Oracle
Demand Planning
User’s Guide
Release 11
i
January 2002 Part No. A95134-01
Oracle Demand Planning User’s Guide, Release 11i Part No. A95134-01
Copyright © 1996, 2002, Oracle Corporation. All rights reserved. Primary Author: Claire Deschamps
Contributing Authors: Hugh Mason
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Table of Contents
Send Us Your Comments
... xiPreface
... xiiiStructure of this Manual... xiii
Documentation Accessibility... xv
Oracle Demand Planning: Online Help... xv
Oracle Demand Planning: Related Documentation... xvi
Oracle Applications: Online Documentation... xvi
Oracle Applications: Installation and Implementation Documentation... xvii
Training and Support... xix
Do Not Use Database Tools to Modify Oracle Applications Data... xx
About Oracle... xx
Your Feedback... xxii
1
Demand Planning Overview
About Oracle Demand Planning... 1-2 Planning Cycle Activities... 1-3 Demand Planning Data Flow... 1-5 Demand Planning User Responsibilities... 1-5
2
Demand Plan Administration: Running Batch Processes
About Batch Processes... 2-2 Building a New Demand Plan... 2-4
Populating Measures... 2-6 Distributing to Planners... 2-7 Collecting Data from Planners... 2-8 Uploading Scenarios to the Planning Server... 2-10 Viewing the Batch Log... 2-11
3
Demand Plan Administration: Maintaining the User Environment
About Setup and Maintenance Tasks... 3-2 Demand Planner Assignments... 3-4 Measures... 3-11 Scenarios... 3-29 Comment Reason Codes... 3-32 User Page Setup... 3-34 Predefined Reports... 3-37 Express Database Information... 3-45 Workflow Settings... 3-47
4
Environment for Planners and Demand Plan Manager
Logging In as a Planner or Demand Plan Manager... 4-2 Navigation List... 4-4 Notifications List... 4-8 Document Workspace... 4-9 Events Calendar... 4-12 Activity Log... 4-18 Online Help... 4-20 Exiting Demand Planning... 4-20
5
Using Worksheets
About Worksheets... 5-2 Creating Worksheets... 5-4 Opening Worksheets... 5-5 Selecting Data for Worksheets... 5-6 Arranging and Viewing Data in Worksheets... 5-8 Viewing Events for Measures in a Worksheet... 5-11
Formatting Worksheets... 5-12 Using Worksheets to Modify Data... 5-18 Printing Worksheets... 5-18 Saving Worksheets... 5-19 Copying Data from Worksheets... 5-21 Exporting Data from Worksheets... 5-22 Closing Worksheets... 5-23 Renaming Worksheets... 5-23 Viewing Worksheet Properties... 5-23 Deleting Worksheets... 5-24
6
Using Ad Hoc Reports
About Ad Hoc Reports... 6-2 Creating Ad Hoc Reports... 6-4 Opening Ad Hoc Reports... 6-5 Selecting Data for Ad Hoc Reports... 6-5 Arranging Data in Ad Hoc Reports... 6-7 Formatting Ad Hoc Reports... 6-11 Formatting Ad Hoc Reports Based on Data Conditions (Color Coding)... 6-16 Printing Ad Hoc Reports... 6-22 Saving Ad Hoc Reports... 6-24 Copying Data from Ad Hoc Reports... 6-25 Exporting Data from Ad Hoc Reports... 6-26 Closing Ad Hoc Reports... 6-27 Renaming Ad Hoc Reports... 6-27 Viewing Ad Hoc Report Properties... 6-27 Deleting Ad Hoc Reports... 6-28
7
Using Ad Hoc Graphs
About Ad Hoc Graphs... 7-2 Creating Ad Hoc Graphs... 7-5 Opening Ad Hoc Graphs... 7-6 Selecting Data for Ad Hoc Graphs... 7-6
Printing Ad Hoc Graphs... 7-12 Saving Ad Hoc Graphs... 7-14 Exporting Data from Ad Hoc Graphs... 7-15 Closing Ad Hoc Graphs... 7-16 Renaming Ad Hoc Graphs... 7-16 Viewing Ad Hoc Graph Properties... 7-16 Deleting Ad Hoc Graphs... 7-17
8
Using Predefined Reports
About Predefined Reports... 8-2 Forecast Documents... 8-3 Other Types of Predefined Reports... 8-9 Opening Predefined Reports... 8-13 Changing Data in Predefined Reports... 8-13 Viewing Data in Predefined Reports... 8-16 Printing Predefined Reports... 8-18 Copying Data from Predefined Reports... 8-20 Exporting Data from Predefined Reports... 8-21 Closing Predefined Reports... 8-22
9
Working with Measures
About Measures... 9-2 Defining Stored Measures... 9-4 Defining Formula Measures... 9-13 Editing Measure Definitions... 9-16 Importing Data into a Measure from a Flat File... 9-17 Editing Measure Data in Worksheets... 9-20 Submitting and Uploading Measures for Final Forecasts... 9-21 Renaming Measures... 9-21 Viewing Measure Properties... 9-22 Deleting Measures... 9-22
10
Working with Custom Aggregates
Defining Custom Aggregates... 10-2 Editing Custom Aggregates... 10-5 Renaming Custom Aggregates... 10-5 Viewing Custom Aggregate Properties... 10-6 Deleting Custom Aggregates... 10-6
11
Working with Saved Selections
About Saved Selections... 11-2 Defining Saved Selections... 11-2 Applying Saved Selections to Documents... 11-6 Editing Saved Selections... 11-7 Renaming Saved Selections... 11-7 Viewing Saved Selection Properties... 11-8 Deleting Saved Selections... 11-8
12
Working with Folders
About Folders... 12-2 Creating Folders... 12-3 Adding Documents to Folders... 12-3 Moving Documents Between Folders... 12-4 Copying Documents to Folders... 12-6 Changing the Order of Documents in Folders... 12-7 Deleting Documents from Folders... 12-8 Renaming Folders... 12-8 Viewing Folder Properties... 12-9 Deleting Folders... 12-9
13
Working with Alerts
About Alerts... 13-2 Defining Alerts... 13-3 Modifying Alerts... 13-11 Disabling Alerts... 13-12 Enabling Alerts... 13-13
Renaming Alerts... 13-13 Viewing Alert Properties... 13-14 Deleting Alerts... 13-14 Working with Alert Notifications... 13-15
14
Selecting Data
About Selecting Data... 14-2 Selecting Values From a List... 14-3 Selecting Values by Level... 14-7 Selecting Values by Family Relationship... 14-9 Selecting Values that Match a Character String... 14-11 Selecting Values that Meet a Value Condition... 14-13 Selecting Values that Meet a Measure Condition... 14-16 Selecting Top and Bottom Values... 14-20 Selecting Time Values by Range... 14-22 Sorting Selected Values... 14-25 Saving Value Selections... 14-27
15
Modifying Data
About Modifying Data in Worksheets... 15-2 Editing Cells... ... 15-3 Forecasting Cells... 15-6 Copying and Pasting Data... 15-7 Locking and Unlocking Cells... 15-11 Using Comments to Document Modifications... 15-12 Recalculating Data... 15-14 Resetting Data... 15-15
