Time Intervals in Sales Order Oriented Planning

The following graphic explains the use of the two time horizons that are of importance for sales order oriented planning.

The adjustment horizon is defined as the period of time starting from the opening date in which the start date of a planned order or a purchase requisition must fall for adjustment to take place. Orders that fall outside this period are not adjusted.

The start date of a planned order is the start date of the earliest operation in the production or procurement of all the components (in the order network. For components that are procured externally the planned delivery time from the product master is used to determine the start date. Similarly for purchase requisitions the planned delivery time is used.

The ascertainment horizon is defined as the period of time starting from the opening date in which the start date of a planned order or a purchase requisition must fall so that it can be selected for the ascertainment heuristic. Orders that fall outside this period cannot be ascertained. Here you can also use an offset to push the ascertainment period further into the future with regards to the opening date. The ascertainment horizon is further in the future than the adjustment horizon. Generally it is also longer.

In above example if the offset has value A, both products are selected for ascertainment, although in both cases the requirements is outside the horizon - the start date is within the horizon. If the offset has value B, product 1 is not selected for ascertainment.

With regards to adjustment, only product 1 is selected. Although product 2 has an earlier requirements date, its start date is later and does not fall within the adjustment horizon.