Dimension 

Definition

A specific characteristic of consolidated reporting in SAP Consolidation.

Use

In general, you define one dimension for each consolidation type your want to portray. You can have multiple dimensions in the system at the same time. The standard SAP system contains a predefined dimension for each of the following types of consolidation: company consolidation, business area consolidation, profit center consolidation. There is also a dimension for generic uses.

The one-to-one relationship between dimensions and consolidation types is not mandatory. If needed, you can portray several consolidation types within one dimension. However, doing this can easily cause a lack of clarity of the dimension's data.

In the dimension you define your corporate structure as a hierarchy of consolidation units and consolidation groups.

Structure

The dimension is one of the "pillars" of the architecture of SAP Consolidation. The only key field the dimension is subordinate to (dependent on) is the client of the SAP system. Conversely, much of the master data and control data is subordinate to the dimension. This means that this type of data is delimited to the dimension, in which it is created.

Dimension-dependent are:

-         Organizational units

-         Control data such as tasks and methods

Dimension-independent are:

-         Consolidation charts of accounts

-         Consolidation versions

You make some fundamental decisions in the dimension's master record concerning:

●     The organizational units in the dimension

The dimension determines the field lengths of the consolidation units and groups.

●     The consolidation entries posted in the dimension

The dimension determines whether old documents are deleted prior to re-posting, or are reversed.

 

Integration

The integration feature between Consolidation and the transaction-processing systems of SAP is available for all dimensions you use for company consolidation, business area consolidation, or profit center consolidation. Integration enables the Consolidation system to collect the reported financial data directly from the operational components.