16
Submitting and Uploading Data
About Submitting and Uploading Measures for Scenarios... 16-2 Planner Function: Submitting Measures... 16-2 Demand Plan Manager Function: Uploading Measures ... 16-5
A
Stored Measure Options
Options for Forecast Measures... A-2 Allocation Methods... A-7 Aggregation Methods... A-8 Properties... A-9 Events... A-9
B
How Demand Planning Uses Oracle Workflow
Overview of Workflow... B-2 Workflow Processes Within the Demand Planning Cycle... B-3 Workflow Background Engines... B-13
Glossary
Index
Send Us Your Comments
Oracle Demand Planning User’s Guide, Release 11i
Part No. A95134-01
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Preface
Welcome to Release 11i of the Oracle Demand Planning User’s Guide. The manual describes how to use the features that are available when you access Oracle Demand Planning as a demand planner or Demand Plan Manager. The manual also describes how to use Demand Plan Administration to maintain the user environment and run the batch processes that drive the forecasting cycle. This guide assumes you have a working knowledge of the following:■ The principles and customary practices of your business area ■ Oracle Demand Planning
If you have never used Oracle Demand Planning, Oracle suggests you attend one or more of the Oracle Demand Planningtraining classes available through Oracle University.
■ The Oracle Applications graphical user interface.
To learn more about the Oracle Applications graphical user interface, read the Oracle Applications User’s Guide.
When this guide refers you to other documentation, use only the Release 11i versions of those guides.
Structure of this Manual
This manual contains the information that you need to understand and use Oracle Demand Planning as a demand planner or Demand Planning Manager. It also includes information about the tasks that you perform as a Demand Plan System Administrator to run batch processes and maintain the user environment.
It includes the following chapters:
■ Chapter 1, "Demand Planning Overview" on page 1-1, describes Oracle
Demand Planning, explains the major activities within a demand planning cycle, and provides summary information about Demand Planning responsibilities.
■ Chapter 2, "Demand Plan Administration: Running Batch Processes" on
page 2-1, describes the batch processes that drive the planning cycle.
■ Chapter 4, "Environment for Planners and Demand Plan Manager" on page 4-1,
describes how planners and the Demand Plan Manager access, navigate, and exit Oracle Demand Planning.
■ Chapter 5, "Using Worksheets" on page 5-1, describes how planners and the
Demand Plan Manager can use worksheets to view and modify data.
■ Chapter 6, "Using Ad Hoc Reports" on page 6-1, describes how planners and
the Demand Plan Manager can use ad hoc reports to view and analyze data.
■ Chapter 7, "Using Ad Hoc Graphs" on page 7-1, describes how planners and the
Demand Plan Manager can use ad hoc graphs to view and analyze data.
■ Chapter 8,"Using Predefined Reports" on page 8-1, describes how planners and
the Demand Plan Manager can use predefined reports to view and analyze data.
■ Chapter 9, "Working with Measures" on page 9-1, describes how planners and
the Demand Plan Manager can define and use measures.
■ Chapter 10, "Working with Custom Aggregates" on page 10-1, describes how
planners and the Demand Plan Manager can define and use custom aggregates.
■ Chapter 11, "Working with Saved Selections" on page 11-1, describes how
planners and the Demand Plan Manager can define and use saved selections of values.
■ Chapter 12, "Working with Folders" on page 12-1, describes how to planners
and the Demand Plan Manager can create and use folders to organize documents.
■ Chapter 13, "Working with Alerts" on page 13-1, describes how planners and
planning managers can define and use alerts.
■ Chapter 14, "Selecting Data" on page 14-1, describes the tools and techniques
that are available to planners and the Demand Plan Manager for selecting and sorting data.
■ Chapter 15, "Modifying Data" on page 15-1, describes the techniques that are
available to planners and the Demand Plan Manager when they modify data in a worksheet.
■ Chapter 16, "Submitting and Uploading Data" on page 16-1, describes how
■ Appendix A, Stored Measure Options on page A-1, provides information about
the attributes that you can assign to stored measures.
■ Appendix B, How Demand Planning Uses Oracle Workflow on page B-1,
provides information about Workflow functions in Oracle Demand Planning.
■ A glossary provides definitions for statistical terms and terms commonly used
within the application.
Documentation Accessibility
Our goal is to make Oracle products, services, and supporting documentation accessible, with good usability, to the disabled community. To that end, our documentation includes features that make information available to users of assistive technology. This documentation is available in HTML format, and contains markup to facilitate access by the disabled community. Standards will continue to evolve over time, and Oracle Corporation is actively engaged with other
market-leading technology vendors to address technical obstacles so that our documentation can be accessible to all of our customers. For additional information, visit the Oracle Accessibility Program Web site at
http://www.oracle.com/accessibility/.
Accessibility of Code Examples in Documentation JAWS, a Windows screen reader, may not always correctly read the code examples in this document. The conventions for writing code require that closing braces should appear on an otherwise empty line; however, JAWS may not always read a line of text that consists solely of a bracket or brace.
Accessibility of Links to External Web Sites in Documentation This
documentation may contain links to Web sites of other companies or organizations that Oracle Corporation does not own or control. Oracle Corporation neither evaluates nor makes any representations regarding the accessibility of these Web sites.
