SCM Reporting and Analysis
SAP Supply Chain ManagementDate Training Center Instructors Education Website
Participant Handbook
Course Version: 81Course Duration: 2 Days Material Number: 50088352
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Course Overview ... ... ... ... ... vii
Course Goals . . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .vii
Course Objectives . . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .vii
Unit 1: Logistics Information System (LIS) ... ... ... 1
Data Warehousing in the ECC System . . . .. . . .. . . .. 2
Reporting Functions in LIS . . . .. . . .. . . .. . . 21
Unit 2: Introducing SAP BI... ... ... ... 49
SAP BI Overview. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . 50
Terminology used in BI . . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . 59
Unit 3: Data Flow from ECC to BI ... ... ... ... 71
Logistics Data Extraction. .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . 72
Unit 4: Query Development in SAP BI ... ... ... 89
Query Designer .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . 90
InfoProviders in the BEx Query Designer. . . . .. . . .. . . .103
SAP BI Reporting Tools . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .122
Unit 5: Business Content in SAP BI ... ... .. 137
Metadata Repository and BI content . . . .. . . .. . . .138
Unit 6: Other BI Analysis Opportunities ... ... .. 151
Other BI Analysis Opportunities. . . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .152
Unit 7: Comparing LIS and BI ... ... ... .. 163
Contents:
• Course Goals • Course Objectives • Course Content
• Course Overview Diagram • Main Business Example
Main Business Scenario
• Management wants to see reports related to sales, procurement and production operations to evaluate the performance of each department. The reporting environment you choose should provide flexibility and a set of powerful reporting tools
• You are assigned to this project in order investigate and evaluate LIS and SAP BI to determine which is the right solution for your business
Target Audience
This course is intended for the following audiences:
• Project team members and key users responsible for SCM reporting
Course Prerequisites
Required Knowledge
• SCM100 Business Processes Planning
• SCM300 Supply Chain Manufacturing – Overview • SCM500 Processes in Procurement ...
• SCM600 Business Processes in Sales
Course Goals
This course will prepare you to:
• This course will prepare you to determine how LIS and SAP BI meet the requirements of your logistics reporting team.
• Understand how the Logistics Information System (LIS) acquires data and how the LIS reporting tools work
• Understand how SAP BI acquires data and how the BI reporting tools work • Identify the relative strengths and weaknesses of each reporting environment
Unit 1
Logistics Information System (LIS)
Unit Overview
Logistics Information System (LIS): Business Example
• Management wants to see reports on the performance of the different logistics departments in the company. You are responsible for generating the relevant reports that capture the important parameters that highlight the performance. You need to understand how the LIS environment works.
Unit Objectives
After completing this unit, you will be able to:
• Describe data warehousing concepts and the related SAP terminology • Explain the how LIS provides basic data warehousing capabilities within
an ERP system
• Explain the reporting functionality of LIS
Unit Contents
Lesson: Data Warehousing in the ECC System . . . .. . . .. . . ..2
Exercise 1: Logistics Data Creation. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . 11
Lesson: Reporting Functions in LIS . . . .. . . .. . . .. . . 21
Lesson: Data Warehousing in the ECC System
Lesson Overview
Lesson Objectives
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
• Describe data warehousing concepts and the related SAP terminology • Explain the how LIS provides basic data warehousing capabilities within
an ERP system
Business Example
As the company has implemented ECC logistics modules of SAP, it wants a common reporting platform for viewing the reports.
Data Warehousing follows a three-tier model and provides the following features: • The three tiers subdivide the flow of data, from data acquisition in the
operative systems right through to the presentation of information at the top level.
• Integrated, operative applications in OLTP systems form the basis for obtaining information. They are filled with large quantities of master and process data. The information systems present this information in a compact and structured form.
• This is achieved by compressing the application data to obtain more compact, informative key figures and then managing it separately in the database tables of a data warehouse.
• The statistical data obtained in this way can then be analyzed using a variety of analysis tools which are available in the third tier.
• These tools offer a wide range of methods that allow statistical data to be analyzed and presented in an efficient and impressive way. They can therefore make a huge contribution toward reducing the time needed to make decisions in modern management.
Figure 2: Logistics Data Warehouse in SAP ECC
The Logistics Information System provides information from the areas of Sales and Distribution, Purchasing, Production, Warehouse Management, Plant Maintenance, and Quality Management.
Further information systems are available for the Financial Accounting, Controlling, and Human Resources modules.
Figure 3: Online Transaction Processing
OLTP is the first layer of the three-tiered LIS model. The transaction data in the SAP ECC modules, i.e. the OLTP system, is extensive; this data gives a detailed overview of business processes, however, a broad-based analysis or a bird's eye view of the business is difficult to achieve. These ECC Logistics Information Systems are anchored in the ECC OLTP applications through special updating modules. LIS updating, together with data aggregation, constitutes one of the chief principles of the overall LIS concept. LIS updating provides the following benefits:
• Update programs reduce the process data down to its statistically-relevant components, that is, they cumulate relevant data in LIS at regular intervals in terms of objects, and then use formulas and conditions to calculate informative key figures.
• Statistical data can be updated in LIS at the same time as the process data is being processed in the application modules. This guarantees that LIS information is consistent with operational data.
Figure 4: Logistics Data Warehouse
Data warehouse is the second layer of the three-tiered LIS model. The individual physical tables in the SAP Information Warehouse are called information structures. All information structures, info structures in the following, have the same structure.
The objects for analysis in the real business world are represented by
characteristics in info structures, which are used as a basis for categorizing data. Statistical information is updated and aggregated around characteristics, such as vendor, customer, or material. Organizational elements, such as purchasing group, material group, valuation area, plant, or storage area can also function as characteristics in info structures.
The time base is another aggregation option. The data is not only accumulated for each characteristic but also for each period. For each information structure, you can choose a daily, weekly, or monthly data aggregation.
