BW vs APO InfoObjects

What is the difference between creating a BW InfoObject and creating an APO InfoObject in SCM BW?  Does one type or the other limits certain functionality if used in both systems?  Similarly, what's the difference in creating BW vs APO InfoCubes?  Does one or the other limits functionality if used by both APO and BW?  Is there some documentation describing the difference?  If so, please direct me to where I can find it.
jeh

For characteristics, it really doesnt matter if they are either a BW or APO infoobject, however for a KEY FIGURE it does matter.
Reason is if you are intending to LOCK/FIX the key figure in yourplanning books, based on say a CONSENSUS FORECASTING workflow then theKEY FIGURE must be created as a APO key figure. Also enclosed the screenshots to show you the difference.
This is the simple rule to remember:
Always create APO keyfigures (because they have more functionality) and we will have Acutual Key Figures and Planned Key Figures...
Always create BW InfoCubes (APO InfoCubes are only used internally)
You can refer Chapter 3 : Demand Planner of APO for learning more about the diff between the Administrative Work Benches and Infocubes...
Cheers,
Sandhya

Similar Messages

  • BW vs. APO InfoObject

    What is the difference between creating a BW InfoObject and creating an APO InfoObject in SCM BW?  Does one type or the other limits certain functionality if used in both systems?  Similarly, what's the difference in creating BW vs APO InfoCubes?  Does one or the other limits functionality if used by both APO and BW?
    jeh

    Hi Jeh,
    Infoobjects:-
    Business evaluation objects are known in BI as InfoObjects. They are divide into characteristics (for example, customers), key figures (for example, revenue), units (for example, currency, amount unit), time characteristics (for example, fiscal year) and technical characteristics (for example, request number
    InfoObjects are the smallest units of BI. Using InfoObjects, information is mapped in a structured form. This is required for constructing InfoProviders. InfoObjects with attributes or texts can  themselves also be  Infoproviders.
    Infocubes:-
    Type of InfoProvider.  An InfoCube describes (from an analysis point of view) a self-contained dataset, for example, for a business-orientated area. You analyze this dataset in a BEx query.         
    An InfoCube is a set of relational tables arranged according to the star schema: A large fact table in the middle surrounded by several dimension tables.
    In general both the terminologies ie Infoobjects & Infocubes belongs to BW only and not SCM.  BW is Netweaver product(ie purely technical) whereas SCM is Supply chain (Functional & business oriented).
    When we use BW objects like infoobjects & infocubes in SCM, it becomes part of it.  say like infocube used for DP, SNP modules..,  whereas the technical origin & ownership still lies with BW only.  BW we are using as a mediator tool for extraction of dat from SAP & non-SAP modules which can be used for data bridging purposes.
    Regards
    R. Senthil Mareeswaran.

  • Compounding vs. Consolidated Infoobjects.

    Hi Experts,
    Basically I need to pull information for spent analysis reporting. I’ve come to a stage where I need to pull information from multiple source systems (8 R/3 systems and 4 Non-SAP systems). In order to do this I need to pull master data such as plant, company code, purchase org etc.. into BI from the different systems. My problem is that each system can use the same code for different objects. Such as,
    Plant Example:
                Plant 1000/R/3-1            -           Plant A
                Plant 1000/R/3-2            -           Plant B
    Therefore to do this and to ensure all plants are available I need to use one of the following options.
    1.       Compound source system to plant.
    Problem with this is all objects using plant will also have to be compounded to system id.
    2.       Add source system code to plant id.
    Plant is only a 4 character field. There will not be enough space to add system id unless I change the length.
    3.       Use consolidated info-objects
    I was planning on using standard cube 0PUR_C01 for reporting. Will have to replace all infoproviders using this with the consolidated infoobject.
    4.       Maintain a table with predefined plants and write a routine for plant/system id and populate.
    This might not work well for RRI. Also will have to maintain the table when new objects are added/changed.
    So a bit confused as which technique to use. Would really appreciate you’re input.
    Thanks and regards,
    Dilanke

