New online planning functions
Description
CO-PA online planning contains the following new functions in Release 3.0:
1. New design options in the planning
layout
The options for designing a layout for entering plan data has been enhanced significantly.
The most important additions:
The options for designing a layout for entering plan data has been enhanced significantly.
The most important additions:
a) Parameterization of the
characteristics
When you define a planning layout, you can now put characteristics and characteristic values in the rows and the columns, and define them in general data selection.
You can either specify the characteristics or define them using variables. If you use variables, the system lets you specify the values when you call up the planning function. It is therefore no longer necessary to use characteristic groups as was previously done.
When you define a planning layout, you can now put characteristics and characteristic values in the rows and the columns, and define them in general data selection.
You can either specify the characteristics or define them using variables. If you use variables, the system lets you specify the values when you call up the planning function. It is therefore no longer necessary to use characteristic groups as was previously done.
b) Header formatting
You can design the entry screen header individually by selecting specific characteristics from the general data selections. (see "Parameterization of the Characteristics").
You can design the entry screen header individually by selecting specific characteristics from the general data selections. (see "Parameterization of the Characteristics").
c) New characteristics
The fields "Version", "Record type" (only for costing-based Profitability Analysis) and "Plan/actual indicator" are treated as usual characteristics when you define the planning layout.
The fields "Version", "Record type" (only for costing-based Profitability Analysis) and "Plan/actual indicator" are treated as usual characteristics when you define the planning layout.
d) Lead columns
Basically, there are two different ways to define a lead column:
In a sort of "form" planning, you can define each line separately and enter any characteristic you want in each line. In a sense, this corresponds to "single-segment planning" in earlier releases.
The other option is to define the lead column as a whole, by choosing a characteristic (formerly "multi-segment planning"). Here it is possible to define several lead columns.
Basically, there are two different ways to define a lead column:
In a sort of "form" planning, you can define each line separately and enter any characteristic you want in each line. In a sense, this corresponds to "single-segment planning" in earlier releases.
The other option is to define the lead column as a whole, by choosing a characteristic (formerly "multi-segment planning"). Here it is possible to define several lead columns.
e) Action field
By displaying the field "Action" on the planning screen, you can also enter delta values (as an entry aid).
By displaying the field "Action" on the planning screen, you can also enter delta values (as an entry aid).
2. Calculation columns and calculation
rows
In addition to the actual planning columns, you can also define calculation columns and calculation rows. The system then calculates the values for those columns and rows from the data which you planned.
Moreover, you can also enter the "calculated" values manually and calculate the value fields on that basis. This lets you plan values such as prices and contribution margins directly. (In the case of the latter, however, you need to define the contribution margin again on the planning screen. This will be integrated with the line structure in the Information System in a later release.)
In addition to the actual planning columns, you can also define calculation columns and calculation rows. The system then calculates the values for those columns and rows from the data which you planned.
Moreover, you can also enter the "calculated" values manually and calculate the value fields on that basis. This lets you plan values such as prices and contribution margins directly. (In the case of the latter, however, you need to define the contribution margin again on the planning screen. This will be integrated with the line structure in the Information System in a later release.)
3. Defaults for decimal display and scaling
factor
When you define the planning layout, you can set defaults for the number of decimal places and the scaling factor (i.e. planning in 1000s) for each individual column.
When you define the planning layout, you can set defaults for the number of decimal places and the scaling factor (i.e. planning in 1000s) for each individual column.
4. Record types (costing-based
Profitability Analysis only)
In addition to the record type 'F' (for invoice data), you can now also plan directly for record type 'A' (for incoming sales order) as well as your own record types in online planning.
In addition to the record type 'F' (for invoice data), you can now also plan directly for record type 'A' (for incoming sales order) as well as your own record types in online planning.
5. Derivation of characteristics
As of Release 3.0, the planning objects are derived using derived characteristics only after the profitability segments which have already been planned have been selected from the database.
Consequently, the plan data displayed is determined solely by the selection parameters in the planning layout. This procedure is analogous to how the values are determined in a profitability report.
As of Release 3.0, the planning objects are derived using derived characteristics only after the profitability segments which have already been planned have been selected from the database.
Consequently, the plan data displayed is determined solely by the selection parameters in the planning layout. This procedure is analogous to how the values are determined in a profitability report.
6. Quantity fields and units of measure
As of Release 3.0, quantity fields are displayed with the number of decimal places which was defined for the given unit of measure in Customizing.
Units of measure are managed as before as characteristics in Profitability Analysis.
As of Release 3.0, quantity fields are displayed with the number of decimal places which was defined for the given unit of measure in Customizing.
Units of measure are managed as before as characteristics in Profitability Analysis.
7. Plan structure
You can define the structure of the characteristics and characteristic values you want to plan in a graphic representation for each plan version.
When you create the plan, the system checks it against this structure. In contrast to the periodic check, which only permits plan data at the end nodes of the structure, this online check merely verifies the existence of the planned segments at any level of the plan structure.
This way you can plan the data online at an aggregated level, and then distribute it top-down before the system runs a final check against the plan structure.
You can define the structure of the characteristics and characteristic values you want to plan in a graphic representation for each plan version.
When you create the plan, the system checks it against this structure. In contrast to the periodic check, which only permits plan data at the end nodes of the structure, this online check merely verifies the existence of the planned segments at any level of the plan structure.
This way you can plan the data online at an aggregated level, and then distribute it top-down before the system runs a final check against the plan structure.
1. Account-based Profitability Analysis
Planning in account-based Profitability Analysis, has the following special features:
Planning in account-based Profitability Analysis, has the following special features:
a) Controlling area and account
Planning layouts are always defined for a specific controlling area.
You must use "Account" as a characteristic.
Planning layouts are always defined for a specific controlling area.
You must use "Account" as a characteristic.
b) Planning functions
The functions "Valuation", "Revaluation" and "Display line item" are not supported in this type of Profitability Analysis.
The functions "Valuation", "Revaluation" and "Display line item" are not supported in this type of Profitability Analysis.
Change system parameters in customizing
Due to the significant enhancements in the functions for designing entry screens, you need to define new planning layouts.
It is not possible to use the row/column structures you defined before Release 3.0.
See
enhancements inn Release 3.0B
Effect on batch input
Due to the significant technical changes which took place in planning in Release 3.0, it was necessary to modify the batch-input programs.