Logistics key figures are updated for each combination of characteristics in accordance with the predefined period unit. Key figures are quantitative figures, which convey a concise but meaningful amount of information. Key figures can be obtained for each characteristic through the cumulation of data, such as purchase order quantity or production order quantity; however, they can also take the form of simple counters, such as “number of deliveries”.
The SAP ECC system contains a wide range of standard information structures for different application areas. You can also group characteristics and key figures
Figure 5: Timing Of the Update to LIS
The diagram above illustrates the timing of the various updates to both the transaction tables and also the LIS Infostructures. Whereas the update to the transaction tables is always immediate (technically a synchronous update), the LIS update can be carried out either immediately (synchronously), almost immediately (asynchronously) or at a predefined timepoint (based on a scheduled job).
In order to determine which update timing method os the right one you have to consider how critical it is to have the data up-to-date for reporting in LIS. Most organization would choose 'Almost Immediate' (asynchronously) in order to minimize the disruption to the online transactions but the data would be available a short time after the order was saved. In order to completely minimize the disruption to the on-line transaction you could consider updating the Infostructures overnight or at the time when the on-line transactions are not being used. The data will simply be queued.
The Infostructure is initially filled with historic logistics data using a special setup program, this is purely to bring the Infostructure up to date with your historic business data. Once the Infostructure is up to date the subsequent updates will be using delta updates. This means that we only load the new or changed logistics records since the last upload. This ensures we have a more efficient loading mechanism, though we have to be aware that if we have errors during the upload process recovery may not always be possible as LIS does not have sophisticated delta recovery or rebuild features as we have in BI.
Figure 6: Business Intelligence
In the Logistics Information Library (LIL) all of the key figures available in the Logistics Information System (LIS) are systematically cataloged and organized in accordance with application-specific criteria. In addition, the Logistics Information Library helps you to create, classify, and find key figures in the area of logistics. The Logistics Information Library allows you to not only access the key figures in the area of logistics, but also to access key figures that are not available in the Logistics Information System and also those key figures that were created in your enterprise.
The Logistics Information Library performs the following important functions: • Integrates key figures from customer-specific developments
• Catalogs all available key figures centrally • Groups key figures individually to make info sets
The planning function of the information systems in LIS is performed with the help of flexible planning tools. The master data is first maintained, i.e. the info structures and the key figures. The creation of planning data is supported by special tools such as distribution functions, interactive graphical techniques, and proven forecasting methods. You can compare planned data with actual data as part of the standard analyses.
BI then provides a wide range of methods for online analysis of warehouse data. • Standard analyses enable you to analyze data from a variety of perspectives.
They support a large number of statistical functions, allow unlimited navigation, and enable statistical data to be enhanced with background data from the operative systems at OLTP level.
• Flexible analyses can be generated by means of reporting tools and tailored to suit corporate requirements. They provide a variety of possible layouts, allow you to define your own formulas, and are graphically supported in the same way as the standard analyses.
Figure 7: Logistics Information System
SAP Logistics offers a number of application-related information systems with a standardized user interface and similar basic functions.
All data in Logistics Information Systems is stored in the same way. Special tools and methods underline the typical data warehouse character in LIS.
The following logistics information systems are available: • SIS – Sales Information System
• PURCHIS – Purchasing Information System • INVCO – Inventory Controlling
• WMIS – Warehouse Management Information System • PPIS – Shop Floor Information System
• QMIS – Quality Management Information System • PMIS – Plant Maintenance Information System • RIS – Retail Information System
Figure 9: Update Event from SIS
Figure 10: Update Events in INVCO
Exercise 1: Logistics Data Creation
Exercise Objectives
After completing this exercise, you will be able to:
• Enter transaction data in ECC system from sales order booking in SD, to MRP and Production Order processing in PP and Purchasing in MM. • Use this transaction data to generate reports in LIS and understand the
functionalities.
Business Example
Your organisation is implementing all SAP ECC Logistics modules. In order to have consistent reporting across the enterprise, management has requested that the same set of data warehouse reporting tools be used for all logistics analyses. The reporting tools are delivered with the Logistics Information Systems (LIS). In order to use LIS you must first generate some data. You will do this by creating a sales order in the sales module. This demand is then transferred to production planning and so plan orders are generated for the system through an MRP run. The production process is managed in the production planning module and the required purchase of raw materials is tracked in procurement module. Later you will use all this transaction data to generate reports in LIS.
Task 1:
One of your customers has placed an order for the finished goods that your plant produces. You do not stock the item so a backorder will be created.
1. Create a sales order using the standard order type OR, Sales Organisation
1000, Distribution Channel 10 and Division 00.
2. For Sold to Party and Ship to Party use customer 1400, PO Number
SCM150-##. For Req. Deliv Date put a date 4 weeks from now.
3. Book order for Material 150-##, Order Quantity 10 and Plant 1000. Remember there is no stock available for this item so confirm the order line as a backorder and save the sales order.
Task 2:
For this demand that has been placed, the production department now has to plan for this material’s production as well as procurement of the raw materials required in the production.
2. Check for plan orders generated by the system to cater to the sales order requirement, make sure you check not just the finished product (150-##) but also the dependant raw material (RM-##).
Task 3:
Before we can produce the finished item (150-##) we must first purchase the raw material (RM-##).
So a purchase order needs to be created and then the goods have to be delivered against that order.
1. Check the plan order for raw material RM-## generated by the system. Convert the planned order to a purchase requisition. Then convert the purchase requisition to a purchase order.
The purchase organisation is 1000, purchase group 000 and vendor 1000. You will also need to enter a material price of 5 Euros.
2. Make a note of the purchase order number generated by the system. ______________________________________________________ 3. Receive the raw material against the purchase order you just created. The
material has to be received in plant 1000 and storage location 0001. 4. Check for stock of the raw material RM-## in the plant.