    For characteristics, it really doesnt matter if they are either a BW or APO infoobject, however for a KEY FIGURE it does matter.
    Reason is if you are intending to LOCK/FIX the key figure in yourplanning books, based on say a CONSENSUS FORECASTING workflow then theKEY FIGURE must be created as a APO key figure. Also enclosed the screenshots to show you the difference.
    This is the simple rule to remember:
    Always create APO keyfigures (because they have more functionality) and we will have Acutual Key Figures and Planned Key Figures...
    Always create BW InfoCubes (APO InfoCubes are only used internally)
    You can refer Chapter 3 : Demand Planner of APO for learning more about the diff between the Administrative Work Benches and Infocubes...
    Cheers,
    Sandhya

  • Conversion in Product Master

    Dear All,
    I have made an info-object for Product using 9AMATNR as template. This object is being mapped to 0MATERIAL in BW system. The APO infoobject has conversion PRODU, whereas 0MATERIAL  has ALPHA.
    There are some codes which are numeric. They are seen correctly as 7 digits when I display master data. However when I create characteristic combinations in the background, it gives an error stating as follows
    "@5C\QError@     Characteristic value 000000000001023932 of characteristic ZCPRODUCT converted incorrectly" and it does not get created.
    is this to do with the conversion routine maintained in the Product info-object.

    Hello,
    In my infoobject ZCPRODUCT in APO BW, i have used the conversion routine PRODU. Do I need to change it to ALPHA?
    What would be the impact of changing the routine after loading the master data? Can you send your email address,. I can send you the screen shot of the object.
    regards,
    kedar

  • APO BW - What is Infosource ,info provider,infoobject

    Dear Experts ,
    when i Run RSA1  in APO
    i can able to see infosourc,infoprovider,Datasoruce,source systems,open hub destination
    can someone explain what is the relation betweekn infosource,provided , data source
    and what is HUB destination
    how it is used in APO DO planning area and  Pos and snp too
    how to know what are the infosource, provider used in exsisting planning books
    Thanks & Regards
    Raj

    Dear Raj
    Please find enclosed herewith the link which will give very good information related to APO BW  object like Infosource ,info provider,infoobject  
    http://help.sap.com/bp_scmv250/BBLibrary/documentation/DPL_BB_ConfigGuide_EN_DE.doc
    In case of APO DP, there might some infoprovider from which you are loading the data in planning area. Please check it from the following T-code
    /SAPAPO/MC62 - Maintain Characteristic Values
    /SAPAPO/TSCUBE - Load Data from InfoCube
    Once you find the respective infoprovider  information . Go to RSA1 fine the specific infoprovider , right click and click on show data flow which will provide the detail information.
    Please cross check and let us know if you have any more doubts.
    Thanks
    Amol

  • InfoObject definition : characteristic as BW or APO ?

    Hello
    I have some characteristics defined in APO BW that I need to maintain.
    I would like to know if there is a way to know if a current one has been defined as APO or BW one ?
    thanks

    I don't understand your question : you are looking for a characteristic in a BW system ? (Note : APO is based on a BW)

  • Help needed in loading data from BW(200) to APO(100).

    Hi everybody,
    I am trying to load a master data from BW(200) to AP1(100) , this is what i did.
    1) created a InfoObject, with some fields (general-ebeln, Attributes- bukrs, werks,matnr).
    2) created and activated communication structure.
    3) Then went to BW(200) created data source(sbiw) and extracted datas from a particular info object, which had same fields and saved it, then went to RSA3 checked for data availability in data source , and it was available there too.
    4) Came back to AP1(100), in the source system tab, opened BW(200) and replicated the datas. I was able to see the Data source name which is created in BW(200).
    5) Create and activated the Transfer struct.
    6) created a info package, and loaded the data, but the monitor says " NOT YET COMPLEATED" , "CURRENTLY IN PROCESS". and it also shows "0 of 0 RECORDS".
    I want to know,
    1) Is there any mistake in what i have done above ?
    2) how long will it take to complete the process (i.e. the loading) ?.
    Please help me through this problem.
    Thanks,
    Ranjani.

