes.

Data Access and Impact on the SAP System

Data is retrieved via the RFC interface of the SAP system. zapAnalytics only requires the SAP standard function modules and read rights.

In over 2000 projects, there have been no impacts on R3, ECC, or S4 systems.

Additional information about SAP Admin.

Need Help?

If you have any questions, please contact our support team at support@zapliance.com.

 

Last Updated: February 1, 2025

 

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