______________________________________________________
Task 4:
Now the finished goods have to be produced. So a production order has to be converted from the plan order generated by the system.
1. Check the planned order for the finished goods 150-## generated by the system.
Convert this to a production order and release the order. 2. Note the production order number generated by the system.
______________________________________________________ 3. Confirm the operation 10 of the production order. This will also
automatically create the issue of material RM-## to the production order as backflushing is used.
4. Receive the finished goods against the production order.
______________________________________________________
Task 5:
We must now return to the sales order we created earlier and perform an availability check on the stock in order to confirm the schedule line and shipping information.
1. Return to your sales order and perform an availability check in order to confirm the schedule line. Save the sales order.
Task 6:
Now, the delivery of the finished goods has to be done for the sales order created. So we have to create a delivery.
1. Create a delivery with reference to the sales order created earlier.
2. Pick the required quantity. As the storage location is warehouse managed you have to create a Transfer Order.
3. Now process the goods issue using the Post Good Issue function. 4. Check the stock of the finished goods 150-## in the plant.
Solution 1: Logistics Data Creation
Task 1:
One of your customers has placed an order for the finished goods that your plant produces. You do not stock the item so a backorder will be created.
1. Create a sales order using the standard order type OR, Sales Organisation
1000, Distribution Channel 10 and Division 00.
a) From the ECC menu choose:
Logistics→ Sales and Distribution → Sales → Order → Create
Enter Order Type OR, Sales Organisation 1000, Distribution Channel
10, Division 00 and press Enter
2. For Sold to Party and Ship to Party use customer 1400, PO Number
SCM150-##. For Req. Deliv Date put a date 4 weeks from now.
a) Enter Sold to Party and Ship to Party 1400, PO Number SCM150-##. For Req. Deliv Date put a date 4 weeks from now and press Enter. 3. Book order for Material 150-##, Order Quantity 10 and Plant 1000.
Remember there is no stock available for this item so confirm the order line as a backorder and save the sales order.
a) Enter Material Number 150-##, Order Quantity 10 and Plant 1000 and press Enter.
When the Availability Control screen appears just press the Continue button.
Then save the sales order by pressing Save button. Make a note of the sales order number generated.
Task 2:
For this demand that has been placed, the production department now has to plan for this material’s production as well as procurement of the raw materials required in the production.
1. First check the material requirements list then run the MRP for the material
150-## in plant 1000.
a) Logistics→ Production → MRP → Evaluations → Stock/Requirements List (MD04)
Enter Material Number 150-##, Plant 1000 and press Enter.
The sales order number and the quantity will be displayed on the screen. Now run MRP by following the path
Logistics→ Production → MRP → Planning → Single-Item, Multi-Level (MD02)
Enter Material Number 150-##, Plant 1000 and press Enter. Press Enter again to confirm the messages displayed. The system shows the result of the MRP run.
2. Check for plan orders generated by the system to cater to the sales order requirement, make sure you check not just the finished product (150-##) but also the dependant raw material (RM-##).
a) Execute transaction MD04 .
Enter material number 150-##, plant 1000 and press Enter. A plan order has been generated for the quantity 10 units.
Click on the Plan Order and then click on the Show Overview Tree button. Then click on the button Order Report. Now both 150-## and
RM-## will be displayed. By double clicking on them, you can see the
Stock/Requirements List of each of them.
Task 3:
Before we can produce the finished item (150-##) we must first purchase the raw material (RM-##).
So a purchase order needs to be created and then the goods have to be delivered against that order.
The purchase organisation is 1000, purchase group 000 and vendor 1000. You will also need to enter a material price of 5 Euros.
a) Continuing with the same screen (MD04), double click on RM-##. The plan order for RM-## is displayed on the right.
Double-click on the Plan Order. In the dialog box that appears, click on Pur Req.
Save the screen that appears. The Plan Order is now converted to Purchase requisition.
The MD04 screen appears again. Refresh it to see the PurReq number being displayed for RM-##. Note the Purchase Requisition number. Double click on the Pur Req number showing on the screen. In the dialog box that appears, click on Purchase Order.
In the create Purchase Order screen, you will find the Pur Req number appearing on the right side in the Document Overview. Drag it to the cart symbol next to which is written NB Standard PO and drop it. Enter the vendor number 1000 and also the Purchasing Organisation
1000.
Under the Conditions tab of the Item area enter the Gross Price of amount 5 EUR (though you don't need to enter the currency) Save the Purchase Order. The MD04 screen reappears.
Refresh it to see the purchase order number generated by the system. 2. Make a note of the purchase order number generated by the system.
______________________________________________________ a) Write the PO number here.
3. Receive the raw material against the purchase order you just created. The material has to be received in plant 1000 and storage location 0001. a) Logistics→ Inventory Management → Goods Movement → MIGO
In the dropdown on the top, select Goods Receipt and Purchase Order. Put the Purchase Order number in the next field and press Enter. Under the Quantity tab look for the check box Item OK and check this. Check the Item OK button on the bottom.
Under the Where Tab enter the storage location as 0001.
Click on the Check button on the top. If everything is OK then the green traffic light appears. Now click on the Post button.
Goto the MD04 screen for RM-## and plant 1000. The material would now show in stock
4. Check for stock of the raw material RM-## in the plant.
______________________________________________________
a) Make sure you see that there is now stock available for material RM-##.
Task 4:
Now the finished goods have to be produced. So a production order has to be converted from the plan order generated by the system.
1. Check the planned order for the finished goods 150-## generated by the system.
Convert this to a production order and release the order. a) Execute transaction MD04.
Enter material number 150-##, Plant 1000 and press Enter.
You will find the plan order for 150-##. double click on that. In the dialog box that appears, click on > Prod.ord.
In the Create Production Order screen, click on the flag appearing on the top left of the screen to release the order.