Oracle Demand Planning: Online Help
Online help is available for Demand Planning administrative and user functions. You can access help in the following ways:
Oracle Demand Planning: Related Documentation
This manual is part of a set of documentation for Oracle Demand Planning, which also includes the following printed documents:
■ Oracle Demand Planning Installation and Configuration Guide — Provides
information for a system administrator who installs and sets up the software for the Demand Planning Engine (DPE).
■ Oracle Advanced Planning and Scheduling: Implementation and User’s Guide —
Provides information for a system administrator who sets up the Advanced Supply Chain Planning application, including the Demand Planning Server (DPS).
■ Oracle Demand Planning Technical Reference Manual, Volume I Demand Planning
Server — Describes the underlying structures of the Demand Planning Server (DPS).
■ Oracle Demand Planning Technical Reference Manual, Volume II Demand Planning
Engine — Describes the underlying structures of the Demand Planning Engine (DPE).
■ Oracle Express Server Installation and Configuration Guide for HP 9000 Series
HP-UX — Explains how to install and configure Oracle Express Server (hereinafter referred to as Express server) on an HP 9000 Series HP-UX server.
■ Oracle Express Server Installation and Configuration Guide for Sun SPARC Solaris —
Explains how to install and configure Express server on a Sun SPARC Solaris server.
■ Oracle Express Server Installation and Configuration Guide for NT — Explains how
to install and configure Express server on an NT server.
■ Oracle Express Web Products Installation Guide — Explains how to configure the
server-side components of an Express Web Agent or Express Web Publisher installation.
Oracle Applications: Online Documentation
All Oracle Applications documentation is available online (HTML or PDF).
■ Online Help — The new features section in the HTML help describes new
features in 11i. This information is updated for each new release of Oracle Demand Planning. The new features section also includes information about any features that were not yet available when this guide was printed. For
upgrade, this document describes the new features. Online help patches are available on MetaLink.
■ 11i Features Matrix — This document lists new features available by patch and
identifies any associated new documentation. The new features matrix document is available on MetaLink.
■ Readme File — Refer to the readme file for patches that you have installed to
learn about new documentation or documentation patches that you can download.
Oracle Applications: Installation and Implementation Documentation
Oracle Applications Concepts — Provides an introduction to the concepts, features, technology stack, architecture, and terminology for Oracle Applications Release 11i. It provides a useful first book to read before an installation of Oracle Applications. This guide also introduces the concepts behind Applications-wide features such as Business Intelligence (BIS), languages and character sets, and Self-Service Web Applications.
Installing Oracle Applications — Provides instructions for managing the installation of Oracle Applications products. In Release 11i, much of the installation process is handled using Oracle Rapid Install, which minimizes the time to install Oracle Applications, the Oracle8 technology stack, and the Oracle8i Server technology stack by automating many of the required steps. This guide contains instructions for using Oracle Rapid Install and lists the tasks you need to perform to finish your installation. You should use this guide in conjunction with individual product user’s guides and implementation guides.
Upgrading Oracle Applications — Refer to this guide if you are upgrading your Oracle Applications Release 10.7 or Release 11.0 products to Release 11i. This guide describes the upgrade process and lists database and product-specific upgrade tasks. You must be either at Release 10.7 (NCA, SmartClient, or character mode) or Release 11.0, to upgrade to Release 11i. You cannot upgrade to Release 11i directly from releases prior to 10.7.
Maintaining Oracle Applications — Helps you run the various AD utilities, such as AutoUpgrade, AutoPatch, AD Administration, AD Controller, AD Relink, License Manager, and others. It contains how-to steps, screenshots, and other information that you need to run the AD utilities. This guide also provides information on maintaining the Oracle applications file system and database.
information on how to define security, customize menus and online help, and manage concurrent processing.
Oracle Alert User’s Guide — Explains how to define periodic and event alerts to monitor the status of your Oracle Applications data.
Oracle Applications Developer’s Guide — Contains the coding standards followed by the Oracle Applications development staff. It describes the Oracle Application Object Library components needed to implement the Oracle Applications user interface described in the Oracle Applications User Interface Standards for Forms-Based Products. It also provides information to help you build your custom Oracle Forms Developer 6i forms so that they integrate with Oracle Applications.
Oracle Applications User Interface Standards for Forms-Based Products — Contains the user interface (UI) standards followed by the Oracle Applications development staff. It describes the UI for the Oracle Applications products and how to apply this UI to the design of an application built by using Oracle Forms.
Oracle Applications Product Update Notes — Use this guide as a reference for upgrading an installation of Oracle Applications. It provides a history of the changes to individual Oracle Applications products between Release 11.0 and Release 11i. It includes new features, enhancements, and changes made to database objects, profile options, and seed data for this interval.
Multiple Reporting Currencies in Oracle Applications — If you use the Multiple Reporting Currencies feature to record transactions in more than one currency, use this manual before implementing Oracle Demand Planning.
Multiple Organizations in Oracle Applications — This guide describes how to set up and use Oracle Applications' Multiple Organization support feature.
Oracle Workflow Guide — This guide explains how to define new workflow business processes as well as customize existing Oracle Applications-embedded workflow processes.You also use this guide to complete the setup steps necessary for any Oracle Applications product that includes workflow-enabled processes.
Oracle Applications Flexfields Guide — This guide provides flexfields planning, setup and reference information for the Oracle Demand Planning implementation team, as well as for users responsible for the ongoing maintenance of Oracle Applications product data. This manual also provides information on creating custom reports on flexfields data.
Oracle Technical Reference Manuals — Contain database diagrams and a detailed description of database tables, forms, reports, and programs for a specific Oracle Applications product. This information helps you convert data from your existing
write custom reports for Oracle Applications products. Oracle eTRM is available on Metalink
Oracle Manufacturing APIs and Open Interfaces Manual — Contains up-to-date information about integrating with other Oracle Manufacturing applications and with your other systems. This documentation includes APIs and open interfaces found in Oracle Manufacturing.
Oracle Order Management Suite APIs and Open Interfaces Manual — Contains up-to-date information about integrating with other Oracle Manufacturing applications and with your other systems. This documentation includes APIs and open interfaces found in Oracle Order Management Suite.
