AR Data Visualization

SAP BusinessObjects meets Augmented Reality

Bachelor Thesis Overview

This bachelor thesis explores the combination of Augmented Reality (AR) with business data visualization. The project demonstrates how SAP BusinessObjects reports and dashboards can be turned into interactive 3D AR experiences accessible through the browser.

Academic Achievement

  • B.Sc. - International Business Information Systems
  • Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences
  • Submitted: August 2, 2022
  • Supervised by Prof. Dr. Peter Ebinger & Prof. Dr. Markus Grüne

Innovation Impact

  • First-of-its-kind AR business intelligence solution
  • Bridges gap between BI and emerging tech
  • Developed as generic solution for INFOMOTION clients
  • Extensive user research and market analysis included

System Architecture & Technology Stack

Frontend Layer

Angular 14 with TypeScript, AR.js, A-Frame.js, and BabiaXR.js for immersive experiences

Backend Services

Spring Boot backend with RESTful APIs for SAP BusinessObjects integration

Data Source

SAP BusinessObjects for enterprise reporting and data visualization

Library Database

INFOMOTION library database with book lending analytics and usage patterns

Research & Development Process

  1. 1

    Literature Review & Gap Analysis

    Comprehensive analysis of existing AR applications in business contexts, identifying the research gap in AR-based data visualization with SAP integration.

  2. 2

    User Research & Market Analysis

    Conducted extensive survey with 81 participants across German companies to understand AR adoption barriers and user preferences for data visualization features.

  3. 3

    Technical Architecture Design

    Designed a comprehensive system architecture combining web technologies, AR frameworks, and enterprise data sources for seamless integration.

  4. 4

    Prototype Development

    Built a fully functional web application demonstrating multiple visualization types including bar charts, pie charts, and multi-chart displays in AR.

  5. 5

    Performance Evaluation

    Rigorous testing of functional and non-functional requirements, achieving 50+ FPS rendering and sub-15 second loading times across components.

Key Features & Capabilities

Marker-Based AR Tracking

Custom marker generation and recognition system using ARToolKit.js for precise spatial positioning of 3D data visualizations.

AR.jsCustom Markers

3D Data Visualization

Real-time rendering of interactive charts, graphs, and reports with full 360° rotation and scaling capabilities in AR space.

BabiaXR.jsA-Frame.js

SAP Integration

Direct connection to SAP BusinessObjects for live data retrieval, supporting multiple chart types and real-time updates.

RESTful APIsLive Data

Cross-Platform Support

Web-based solution compatible with modern browsers, eliminating need for app installations while maintaining performance.

WebGLPWA Ready

Research Impact & Findings

81
Survey Participants
Across German companies
89%
User Interest
In AR business applications
11%
Current Usage
AR in German enterprises

Key Research Contributions

  • First comprehensive study combining AR, SAP BusinessObjects, and web technologies
  • Identified major barriers: lack of knowledge (59%) and missing use cases (41%)
  • Demonstrated feasibility of browser-based AR for enterprise applications
  • Provided framework for future AR business intelligence solutions

Technical Achievements & Validation

Performance Metrics

Rendering Performance50+ FPS
Loading Time< 15 seconds
Browser CompatibilityChrome + Firefox
Chart Types Supported6+ Types

Functional Capabilities

  • Multiple simultaneous chart display
  • Real-time SAP data integration
  • 360° camera-based interaction
  • Responsive design adaptation
  • Custom marker generation
  • Scalable component architecture
Back to Portfolio