Then save the order by clicking on the save button. The system shows the production order number generated at the bottom.
2. Note the production order number generated by the system.
3. Confirm the operation 10 of the production order. This will also
automatically create the issue of material RM-## to the production order as backflushing is used.
a) Logistics→ Production → Shop Floor Control → Confirmation → For Operation→ Time Ticket (CO11N)
Enter the production order number and Oper/Activity 10 and press
Enter.
Click on Actual Data button on the top. The default values are copied. Click on the Goods Movement button to see RM-## being issued to the Production Order for the required quantity.
Save the confirmation. The operation confirmation and backflushing takes place.
4. Receive the finished goods against the production order.
The material has to be received in Plant 1000 and Storage Location 0001. a) Logistics→ Inventory Management → Goods Movement → MIGO
In the dropdown on the top, select Goods Receipt and Order. Put the Production Order number in the next field and press Enter.
Check the Item OK button on the very bottom of the screen under the
Quantity tab.
Click on the Check button on the top. If everything is OK then the green traffic light appears. Now click on the Post button.
Execute transaction MD04 and enter material 150-## and plant 1000. The material would now show in stock.
5. Check for stock of the finished goods 150-## in the plant.
______________________________________________________ a) Make sure the stock is available.
Task 5:
We must now return to the sales order we created earlier and perform an availability check on the stock in order to confirm the schedule line and shipping information.
1. Return to your sales order and perform an availability check in order to confirm the schedule line. Save the sales order.
a) Use the menu option Logistics→ Sales and Distribution → Sales →
Order→ Change and enter your sales order number.
b) Perform an availability check using the menu path Edit→ Check
Availability then save the sales order.
Task 6:
Now, the delivery of the finished goods has to be done for the sales order created. So we have to create a delivery.
1. Create a delivery with reference to the sales order created earlier.
a) Logistics→ Sales and Distribution → Shipping and Transportation → Outbound Delivery→ Create → Single Document → With Reference to Sales Order (VL01N)
Enter the shipping point 1000, the sales order number and the delivery date as the Req Del Date in the sales order and press Enter.
Save the delivery and make a note of the delivery number.
2. Pick the required quantity. As the storage location is warehouse managed you have to create a Transfer Order.
a) Execute transaction VL02N and enter the delivery number and press enter. Go to the Picking tab to view the items required to be picked. Follow the menu path Subsequent Functions→ Create Transfer Order . Press Enter and then save the transfer order.
3. Now process the goods issue using the Post Good Issue function.
a) Go back to the delivery order (VL02N) and and click on Post Goods
Issue button.
Now go to MD04 and display material 150-## and plant 1000 and check for the stock. The material should now have been removed from stock. 4. Check the stock of the finished goods 150-## in the plant.
Lesson Summary
You should now be able to:
• Describe data warehousing concepts and the related SAP terminology • Explain the how LIS provides basic data warehousing capabilities within
Lesson: Reporting Functions in LIS
Lesson Overview
Lesson Objectives
After completing this lesson, you will be able to: • Explain the reporting functionality of LIS
Business Example
Management have asked you to provide an overview of the reporting capabilities of LIS. You will need to study the basic functionality.
Reporting Functionality in LIS
• The various functions supported are – Standard Analysis in LIS – Early Warning System – Flexible Analysis in LIS – LIS Interface
Reporting using Standard Analysis
• Data Selection
– Single Value selection – Multiple Selection
– Selection using self defined heirarchies – Selection Options
Figure 14: Navigation Options in Standard Analysis
After executing a standard analysis, an initial list is displayed on the screen. Starting from this initial standard analysis list, the system offers three ways for navigation:
• Standard drilldown: By double-clicking on a characteristic you will access
the next level of a predefined standard drilldown. In order to define this drilldown, you can use all characteristics and the period unit of the relevant info structure.
• Drill down by: You can drill down each characteristic according to a
different characteristic. Starting from any list in a standard analysis, you can drill down any characteristic value in this list according to a different characteristic.
• Switch drilldown: The whole drilldown can by displayed for another
characteristic. From any list in a standard analysis, the total values of all key figures can be drilled down by any possible characteristic of the standard analysis.
Figure 15: Functions in Standard Analysis
A wide range of functions can be used to individually examine the key figures and characteristic values on which the analysis is based from a business perspective. All the functions for statistical analyses are graphically supported.
• ABC Analysis: The values of a characteristic (e.g. vendors) and a particular key figure (e.g. order value) are compared in order to make a classification in three segments. Various strategies can be used to set the class limits as characteristic or key figure-specific and as percentage or absolute values, respectively. The results are displayed in a cumulative frequency curve with an additional classification into three segments. The sizes of the segments correspond to the setting made when the strategy was selected.
• Classification: Classification provides you with an overview of the characteristic values for a key figure. You can define up to six classes here. You can also organize the class limits to suit your requirements. Results can be displayed as both lists and presentation graphics. The sequence is preset. • Dual Classification: You can classify the characteristic values of two key
figures. The navigation and presentation options are identical to those in classification.
Figure 16: Functions in Standard Analysis (Contd)
Plan/actual comparison: At each drilldown level, there are three possibilities to carry out comparisons:
• The current data of a key figure can be compared to the data of a plan version. • The values of the previous year can be compared to the current data.
• The values of any two key figures can be compared to each other. Cumulative frequency curve: It graphically illustrates the distribution of a cumulated key figure value over the existing characteristic values. It can be scaled to represent either percentage or absolute values according to the selection made in the list upon which the curve is based.
Correlation: Correlation curves depict interrelationships between two or more key figures. When creating the correlation diagram, the system observes the sort sequence defined in the underlying list. The key figures in the correlation are always standardized to 1.
Time series: From the drilldown list of a characteristic, you can create a time series for any key figure. The period corresponds to the predefined period you determined when entering the standard analysis.
