Use of SNP Heuristics & Optimizer

Folks,
Has anyone used both Heuristics and Optimizer together within the same supply network?
If so then how was this used e.g. Network optimization on monthly basis and location heuristics on weekly basis. Idea is to come up with a monthly optimum sourcing plan using optimizer and then resolve any location specific capacity issues using heuristics on a weekly basis.
Is this a feasible solution?

Hi,
We are using both SNP Heuristics as well as Optimizer. SNP heuristic is not considering the Constraints, thats why it is required to be run where the demand and supply can be linked without any constraint. As in our case, we are doing it between Customer and C&F. For rest of the network, we are running Optimizer as several constraints are involved in different Supply chain nodes, like transportation capacity, production capacity, storage cost etc...
We are running Optimizer on the whole network successfully which gives the results on a daily bucket considering various constraints.
In your case, you can run Optimizer alone as it will consider the location specific capacities.
Regards,
Manjit

Similar Messages

Difference between SNP heuristics,Optimizer and CTM

Dear Friends,
can any one explain me what are the basic difference in SNP planning methods
1) SNP heuristics
2)Optimzer
3)CTM
when should we use these method in SNP , is all the methods are used in SNP impelemtation ?
just give me some idea about it
Thanks & Regards
Raj

Hi Rajkumar,
                  Please find the difference among three
Comparison of the Planning Methods
you use optimization-based planning or CTM planning if one of the following conditions applies to you:
·        Your business environment is subject to strict constraints (for example, you must take into account production capacities, transportation capacities, storage capacities, and/or handling capacities)
·        You have alternative production locations and sources of supply (locations, production process models, and external procurement relationships)
·        You can decide between early production and late production
·        You share resources, meaning that multiple products are produced simultaneously on the one resource
We recommend that you use heuristic-based planning or CTM planning if any of the following conditions apply:
·        You wish to plan on an infinite basis (meaning that you do not wish to consider capacities) for the medium to long-term horizon (heuristic).
·        You wish to take into account predefined quota arrangements; for sources of supply, for instance (heuristic or CTM).
·        You wish to plan or fulfill demands on the basis of priorities (CTM).
Optimization-Based Planning :
http://help.sap.com/saphelp_scm2007/helpdata/en/09/707b37db6bcd66e10000009b38f889/content.htm
The SNP optimizer offers cost-based planning. This means that it searches through all feasible plans in an attempt to find the most cost-effective (in terms of total costs). Total costs refers to the following:
·        Production, procurement, storage, and transportation costs
·        Costs for increasing the production capacity, storage capacity, transportation capacity, and handling capacity
·        Costs for violating (falling below) the safety stock level
·        Costs for late delivery
·        Stockout costs
Heuristic-Based Planning
http://help.sap.com/saphelp_scm2007/helpdata/en/a1/b60b4b2fc211d3b6270000e82de178/content.htm
The heuristic is used as part of a repair-based planning process consisting of the heuristic, capacity leveling, and deployment. The heuristic run processes each planning location sequentially and determines sourcing requirements. The heuristic processing groups all demands for a given product at a location into one demand for the bucket. The heuristic run determines valid sources of supply and corresponding quantity based on pre-defined percentages for each source of supply (quota arrangements), or procurement priorities for transportation lanes and production process models (PPMs) or production data structures (PDS). The demands are then passed through the supply chain to calculate a plan. However, this plan is not necessarily feasible. The planner can then use capacity leveling to adjust the plan and formulate a feasible plan.
Capable-to-Match (CTM)
http://help.sap.com/saphelp_scm2007/helpdata/en/c4/986c39b768ca2fe10000000a114084/frameset.htm
With this function, you can execute a multi-level, finite planning of the demands in your supply chain. Unlike the Supply Network Planning (SNP) optimizer that executes cost-based planning, CTM planning uses a heuristic procedure. In other words, CTM does not optimize the costs. Instead, you can use priorities, for example, to influence the sequence of demands and the selection of the procurement alternatives. CTM planning does not consider the individual production and distribution levels one after the other, such as the classic MRP run, but considers them at the same time. This guarantees that CTM planning generates a plan that can be executed on schedule.
Hope these details will resolve your queries
Regards,
Santosh Kumar Mishra

SNP heuristics and optimiser using transport lane validity dates

I am using APO SNP 5.1.
In particular I am trying to use the SNP heuristics and optimiser for supply planning.
Can anyone confirm whether transport lane validity dates are respected by (a) SNP heuristics and (b) SNP optimiser, ie no transport requisitions will be created during times when the transport lane is not 'open' in terms of validity dates.
Thanks for any advice on this...

