Direct Connection & Validation procedure

When using a direct connection approach—where data is extracted directly from the source system (such as ECC or another S/4HANA system) into the target system without loading it into persistent staging tables—the validation process must be handled differently. In this scenario, you still need to verify and approve the data between extraction and its final import into the application tables. Here's how you can manage that process:
  
  
1. Data Extraction with a Direct Connection
  
In a direct connection approach, you typically use one of the following mechanisms:
  
SLT (SAP Landscape Transformation): For real‑time or near‑real‑time replication.
Smart Data Integration (SDI) or Smart Data Access (SDA): For connecting to external sources.
Direct CDS Views: Exposing the source data directly if the source system is an S/4HANA system.
  
In these cases, data is not stored long‑term in staging tables but is either streamed, buffered, or accessed on demand.
  
  
2. Capturing Data for Validation
  
Even without a permanent staging table, you can still "capture" the extracted data in a temporary or transient area that allows you to perform validations before the final import. There are a few approaches to achieve this:
  
A. Temporary or Transient Tables
  
  
Custom Temporary Objects:
  You can design a custom ABAP program or use a data load routine that writes the extracted data into temporary database tables. These tables are used solely for validation purposes. Once the data is validated and approved, you can move it into the final application tables.
  
  
Buffering in Memory:
  In some cases, the extraction layer can load the data into internal tables or memory buffers that are then exposed via CDS views. Although these are not persistent, they provide a "snapshot" of the data for immediate validation.
  
  
B. Virtual Data Models with CDS Views
  
CDS Views on Remote Sources:
  If the direct connection is set up through OData or other connectivity methods, you can create CDS views that directly query the remote source data.  
Validation Layer CDS Views: Build CDS views that incorporate the business logic and validation rules on top of the remote data.
Simulation Mode: Some migration tools allow you to run a "test run" or simulation mode where data is temporarily made available for validation without a permanent write into a staging table.
  
  
  
3. Exposing the Data for Business Validation
  
Once you have a temporary capture mechanism in place (whether via custom transient tables or CDS views on the extracted data), you can provide business users with a user-friendly interface to review and validate the data before the final import:
  
  
Fiori Analytical Apps:
  Develop Fiori applications that consume the CDS views or temporary tables. These apps can display the data in an interactive format, allowing business users to:
  
Filter and drill down into the details.
Compare key metrics against expectations.
Export data if necessary for further offline review.
  
  
Approval Workflow:
  Integrate a digital approval or sign‑off process (for example, using Fiori workflows or custom ABAP logic) that captures when and by whom the data was validated. This approval should trigger the final import into the application tables.
  
  
  
4. Final Import into Application Tables
  
Once the business has reviewed and approved the data:
  
Trigger the Final Load:
  Execute a controlled process that transfers the validated data from the temporary capture area into the final application tables.
Reconciliation:
  Optionally, run reconciliation checks—via additional CDS views or reports—to ensure that the data in the application tables matches what was validated.
  
  
Summary
  
  
Direct Connection Approach:
  In a direct connection approach, you aren't using permanent staging tables. Instead, you capture the extracted data temporarily (via transient tables, memory buffers, or directly through CDS views).
  
  
Validation Process:
  You expose this transient data through CDS views and Fiori analytical apps so that business users can validate the data before triggering the final import into application tables.
  
  
Approval and Import:
  After validation and formal sign‑off, the approved data is loaded into the target application tables, ensuring that only validated data makes it into the live system.
  
  
This strategy allows you to maintain the integrity of the data migration process without relying on a persistent staging layer while still providing a robust validation checkpoint for business users.