A user method is a program or programs written by your company to perform a clearly defined, highly specific task when certain conditions are fulfilled. For example, a method allows you to perform complex transformations on statistical data. It consists of administrative information and an ABAP/4 FORM routine which you write yourself.
In Sales & Operations Planning, you can define methods for the following situations:
For full information on the different possibilities for setting opening stock levels in the background, see:
If the combination of planning methods from and to which you want to copy is not defined in the R/3 System (see Standard Copying Methods), you create a copying method.
For information on the Master Data Generator, see:
Master Data Generator in Flexible Planning
Master Data Generator in Standard SOP Running the Master Data Generator in Flexible Planning Running the Master Data Generator in Standard SOPYou can also create a method to plan characteristic values that are not updated from the operative applications. For an example, see "Copy Management" in Customizing for the Logistics Information System.
In a method, you maintain the following:
This is a four-character key of your choice which denotes the method.
This is the source information structure.
This is the target information structure. If the method usage is ‘B’ or ‘P’, you enter the same information structure for both the source and the target table.
This is the program in which you create the FORM routine for the transformation.
This is the FORM routine with which the data transformation is carried out.
This is a description of the method.
To create a method:
To branch into the editor for program or subroutine maintenance, double-click on the field Program or Subroutine.