Figure 17: Early Warning System: An Overview
The Early Warning System enables you to search for exceptional situations and helps to detect and eliminate imminent problems at an early stage. This is done by the following process:
• The LIS provides the data that is analyzed by the EWS. Hence, the EWS can be used in any Logistics Information System.
• The Early Warning System is based on information structures. Information updated in these structures can be analyzed using the EWS. This also applies to data that is updated using your own programs, e.g. from an external system.
• The EWS can be used both to indicate defined alarm situations and to highlight specific data in an analysis.
Figure 18: Application of EWS
The Early Warning System is either used interactively in the standard analyses or run at regular intervals as a background job.
• If you use it interactively in the standard analyses, the exceptional situations are highlighted using color codes or filtered in the exception analysis. This allows you to detect exceptional situations at an early stage.
• In the periodic analysis, a list of the exceptional data is automatically sent to the designated recipient by fax, mail, or workflow.
To create an exception, the following steps have to be followed:
• Since an exception is always created with reference to an information structure, the characteristics are selected from this info structure. The sequence of characteristics defines the subsequent standard drilldown and the level at which the requirement is checked.
• The key figures are also selected from the info structure. Then the exception requirements for the selected key figures can be defined.
• In a third step, the follow-up processing of the exception is defined.
The characteristic in an information structure is used to define the characteristics of an exception.
• When you select the characteristics, you also define the aggregation level at which the check for the exception will take place. The key figure check always takes place at the lowest characteristic level.
• The sequence of the selected characteristics serves to define the standard drilldown sequence in a standard analysis, which is triggered by the exception.
Those key figures of an info structure that are required for the definition of an exception are chosen.
• Several requirements can be defined both for several key figures and for each individual key figure.
There are three types of requirements:
• Threshold values: identifies the key figure values that exceed or fall below a specific threshold value, e.g. incoming orders value > 200,000.
• Trend: identifies the key figure values that demonstrate a predefined trend, e.g. a negative trend.
• Planned/actual comparison: identifies the key figure values for which the actual data deviates from the planned data by more than a predefined percentage, e.g. 10%.
These individual requirements you defined can be linked by means of And or Or. In the follow-up processing, you define whether the exception is active for the standard analysis and/or a periodic analysis.
• The color used to highlight the exceptional values determined via the requirements in the standard analysis.
Figure 20: Requirements
For Threshold Value Analysis, you enter a threshold value for a key figure and an operator for the threshold value (e.g. incoming orders value > 200,000).
• The threshold value in the example above is defined so that the exception is satisfied when the total of the incoming orders values of the last three months, including the current month, exceeds 200,000. The number of periods defines the number of periods to be analyzed. If the option Separate
periods is chosen, each individual period is checked instead of the key figure
value total of these three periods.
• Any other currencies are converted into the specified analysis currency, before the check for exceptions takes place.
• You may also run a threshold value test to analyze future developments. You need to choose the number of forecast periods that you wish to test. A forecast then takes place for the next few periods (2 in this case) which is based on the number of periods you have selected (7 in this case). A threshold value analysis is then carried out for the forecasted values.
The trend analysis determines whether there is a positive or negative trend in the dataset with regard to the selected key figure.
• Based on the dataset and the number of periods to analyze (6 in this case), the system checks whether or not a trend exists. It is not possible to determine a trend if only one period to analyze is selected. If a positive trend exists and no statistical test has been performed, an exceptional situation will occur if each value exceeds the value in the previous period.
• If the period to analyze extends over 3 or more periods, you can also carry out a statistical trend test for each individual requirement by means of statistical resources. This is recommended if you want to know whether a general trend exists, even if the dataset contains outliers. If there is a positive trend and a statistical test has been performed, an exception will occur when the system detects a trend with a probability of 95%.
• If there are 3 or 4 past periods available to carry out a statistical test for a trend, a regression line is drawn upon which the trend is based. If there are 5 or more past periods, a reliable statistical test for a trend can be performed. If you select only two past periods, the system only determines whether the second period value is greater or less than the first value.
The planned/actual comparison compares planned data of a specific planning version with actual data. You can check the realization of the plan and determine the weak points with respect to planned/actual values. To do this, you enter the plan realization percentage and an operator.
• In the first example, the planned values for a key figure are compared with the actual data. An exceptional situation occurs when the realization of the plan is less than 90%, i.e. when the actual data falls short of the planned values by more than 10%. Note: The exception is based on the total number of specified periods because the flag “Separate periods” is not set.
• In the second example, the system creates a forecast for the next two periods, based on the values of the last six periods. The total of both forecasted values is compared with the total planned values assigned to these periods.
• This kind of analysis enables you to detect potential problems which are in the future.
Figure 21: Flexible Analysis in LIS
The flexible analyses in LIS are used in the same way as a report generator: You use a menu to describe the content and format of the list you require and, at the touch of a button, the respective program is generated in the background. In comparison to standard analyses, flexible analyses have the following advantages:
• This technique enables you to combine characteristics and key figures from different information structures or DDIC tables in one list.
• You can choose between a variety of layouts.
• You can use your own formulas to calculate new key figures for existing ones. You can use the Evaluation function to describe the reporting function in LIS. The “Evaluation” concept contains a program object that controls the collection and formatting of data for evaluation purposes.
In LIS, the evaluation structures control the way in which the evaluations collect data. They describe the possible data sources of your evaluations. These data sources are usually information structures.
• An evaluation structure mainly consists of a list of characteristics and key figures. An evaluation structure can also contain characteristics and key figures from different physical database tables.
• The name of an evaluation structure must begin with “ZF” (example: ZFMARA).
• Evaluations are created with reference to evaluation structures. The characteristics and key figures in an evaluation structure can form the rows and columns of your evaluation list.
• When evaluation structures and evaluations are generated, Report Writer objects are created in the background. They can also include libraries for evaluation structures and reports for evaluations.
