About Packages

A package is a set of specific tasks that define the work to be done. These tasks are based on information you provide either by entering information in Data Manager package prompts. When using the Data Manager with SAP BusinessObjects Planning and Consolidation 10, version for the Microsoft Platform, you can also modify packages directly through Microsoft SQL Server.

Packages allow you to move data among your Planning and Consolidation databases and to effect business processes, such as legal consolidation and intercompany booking. By default, there are three types of packages within the Data Manager:

Data Management
Financial Processes
System Administration

Note By definition, a package in the Data Manager is anything that has been added either by default or as the result of customization in the Run Package dialog box.

Packages in the Data Manager are standard and shared among all models within all environments in a given Planning and Consolidation installation.

The packages that come with Planning and Consolidation are designed to be dynamic, which means that you are not required to modify them in order for the packages to work with your models and dimensions. You can modify packages to behave differently or to perform additional functions. In the Organize Package List dialog box you can do the following:

Add a package
Modify a package
Remove a package
Copy a package
Move a package

The planning and consolidation application version for Microsoft relies on SSIS packages whereas the version for SAP NetWeaver relies on process chains.