Oracle Applications Message Reference Manual — Describes all Oracle Applications messages. This manual is available in HTML format on the documentation CD-ROM for Release 11i.
Training and Support
Training
Oracle offers a complete set of training courses to help you and your staff master Oracle Demand Planning and reach full productivity quickly. These courses are organized into functional learning paths, so you take only those courses appropriate to your job or area of responsibility.
You have a choice of educational environments. You can attend courses offered by Oracle University at any one of our many Education Centers, you can arrange for our trainers to teach at your facility, or you can use Oracle Learning Network (OLN), Oracle University's online education utility. In addition, Oracle training professionals can tailor standard courses or develop custom courses to meet your needs. For example, you may want to use your organization structure, terminology, and data as examples in a customized training session delivered at your own facility.
Support
From on-site support to central support, our team of experienced professionals provides the help and information you need to keep Oracle Demand Planning working for you. This team includes your Technical Representative, Account Manager, and Oracle’s large staff of consultants and support specialists with
expertise in your business area, managing an Oracle8i server, and your hardware and software environment.
Do Not Use Database Tools to Modify Oracle Applications Data
Oracle STRONGLY RECOMMENDS that you never use SQL*Plus, Oracle Data Browser, database triggers, or any other tool to modify Oracle Applications data unless otherwise instructed.
Oracle provides powerful tools you can use to create, store, change, retrieve, and maintain information in an Oracle database. But if you use Oracle tools such as SQL*Plus to modify Oracle Applications data, you risk destroying the integrity of your data and you lose the ability to audit changes to your data.
Because Oracle Applications tables are interrelated, any change you make using Oracle Applications can update many tables at once. But when you modify Oracle Applications data using anything other than Oracle Applications, you may change a row in one table without making corresponding changes in related tables. If your tables get out of synchronization with each other, you risk retrieving erroneous information and you risk unpredictable results throughout Oracle Applications. When you use Oracle Applications to modify your data, Oracle Applications automatically checks that your changes are valid. Oracle Applications also keeps track of who changes information. If you enter information into database tables using database tools, you may store invalid information. You also lose the ability to track who has changed your information because SQL*Plus and other database tools do not keep a record of changes.
About Oracle
Oracle Corporation develops and markets an integrated line of software products for database management, applications development, decision support, and office automation, as well as Oracle Applications, an integrated suite of more than 160 software modules for financial management, supply chain management, manufacturing, project systems, human resources and customer relationship management.
Oracle products are available for mainframes, minicomputers, personal computers, network computers and personal digital assistants, allowing organizations to integrate different computers, different operating systems, different networks, and even different database management systems, into a single, unified computing and information resource.
Oracle is the world’s leading supplier of software for information management, and the world’s second largest software company. Oracle offers its database, tools, and applications products, along with related consulting, education, and support services, in over 145 countries around the world.
Your Feedback
Thank you for using Oracle Demand Planning and this user’s guide.
Oracle values your comments and feedback. At the end of this guide is a Reader’s Comment Form you can use to explain what you like or dislike about Oracle Demand Planning or this user’s guide. Mail your comments to the following address or call us directly at (650) 506-7000.
Oracle Applications Documentation Manager Oracle Corporation
500 Oracle Parkway Redwood Shores, CA 94065 U.S.A.
1
Demand Planning Overview
This section describes Oracle Demand Planning, explains the major activities in the demand planning cycle, and describes user responsibilities.The section includes the following topics:
■ About Oracle Demand Planning ■ Planning Cycle Activities ■ Demand Planning Data Flow
About Oracle Demand Planning
About Oracle Demand Planning
Oracle Demand Planning is a Web-based application that enables organizations to produce unconstrained forecasts for future demand and to generate tactical,
operational, and strategic business plans. Demand Planning captures and processes information from multiple sources and consolidates demand so that it can be summarized by item, product line, region, time, and organization.
When used as an integrated module within Oracle’s Advanced Planning and Scheduling application, output from Demand Planning can be used to drive the supply chain planning process. Demand Planning integrates with Oracle Workflow, and supports control mechanisms based on an event or calendar.
Key features of Oracle Demand Planning
The following list highlights the features of Oracle Demand Planning:
■ Supports Internet-based collaboration between users in various locations and
departments. The collaborative capabilities ensure global visibility and provide tools for adjusting forecasts based on judgement.
■ Incorporates a best-of-breed statistical forecasting engine: Geneva Forecasting™
from Roadmap Technologies. Developed specifically for demand forecasting applications, this engine has multiple forecasting methods (linear and
non-linear regression, variations of exponential smoothing), efficient parameter search and outlier detection algorithms, and a rule based system for automatic best fit forecasts based on time and frequency domain analysis and predefined decision rules generated from cross-client studies.
■ Accommodates flexibility in information acquisition, information management,
information analysis, and forecast reconciliation. The system supports a variety of inputs including sales and opportunities forecasts, marketing intelligence, custom forecasts, and external data streams.
■ Enables users to define attributes of custom data streams such as measurement
type, aggregation rule, allocation rule, unit of measure, dependent demand, price list, and related events.
■ Provides a reporting interface that supports multiple views of the data, rotation,
drill down, and aggregation. The ability for planners to define their own measures, custom aggregates, and saved selections provides further support for flexible modeling and analysis.
Planning Cycle Activities
■ Creates a knowledge base by maintaining planners’ comments and audit trails.
Supports reason codes for forecast modifications.
■ Includes capabilities for modeling and viewing information about events such
as product introductions, product cannibalization, and product phaseouts.
■ Provides feedback to planners through performance monitoring, exception
reporting, comparative reports, and user-defined alert mechanisms.
Planning Cycle Activities
Data is downloaded to the shared database from the Planning Server
At the beginning of a forecasting cycle, data from the Planning Server database is downloaded into a shared database. The Planning Server is a source of integrated data that can include the following:
■ Forecast data from Sales, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, or third party at any
aggregate level
■ Historical data at the lowest aggregate level (e.g., SKU) ■ Data from external sources, such as customer data
The Planning Server defines the parameters of the source data as well as events, scenarios, demand plans and system setup. Planning Server input determines what is displayed in the Demand Planning Engine.
