InfoProviders
InfoProviders contain real-time InfoCubes and DataStore objects for direct updates in planning mode. As such, they provide the data basis for BW Integrated Planning. Aggregation levels are a type of virtual InfoProvider. They are based on a planning-relevant InfoProvider or a MultiProvider that contains an InfoProvider of this type. Aggregation levels are specifically designed so that you can plan data manually or change data using planning functions.
For more information about the types of InfoProvider, see:
Characteristic Relationships and Data Slices
When planning, you can define the permitted combinations of characteristic values in the form of characteristic relationships and create data slices for the data that you want to protect for a real-time InfoCube or a DataStore object for direct updates in planning mode.
If the generic types of characteristic relationships (attribute, hierarchy, DataStore) and data slices (selection) do not meet specific customer requirements, you can implement characteristic relationships and data slices of type Exit.
Default Key Date for Planning
You can create a default key date for a real-time InfoCube or a DataStore object for direct updates in planning mode. If time-dependent objects (such as attributes or hierarchies) are used in objects in the planning model, you can always refer to the default key date for planning. This allows you to ensure that the same key date is used throughout the planning model. The planning model objects that are relevant for this are characteristic relationships, data slices and parameters of planning functions.
More information: Standard Key Date in Planning Functions.
Under Modeling in the Data Warehousing Workbench, you can create InfoProviders as the data basis for BW Integrated Planning. More information: Creating InfoProviders.
In Planning Modeler, you can select InfoProviders that you want to use as the data basis for BW Integrated Planning. More information: Selecting InfoProviders.