Saving Data in DP and SNP 

Use

In Demand Planning (DP) and Supply Network Planning (SNP), you can store data in three ways:

·        in liveCache time series objects

·        in liveCache orders

·        in an InfoCube

Each key figure in a planning area has its own data storage method. To be able to use these data storage methods, you have to initialize the planning area at least for one planning version.

Integration

Since planning areas for Supply Network Planning can contain only the standard SNP characteristics, you can only use a joint planning area for Demand Planning and Supply Network Planning, if demand planning in your company is done on product level or on product and location level. If you want to do demand planning on other levels, such as brand or regional level, you must have separate planning areas.

Features

liveCache Time Series Objects

The data is stored in buckets, with no reference to orders. This storage method is suitable for tactical, aggregated planning. It is the usual method for saving current Demand Planning data.You can use time series key figures for the following functions:

·        Aggregation and disaggregation

·        Freely definable macros

·        Product allocation checks

·        Characteristics-based forecasting

·        Single- and multilevel infinite heuristics

·        Capacity leveling

·        Optimizer

·        Capable-To-Match (CTM)

·        Deployment

·        Vendor-Managed Inventory (VMI)

liveCache Orders

The data is stored with reference to orders. This storage method is suitable for operative planning, such as in a classical SNP setup. You can use time series key figures for the following functions:

·        Real-time integration with ERP

·        Full pegging

·        Freely definable macros

·        Single- and multilevel infinite heuristics

·        Capacity leveling

·        Optimizer

·        Capable-To-Match (CTM)

·        Deployment

·        Real-time deployment

·        Transport Load Builder (TLB)

·        Vendor-Managed Inventory (VMI)

The following prerequisites apply for saving a key figure to liveCache orders:

·        When creating the planning area, you either specified a Category or Category Group or entered a Key figure semantic prefixed with LC.

·        When creating the planning area, you made no entry for the key figure in the InfoCube field.

For an example of Supply Network Planning using the orders storage method, see planning book 9ASNP94, planning area 9ASNP02 (transaction /SAPAPO/SNP94) in the standard APO system.

InfoCubes

The data is stored in an InfoCube in the Administrator Workbench. This storage method is suitable for data backups, old planning data, and actual sales history. In Demand Planning, actual sales history is used to generate master data and as the basis for forecasting.

In Demand Planning you can only read from InfoCubes, if you have specified the InfoCube in planning area configuration. For more information about saving data in InfoCubes, see Exchange of Data Between InfoCubes and Planning Areas.

To specify an InfoCube from which the key figure is read in all versions, proceed as follows:

...

       1.      In Supply and Demand Planning Administration, select the planning area.

       2.      Choose Change from the context menu.

       3.      Choose Details on the Key Figures tab page.

       4.      Select the required key figure, and choose 002 InfoCube under Semantics.

       5.      Enter the InfoCube in the relevant field.

You can define different InfoCubes for different planning versions under Version-Spec. InfoCube. To check that this data has been entered, choose the Key Fig. Selection pushbutton.

For more information about data backup, see Saving Forecasts and Further Processing and Extracting Data from a Planning Area.