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Function documentationReference Objects

 

To calculate dates, the system needs reference objects.

By referencing to a reference object, each time becomes a local date and a local time. Because the system works internally with time stamps (date, time) in global time Universal Time Coordinated (UTC), it needs the reference object to translate the time into UTC.

For durations, the system needs a reference object to determine the correct factory calendar (workdays and holidays).

You can use the reference object to control the time zone and factory calendar to which a date type or duration refers. For example, you can determine that the date type valid to in quotations is calculated in the time zone of the user who creates the quotation, regardless of the main location of the organization.

The reference object for a date or duration is always defined independently of the date profile. Therefore, a date type or duration can have different reference objects, depending on the date profile.

Different date types can have different reference objects within a date profile.

Prerequisites

You have entered the time zone in the appropriate master record to use the user or a business partner (for example, sold-to party) as a reference object.

Note Note

The system determines time zones in the standard address in the business partner master record.

End of the note.

Activities

Reference objects are delivered as default settings.

You have selected the valid reference objects for each date profile in Customizing for Customer Relationship Management by choosing Start of the navigation path Basic Functions Next navigation step Date Management Next navigation step Define Date Profile End of the navigation path. Then, in the date profile, define a reference object for every date type and duration type.

Example

The Company Brown Electronics in Vienna, Austria draws up a maintenance contract on April 20, 2001 with Medsys Inc., USA. The contract start date is to be on the first working day of the following month.

  • If the reference object is User or System, the contract begins on May 2 (in Austria, May 1 is a public holiday and May 2 a working day).

  • If the reference object is Customer, the contract begins on May 1 (in the USA, May 1 is not a public holiday ).

More Information

Defining Time Zones in the User Profile