Application Logs for Optimizers 

Use

When you execute an optimization-based planning function in Supply Network Planning (SNP) in the background (mass processing), the system automatically generates an application log. Amongst other things, this log contains planning results, such as planned orders and stock transfers created, as well as error, warning, and information messages. The input data for the optimization run and the costs of the solution determined by the optimizer are also displayed, for example.

The central Optimizer Log Data function is available for accessing optimization run logs. From the SAP Easy Access screen, choose Advanced Planning and Optimization → Supply Network Planning → Reporting →Optimizer Log Data. You can use this function to access the following SNP planning functions:

·        SNP Optimizer

·        Deployment Optimizer

·        Capacity Leveling (optimization-based method)

·        Sourcing of Forecast

Features

·        The Optimizer Log Data function provides an overview of the generated logs. Amongst other things, the list of logs contains the following data:

¡        Log status

A traffic light or flag indicates whether the optimization run is still in progress, has already ended, or was terminated with a message (see F1 help).

¡        Log creator

¡        Optimizer profile used

¡        Start and finish time of the run

¡        Runtimes of the individual optimization steps

An optimization run has three steps (data reading, model consistency check, and solution calculation, as well as order creation).

¡        Total costs of solution

¡        Log expiration date

You specify the log expiration date globally for all optimization logs in Customizing for Advanced Planning and Optimization (APO) under Basis Settings  → Optimization  → Basic Functions  → Maintain Global Settings. However, you can also change this date for one specific optimization run by choosing  Change Expiration Date. The log is automatically deleted after the expiration date if you execute the /SAPAPO/OM_REORG_DAILY report.

You can also delete the log from the list, set filters and sort entries.

·        If you double click a log or choose  Display Log, you receive the following data and sub-logs for the log.

¡        Input Parameter

Contains the settings that you made on the initial screen for the planning function.

¡        Location Products

Contains the location products selected for the optimization run.

¡        Deletion Time Period

Specifies a time period in which the system deletes existing planned orders and stock transfers before actual optimization.

¡        Input Log

Contains the input data considered by the system during the optimization run (that is, master data and transaction data). The data is divided into a number of tables (such as ET_LOCMAT). You can display the content of these tables on the right-hand side of the screen. For more information, see Optimization Input Log.

¡        Results Log

Contains all results of the optimization run, such as planned orders, stock transfers, resource consumption, costs, and penalty costs. The data is divided into a number of tables (such as ET_PROMO). You can display the content of these tables on the right-hand side of the screen.

¡        Result Indicators

Contains indicators that display the quality of the optimization solution, such as service level and shortfall of safety stock. For more information, see Result Indicators.

¡        Explanations

Contains the results of an explanation tool run (see below).

¡        Extended Results Log

In this log, you can display the results of the optimization run in the interactive SNP planning form.

¡        Message Log

Contains error messages, warning messages, and information messages generated by the system during the optimization run. They are ordered according to meaning, that is, whether they refer to the optimization run settings or to the three main steps of the run.

¡        Trace File

All individual optimization run steps are logged in this text file. It is saved on the optimization server, but you can also download it to your own computer.

¡        Costs

Contains detailed information about the costs of the solution determined by the optimizer. For more information, see Resulting Costs of Optimization.

¡        Solution Quality

Contains the costs of the best solution determined by the optimizer up to the time displayed. If you used a decomposition method, you can also relate the costs the partial problem solved up to this time.

You can use the log to determine whether you can reduce the optimizer runtime without effecting solution quality.

Note that the input log and the results log, as well as the deletion time period, are only displayed if you have set the Write All Log Data indicator in the optimizer profile being used. Even if an error occurred in the first step of the optimization run (data reading), the log may not be available.

·        You can also download the input log and the results log to your own computer. To do this, choose  Download Input Log or  Download Results Log. The logs are then saved in RELATIOM text format.

·        If you select a log and choose Explain, you go to the Explanations of SNP Optimization Resultsscreen. From this screen you can execute the explanation tool which explains two important exceptional situations of an optimization run: non-deliveries and shortfall of safety stock.

For more information, see Explanation of the Optimization Results.