Hi,
Irrespective of the SNP planning engine you are using, a t-lane will only be considered if the t-lane is active as per the validity dates.
Regards,
Umesh

Use of periodic lot sizing in SNP heuristics

I am using APO V5.1.
I am using the standard APO SNP heuristic, and have periodic lot sizing working OK, with a 2 week periodic type.
But I want to try and model the fact that certain products are to be produced in 'even' weeks and other products are to be produced in 'odd' weeks.
I thought that the use of different planning calendars for the different products would help here, but I do not think SNP is recognising the planning calendars.
Any other ideas on this?...

hI,
Wanted to know if you have checked the option and tryed the same in system since the helptext says the same will not be considered by optimizer but will be considerd by heuristic.
Period Lot Size
Specifies that a period lot-sizing procedure is used in Supply Network Planning (SNP) and Production Planning and Detailed Scheduling (PP/DS).
Use
Use in SNP
This indicator is only used in heuristic-based planning (and not in optimization-based planning). If you set this indicator, the system groups the demand quantities of several consecutive periods together and creates orders to fulfill the quantity of this combined demand.
The period type and number of periods can be entered in the accompanying fields Period Type and No. of Periods. You can set the start time for the grouping in the Lot Size Grp. Start field.
The settings you make in the Lot Size Strategy field govern the period in which the combined demand is placed and the demand fulfillment order is created.
When calculating lot sizes and creating orders, the system considers all the other lot size settings from the location product master, such as minimum and maximum lot size, rounding value, and rounding profile.
Now for the solution you are thinking if possible you can divide the plant in two parts if the materials are accounted differntly and keep two different factory calendars for the same and go ahead.This may be not a good solution but I thought I can share this with you.
Hope this can help.
regards,
kaushik

Procurement priorities in SNP heuristics

Hi
Here is a scenario in which i need some help. A product can be procured from two vendors A and B. So we have transportation lanes set up for those two vendors .
The requirement is to keep procuring from A until the capacity of A is met. Once A's capacity is fully used (say if A can only supply 100 EA a month we want to procure the 100 EA from him ) we want to start procuring from B . How can this be achived with SNP heuristics ? We do not want to run CTM or optimizer.
I do understand that we can set up procurement priorities in the transportation lane , but then how do we check the capacity of A and once it is fulfilled how do we divert the orders to B ?
Thanks
Saradha

Hi Aparna,
Since the planning is happening in APO, this can be acheived by maintaining quota in R3 and as well as using C5 user exit of publication type (APO outbound).
What you need to do is maintain quota in R3 with quantity limitation in R3 for first vendor and then for second vendor with infinity. You need to have both transportation lanes in APO with equal priority.
Once you have Heuristic run and then C5, now here you should write th logic to look at the quota in R3 and then add the source to the PRs until it reaches the max quantity and then assign the second vendor to the rest of the PRs within the month.
This works, we have similar scenario, but ther is no second vendor, so the next PRs will be without source.
OR
You can have inound quota maintained in APO with an average percentage of supply from the first endor and then remaining from the second vendor within the month. This percentages can be vary month to month. This is simpler, but you need to have rough cut supply extimation of the first vendor.
Hope this works
Thanks
Venkat DR

SNP Heuristics is not picking up contracts as source of supply

Hi Experts,
I have a strange situation here. I have integrated a vendor contract with APO, which has created an external procurement relationship and a valid transportation lane. When I create a receipt element manually through /n/sapapo/rrp3, the source of supply is determined rightly to this vendor and receipt is created.....but when I run location SNP heuristics interactively, system generates receipt element without any reference to this source of supply. Expectation is creation of receipt element with reference to vendor and contract...
System release is SCM 5.1 with ECC 6
Am I missing something?....please let me have your inputs...
Thanks and regards,
Raghav