    Hi,
    I am surprised with your steps. In APO, you want to load data from a particular infoobject from BW. Why did you create a specific extractor in SBIW???
    You have just reinvented the wheel... It reminds me some people in the world ...
    Here is what you should do:
    - in BW, at the infosource level, you create a direct infosource based on the infoobject that you want to extract the data to APO (let's say 0MATERIAL)
    - in BW, at the infosource level, you right click on the infosource itself and you choose 'GENERATE EXPORT DATASOURCE. That will create the datasources for you (attributes, texts, hierarchies) depending on the infoobject settings. The names of these datasources will begin with a 8 for the datamart
    - in APO, you replicate the BW system. Now you find the datasources 80MATERIAL something
    - in APO, you create the transfer rules to your infosource and you can load
    Just give it a try
    Regards

  • How to include 0STOCK_VAL in a Query based on APO DataSource?

    Hi All,
    I have a requirement to include *0STOCK_VAL" from Inventory to the APO InfoCube. But the problem with this is, this particular KeyFigure is not present in the APO hence it cannot be included in the APO DataSource i.e. we cannot get this from the Source System.
    I checked the Production system, 0STOCK_VAL InfoObject is avaiable in one of the InfoCube but it is not present in any DSO's. Since it is not present in any of the DSO's we cannot write a Routine to read it from any of the table.
    I even thought of including the InfoCube where 0STOCK_VAL is present into a MultiProvider along with the APO InfoCube. I can define the joining condition based on Plant and Material. But if I drill down any other characteristics which are not common in both the  InfoCube then we will have a blank line in the Query which is not recommended.
    But this KeyFigure is very much needed in the Query.
    My question is how to include this in the APO InfoCube or How to get this in the Query with values??
    Can anybody please help me on this.
    Thanks in advance.
    Prasapbi

    hi Matt,
      In your example like a transaction was paid for with a payment type of PTAM, then you need all the transaction details. I suppose that all the required transaction details along with payment type PTAM will be loaded into an infoprovider and you run a report on top of this infoprovider. Then for that report you need to have a selection screen variable for Payment Type and if the user enters the payment type PTAM, then he can get all the other transaction details from the infoprovider.
    Let me know if i don't understand the requirement correctly.
    Hope it helps....

  • How to read an APO table from excel in place using Visual Basic ?

    We have enhanced some APO reports using layouts that use excel in place with custom visual basic (VB) code. For example, the VB code can append the data with additional columns that perform specific calculations and then proceed to create pivot table reports in excel..That is working fine.
    The challenge is to see if that VB code could read specific APO tables (e.g. product master tables) to bring additional elements into excel and thus expand the report content. We know that additional fields can be added to the reports, but having the flexibility to read tables from VB could be more flexible.
    Can that be done?. If so, would it be possible using exclusively the VB code attached to the layout, i.e. no ABAP?

    Hello Anselmo,
    I am assuming you are doing this either using BeX analyzer or by reading the planning book using the RFC ActiveX component and a BAPI.
    I think it's possible to retrieve the data from the product master table. Here are my thoughts on how can this be done:
    1) You can create a generic datasource (transaction RSO2) for the product master table, connect that to a BW remotecube and use a BeX query to retrieve that values. You can then join the queries using VBA. Alternatively, you can build a muti-provider that connects your current InfoCube to the new RemoteCube and build a query from there. The multi-provider, in this case, joins the data (no more VBA).
    2) If you have already loaded your product master data into master data carrying InfoObjects then you can try the same technique as #1 but this time there is no need to create the generic datasource. You can use the InfoObjects for your master data as the InfoProviders for your query.
    3) You can try the ActiveX component from SAP which can  connect to any emote enabled function in SAP system. SAP already provided some BAPIs (check transaction BAPI for a list) which might be able to provide the data. You can also create your own function modules (be sure to make it remote enabled) using ABAP. (transaction SE37).
    Hope this helps

