The weighting factors are included in the calculation in the same way in all cases listed.

1. On the selection screen, a time period is specified for the stocks, consumptions, or receipts to be analyzed.
2. The Upper time limit (stocks) or the Run date determines the posting periods (stocks) or the month that the first entry in the corresponding table of weighting factors refers to.
3. The highest entry in the table of weighting factors determines how far into the future (forecast data) or the past the system looks to read the stocks, consumptions, or receipts.
4. If the period under review is to be limited in individual programs, you can enter a date as the Lower time limit (stocks), Upper limit date (forecast data), or First date: selection. This limits further the time period for the entries in the table of weighting factors.
5. The individual weighting factors are always relative numbers. They represent a certain portion of the total of the weighting factors for the table entries analyzed.

You have to differentiate between the following situations:

• Material stocks during lowest value determination by range of coverage or rate of movement

The system calculates an average stock from the stock data in the material master and the appropriate weighting factors.

In many cases it is sufficient to make a single entry in the table of weighting factors. This would mean that the stock on a key date is analyzed.

• Material consumptions during lowest value determination by range of coverage

The system calculates the average consumption for a month from the consumption statistics or the forecast data in the material master and the appropriate weighting factors.

In many cases, the average monthly value of the consumptions for a year is found. There must be 12 consecutively numbered entries stored in the table of weighting factors in this case.

• Material movements (consumptions and receipts) during lowest value determination by rate of movements

The system calculates the total consumption quantity or receipt quantity that was entered during a certain period of time. You can use the corresponding weighting factors to give the movements in particular months more importance than other months.

In many cases, you search for the movements for a year. There must be 12 consecutively numbered entries stored in the table of weighting factors in this case.