For information about setting up the Planning Server, see the Oracle Advanced Supply Chain and Oracle Global ATP Server Implementation Manual.
Data distributed to planners
Data is distributed to individual planners, based on assignments that been defined by the Demand Planning System Administrator. For example, a planner who is responsible for forecasting demand for Brand 1 and Brand 2 in City A, City B, and City C, will see data for these values, while another planner will see another data set.
Planners analyze and modify forecasts
Individual planners use worksheets to review and modify forecast numbers. A planner can adjust the data in a number of ways, select different data values, and copy and paste data. As planners examine their forecast numbers, they can use ad
Planning Cycle Activities
also define custom data streams and incorporate this information into their analyses.
Planners submit final forecasts
When forecasting is complete, planners submit their final forecast values to the shared database. If a demand plan includes multiple scenarios, planners submit a forecast for each scenario.
Demand Plan Manager reviews forecasts
The Demand Plan Manager reviews the numbers that have been submitted to the shared database by individual planners. He or she might make further judgemental adjustments.
Data is uploaded to the Planning Server
Following the planning manager’s review, final forecast data is uploaded to the Planning Server.
Planning Server publishes forecasts to the source instance
The forecast data is published from the Planning Server to the source instance. This integrates the final estimate of demand into the transaction system.
Users get feedback
Oracle Demand Planning includes a variety of tools that provide feedback and monitoring results at various stages of the demand planning process:
■ Users can generate exception reports based on a variety of parameters.
■ Users can run reports to check forecast accuracy or set up alerts that will notify
them of specific events.
■ Users can compare actual results against forecasts, or compare forecasts for
various scenarios against one another.
■ Users can refer back to reports, graphs, and worksheets that they have saved in
Demand Planning User Responsibilities
Demand Planning Data Flow
The following diagram illustrates the Demand Planning data flow. As the planning cycle starts, data moves from the Planning Server to the Demand Planning Engine (DPE) shared database. As the planning cycle concludes, data moves from users’ personal databases to the shared database and is uploaded to the Planning Server.
Demand Planning User Responsibilities
Oracle Demand Planning supports the following user responsibilities:
■ Demand Planning System Administrator ■ Demand Plan Manager
■ Demand Planner
Demand Planning System Administrator
The Demand Planning System Administrator is responsible for setting up and maintaining the Planning Server. The Demand Planning System Administrator is also responsible for maintaining the user environment for demand planners and the
Demand Planning User Responsibilities
Demand Plan Manager and running the batch processes that drive the forecasting cycle.
An individual with the Demand Planning System Administrator responsibility performs the following tasks:
■ Sets up and maintains the tables that store information about source instances. ■ Sets up and maintains the tables that store information about data collection
parameters.
■ Sets up and maintains the tables that store the parameters for publishing
information from and to the Planning Server.
■ Sets up and maintains the tables that store information required for the transfer
of data between the Planning Server and the Demand Planning Engine.
■ Sets up and maintains the tables that store information about demand planning
dimensions, hierarchies, levels, and hierarchy/level relationships.
■ Sets up and maintains the tables that store information about events that affect
demand planning.
■ Sets up and maintains the tables that store information about demand plan
scenarios.
■ Sets up and maintains the tables that store parameters for demand plans. ■ Works with the system administrator to do the following:
■ Set up Express databases
■ Ensure that Demand Planning users are entered in Oracle Applications with
the appropriate responsibilities
■ Ensure that Oracle Workflow is set up to support Demand Planning users
and requirements.
■ Runs the following Demand Plan Administration processes:
■ Sets user parameters for the Demand Planning page, generates predefined
reports, defines data assignments for planners, and defines measures. Can also associate default measures with scenarios and modify Workflow information.
■ Runs the batch processes that transfer data to and from the Planning Server,
populate measures in the shared database, distribute data and measures to planners, and collect forecasts from planners.
Demand Planning User Responsibilities
For information about how the Demand Planning System Administrator sets up the tables for a demand plan, see Oracle Advanced Planning and Scheduling:
Implementation and User’s Guide.
Demand Plan Manager
The Demand Plan Manager gets a view of the entire data without any restriction or scoping. He or she works directly in the shared database and is responsible for reviewing planners’ consolidated forecasts. Using personal judgement and business experience, he or she can adjust planners’ forecast values prior to the final
submission. The Demand Plan Manager can also define exception conditions for general alerts.
Note: If your planning group is very small, you might want to set up all users to have the Demand Plan Manager responsibility. Note, however that if more than one person has this responsibility, only one individual at a time will be able to perform functions such as creating measures, editing data, and saving documents.
Demand Planner
The Demand Planner is responsible for analyzing and forecasting demand within an assigned data segment. The planner works in his or her personal database, reviewing and perhaps modifying data in accordance with judgement. When the estimate of demand is complete, the planner submits a forecast for each scenario to the shared database.
2
Demand Plan Administration: Running
Batch Processes
This section describes how to use Demand Plan Administration to run the batch processes that drive the Demand Planning forecasting cycle.The section includes the following topics:
■ About Batch Processes
■ Building a New Demand Plan
■ Downloading Data from the Planning Server ■ Populating Measures
■ Distributing to Planners ■ Collecting Data from Planners
About Batch Processes
About Batch Processes
Batch processes drive the stages of the forecasting cycle. As a Demand Planning System Administrator, you use the Demand Plan Administration function to run the batch processes that drive the forecasting cycle. Batch processes are as follows:
■ Building a New Demand Plan — For a new demand plan, builds the Express
databases and downloads data for dimensions and measures specified in the Planning Server to the shared database.
■ Download Data from Planning Server — For an existing demand plan,
downloads data for dimensions and measures specified in the Planning Server to the shared database.
■ Populate Measures — Calculates measures that you have defined in the shared
database and runs forecasts.
■ Distribute to Planners — Distributes data in the shared database to users who
log in with the Demand Planner responsibility.
■ Collect Data from Planner — Consolidates planners’ forecast submissions in
the shared database.
■ Upload Scenarios to Planning Server — Transfers data from the shared
database to the Planning Server.
Prerequisites for batch processing
In order to run batch processes, the following tasks must be complete:
■ Demand Planning users and responsibilities have been set up in Oracle
Applications.