Hi Aparna,
Thank you for your response.
I have checked the note, but it is applicable till SCM 500 SP 13. Our's is SCM 5.1 and this is inclusive I suppose. As per the SAP SCM standard documentation, external procurement relationship between vendor and receiving plant can be created through following 3 docuements:
1. Purchase infor record
2. Scheduling agreement
3. Contracts
Additionally, as per documentation, even source list between plant and vendors can be integrated by enabling the same through R/3 transaction 'CIFPUCUST01'.
I have worked with first two and SNP considers these for source determination. When I tried to integrate the contract, though it is creating TL between 'vendor --> receiving plant' and an active external procurement relationship, SNP is not found considering this for source determination. When I tried to use the source list for creating TL and esternal procurement relationship, the same is not creating any.
What type of contracts can be used for SNP planning and what else required to be done for integrating source list? I have enabled source list in R/3 material master. Source list is maintained as 'MRP relevant' in R/3.
Thanks and regards,
Raghav

Replenishment upto max. stock level during SNP heuristics run.

Hi Experts,
As per the requirement from client, we need to configure the setting of replenishment upto max. stock level during SNP heuristics run.
I am using below settings in R/3 for achieving the expected results.
(R/3 ) MRP1 u2013
Lot size                       HB               Replenish to maximum stock level
Maximum stock level      20,000
(APO) Targ.Stk Lvl Methd   5 u2013 in APO u2013 product master -   lot size tab.
Still, after heuristics run, the requisitions are getting created equals to forecast value. It should get generated as max. stock level maintained.
Could anyone share their experience regarding this? Am I missing some additional setting?
Inputs are highly appreciated!
rgds/Jay

Dear Jayprakash ,
If the requirement is that you have to replenish upto a certain stock level then instead of maintaining the Max Stock level you can simply maintain
SB : Safety stock from product master
and in the Safety stock field maintain the quantity as desired ( in this case 20000 ) . This probably will solve the problem in your case . You may not require to maintain Max stock level .
Target stock level in heuristics also works fine with the following settings
make sure you maintain
Target stock level method as =5
In Maximum Stock level = maintain the quantity desired ( 20000 in your case say )
do not maintain any safety stock method keep it blank .
then location heuristics generates PR according to the the maximum stock level.
If still it is not working plz let me know what other settings you are maintaining probably we will find a way out .
Hope it helps .
Thanks
Debsankar

Availability Date calculation in SNP Heuristics

Dear Experts,
I am using weekly bucket profile. In the SNP PPM, period factor is set as 0. Lets say I create a PIR on date 09.11.2010 which is Tuesday.
If I run Location Heuristics, it should schedule the Planned Order on 08.11.2010 12:00. But system is scheduling it on 11.11.2010 23:59:59 i.e. Thrusday. No matter on which day I create the PIR, it somehow always schedules it on Thrusday. Please help to understand how it is happening.
(Though it should not matter here but Location-Product data also has period factor as 0)
Regards
Rinju
Edited by: Rinju Mukherjee on Sep 27, 2010 7:38 PM

Hello Micky and Amol,
Thanks for your response. It seems F1 help for field 'Period factor' is not correct. Anyway, if system is taking 0.5, I have further two questions:
Then it should be scheduled in the middle i.e. Monday + 2.5 = Wednesday. Why is it scheduling on Thrusday.
(ii) In SNP Heuristics, period factor only caculate the date. It sets by-default Time as 12:00, but here system is setting 23:59:59, why?
Thanks a lot in advance.
Regards
Rinju

