Asset Explorer 

Use

This function shows all the values of a fixed asset, including APC values and depreciation, in various forms and summarization levels. Planned values are displayed, as well as values already posted. You use this function to display and analyze asset values.

The asset value display offers some similar functions. However, in contrast to the asset value display transaction, the Asset Explorer offers increased clarity through its overview tree and use of tabs. The asset value display, on the other hand, has a broader scope of functions (see below).

Features

The Asset Explorer consists of the:

The Asset Explorer uses ALV Grid Control for its table display. You can use it to specify the contents of the columns, for example. For more information on using this tool, refer to the SAP-Library and choose BC - ALV Grid Control.

Header

Along with the company code and main asset number, you can also enter the asset sub-number here. Use the and icons to navigate to different fiscal years.

Overview Tree for Depreciation Areas

Choose the pushbutton above the overview tree, or the Display master data function, to reach the display transaction for asset master data.

To navigate between depreciation areas in the overview tree, select the depreciation area you want. Icons indicate the type of depreciation area. The icon indicates a real depreciation area, and the icon indicates a derived depreciation area.

Overview Tree for Related Objects

The system automatically searches for objects related to the asset, such as cost center, equipment, G/L account, and displays them in an overview tree. From this overview tree, you can jump directly to the display transaction of the given master data.

Tab

Plan Values

Value Display

On the Plan values tab page, the system displays all transactions affecting acquisition and production costs, all depreciation calculated for the asset (including proportional value adjustments), the net book value, and any interest calculated. The values at the beginning of the year appear opposite the current planned values for the end of the year, and any changes are indicated. For each type of depreciation, you can see the accumulated depreciation from the last closed fiscal year (balance at the beginning of the year), and the planned depreciation in the current fiscal year. The system displays investment support measures, reserves, and revaluation separately from acquisition and production costs.

Choose Recalculate depreciation to trigger a recalculation of planned depreciation for the displayed asset.

Display of Depreciation Calculation

Select a value and choose Depreciation calculation to view the depreciation calculation.

In many instances it is not immediately clear how individual depreciation values were calculated, due to complex depreciation terms and asset transactions. The system, therefore, enables you to clearly see the origin of asset values by identifying the various levels of the calculations and depreciation terms involved. You can obtain detailed, step-by-step information regarding the calculated asset values, per fiscal year, for each depreciation area, depreciation type and asset transaction.

The system displays the APC balance at the beginning of the year, as well as the planned depreciation . In addition, the system lists all changes to the value of the asset during the current fiscal year, along with the corresponding adjustments to the planned annual depreciation.

To display a hierarchical structure (depreciation trace) that shows all routines that were called during the calculation of depreciation, choose the Routines icon. Expand the tree structure to see the most important parameters.

The Display depreciation calculation function automatically carries out a recalculation of depreciation and displays the individual steps. Due to write accesses to the database, this function requires considerably more time than the Recalculate depreciation function, especially for assets with a large number of line items (for example, assets under construction). Instead you can choose to perform the depreciation trace, with its listing of internal processing steps, at a later point in time. Use report RATRACE0. Each user can load the most recent depreciation trace from the database.

By double clicking on the routines, you can display the program code in the editor. This is useful in order to set breakpoints before you use the debugger . This function should be used only by experienced users.

Analyzing the depreciation trace can be helpful for finding errors. For example, if unexpected depreciation amounts appear, the cause can often be found in the number of periods taken into account or in the base value. The depreciation trace can also often pinpoint the reasons for reduced values (for example, when a value is below the cutoff value, or when the net book value in a derived depreciation area has the wrong positive/negative sign).

Document Display

Select a transaction line and choose Display FI document in order to see the associated document in Financial Accounting.

Posted Values

On the Posted values tab page, you display the values that have already been posted in Financial Accounting in the current year, rather than planned depreciation. The Depreciation posted/planned table shows a breakdown of depreciation by period. The status indicates whether the depreciation is still only planned or has already been posted.

Comparisons

Parameters

The Parameters tab page contains information such as the depreciation key, useful life and index specifications used.

More Functions

Constraints

The functions below can only be performed in the asset value display transaction at the present time:

Customizing for the asset value display function (short texts for value fields or the reports that can be called directly from the function) have no influence on the Asset Explorer.

The above functions will be integrated in the Asset Explorer in a later release.

Activities

Start the Asset Explorer and enter a company code and a fixed asset.

Refer to:

Asset Value Display