Planning Types and Macros 

A planning type is a customized view on the planning table; for example, you might have one view for the sales planner and another for the production planner.

A planning type is based on an information structure. This can be either a standard information structure or a self-defined information structure. You therefore have almost infinite possibilities with regard to the information you can plan. In other words, planning types provide a flexible tool for the planning, storage, and analysis of any logistics data. In consistent planning, the information structure on which a planning type is based is always self-defined.

Information structures are maintained in Customizing for the Logistics Information System (in Maintain self-defined information structures). If you intend to use the consistent planning method, you must create your own information structure.

A planning type defines the content and layout of the lines in the planning table as well as the mathematical operations, in the form of macros, which can be performed on these lines.

There are no restrictions on the number of planning types you can create for one information structure.

Planning data is saved in the information structure, not in the planning type. The planning type merely acts as a template on the information structure. This means that if you plan a key figure of an information structure in one planning type and save it, and then call up the planning table for a second planning type which is based on the same information structure and contains the same key figures, the values you planned for the key figures in the first planning type appear.

For more information on information structures, see:

LO Logistics Information System

Implementation Guide for the Logistics Information System

Lines in a Planning Type

Contents of a Line

A line in a planning type contains one of the following:

  • Planned key figure
  • Actual key figure from the current year
  • Actual key figure from the previous year
  • Cumulative events for a key figure
  • Proportional events for a key figure
  • Corrected key figure as the result of the events
  • User exit data
  • Freely defined text or numbers

Only the planned and actual key figures are saved in the information structure. Data on the other lines is calculated or read into the planning table at runtime.

Line Descriptions

A line in a planning type has one of three different types of text that describe the function of the line:

  • The line description is a key figure text from the information structure (the line refers to a key figure from the information structure on which the planning type is based).
  • You define the line description yourself.
  • The line description is the text of the currently planned characteristic.

Ready-for-Input Status of a Line

You can set the ready-for-input status of a line. There are four options:

  • Planning line

You can plan, and therefore overwrite, the key figures on a planning line.

  • Output line

You can see, but not enter or change, key figures on an output line. You might use an output line to show the results of a macro calculation.

  • Text line

A text line has a description, but no numerical values. You might define the heading of one section of the planning table as a text line.

  • Auxiliary line

An auxiliary line is visible in the planning type, but not in the planning table. If you use only proportional events for this planning type and information structure, you might define the cumulative events line as an auxiliary line.

Aggregation Type

Specifies how a specific key figure from the information structure is aggregated and disaggregated if the consistent planning method is used. Alternatively, the aggregation type of a key figure can be set in the Customizing activity "Set parameters for info structures and key figures". Three options are available:

  • No aggregation or disaggregation.
  • Data is totaled (aggregation) and distributed proportionally (disaggregation).
  • An average is calculated.

See also:

Ways to Aggregate and Disaggregate in Consistent Planning

Planning Horizon

A planning type also describes a planning horizon. You can enter the number of historical periods and future periods to be shown in the planning table. Historical periods are not ready for input unless you specify otherwise.

Planning Strategies

Two planning strategies are available: either single-level (owner) or dual-level (owner and members) planning. Which strategy you use depends on the planning method. If consistent planning or delta planning has been defined for the information structure on which your planning type is based, the strategy is always dual-level planning. If level-by-level planning has been defined, you can choose between single-level and dual-level planning.

See also:

Planning Methods

Self-Defined Macros

A macro is a mathematical operation made up of a sequence of instructions. These instructions are carried out together when you execute the macro. It is useful to define macros for frequently required, sometimes complicated, series of instructions. Macros save time and eliminate the possibility of typing errors during the planning process. You execute a macro with a single keystroke or mouse-click.

In SOP, you use macros to perform calculations involving several lines; for example, the multiplication of one line by another line, the result of which is shown on a third line.

Standard Planning Types

Standard SOP comes with three planning types:

  • SOPKAPA

This planning type is used for the planning of individual product groups.

  • SOPKAPAM

This planning type is used for the planning of individual materials.

  • SOPDIS

This planning type is used for the dual-level planning of product group hierarchies.

These planning types are used automatically when you plan in standard SOP. You do not have to enter them before calling up the planning table.