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Distribution Key for Periodic Distribution

In Profitability Analysis, planning data is saved on a weekly or periodic basis. If you enter an annual value, then it is always distributed internally to the weeks or periods. By default, it is distributed in proportion to the existing values. If no previous values exist, then the system distributes the values evenly. The system uses the fiscal year variant for the operating concern to determine the number of periods that there are in a year.

You can use one of two types of distribution key to change the default setting:

• Standard distribution keys
  These are distribution keys that apply equally to all the planning data for which you want to use them.

• Segment-specific distribution keys
  These are distribution keys that are valid only for specific characteristics and value fields. For example, depending on the characteristic "country", you can distribute the planned annual values for the product "Suntan lotion" to the individual periods on the basis of different distribution keys. You specify in an access key the control information for the segment-specific distribution keys.

You can use either the distribution key that you defined or the access key at different places in planning:

• You can include the distribution key in the parameter set for the planning method Period distribution . When you execute the method, the data is distributed according to the entries you made in the parameter set.

• You can include either the distribution key or the access key in the parameter group for the planning method Enter planning data. The key is used when you add new objects (such as rows in the planning layout) manually. The distribution of profitability segments that have been planned previously is not affected.

• During manual planning, you can also use the menu to execute the planning method Period distribution for selected profitability segments and then you can enter a distribution key or access key.

• In the definition of a planning layout, you can define the distribution key as an attribute for a profitability segment and value field.