All reporting tools use semantic layers for the same purpose. However, they just give it different names such as Framework in IBM Cognos, Project in Oracle BI, and Universe in SAP Business Objects. All semantic layers have exactly the same functionality: isolation of the technical part from the end business user by acting like a translator. They will translate the business requests into technical SQL queries submitted to the database. Also, they interpret the data returned into a format that can be understood by the end user.
SAP BO introduced a new tool to create your Universe (SAP BO semantic layer) in SAP BO 4.1; this is the Information Design Tool. They are still supporting the old Universe designer tool for compatibility purposes, but they clearly mention that they will stop supporting the Universe designer soon, and you will be able to create your Universes using the Information Design Tool only.
Before we conclude this chapter, let's have a look at the main components of Universe:
Connection: Every Universe should have at least one data connection. The data connection will define how Universe will access the data based on the connection type. If you have an Oracle connection, for example, you will need to define your Oracle database and set your connection parameters. We will talk about this in detail later on.
The Data Foundation layer: This is the physical layer in the Universe.
The Business layer: We define our business model in this layer. We might have more than one Business layer that shares the same Data Foundation.