Use

You use this procedure to define a data collection task .

Prerequisites

You have created a data collection method .

Procedure

Proceed as follows to define a data collection task:

In the process view of the consolidation workbench, choose Consolidation Functions → Data Collection → Task . In the lower left screen area, choose Create from the context menu.

Enter a key for the data collection task.

Enter a short name and a medium name for the data collection task.

You can assign a consolidation frequency to the data collection task.

If you do not assign a consolidation frequency, the task is executed in the consolidation monitor in each consolidation period (according to the consolidation frequency that is defined for the version combination).

Define the processing type (see the section "Processing Type" in Data Collection Task ).

Assign the method for each relevant period category . To do this, select each period category separately. See the section "Assign Methods for Period Categories."

If you selected the processing type Two-sided or Per Consolidation Group , assign the data collection method and, in the Consolidation Group group box, select the consolidation groups for which the data collection task is to be executed in the consolidation monitor. You can make complex selections (see Single Selection ).

If you selected the Independent of Consolidation Unit/Group processing type, assign the data collection method only.

If you add the data collection task to the task sequence, it is assigned to the top node of the consolidation units hierarchy in the consolidation monitor.

If you selected the Per Consolidation Unit processing type and set the Independent of Consolidation Unit(s) option under Assign Method , the data collection task is executed in the consolidation monitor for all consolidation units or combinations of consolidation units.

Otherwise, proceed as follows for the Per Consolidation Unit processing type:

Specify all consolidation units or combinations of consolidation units that are valid in the hierarchy.

By default, the system sets the Relevant indicator for each consolidation unit or combination of consolidation units.

Specify a data collection method for each consolidation unit or combination of consolidation units (you can specify different data collection methods) or deselect the Relevant indicator.

At the time of task execution, for each consolidation unit you either need to have specified a data collection method or may not have selected the Relevant indicator. If this is not the case (for example, because the consolidation unit was not specified at all), the system displays an error message because of the missing method assignment. Reasoning: You can explicitly exclude consolidation units from processing. However, typically all consolidation units are always automatically processed.

Specify your preferences for the task log :

Specify whether you want to save the log of the last task execution in update mode.

Specify whether the log should be displayed when the task is executed.

Save the data collection task.

Result

You can add the data collection method to the task sequence and execute it in the consolidation monitor.

Example

Assign Methods for Period Categories

In a data collection task, you want to use the consolidation frequency Quarterly (with closing periods 003, 006, 009, 012). For the last quarter of the fiscal year, you want to assign a different data collection method than for the first three quarters. Proceed as follows:

In the process view of the consolidation workbench, choose Consolidation Functions → Data Model → Periodicity → Period Category

Define a period category group with these period categories: First Three Quarters (periods for posting 003, 006 and 009) and Last Quarter (period for posting 012).

Save the settings.

In the process view of the consolidation workbench, choose Consolidation Functions → Data Collection → Task

Create a data collection task. Define names for it, choose the consolidation frequency Quarterly, and specify the processing type.

From the dropdown box for the period category, choose the entry Period Category of Other Period Category Groups. Choose First Three Quarters from the list.

Afterward, the dropdown box Period Category contains not only the entry First Three Quarters , but also the entry Last Quarter (the dropdown box always displays the period categories that belong to the same period category group).

Choose the period category First Three Quarters and assign the data collection method for the first three quarters to it.

Select the period category Last Quarter

The system remembers the method assignment for the first three quarters, and hides it now in the display, so that you can make your assignments for the last quarter.

Assign the data collection method for the last quarter.

The system keeps track of your changes for period categories of the same period category group, as long you do not choose a different period category group.

To display or change your settings for the first three quarters, choose period category First Three Quarters

To display or change your settings for the last quarter, choose period category Last Quarter

Save the data collection task.

When executing a data collection task in the consolidation monitor, the system checks which period category applies and executes the data collection method assigned to that period category.