■ Oracle Workflow has been installed and configured and Workflow background
About Batch Processes
■ You have been defined as a user in Oracle Applications, and you have the
responsibility of Demand Planning System Administrator.
■ All forms that apply to the demand plan setup are complete. For information
about setting up a demand plan, see Oracle Advanced Planning and Scheduling: Implementation and User’s Guide.
■ The demand plan has been validated in the Planning Server.
Using the Demand Planning Administration Page
The Demand Planning Administration page is the interface for running batch processes.
◗◗
To access the Demand Planning Administration page:1. Log into Demand Planning.
2. Select the Demand Planning System Administrator responsibility, 3. In the Navigator, select Demand Plan Administration.
Result: A list of demand plans appears.
4. Select the demand plan that you want to work with, scroll to the bottom of the page, and click Start Demand Planning.
Building a New Demand Plan
Example: Demand Planning Administration Page
The following example shows the Demand Planning Administration page for the "Demo" demand plan. The navigation list is in the left frame. Batch processes are listed in the right frame.
Building a New Demand Plan
When you log into the Planning Server and choose a plan that has not yet been built, you are prompted to log into the Planning Server.
When you log into the Planning Server, the following tasks are executed:
■ The Demand Planning shared Express databases are created.
■ Data for dimensions and measures specified in the Planning Server is
Building a New Demand Plan
◗◗
To build a new demand plan:1. Log into Demand Planning.
2. Select the Demand Planning System Administrator responsibility, 3. In the Navigator, select Demand Plan Administration.
Result: A list of demand plans appears.
4. Select the demand plan that you want to work with, scroll to the bottom of the page, and click Start Demand Planning.
Result: The Connect to Planning Server page appears. 5. Provide the following login information:
a. In the User ID box, enter your ID for the Oracle Application Objects Library (AOL) schema.
b. In the Password box, enter your password for the Oracle Application Objects Library (AOL) schema.
c. In the Connect String box, enter the connection string.
The connection string is an alias that accesses the required connection information in the tnsnames.ora file for the current Oracle Home. This connection information enables Demand Planning to locate and access the Oracle database instance.
Note: For more information, see your system administrator. 6. Click the Login button.
Result: All of the information that you entered in the Connect to Planning Server page is stored in Express Server so that you do not have to enter it again. The Demand Planning databases are built and a download of data from the Demand Planning Server to these databases is initiated. A message appears on the screen to inform you that the download is taking place.
If you are set up to receive Workflow notifications, you will receive a notification when the download is complete. When you access the Demand Planning Administrator page, the status for the batch process Download Data
Downloading Data from the Planning Server
Downloading Data from the Planning Server
Once a demand plan has been built, run the Download Data from Planning Server batch to initiate a new forecasting cycle for the plan. The download process
transfers data from the Planning Server database to the shared database.
◗◗
To download data from the Planning Server for an existing demand plan:1. Open the Demand Planning Administration page for the plan that you want to work with.
2. In the navigation list, click the demand plan name.
Result: A list of batch processes appears in the right frame. 3. In the Stage column, click Download Data from Planning Server. 4. Click Apply to run the batch.
Result: The task is submitted to Oracle Workflow. The Status column indicates when the batch is complete. For information about the associated Workflow process, see "Stage 1 Workflow process: Download data from Planning Server"
on page B-5.
Tip: You can use the Batch Log to view detailed status information.
Populating Measures
Run the Populate Measure batch to calculate measures that you have defined in the shared database. The process also calculates forecast measures that have been downloaded from the Planning Server.
Use the Measures function to define and edit measures before you run this process. For more information, see "Measures" on page 3-11.
◗◗
To run the batch process to populate measures:
1. Open the Demand Planning Administration page for the plan that you want to work with.
2. In the navigation list, click the demand plan name.
Result: A list of batch processes appears in the right frame. 3. In the Stage column, click Populate Measures.
Distributing to Planners
4. Click Apply to run the batch.
Result: The task is submitted to Oracle Workflow. The Status column indicates when the batch is complete. For information about the associated Workflow process, see "Stage 2 Workflow process: Populate Measures" on page B-5.
Tip: You can use the Batch Log to view detailed status information.
Distributing to Planners
Run the Distribute to Planners batch to distribute data in the shared database to individual planners. The process distributes populated measures as well as any measures that have been defined by the Demand Plan Manager.
Run Distribute to Planners after you create assignments and run the Populate
Measures batch. Also ensure that you have performed maintenance tasks such as setting up planners’ assignments, defining measures, entering comment reason codes, and so forth. For information about maintenance tasks, see Chapter 3, "Demand Plan Administration: Maintaining the User Environment" on page 3-1.
Note: If you have set up your system so that all users have the Demand Plan Manager responsibility, then you do not have to run this batch. A planning manager has access to all data in the shared database.
◗◗
To run the batch process to distribute to planners:1. Open the Demand Planning Administration page for the plan that you want to work with.
2. In the navigation list, click the demand plan name.
Result: A list of batch processes appears in the right frame. 3. In the Stage column, click Distribute to Planners.
4. Click Apply to run the batch.
Result: The task is submitted to Oracle Workflow. The Status column indicates when the batch is complete. For more information about Workflow processing, see "Stage 3 Workflow process: Distribute to planners" on page B-6.
Collecting Data from Planners
Collecting Data from Planners
As planners submit final forecasts, the data is marked for inclusion in the shared database. Run the Collect Data from Planners batch to collect and consolidate planners’ data submissions in the shared database. You can also view the status of submissions by assignment.
Note: If you have set up your system so that all users have the Demand Plan Manager responsibility, you do not have to run this batch. A planning manager saves data directly in the shared database. Data does not have to be collected and consolidated.
Options for collecting data
Within the Collect Data function, you have the following options:
■ You can set a data collection deadline date. This establishes a final date on
which data that has been submitted by planners will be collected and
consolidated in the shared database. You can also set a parameter to generate reminder messages to planners.
Workflow will run an iterative process to collect submissions up until the date that you specify. If you select the reminder messaging option, Workflow will generate reminder messages.
■ If a collection process is running, you can terminate the collection.
Workflow will run a final process to collect available submissions and consolidate the data.
