Search Results for: sap-apo

  • How to Use SubContracting in SAP APO

    ByPrimary Researcher

    Executive Summary

    Subcontracting is a specific process where manufacturing is performed outside of the company’s plants.
    There are several subcontracting process flows.
    There is extra complexity to subcontracting that must be understood before implementing subcontracting in a system like APO.
    Subcontracting can be considered a type of bi-directional planning.

    Introduction
    Subcontracting, in supply chain management, is the outsourcing of a manufacturing process, where the OEM (original equipment manufacturer) provides some of the parts or a semi-finished good to the subcontractor. The parts may be sent from an OEM facility or their suppliers.
    This is the first subcontracting …

  • SAP APO Books

    ByPrimary Researcher

    Brightwork Research & Analysis SAP APO Books
    We currently have five books published on SAP APO. All of the books are based upon a combination of real project experience, along with reviews of academic research and the other literature. At Brightwork Research & Analysis we follow the approach of the RAND Corporation with regards to referencing previous work:
    “A high-quality study cannot be done in intellectual isolation: It necessarily builds on and contributes to a body of research and analysis. The relationships between a given study and its predecessors should be rich and explicit. The study team’s understanding of past …

  • How to Use Forecast Consumption Settings in SAP APO

    ByPrimary Researcher

    Executive Summary

    The SAP forecast consumption settings include backward and forecast consumption.
    Forecast consumption is used to smooth out the peaks.
    The timing of sales orders and the effect of the backward consumption setting.
    The most common scenario of sales orders exceeding the forecast.
    There is a relationship between when sales orders are received and the days’ supply report usage.

    Introduction: Considering Sales Orders Forecast Consumption
    SAP forecast consumption is how the Sales Order Key Figure reduces the Forecast Key Figure in the Planning Book. Regarding how the SAP forecast consumption is controlled, the article explains this in detail. In …

  • How to Understand The SAP APO Macro, Operators and Functions

    ByPrimary Researcher

    Executive Summary

    We cover the major components of the Planning Book with our mockup.
    We cover row selection, SAP Macros, demand Key Figures, forecast Key Figures, supply Key Figures, stock Key Figures, and the APO Macro Builder.

    Introduction: A (Relatively)Comprehensive Run-through of the Planning Book
    This article is designed to clarify how to interpret the Planning Book properly and to understand the components which support it, which includes the SAP macro, operators, and functions. The Planning Book may look simple at first glance, but there is quite a bit going on in the background. Once we cover the …

  • The Trouble with SAP APO Add-Ins

    ByPrimary Researcher

    Executive Summary

    What is SAP APO Add-Ins?
    What is the problem in getting reliable information on SAP APO Add-Ins?
    How do the Add-Ins position SAP Consulting in the future?
    The problem in testing SAP APO Add-Ins.
    Conceptually, should Add-Ins be sold separately?

    Introduction
    I was recently asked to evaluate two add-ins to APO. One being the APO Change Monitor and the other being the Assistant for LIfecycle Management. For whatever reason, these Add-Ins have not come up with much frequency on my previous projects. Come to find out that APO has several Add …

  • How to Delete Transaction Data from APO and ERP with /N/SAPAPO/RLCDEL

    ByPrimary Researcher

    … to re-test the running of a procedure such as the SNP Heuristic, CTM, or the cost optimizer. This is because when debugging performing, it is common to find unpredictable transactions in the system. This reduces the ability to troubleshoot the system.
    The Transaction for Order Delete
    The transaction in SAP APO, which does this is:
    /N/SAPAPO/RLCDEL

    How the Transaction Works
    Many settings in this transaction control everything from what type of transaction data to delete (Category) and what products and location you want to delete, whether you want to delete the transaction data in just APO or …

  • The Lack of Filtration in Both SAP APO and Other Planning Systems

    ByPrimary Researcher

    … for other people to read.

    “Hi Shaun,
    I read your great article “How to use the APO Alert monitoring for reporting” and have a question I hope you can answer. In your article you have the section quoted below – my question is has this changed in the newer versions of SAP APO? I.e. is it possible to sum the quantities and placing it as a denominator over another key figure, e.g. Gross Sales. The purpose as you surely know is to sort of all of the alerts that are not important, e.g. we are not interested in …

  • How to Use SAP APO Keyboard Shortcuts

    ByPrimary Researcher

    Executive Summary

    Reducing Clunkiness of the SAP GUI
    When are Transaction Codes in APO Useful?

    Introduction
    I documented the IMG setups for SPP. In doing this, I have to go into and out of many screens; for this, it’s hard to beat keyboard shortcuts. I know most of us would like SAP to behave like a browser, so our same keystrokes could be used.
    This link provides an extensive listing of SAP keystrokes.
    The ones I find most useful are:

    F3: To get back to the previous screen.
    F12: To Exit
    (Not using F3 and F12 probably wastes the …

  • How to Use Forecasting Methods in SAP APO DP

    ByPrimary Researcher

    Executive Summary

    We cover the forecasting methods (aka methodologies) available in SAP DP.
    To use the forecasting methods, it is necessary to use the Forecast Profiles, Master Profile, the Univariate tab, MLR tab, and the Composite tab.
    Best fit requires setting up the Forecast Profile and the Forecast Strategies.

    Introduction to Forecasting Methods and Parameters
    Forecast parameters control the methods within statistical forecasting systems. A specific combination of parameters converts a forecast method (say Holt-Winters or a Constant) into a specific model. In this article, you will learn about the methods and parameters in SAP DP.
    Our References for …

  • How to Understand the SAP APO Product Group Types and Product Groups

    ByPrimary Researcher

    … availability check and corresponds to the checking group in R/3. The checking group is transferred to the location-specific APO product master (ATP tab page) as the ATP group via the APO Core Interface.
    Back to Product Groups. SAP Help has the following to say about Product Groups in SAP APO.
    “Product group types are a prerequisite for the formation of product groups. Product group types and product groups facilitate the grouping of similar products. The product group type defines the criterion according to which the product groups are formed.” – SAP Help
    The path to Product Group Types is …