Function documentationPlanning Step Links Locate the document in its SAP Library structure

Use

You can exchange planning data between linked planning steps using planning step links. When you do this, planning steps are always moved from the source planning step to the target planning step. A planning step can be both a target and a source. You can create as many links as you require for each combination of source and target planning steps. You can use the link numbers to differentiate between source and target planning steps.

Features

When you define a planning step link in Customizing, select one link method only. You can use the link method to define the link between two planning steps. You can select the following methods:

·        Documentation only:

You only want to define documentation that describes a planning step link.

·        SAP Copy Management:

You want to copy planning step data to its linked planning step using SAP copy management. You also want to process the data simultaneously. The copy method in SAP copy management defines the method for processing data. For example, data can be aggregated during the copy procedure. To do this, a database table must be assigned to both planning steps in planning step maintenance.

You can find more information on SAP copy management in Customizing for Merchandise and Assortment Planning, in Tools.

·        Transaction/program:

You can choose to state a link program or a transaction for the link. This enables you to integrate your own developments in the planning process when you exchange planning data.

·        Disaggregation:

Choose this link method when you want to distribute the plan data according to the planning hierarchy from the “rough” planning level of a planning step to the “detailed” planning level of the subordinate planning step. However, disaggregation is only possible along the planning hierarchy. This means that time-based distribution (for example, from year to month) is not supported.   Unlike the SAP copy management and program/transaction link methods it is not necessary to create a separate method or separate link program. When you activate the scenario, a corresponding report is generated automatically.

Note

Note that the report can only be generated if

a database table is assigned to both planning steps involved. However, the database tables for the planning steps do not have to be identical.both planning steps have at least one common key figure. both planning steps have the same storage periodicity.the planning levels of the source planning step are in the same order at the start of the target planning step.

The report determines the intersection of all common key figures. When performing disaggregation, individual key figures to be distributed can, however, be selected independently from one another using the corresponding checkboxes. There are also three checkboxes for selecting,

¡        the planning hierarchy version,

¡        the planning hierarchy version for the disaggregation indicator and

¡        the aggregation behavior of the key figures

that should be used with regard to source or target planning step in disaggregation.

·        Aggregation:

Choose this link method when you want to aggregate the plan data according to the planning hierarchy from the “detailed” planning level of a planning step to the “rough” planning level of the superordinate planning step. However, disaggregation is only possible along the planning hierarchy. This means that time-based aggregation (for example, from year to month) is not supported.   Unlike the SAP copy management and program/transaction link methods it is unnecessary to create a separate method or separate link program here. When you activate the scenario, a corresponding report is generated automatically.

Note

Note that the report can only be generated if

a database table is assigned to both planning steps involved. However, the database tables for the planning steps do not have to be identical.both planning steps have at least one common key figure. both planning steps have the same storage periodicity.the planning levels of the target planning step are in the same order at the start of the source planning step.

The report determines the intersection of all common key figures. When performing aggregation, individual key figures to be distributed can, however, be selected independently from one another using the corresponding checkboxes. There are also four checkboxes for selecting,

¡        the planning hierarchy version and

¡        the aggregation behavior of the key figures

that should be used with regard to source or target planning step in aggregation.

 

 

 

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