  • Use of planning characteristics in APO DP

    I am using APO DP V5.
    In my planning object structure I have the following planning characteristics:
    - product
    - product group
    - customer
    Suppose I am extracting history data (based on despatches) from an attached ECC system.
    As I see things, I have two alternatives for the extraction of 'product group':
    1. Extract the product group when I extract the despatch data from ECC
    2. Model the product group as an attribute (display) of the product InfoObject, maintain this attribute as part of APO master data, and then read the product group from the product master data when I extract the despatch data from ECC.
    What is 'best practice' in this situation.
    Thanks, Bob Austin

    Bob
    Both your Options being valid technically and will work you need to now judge based on the demerits of the methods based on your situation
    If you expect a huge CVC population and dont to have say a million CVCs you would want to use attributes thus effectively distributing it into two tables
    Your Product Group to product will be one to many i suppose so the CVCs in your MPOS will be reduced by a factor or that ratio
    Now this also means that you will need to look at a join of the table if you are using you Attributes as selections. So that is going to take more time and if your client is not patient youo may not want to take that route
    Also your downstream planning process and your regular maintainance of your system needs to be considered.
    Attributes are good if you want them just to navigate but if you want a forecast profile or if you want a realignment based on them it might end up to be a bit of a pain. I remember we had a post from you on this one and there are a few more points that are not favorable to Nav attribs
    So youo need to weigh in the advantages each of these will give you and how much weightage you place on these advantages for your situation.
    If you have the Prod group in ECC and can extract it i would prefer that option. Looks straightforward that way

  • Role of BW consultant in DP, APO BW 7.3 implementation

    Hi Folks,
    We are going to implement BW 7.3 project and i want to know the role of BW technical consultant in DP, APO and SNP module.
    Thanks in advance.
    Regards
    srini

    Hi Srini,
    If it is fresh implementation then BW consultant can check if he can utilize business content objects in these particular areas i.e. Standard Infoproviders (Cube, Dso, Infoobjects) , queries, process chains etc.
    Once that is identified BW consultant need to check the proper connection with underlying source system. After that connection is ok you can activate the BI content and do the data load testing.
    Finally BW consultant needs to prepare the list of all the customizations needed for client during implementation as per the need and carry out the development.
    Regards,
    Durgesh.

  • Master Data Loading from APO--- BW System

    Hi Experts,
    I am loading master  data from the APO to bW System,after loading data into the BW System ,I found the number of data records are mismatching
    ex:APO (8340) --->BW (9445)
    and that to I tried to delet the data in InfoObject,
    only some records are deleting
    and one more doubt
    in APO i have info object ZA9MATNR CHAR 40
    With Conversion Routine PRODU
    in BW i have the same info object ZA9MATNR CHAR 40 with Conversion Routine ALPHA.
    and I have checked the Check box in transfer rules also,may be becoz of this I am getting more records.
    Could any body help me
    Thanks in Advance...
    Regards,
    Nagamani.

    Hi,
    Ideally it is impossible to get the increased count of data records when you load it into BW unless you are using the RETURN TABLE concept.
    Normally the record count decreases with the records with same keys gets overwritten/added.
    Coming to your second question, ALPHA conversion routine has nothing to do with the record count. It appends the ZEROS to the value coming in that InfoObject. For example, if the lenght of the object is 5 and data is coming only in 3 digits, it will append the ZEROS to make its length 5.
    Hope this info helps you.
    Regards,
    Yogesh.

  • Planning area dp apo

    hi
    guru
    so i have created PA. and also time series created for it.. and also PB DV created for it..
    now i want to add a KEY figure to that PA??? is that POssible? how i should i add a kf to PA????
    the same senerio to MPOS and PB????

