Dampening factor for trend component in regression method

For forecast models with a trend component, you can dampen the trend for future forecast values by using a trend dampening factor that corresponds to your needs. A trend dampening factor is a number that is multiplied by the trend value (growth rate) for the calculation of each forecast value at the respective time. For more information, see Profiles Relevant for Forecast.

Enhanced determination of zero stock days

Zero stock information is used in the correction of lost consumption due to out-of-stock occurrences. You can choose to use the enhanced method of determining zero stock days when correcting the lost consumption. This means that the system marks a day as a zero stock day only if both the reported stock and the consumption of the day in question is zero. For more information, see Profiles Relevant for Forecast

Forecast for inactive periods

Forecast values (and DIF effects) are also issued for future inactive periods (though they are not considered in the requirement calculation). Depending on the forecast method and the actual data constellation, the forecast values for inactive periods can sometimes be confusing. You can choose to have the system set the calculated forecast values and DIF effects to zero for periods in which the location product is not listed. For more information, see Profiles Relevant for Forecast.

Improved handling of first-time DIF occurrences

For DIFs whose effects cannot be determined by the system, it is already possible to manually define a correction DIF with the assumed effect. Now, in the case of Boolean DIFs, you can alternatively define a default correction factor for the DIF. The system applies this factor for occurrences of the DIF if the effect of the DIF could not be determined. For more information, see Assigning DIF Occurrences.

More flexible definition of Ignore DIFs

You can control the definition of DIFs in a more flexible way:

Enhanced method of filtering of DIFs by significance

You can choose to use an enhanced method of filtering the DIFs to ensure that only DIFs containing information significant for the forecast calculation are considered. In the enhanced (multi-step) method, the system evaluates each DIF in a separate step, beginning with the DIF that has the least significant effect. This allows you to improve the quality of the forecasting by reducing the forecast outliers that can occur when many DIFs are defined in the system and different occurrences are valid at the same time. For more information, see Profiles Relevant for Forecast

Elimination of collinear DIFs

In some cases, problematic forecast values can be found to be caused by collinear DIFs. You can choose to eliminate collinear DIFs from the forecast model. For more information, see Profiles Relevant for Forecast.

Output of corrected consumption history

Before the FRP run executes the forecast calculation, the system pre-processes the weekly consumption history in order to correct consumption values that would otherwise disturb the forecast calculation. You can view the corrected consumption values plus the reason for the correction on the Time Series screen of the Replenishment Workbench (RWB), the Product Workbench (PWB), and in cause determination. It may be useful to see the corrected consumption history as well as the original consumption history when checking the automatically created order proposals, since this means that the forecast calculation of the FRP run is easier to understand. For more information, see Profiles Relevant for Forecast.

Output of preallocation information

In the RWB, you can view the forecast quantity that was preallocated from future periods to earlier periods within the demand horizon of an order proposal item, including the quantities that have been preallocated from future periods to past demand periods and still need to be reserved for the consumption in the future. For more information, see Preallocation.

Enhanced use of dynamic minimum stock

In the Requirement Calculation Profile, a new option is available for defining the use of the dynamic minimum stock.

Additional restriction: absolute discount for discount scales

You can enter an absolute discount in a defined currency for the Discount Scales additional restriction. For more information, see Restriction Profiles.

Intermediate values of order quantity optimization

In the RWB, you can view the intermediate results of the order quantity optimization process in the existing output interface. For more information, see Replenishment Workbench.

Start the RWB with an order proposal number

For different business reasons, you may need to start the RWB with one particular order proposal number. A new selection screen has been created for this purpose. For more information, see Replenishment Workbench.

Navigate to the procurement cycle from the RWB, PWB, and cause determination

Replenishment planners may find it useful to review detailed procurement cycle information, for example, the upcoming order dates and delivery dates in the RWB. You can view the information from the corresponding procurement cycle in the RWB, PWB, and in cause determination. For more information, see General Functions in the OPM Workbenches.

Authorize use of the Rounding pushbutton in the SAP F&R workbenches

You can control the use of the Rounding pushbutton in the SAP F&R workbenches. Users require the appropriate authorization to use the Rounding pushbutton to disable automatic rounding, and the system uses an authority check to determine whether or not the user in question has the requisite authorization. This helps avoid logistical problems. For more information, see General Functions in the OPM Workbenches.

Change the delivery date of multiple order proposal items in the RWB

It is possible to change the delivery date of all or selected line items of an order proposal in the RWB. This is useful, for example, if the vendor has changed the delivery date or if you want to have certain products delivered earlier. When you choose to change the delivery date of multiple order proposal items, a dialog box appears in which you can specify the new delivery date. When you save, the system by default calculates other dependent scheduling dates automatically. Alternatively, if you want to specify the other scheduling dates yourself, you can choose the manual scheduling option. You can also have the system propose values for your consideration. For more information, see Replenishment Workbench.