• When you run an evaluation, a list of data is displayed at the data presentation level, which you can change and interpret using a variety of functions.
You can transfer data to Excel using all the reporting functions already discussed within the Logistics Information System. Standard analyses, early warning systems and flexible analyses provide easy-to-use tools for transferring data. • One method is to save the current content of a list locally as an ASCII file
using the Save to PC file function with the spreadsheet option. You can then open this file in Excel.
• The other option is implemented through the function Transfer to XXL. Data is transferred to the XXL interface in the form of a list object. XXL (Extended Excel) comprises the tools for displaying and manipulating list objects from SAP R/3 applications. You first have to define the characteristics to be transferred. The figures transferred are the key figures in the current standard analysis list. Depending on the software installed on your computer, you can use XXL to transfer data to the following media: – SAPoffice: You can save the list object to the SAPoffice inbox. From
there you can send the list object or save it in a folder.
– PC file: You can save the list object to the local file system for subsequent editing using another display media at your disposal. – Excel display: Table display with all characteristics combinations. – Excel SAP macros: You can display and edit the list using SAP Macros
(SAP-XXL List Viewer).
Exercise 2: LIS Functions
Exercise Objectives
After completing this exercise, you will be able to:
• Develop a basic level of knowledge of the LIS analysis functionality.
Business Example
Your organisation is implementing all ECC Logistics modules. In order to have consistent reporting across the enterprise, management has requested that the same set of data warehouse reporting tools be used for all logistics analyses. You need to become familiar with the basic functions of LIS so that you can demonstrate how this could be achieved.
Task 1:
You must choose one of the three activities based on the Logistics Information System (LIS). They are all similar but are based on either sales data, purchasing
data or production order data you created in the previous exercise steps. Please
do not work through more than one activity.
You will investigate some of the key reporting functions of the Logistics Information System (LIS).
Sales Orders Analysis
1. Use the customer standard analysis in the Sales Information System, create a list of materials that has been sold in the last 3 months.
2. See which materials you have sold to the customer 1400. Using the standard drilldown path, drill down to the materials that have been sold to the customers in the list.
3. Change the characteristic display to include the key and the description. 4. Change the column width for the characteristic to see more information. 5. Change the analysis currency to USD. Use exchange rate type M and the
current date for conversion date.
6. Return to the customer level of the analysis. What do you notice about the display?
______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________
7. You are now interested to view the monthly sales directly for the customer rather than material display of the sales. Use the Switch Drilldown function to do this.
8. You have decided you want to see the Incoming Orders Qty for the customer displayed. Therefore, you want to add this key figure to your list.
9. You would now like to define your own default settings for the customer analysis. You would like a drilldown in the order Customer, Material, Month
and Sales Organisation.
In addition to the default key figures, you also require the key figure
Incoming Order Quantity. All key figures should be displayed without
decimal places.
10. Execute a standard analysis for the Material, create a list for materials RM-00 to RM-24.
11. Since you regularly use these selections, save these settings as a variant. 12. Return to the main menu. Execute the analysis again, using the variant.
Task 2:
You will investigate some of the reporting functions of the Logistics Information System (LIS). This activity uses the purchasing data you created in the previous exercise steps.
Purchase Orders Analysis
1. Use the vendor standard analysis in the Purchasing Information System, create a list of materials that has been been procured for the past months. 2. See which materials you are ordering from the vendor 1000. Using the
standard drilldown path, drill down to the materials for the vendor in the list. 3. Change the characteristic display to include the key and the description. 4. Change the column width for the characteristic to see more information. 5. Change the analysis currency to USD. Use exchange rate type M and the
current conversion date.
6. Return to the vendor level of the analysis. What do you notice about the display?
______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________
7. You are now interested to view the monthly purchases directly for the vendor rather than by material displays of the purchases. Use the Switch Drilldown to do this.
8. You have decided you want to see the GR Quantity for the Vendor displayed. Therefore, you want to add this key figure to your list.
9. You would now like to define your own default settings for the Vendor analysis. You would like a drilldown in the order Vendor, Material, Month
and Material Group.
In addition to the default key figures, you also require the key figure Qty of
goods recvd. All key figures should be displayed without decimal places.
10. Execute a standard analysis for the Material, create a list for materials RM-00 to RM-24.
11. Since you regularly use these selections, save these settings as a variant. 12. Return to the main menu. Execute the analysis again, using the variant.
Task 3:
You will investigate some of the reporting functions of the Logistics Information System (LIS). This activity uses the production order data you created in the previous exercise steps.
Production Orders Analysis
1. Using the production operations standard analysis in the Shop Floor Information System, create a list of materials that has been been produced for the past three months.
Hint: For LIS part we would only have a look at Purchase
Information System. The way the Sales and Distribution System and Shop Floor Information System would operate would be similar to this.
2. What is the Standard Drilldown that the report provides.
______________________________________________________ 3. See which materials you have produced for the plant 1000. Using the
standard drilldown path, drill down to the materials for the plant. 4. Change the characteristic display to include the key and the description. 5. Change the column width for the characteristic to see more information.
______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________
7. You are now interested to view the production from a date perspective rather than for the material. Hence use the Switch drilldown to do this.
8. You have decided you want to see the Confirmed Quantity for the date displayed. Therefore, you want to add this key figure to your list.
9. You would now like to define your own default settings for the operations analysis. You would like a drilldown in the order Date, Plant, Material,
Order.
In addition to the default key figures, you also require the key figure
Confirmed Quantity. All key figures should be displayed without decimal
places.
10. Execute a standard analysis for the Material, create a list for materials RM-00 to RM-24.
11. Since you regularly use these selections, save these settings as a variant. 12. Return to the main menu. Execute the analysis again, using the variant.
