Function of the Information Systems

An information system uses informative key figures to aid the rapid detection of existing problem areas and analyze their origin. Business transactions that are often performed thousands of times in one day form the basis for these key figures. An information system therefore has to access aggregated data in order to gain a quick overview.

The information systems in logistics are flexible tools for collecting, aggregating and analyzing data from the operative applications (Purchasing, Sales, Production, Inventory Controlling, Plant Maintenance, Quality Management/Inspection Processing). They thus enable you to continually control target criteria and to react in time to exceptional situations.

The function of the information systems is to allow you to view the information from your operative applications from any perspective you wish. You are free to define the level of detail in which the information is displayed.

In the Logistics Information System, data can be analyzed either as a standard analysis or as a flexible analysis .

Standard analyses are based on statistical data in the Logistics Information System, which is contained in "information structures". Important key figures are directly updated from the operative application to the information structures.

Flexible analyses allow you to evaluate any SAP data structures and can be used for

ad-hoc analyses.

The comparison of planned and actual data plays a vital part in the decision-making process. For this reason, the information systems give you the option of entering planning data, in addition to retrieving and aggregating actual data.

The integrated Early Warning System enables you to recognize exceptional situations at an early stage (for example, a positive trend in delivery times). Undesirable situations can be detected and rectified in time.

The Early Warning System also facilitates the selection of potential weak points (for example, you can select all of the materials with an order value higher than $5,000).

The information systems in logistics can be used on a variety of levels in the decision-making process as a management, control, and planning instrument.