■ You can collect available data immediately.
Workflow will run a process, distinct from the process that runs collections, to collect available submissions and consolidate the data. If a collection process is currently running, it will continue.
Note: If a planner has not yet submitted a measure for a scenario, Demand Planning will use the default measure for the scenario as the value for the planner’s
submission, if a default measure for the scenario has been set. If no default measure has been set for the scenario, the data collected for the planner will be NA. For information about setting the default measure for a scenario, see "Setting a default measure for a scenario" on page 3-30.
Collecting Data from Planners
◗◗
To run the batch process to collect data from planners:1. Open the Demand Planning Administration page for the plan that you want to work with.
2. In the navigation list, choose the demand plan name.
Result: A list of batch processes appears in the right frame. 3. In the Stage column, click Collect Data from Planners.
Result: The Assignment Status box displays the assignment name, user ID, and submission status for each scenario in the demand plan.
4. To specify a date on which to end data collection, proceed as follows:
a. In the Date to end data collection period box, click the arrow in the box and select a collection deadline date. This establishes the final date for collecting submissions from planners.
b. If you want the system to notify planners who have not yet submitted data as the collection deadline approaches, check Enable reminder messaging and enter a number in the Days in advance of collection end to begin reminder messaging box. The number specifies the number of days before the date on which data collection ends that Workflow will begin to send out reminder messages to planners.
5. To collect and consolidate submissions and cancel a collection process that is currently running, click End collection period.
Note: This option is only available only when a collection process is running. 6. To collect and consolidate submissions and continue the collection process, click
Collect available submissions now. 7. Click Apply to run the batch.
Result: The task is submitted to Oracle Workflow. The Status column indicates when the batch is complete. For information about the associated Workflow process, see "Stage 4 Workflow process: Collect data from planners" on page B-7.
Uploading Scenarios to the Planning Server
Example: Collecting data from planners
In the following example, the user selects a date to end data collection and specifies the number of days before the deadline that planners should start to receive
reminder messages. The Assignment Status box shows the current status of planners’ assignments.
Uploading Scenarios to the Planning Server
After the Demand Plan Manager has reviewed planners’ forecasts, run the Upload
Scenarios to Planning Server batch to transfer data from the shared database to the Planning Server. Once scenarios have been uploaded to the Planning Server, the data can be published back to the source Oracle Applications transaction system or use it as an input to an ASCP plan.
Important: Before you upload scenarios, ensure that the Demand Plan Manager has reviewed planners’ forecasts.
Viewing the Batch Log
◗◗
To run the batch process to upload scenarios to the Planning Server:1. Open the Demand Planning Administration page for the plan that you want to work with.
2. In the navigation list, choose the demand plan name.
Result: A list of batch processes appears in the right frame. 3. In the Stage column, click Upload Scenarios to Planning Server. 4. Click Apply to run the batch.
Result: The task is submitted to Oracle Workflow. The Status column indicates when the batch is complete. For information about the associated Workflow process, see "Stage 5 Workflow process: Uploading scenarios to the Planning Server" on page B-12.
Tip: You can use the Batch Log to view detailed status information.
Viewing the Batch Log
The Batch Log displays detailed date and time information about the status of batch activities in the demand planning cycle. The log displays automatically while a batch process is running. You can also view the log on an ad hoc basis.
◗◗
To view the batch log:1. Open the Demand Planning Administration page for the plan that you want to work with.
2. In the navigation list, choose Batch Log.
Result: The frame for viewing the batch log opens. 3. Scroll through the log to view activity detail.
Viewing the Batch Log
Example: Batch Log
3
Demand Plan Administration: Maintaining
the User Environment
This section describes how to use Demand Plan Administration to set up and maintain the user environment for planners and the Demand Plan Manager. The section includes the following topics:■ About Setup and Maintenance Tasks ■ Demand Planner Assignments ■ Measures
■ Scenarios
■ Comment Reason Codes ■ User Page Setup
■ Predefined Reports
■ Express Database Information ■ Workflow Settings
About Setup and Maintenance Tasks
About Setup and Maintenance Tasks
As a Demand Planning System Administrator, you use Demand Planning System Administration to perform the following tasks to set up and maintain the user environment:
■ Demand Planner Assignments — Specify the level from which all planners
will see data for the various dimensions and set up assignments that define the scope of each planner’s view of the data.
■ Measures — Define and maintain shared measures for your user community. ■ Scenarios — Set or change the default measure association for each scenario in
the demand plan.
■ Comment Reason Codes — Set or modify the reason codes that planners and
the Demand Plan Manager will use to enter optional comments when modifying data in worksheets.
■ User Page Setup — Specify how the Demand Planning code will be accessed by
users’ browsers. Also specify optional text for the Welcome screen.
■ Predefined Reports — Set defaults for predefined reports and select the
predefined reports that planners and the Demand Plan Manager will see.
■ Express Database Information — Modify Express database information in the
Demand Planning Engine.
■ Workflow Settings — Set or change the number of Workflow engines to use
when the Workflow background engines run Demand Planning deferred activities.
Prerequisites for setup and maintenance tasks
In order to perform setup and maintenance tasks, the Download Data from
Planning Server batch must be complete.
Using the Demand Planning Administration Page
The Demand Planning Administration page is the interface for setting up and maintaining the user environment.
◗◗
To access the Demand Planning Administration page:About Setup and Maintenance Tasks
3. In the Navigator, select Demand Plan Administration.
Result: A list of demand plans appears.
4. Select the demand plan that you want to work with, scroll to the bottom of the page, and click Start Demand Planning.
Result: The Demand Planning Administration page for the plan opens.
Example: Demand Planning Administration Page
The following example shows the Demand Planning Administration page. The navigation list in the left frame displays setup and maintenance functions.
Demand Planner Assignments
Demand Planner Assignments
Use the Demand Planner Assignments function to define a set of values that each planner is responsible for forecasting.
Ensure that you set up assignments before you run the Distribute to Planners batch.
Note: If your planning group is very small, you might decide give all of your users the Demand Plan Manager responsibility. In this case, you do not have to set planner assignments because a user who accesses the application as a planning manager works directly in the shared database. Unlike a planner, he or she is not limited to a subset of the data.