Solution 2: LIS Functions
Task 1:
You must choose one of the three activities based on the Logistics Information System (LIS). They are all similar but are based on either sales data, purchasing
data or production order data you created in the previous exercise steps. Please
do not work through more than one activity.
You will investigate some of the key reporting functions of the Logistics Information System (LIS).
Sales Orders Analysis
1. Use the customer standard analysis in the Sales Information System, create a list of materials that has been sold in the last 3 months.
a) Logistics→ Logistics Controlling → Logistics Information System → Standard Analyses→ Sales and Distribution → Customer
2. See which materials you have sold to the customer 1400. Using the standard drilldown path, drill down to the materials that have been sold to the customers in the list.
a) Enter the Sold-to party as 1400 and leave all other fields as they are. Execute the report (F8). Double click on the each characteristic in order to follow the drill down path.
3. Change the characteristic display to include the key and the description. a) Click on Settings→ Characteristic Display → Key and Description to
view both the key value and description.
4. Change the column width for the characteristic to see more information. a) Settings→ Column Width → Characteristic.
Enter a column width of 40.
5. Change the analysis currency to USD. Use exchange rate type M and the current date for conversion date.
a) Settings→ Currency → Analysis Currency.
6. Return to the customer level of the analysis. What do you notice about the display?
______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________ a) View→ Basic List
The analysis currency is the original currency. Changing the settings only affects the level you are working on and below. It does not change the higher level. Therefore to have consistent settings, make the settings in the highest level before drilling down.
7. You are now interested to view the monthly sales directly for the customer rather than material display of the sales. Use the Switch Drilldown function to do this.
a) Return to the initial drill down level (Sold to) then use the button or menu option
View→ Switch Drilldown → Month.
8. You have decided you want to see the Incoming Orders Qty for the customer displayed. Therefore, you want to add this key figure to your list.
a) Edit→ Choose Key Figures
On the right side of the display, scroll down until you find Incoming
Orders Qty.
Select this field by clicking once on that line. Press the left arrow. The field will move from the right to the left of the display.
Choose Continue/Enter.
9. You would now like to define your own default settings for the customer analysis. You would like a drilldown in the order Customer, Material, Month
In addition to the default key figures, you also require the key figure
Incoming Order Quantity. All key figures should be displayed without
decimal places.
a) Return to the initial selection screen for the analysis. Choose User Settings.
Enter your ID: SCM150-##. Click on Choose Characteristics.
Click on the bottom Do Not Choose All in order to remove all characteristics from the selection.
On the right side of the find Sold-To Party.
Select this field by clicking once on that line. Press the left arrow. The field will move from the right to the left of the display.
Repeat this step for the characteristics Material, Month and Sales
Organisation so that they appear in this order from top to bottom.
Now press the Continue button. Choose Key Figures.
Click on Choose Key Figures.
On the right side of the display, scroll down until you find Incoming
Order Quantity.
Select this field by clicking once on that line. Press the left arrow. The field will move from the right to the left of the display.
Select no Decimal places for all Key Figures. Press the Save button to save your settings.
Test your setting by executing the analysis one more time.
10. Execute a standard analysis for the Material, create a list for materials RM-00 to RM-24.
a) Logistics→ Logistics Controlling → Logistics Information System → Standard Analyses→ Sales and Distribution → Material
On the selection screen, select the Multiple Selection arrow for the Material.
In the range selection, enter 150-00 to 150-24. Click on the Execute button.
11. Since you regularly use these selections, save these settings as a variant. a) Goto→ Variants → Save as variant.
Enter your ID SCM150-## and the description. Then save the variant 12. Return to the main menu. Execute the analysis again, using the variant.
a) Goto→ Variant → Get
Select the Variant.
The Settings defined will now be displayed.
Task 2:
You will investigate some of the reporting functions of the Logistics Information System (LIS). This activity uses the purchasing data you created in the previous exercise steps.
Purchase Orders Analysis
1. Use the vendor standard analysis in the Purchasing Information System, create a list of materials that has been been procured for the past months. a) Logistics→ Logistics Controlling → Logistics Information System →
Standard Analyses→ Purchasing → Vendor
2. See which materials you are ordering from the vendor 1000. Using the standard drilldown path, drill down to the materials for the vendor in the list. a) Enter the Vendor as 1000 and the Plant as 1000. Execute the report (F8). Click on Settings→ Characteristic Display → Key and Description to view both the vendor name and description.
Double click on the vendor to drilldown to the go to the material level display for that vendor.
3. Change the characteristic display to include the key and the description. a) Click on Settings→ Characteristic Display → Key and Description to
view both the material name and description.
4. Change the column width for the characteristic to see more information. a) Settings→ Column Width → Characteristic.
Enter a column width of 40.
5. Change the analysis currency to USD. Use exchange rate type M and the current conversion date.
6. Return to the vendor level of the analysis. What do you notice about the display? ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ a) View→ Basic List
The analysis currency is the original currency. Changing the settings only affects the level you are working on and below. It doesnot change the higher level. Therefore to have consistent settings, make the settings in the highest level before drilling down.
7. You are now interested to view the monthly purchases directly for the vendor rather than by material displays of the purchases. Use the Switch Drilldown to do this.
a) Select the Vendor
View→ Switch Drilldown → Month.
8. You have decided you want to see the GR Quantity for the Vendor displayed. Therefore, you want to add this key figure to your list.
a) Edit→ Choose Key Figures
On the right side of the display, scroll down until you find Qty of goods
recvd.
Select this field by clicking once on that line. Press the left arrow. The field will move from the right to the left of the display.
Choose Continue/Enter.
9. You would now like to define your own default settings for the Vendor analysis. You would like a drilldown in the order Vendor, Material, Month
In addition to the default key figures, you also require the key figure Qty of
goods recvd. All key figures should be displayed without decimal places.
a) On the Initial screen choose User Settings. Enter your ID: SCM150-##.
