SCM APO - rules creation

Question

Hi Friends,
Is there a possibility where by we guide the APO system to acess the ECC system based on certain rules (like only if a field is available)??
I have a date generated based on the Route Schedule id (VL51, VL52) and I need to sync this date with the Goods issue date of the Sales Order whenever it is created. Normally whenever a GATP (Global Available to Promise) is done for a sales order from the ECC system, the ECC system does a RFC call to the APO system and gets the schedule line dates.I want the APO to provide me these schedule line dates on/after my date. Can this be done through some customisations in the APO server???
If not can you guys provide me a FM or BAPI which would create a new set of Schedule line dates (Delivery date: VBEP-EDATU, Delivery Time: VBEP-EZEIT,
Goods issue date:VBEP-WADAT,  Goods issue Time: VBEP-WAUHR
Loading date: VBEP-LDDAT, Loading date Time: VBEP-LDUHR
Material avail.date: VBEP-MBDAT, Material avail.date time: VBEP-MBUHR
Transportation Plan. Date: VBEP-TDDAT, Transportation Plan. Time: VBEP-TDUHR) based on the GI date that I provide?
Thanks,
Susanth Kumar

Answer 1

Susanth,
First let me say that I have never tried to create a solution in SCM mimics ERP Fixed Shipping ID functionality.  If you need actual experiences, I can't help you.
However, I have used the shipment scheduling technique (using conditions) in SCM.  Here are some ideas, perhaps you might want to look at them.
Generally, ERP determines Plant, shipping point, destination, and then sends them to SCM during the ATP check.  Shipment scheduling (route determination, packing duration, loading duration, etc) in ERP is usually determined using these characteristics (obviously in your scenario, shipto id plays a special role).  Standard shipment scheduling in SCM uses the same concepts.
The way I have seen custom shipment scheduling executed in ERP is by using special shipping points with custom factory calendars assigned.  I want to emphasize that I am not familiar with the ERP solution you have used.  Anyhow, once you maintain a shipping point, with a factory calendar that only has 'x' shipping days available to ship, and that shipping point is maintained as master data in SCM, it should be possible to schedule such that the only valid shipping days mimic those that you want for your customer.
The key in this case is shipping point determination, which usually determines the GI date, should be done in ERP.
Althoug there is a substantial field catalog in SCM available, it appears that it these characteristics can only be used to determine the durations of the events (PICK, TRANS, etc.)  Unfortunately, this does not seem to be your problem.
There are other Shipment scheduling techniques available in SCM, I am embarassed to admit that I am unfamiliar with them. You could look them over (they are located in sap help near to the section I already highlighted)  to see if they might be more suitable for your requirements.
Also, I am assuming that your current method that you are using in ERP is SAP 'standard'.  If so, you might want to consult SAP best practices for SAP's 'standard' SCM solution (there should be one) or you could raise an OSS message to SAP to get them to reveal their standard solution.
You probably have figured out by now that I am not a fan of customized, non-standard solutions.  It may be, though, when all is said and done, that dragging across the data as you originally suggested, could be the best way.  I am only suggesting that you explore standard solutions first.
Sorry I can't help more. Perhaps one of the other Forum members has an experience they can share.
Rgds,
DB49