Setting default levels for assignments
Before you assign data to individual planners, you must specify the default level from which all planners will view data in each dimension other than Time. This establishes the granularity at which planners will view their data. For example, if you specify the City level for the Geography dimension, planners will view geography values at this level and below.
Important: Ensure that you set levels before you create planner assignments. If you change a dimension level after you select data for planners, you will have to re-enter all assignments.
◗◗
To specify default levels for planners’ assignments:1. Open the Demand Planning Administration page for the plan that you want to work with.
2. In the navigation list, choose Demand Planner Assignments.
Result: The frame for maintaining planner assignments opens. 3. Click Settings.
Result: The System Settings dialog box opens. Each of the dimensions in your database, other than the Time dimension, is present in the dialog box.
Demand Planner Assignments
4. In each dimension box, select a level.
You can select the level that currently appears in the box for each dimension or you can click the arrow in each box to display a list of levels and select a level from the list.
5. When you have selected a level for each dimension, click OK.
Result: The System Settings dialog box closes. The planner assignments frame is again visible. You are returned to the frame for maintaining demand planner assignments.
Creating an assignment
Creating an assignment associates a set of dimension values with the user ID of an individual who will access Demand Planning with the planner responsibility. You can give multiple assignments to one planner.
Important: Ensure that you select values for planners’ assignments after you set assignment levels. If you change a level after you make assignments, you will have to re-enter all assignments.
◗◗
To create an assignment:1. Open the Demand Planning Administration page for the plan that you want to work with.
2. In the navigation list, choose Demand Planner Assignments.
Result: The frame for maintaining demand planner assignments opens. If any assignments already exist, they appear in the Existing assignments grid. If you are creating the first assignment, the Existing assignments grid is blank. 3. Click New.
Result: A new assignment row appears in the grid. The Name column displays an entry called “Untitled Assignment.” Your Oracle user ID appears in the Owner column.
4. Click the cell under the Name column and enter a name for the assignment. The name can be up to 70 characters long.
5. Click the arrow in the cell under the Owner column. From the list that appears, select the user ID for the planner who will have the assignment.
Demand Planner Assignments
6. Click Edit.
Result: The Select Data dialog box opens. The Select Values For box contains the list of dimensions for which you can choose values for the assignment that you are creating.
7. In the Select Values For box, choose a dimension.
8. Select values for the dimension by moving values between the Available and Selected boxes until the Selected box contains the values that you want to select for the current dimension.
■ To search for specific values in the Available box, click the Find Value
button.
and enter the text to find.
■ To add values to the Selected box from the Available box, click on the values
that you want to select in the Available box. Then click the Add Selected button.
■ To remove values from the Selected box, in the Selected box, click on the
Demand Planner Assignments
■ To add or remove all values at one time, click the Add All button.
or
■ the Remove All button.
9. Repeat Steps 8 and 9 until you have selected values for all of the dimensions in the Select Values For box.
10. Click OK to save the current selections. The OK button is enabled only if you have selected values for each dimension.
Result: You are returned to the frame for setting demand planner assignments. The Scope of selected item box now displays selected values for the assignment.
Tip: If there are assignments for multiple planners, you can click Refresh to see if there are assignments that have overlapping dimension values.
Editing an assignment
Edit an assignment when you want to change the values that are currently assigned to a planner.
Edit assignments before you run the Distribute to Planners batch.
◗◗
To edit an assignment:1. Open the Demand Planning Administration page for the plan that you want to work with.
2. In the navigation list, choose Demand Planner Assignments.
Result: The frame for maintaining demand planner assignments opens. The Existing assignments grid displays current assignments.
3. Highlight the assignment whose values you want to change and click Edit. The Select Data dialog box opens, showing the current selections for each
Demand Planner Assignments
4. In the Select Values For box, choose the dimension for which you want to modify values.
5. Select values by moving values between the Available and Selected boxes until the Selected box contains the values that you want to select for the current dimension.
6. To change values for another dimension, repeat Steps 5 and 6. 7. Click OK to save the current selections.
Result: You are returned to the frame for setting demand planner assignments. The Scope of selected item box displays selected values for the assignment.
Viewing unassigned data
You can view data values that have not yet been assigned to any planner. Optionally, you can add the unassigned data to current assignments.
◗◗
To view unassigned data:1. Open the Demand Planning Administration page for the plan that you want to work with.
2. In the navigation list, choose Demand Planner Assignments.
Result: The frame for maintaining demand planner assignments opens. The Existing assignments grid displays current assignments.
3. Click Unassigned.
Result: The Unassigned Data Slices dialog box opens. The grid displays data slices that have not been associated with any user.
4. You can work with unassigned data as follows:
■ To add a single unassigned data slice to an assignment, right-click the cell
that represents the slice, choose Assign to, and select an assignment from the list.
■ To add all unassigned data slices to an assignment, right-click any cell,
choose Assign all pages to, and select an assignment.
■ To associate an unassigned data slice with a new assignment, record the
unassigned values, exit from the dialog box and click New to create and populate a new assignment.
Demand Planner Assignments
Checking assignments for overlapping values
As you create assignments, you can identify assignments that have overlapping values.
Note: Overlapping values are technically allowed, but are not recommended as sound business practice. This is because data values that are submitted to the shared database by one planner will be overwritten by another planner’s data for those values where their two assignments intersect.
◗◗
To check assignments for overlapping values:1. Open the Demand Planning Administration page for the plan that you want to work with.
2. In the navigation list, choose Demand Planner Assignments.
Result: The frame for maintaining demand planner assignments opens. The Existing assignments grid displays current assignments.
3. Click Refresh.
Result: A red flag appears in the column next to any assignment that includes one or more dimension values which are the same as the dimension values that are included in another assignment. If there are no overlaps, the column remains blank.
Changing the name of an assignment
You can give a new name to an assignment.
◗◗
To change the name of an assignment:1. Open the Demand Planning Administration page for the plan that you want to work with.
2. In the navigation list, choose Demand Planner Assignments.
Result: The frame for maintaining demand planner assignments opens. The Existing assignments grid displays current assignments.
3. Identify the assignment whose name you want to change.
4. Click the Name column and enter a new name. The name can be up to 70 characters long.
