Defining User Methods 

A user method is a program or programs written by your company to perform a clearly defined, highly specific task when certain conditions are fulfilled. For example, a method allows you to perform complex transformations on statistical data. It consists of administrative information and an ABAP/4 FORM routine which you write yourself.

In Sales & Operations Planning, you can define methods for the following situations:

  • the setting of initial stock values (B)

For full information on the different possibilities for setting opening stock levels in the background, see:

How to Set Opening Stock Levels with Mass Processing

Setting Opening Stock Levels

  • the copying of planned key figure values from one information structure to another (Y)

If the combination of planning methods from and to which you want to copy is not defined in the R/3 System (see Standard Copying Methods), you create a copying method.

  • the reduction in the number of fully qualified records from an information structure, determined by the Master Data Generator, to those records relevant for planning (P)

For information on the Master Data Generator, see:

Master Data Generator in Flexible Planning

Master Data Generator in Standard SOP

Running the Master Data Generator in Flexible Planning

Running the Master Data Generator in Standard SOP

You can also create a method to plan characteristic values that are not updated from the operative applications. For an example, see "Copy Management" in Customizing for the Logistics Information System.

In a method, you maintain the following:

  • method usage (B, Y, or P)
  • method

This is a four-character key of your choice which denotes the method.

  • source table

This is the source information structure.

  • target table

This is the target information structure. If the method usage is ‘B’ or ‘P’, you enter the same information structure for both the source and the target table.

  • program

This is the program in which you create the FORM routine for the transformation.

  • subroutine

This is the FORM routine with which the data transformation is carried out.

  • description

This is a description of the method.

 

To create a method:

  1. From the flexible planning or standard SOP menu, choose Settings → User methods.
  2. Enter the method usage (B, Y, or P) and press Enter .
  3. To see an example of this method usage, place your cursor on one of the scenarios and click the pushbuttons Documentation and Reference.
  4. Choose Methods maintenance -> Maintain methods.
  5. Maintain your entries (see above).

To branch into the editor for program or subroutine maintenance, double-click on the field Program or Subroutine.

  1. Choose Table view → Save.