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Object documentationDistribution Rules - Setup Window

 

Use this window to define and view distribution rules.

Note Note

This topic documents fields and other elements in this window that either are not self-explanatory or require additional information.

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Distribution Rules – Setup Window
Code, Description

Specify a code and a description for the distribution rule.
Effective From…To…

For reporting purposes, specify the effective periods of the distribution rule. The effective periods cannot overlap each other. For manually created distribution rules, you can update the current Effective From date in the Date window. To open this window, choose Define New in the Effective From dropdown list. You cannot update the Effective From and Effective To dates for inactive distribution rules

Note Note

When you assign a distribution rule in a transaction, SAP Business One lists out only the distribution rules that are effective on the transaction posting date.

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Example Example

There is a transaction with a posting date of 01.07.2009, and you have assigned to it a distribution rule whose effective period is from 01.06.2009 onwards. You updated the effective period of the distribution rule as from 01.06.2009 to 30.06.2009. SAP Business One still includes the distribution information in reports by comparing the posting date with the latest Effective From date.

However, for new transactions, if the posting date is not within June 2009, SAP Business One does not list out the above distribution rule for you to choose.

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Example Example

There is a distribution rule whose effective period is from 01.06.2009 onwards, and you add the following effective periods:

  • The new effective period is from 01.07.2009 onwards: SAP Business One updates the original effective period as from 01.06.2009 to 30.06.2009.

  • The new effective period is from 01.04.2009 to 30.04.2009: SAP Business One does not change the original effective period.

  • The new effective period is from 01.04.2009 onwards: the new and original effective periods overlap each other, SAP Business One does not save the new effective period and displays an error message.

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Dimension

From the dropdown list, select the dimension to relate to the distribution rule.

Note Note

Only active dimensions appear in the dropdown list.

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Note Note

This field appears only when you selected the Use Multidimensions checkbox on the Cost Accounting tab of the General Settings window underStart of the navigation path Administration Next navigation step System Initialization Next navigation step General Settings End of the navigation path.

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Active

If required, select the checkbox to activate the distribution rule. By default, the checkbox is selected.

Note Note

In SAP Business One, you can only use active distribution rules.

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Total

Specify the reference value to be used for defining factors.
Direct Allocation

For reporting purposes, specify whether the amounts based on this distribution rule is allocated directly or indirectly.

Example Example

A company consists of four departments, each of which is a cost center. The electricity bill covers the consumption of the entire company for a defined period. Since the company cannot calculate the exact amount of electricity consumed by each department, the global amount is distributed among the departments according to each department's office size. The distribution rule used in this case is not Direct Allocation, as it is impossible to relate a specific amount of the electricity bill directly to a specific department.

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The Direct Allocation distribution rule is used for allocating amounts that are directly related to specific cost centers, such as raw material expenses for a production division.
Center Code, Center Name

Specify the code of the cost center.

Note Note

You can only choose the cost centers:

  • That are effective throughout the effective period of the distribution rule, and

  • That are related to the selected dimension.

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Value

Specify the portion of the expenses or revenues to be debited from/credited to the cost center.
Table Total

Total of all values entered in the table, which is not necessarily the same as the total value specified in the Total field above.

To distribute expenses and revenues as percentages, enter 100 in the Total field above, and enter the percentages for the individual cost centers as whole numbers in the table.

Note Note

If the values you enter in the table do not add up to the total value, SAP Business One automatically allocates the difference to the zero cost center (Centr_z), which is only used in reports.

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Distribution Rule History

Displays the Distribution Rule History window, which provides an overview of the changes made to the distribution rule based on different effective periods.

You can edit the effective periods of the distribution rule.

More Information

Working with Distribution Rules

Distribution Rule History Window