Click on Choose Characteristics.
Click on the bottom Do Not Choose All in order to remove all characteristics from the selection.
On the right side of the display, scroll down until you find Vendor. Select this field by clicking once on that line. Press the left arrow. The field will move from the right to the left of the display.
Repeat this step for the characteristics material, month, material group Choose Key Figures.
Click on Choose Key Figures.
On the right side of the display, scroll down until you find Qty of goods
recvd.
Select this field by clicking once on that line. Press the left arrow. The field will move from the right to the left of the display.
Select no Decimal places for all Key Figures.
10. Execute a standard analysis for the Material, create a list for materials RM-00 to RM-24.
a) Logistics→ Logistics Controlling → Logistics Information System → Standard Analyses→ Purchasing → Material – MCE7 (Double Click)
On the selection screen, select the Multiple Selection arrow for the Material.
In the range selection, enter RM-00 to RM-24. Click on the Execute button.
Enter the Plant as 1000.
11. Since you regularly use these selections, save these settings as a variant. a) Goto→ Variants → Save as variant.
12. Return to the main menu. Execute the analysis again, using the variant. a) Goto→ Variant → Get
Select the Variant.
The Settings defines will now be displayed.
Task 3:
You will investigate some of the reporting functions of the Logistics Information System (LIS). This activity uses the production order data you created in the previous exercise steps.
Production Orders Analysis
1. Using the production operations standard analysis in the Shop Floor Information System, create a list of materials that has been been produced for the past three months.
Hint: For LIS part we would only have a look at Purchase
Information System. The way the Sales and Distribution System and Shop Floor Information System would operate would be similar to this.
a) Logistics→ Logistics Controlling → Logistics Information System → Standard Analyses→ Production → Operation
2. What is the Standard Drilldown that the report provides.
______________________________________________________ a) Click on the Standard Drilldown button. The Drilldown format will
be displayed.
3. See which materials you have produced for the plant 1000. Using the standard drilldown path, drill down to the materials for the plant.
a) Enter the plant as 1000 and remove the entry for material Leave the date range as it is. Execute the report (F8).
Double click on the plant to drilldown to work center then double click once more to drill down to the material level.
4. Change the characteristic display to include the key and the description. a) Click on Settings→ Characteristic Display → Key and Description to
5. Change the column width for the characteristic to see more information. a) Settings→ Column Width → Characteristic.
Enter a column width of 40.
6. Return to the plant level of the analysis. What do you notice about the display?
______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ a) View→ Basic List
The settings you just changed are lost. Changing the settings only affects the level you are working on and below. It does not change the higher level. Therefore to have consistent settings, make the settings in the highest level before drilling down.
7. You are now interested to view the production from a date perspective rather than for the material. Hence use the Switch drilldown to do this.
a) Select the Vendor
View→ Switch Drilldown → Date.
8. You have decided you want to see the Confirmed Quantity for the date displayed. Therefore, you want to add this key figure to your list. a) Edit→ Choose Key Figures
On the right side of the display, scroll down until you find Confirmed
Quantity.
Select this field by clicking once on that line. Press the left arrow. The field will move from the right to the left of the display.
Choose Continue/Enter.
9. You would now like to define your own default settings for the operations analysis. You would like a drilldown in the order Date, Plant, Material,
In addition to the default key figures, you also require the key figure
Confirmed Quantity. All key figures should be displayed without decimal
places.
a) On the Initial screen choose User Settings. Enter your ID: SCM150-##.
Click on Choose Characteristics.
Click on the bottom Do Not Choose All in order to remove all characteristics from the selection.
On the right side of the display, scroll down until you find Date. Select this field by clicking once on that line. Press the left arrow. The field will move from the right to the left of the display.
Repeat this step for the characteristics plant, material, order Choose Key Figures.
Click on Choose Key Figures.
On the right side of the display, scroll down until you find Confirmed
Quantity.
Select this field by clicking once on that line. Press the left arrow. The field will move from the right to the left of the display.
Select no decimal places for all key figures.
10. Execute a standard analysis for the Material, create a list for materials RM-00 to RM-24.
a) Logistics→ Logistics Controlling → Logistics Information System → Standard Analyses→ Production → Product Costs
Enter the Plant as 1000.
On the selection screen, select the Multiple Selection arrow for the Material.
In the range selection, enter 150-00 to 150-24. Click on the Execute button.
11. Since you regularly use these selections, save these settings as a variant. a) Goto→ Variants → Save as variant.
12. Return to the main menu. Execute the analysis again, using the variant. a) Goto→ Variant → Get
Select the Variant.
Lesson Summary
You should now be able to:
Unit Summary
You should now be able to:
• Describe data warehousing concepts and the related SAP terminology • Explain the how LIS provides basic data warehousing capabilities within
an ERP system
Unit 2
Introducing SAP BI
Unit Overview
General Positioning of SAP BI: Business Example
• In order to understand how SAP BI can be used for logistics reporting, an overview of the BI architecture and key functions is required.
Unit Objectives
After completing this unit, you will be able to: • Give an overview of SAP BI
• List the basic terminology and objects used in SAP BI
Unit Contents
Lesson: SAP BI Overview . . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . 50 Lesson: Terminology used in BI. . . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . 59
Lesson: SAP BI Overview
Lesson Overview
Lesson Objectives
After completing this lesson, you will be able to: • Give an overview of SAP BI
Business Example
This will set the basic foundation for SCM reporting using BI.
Figure 23: SAP Net Weaver Platform
SAP NetWeaver is an integration architecture for all the business applications and
processes in a modern enterprise. This architecture integrates people, information and processes within a framework that provides for incremental implementation of its capabilities.
Business Intelligence is a primary component of the Information Integration layer
of SAP NetWeaver. The SAP NetWeaver Portal is a component of the People Integration layer. These two components work closely together providing users powerful business information reporting and analysis features.
