In Release 2.2, you could set the stock levels at the start of the planning horizon manually. This function is still available to you in standard SOP.
In Release 3.0, you also have several ways to set opening stock levels:
You can use this function in flexible planning to set an initial value not only for the key figure "stock level" but for any other key figure. The "zero column" represents simply the time prior to the first period in which planning data is maintained.
You can use SOP's mass processing function to set opening stock levels in any information structure for which consistent planning or level-by-level planning has been defined and which contains the characteristic "material". These stock levels are then present in the 0 column of the planning table every time you plan a chosen planning version of the information structure. You can change them in the planning table if necessary.
Three methods of determining opening stock levels are available to you:
For more information on mass processing, see SOP: Mass Processing.
You create your own method for setting opening stock levels in Define user methods.
To set a value in the zero column of the planning table, you access the planning table from the Planning menu of flexible planning and select the pushbutton 0 column.
To generate opening stock levels with mass processing, you select Mass processing -> Opening stock levels from the Planning menu.