    Hi dallyanusha,
    I think there are series of questions.  I will try to cover few of them.
    1) Transfer of data from R/3 to APO.
    In SAP, data transfer from R/3 to APO will be through Core interface.
    2) Transfer of data from R/3 to BI
    This will be done by building infoobjects like infocubes in BW and
    store R/3 data in cubes
    3) Fixed key figure value
    Contains the key figure, in which the fixed value of the basic key figure is saved.
    4) Use of Fixed key figure value
    While planning a key figure, you can wish to protect the planned value against any overwriting. The value can be fixed in the planning table. The fixed key figure is required to store this information. The fixed basic key figure value is copied down to the finest detail into this key figure. The information with this is available on an aggregated level as regards what share of the key figure is fixed and must not be changed. If the share is 100% then the key figure must not be changed by planning functions. If the share is between 0& and 100% then the value may only be changed in a restricted way. The change is only disaggregated on those details that are not fixed.
    Regards
    R. Senthil Mareeswaran.

  • Infoobject Characterisitc created with the option of BW Application

    Hello,
    We have created Characteristics with the option of SAP BW as the application [and not as SAP APO].
    We have used some of the characteristics as navigational attributes. subsequently, we have loaded and activated the master data for the main characteristics.
    We have been able to successfully load the InfoCube [with the navigational attributes activated in the cube].
    We have used the same characteristics in the MPOS and generated the CVCs from the InfoCube.
    But when we try to load the data in the Planning area [linked to the above mentioned MPOS], we get an error message "Characteristics mapping: No data copied
    Message no. /SAPAPO/MSDP_REL120"
    Could you please let us know what possibly the reason could be for this?
    We suspect the reason to be the way the Characteristics have been defined.
    Regards,
    Sandeep Deolekar

    Sandeep
    I have seen this problem if you have 0CALDAYS defined in your time buckets profile, there is a program correction see SAP Note 774555 for the correction instructions:
    Symptom
    You are using transaction /SAPAPO/TSCUBE to load data from an InfoCube to a planning area. If the planning data is located in the InfoCube for exact days (InfoObject 0CALDAY exists in the InfoCube), no planning data is transferred.
    In the log, the warning "Characteristic assignment: No data was copied."
    Other terms
    /SAPAPO/TSCUBE /SAPAPO/MSDP_REL120
    Reason and Prerequisites
    This is caused by a program error.
    Solution
    SCM Release 4.1: The source code corrections can be implemented automatically using SNOTE before Support Package 4 is implemented.
    This is applicable for SCM4.1
    Hope this helps
    Regards
    Ian

  • Navigation attributes in APO DP

    I am using APO DP V5.
    I have a planning characteristics of product and customer. I also have a characteristic of 'product group'. I am trying to clarify the <u>real difference</u> between modelling this characteristic as a planning characteristic or as a navigation attribute of product.
    Based on my testing, using product group as a navigation attribute, I can select by product group and apply fixing and disaggregation.
    So, what is the 'added value' of modelling 'product group' as a planning characteristics?
    Any feedback appreciated.
    Thanks, Bob Austin

    To quote OSS note 413526
    When defining a planning area you have the option of using either basic
    characteristics or navigation attributes. With regard to the design the
    following aspects should be considered:
    Navigation attributes:
    ===========================================================
    The use of navigation attributes adversely affects performance during
    data selection and during navigation in the interactive planning. The
    number of used navigation attributes is important and not the different
    specifications of a navigation attribute.
    It is very easy to realign the planning objects since only the master
    record table of the affected InfoObject has to be changed.
    Navigation attributes can not be used as a characteristic during the
    definition of a fixed aggregate.
    During the disaggregation a navigation attribute can never represent the
    lowest planning level.
    Navigation attributes can not be used in the promotion planning, in
    other words an 'assign object' is not possible for navigation attributes.
    Basic characteristics:
    ===========================================================
    In comparison with navigation attributes, the exclusive use of basic
    characteristics improves the performance.
    It is possible to realign the planning objects, but this is more
    complicated.
    Basic characteristics can be used during the definition of aggregates.
    Both navigation attributes and basic characteristics can be used during the
    data extraction.
    It is therefore not possible to give a clear-cut recommendation for or
    against navigation attributes.

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