Late Demand Fulfillment with SNP Heuristics

Hello all,
It is well known that SNP Heuristics does a bucket level planning and demands in each bucket are treated independent of the future bucket demands while creating the receipt elements. The receipts are created within the bucket unless there are sufficient receipts available in the past buckets that can be used.
Now, my question is, if we can force Heuristics to have the receipts in future buckets consumed with current bucket demand and not have to create additional receipts within the current bucket during planning run.
In a nut shell, can we influence heuristics not to plan receipts if there are fixed receipts available in future buckets?
Please note that settings like fixed pegging, maximum lateness of receipt, and late demand fulfillment do not work for heuristics. I have tested extensively using all of these settings.
Is there a way we can influence it to look into the future and if there are receipts available in any future bucket, say 30 days or 4 buckets ahead, in a weekly planning situation, it should not plan receipts in the current bucket and consume the receipts of future.
If any one has done such a thing earlier and can provide pointers, that will be grateful.
One option that came through discussions is changing standard macros to influence the way receipts are seen by heuristics during bucketed planning. Has someone explored this option? Please revert.
Thanks and warm regards,
Chandra

Hi Dieter,
Please check if the plan order is tied to your SO (t.code /SAPAPO/CTMVIEWER or in the /SAPAPO/RRP3). Also check in CTM profile (tab Supplies) what is your settings in the supply control section (Build Up Safety Stock and Stock is available). They should be active.
In the Planning Strategy tab what is the scheduling direction and pegging type?
Also check the Planning Strategy (planning mode & delete mode).
Thanks, Marius

Difference between SNP Heuristics and PP/DS Heuristics

Dear Friends,
I have a basic question regarding Heuristics , is SNP Heuristics and PP/DS Heuristics are same
if not what is the key difference between them
i am very clear about PP/DS heuristics but not sure how heuristics is used for planning in SNP , i am able to read sap help , but could not able to get clear answer
Please help
Thanks & Regards
Raj

Hi Raj,
Heuristics is the simple algorithm which can be attached to any working
module to perform our business requirements.
PPDS Heuristics is used to create procurement proposals for uncovered product requirements
and to carry out planning tasks for products or orders.
This will be used during Production planning run and in interactive planning.
whereas
SNP heuristic is used during capacity levelling and deployment. The SNP Heuristic performs
requirements planning through the entire supply chain network to determine how to satisfy
the customer and/or consumer demand.
SNP heuristic, based on a repair-based planning approach, efficiently plans complex distribution
networks in multi-site production environments.
Regards
R. Senthil Mareeswaran.

Reorder Point Planning via SNP heuristics based on ACTUAL stock

Hi All,
In R/3 there is the option in reorder point planning to take into account external requirements (MRP type V1) or not to take into account external requirements (VB). When using reorder point planning in APO SNP Heuristics, the reorder point is being determined in time based on the PROJECTED stock (so taking into account external requirements) so the result is the same as in R/3 when using MRP type V1. In the future horizon, everytime the projected stock goes below the reorder point, a replenishment is triggerd via a planned order or purchase requisition.
I would like to know if (and how) it is possible to perform reorder point planning in APO SNP via heuristics (can be location or network) only taking into account the ACTUAL stock (and no external requirements in the past or in the future). So, the same behavior as the MRP type VB in R/3. The difference is that only on the short term, 1 time replenishment is triggered (via planned order or purchase requisition) if the current stock is below the reorder point.
Remarks: this needs to be able to be set product specific, because not all products at the location will need to use this logic.
Any help or thoughts for a solution direction (preferably without programming or user exits) are appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Dennis

If you really just want a pure re-order point scenario based on current stock, I'd suppose that you'd want to create a new data view and modify the total demand macro so that it doesn't generate any sort of future requirements (total demand will essentially be zero). Then the reorder point will be the only thing driving planning when compared to the initial bucket SOH, which is presumably calculated through the standard macro and according to the stock cat. group you indicate in the location/product master.
You could set some specific filter in the material master using the MATLOC freely definable attributes to create selection profiles and govern in which data view you process the planning for certain materials. That is to say, you'd assign all materials which are pure current stock ROP and tag them with some attribute and use that to create selections for your Heuristic variants.

Lead Time Calculation in SNP Heuristics

Dear All,
Please let me know how the lead times are determined in SNP heuristics?
Ex: Distribution Center to Production Plant and
Production Plant to Supplier.
Thx,
Ram.

