Data Basis (SAP Library - Business Consolidation (SEM-BCS))

Data Basis

Definition

Defines the data model for consolidation, which consists of the characteristics and key figures with their respective roles for consolidation.

Structure

Data Streams

There is precisely one RFC destination into BW that contains the transaction data of consolidation. If you do not specify an RFC destination, then the client of the SEM system is the RFC destination.

The data streams identify the location for storing the transaction data in Consolidation.

Data can be read from and written to all data streams.

The following types of data streams are available:

Data Stream	Required / Optional	Explanation
Totals records	Required	This data stream primarily defines the data basis. It defines the characteristics and key figures available in the data model.
Documents	Optional
Inventory data	Optional	For the elimination of interunit profit/loss in inventory
Supplier data	Optional	For the elimination of interunit profit/loss in inventory
Goodwill	Optional	For the consolidation of investments
Activity numbers	Optional	For the consolidation of investments

You need to allocate or generate the following to each data stream type:

A data target

A virtual InfoCube (if you want to use BW Reporting)

Internally, the system uses the following:

InfoCubes are used for the totals records. Only the addition of new records is possible. Only the key figures can be updated.

ODS objects are used for the documents (journal entries) and other data streams. Here you can also update characteristics (for example, this is needed for reversal entries).

To the user it does not matter whether the system uses InfoCubes or ODS objects. Once you select the indicator in the data basis for generating a data stream, the system generates either the InfoCube or the ODS object automatically.

For ODS objects, you can display lists of journal entries in the consolidation system (as you can with InfoCubes).

Defining data streams

You have already created the InfoCube for the totals records prior to defining the data streams.

Proceed as follows to define the data streams:

You allocate the InfoCube for totals records to the data basis by entering its name and saving the data basis.
You let the system automatically generate the ODS objects (for the other data streams).

Enter the name or leave the name field empty.
Select the indicator Generate.

Generation is started when you save the data basis.

You should also have the system generate all virtual InfoCubes (including the one for the totals records).

(Follow the same steps as for generating the ODS objects.)

Example Defining data streams

This graphic is explained in the accompanying text

Data Model

The data model must have at least one field for each of the following roles:

Version
Group Currency Key
Consolidation Unit
Consolidation Group
Partner Unit
Item
Document Type
Posting Level
Time Characteristics (fiscal year and period)
Value in Group Currency

Each characteristic with the role consolidation unit also requires characteristics with the following roles:

A partner unit
An investee unit, if you will be using consolidation of investments
A consolidation group

You may need other characteristics and key figures depending on which consolidation functions you want to use.

Consolidation Function	Characteristics and Key Figures Required
Currency Translation	in general: local currency and/or transaction currency (in addition to the group currency) for recording temporal translation differences: the translation indicator
Interunit Eliminations and Reconciliations	for the splitting of transaction currency: key figure transaction currency for the elimination of quantities: key figure quantity
Allocation	for recording sender and receiver objects: the clearing characteristic