Hi,
Please check the below link for help: [Scheduling|http://help.sap.com/saphelp_scm70/helpdata/EN/05/f8923945b12c4de10000000a114084/frameset.htm]
Best Regards,
Ada

CHaRM, TMS, Monitoring using WILY Interoscope, Maintenance Optimizer

Hi Folks,
I am in urgent need of the configuration guide of SolMan 4.0.
as I want to implement CHaRM, TMS, Monitoring using WILY Interoscope, Maintenance Optimizer.
Also clearify the below mention doubts.
Scenario:
SAP is already implemented and Sol Man 4.0 is also installed.
We have 6 landscape of XI, BI, APO, CRM, SRM, HR, EP.
Also TMS is configured already for each and every system.
Doubts:
1. Can we do transport managment by using SolMan while we dont want to implement CHaRM.
2. Do we have to define the TMS again in the SolMan including routes and TDC or just we have to add the satellite systems with Sol Man.
3. What would be the detail steps for this.
Mail me docs at [email protected]
Thanks in advance.
Regards,
Akshay

Akshay Shail wrote:>
> I am from SAP Partener company. Do we have to pay any thing to get RKT PDFs.
>
> I would be very thankful of u if u will forward me PDFs at [email protected]
Hi Akshay,
as a registered SAP Partner, you should have access to
[SAP Support Portal - http://www.service.sap.com/support |http://www.service.sap.com/support]
Here you find all learning material from Ramp-Up Knowledge Transfer (RKT) for SAP Solution Manager 4.0.
[Ramp-Up Knowledge Transfer - SAP Solution Manager - http://www.service.sap.com/rkt-solman|http://www.service.sap.com/rkt-solman]
The documents PDFs, SAP Tutor sessions, ... may not be distributed or forwarded to you via E-Mail.
Best regards,
Ruediger

Using Constraints on my optimization problem (currently implemented in Unconstrained Nonlinear Opt.VI)

I have an function f(x) that I minimize to find parameters for an algorithm. The algorithm consists of a coordinate transformation matrix. The transformation matrix parameters are currently found using the Unconstrained Optimization VI (simplex). I have had quite a bit of success using this VI and defining my algorithm as an objective function. I previously used Excel Solver for this application. The data set changes over time and certain parameters are tracked.
Whenever I perform an optimization, I move the minimum parameters found to the initial guess parameters. I am finding that my initial guess parameters will remain stable for a while but at times will guess incorrectly. This can happen if I feed the algorithm bad data. It is difficult to determine that the data is bad initially, but it causes the minimization to trail off in some crazy direction that is inconsistent with the real world. This happens after repetitive minimizations and is a result of using my found results for the next iteration. However, in an ideal world, my last found results would be the best initial guess for the next optimization I perform.
One major improvement would be to constrain my initial guess parameters. In particular, I would like to constrain the parameters I use in finding the transformation matrix (in my objective function) with lower and upper limits: 9 < R < 12, for example. Can anyone with experience using the optimization VIs, knowing the information above, help point me in the right direction? I came across the Constrained Nonlinear Optimization VI but it appears to work much different than the Simplex method; so I am not sure if this would work. I will try this next. Any thoughts?
Chris Walker
Certified Labview Developer

I tried using the Constrained Nonlinear Optimization VI. I first tried it without any constraints (min or max constraints) on my parameters and it appeared to work. I could change the initial guess parameters and they would eventually end up the same minimization each time (with the same set of data). Once I add the parameter constraints, however, the VI freezes on the first iteration and I have to abort. I am not sure why and I do not get any errors.
After some testing, it appears that the cno_isisubopt.vi subvi inside the Constrained Nonlinear Optmiziation VI is locking up. The code is attached. If I had to guess, this probably has to do with the input L advancing to Infinity and never allowing the while loop to stop. I am not sure what the internal workings of this VI are so this appears rather difficult to debug!
This is an error that is not tracked or handled by the Constrained Nonlinear Opt Labview VI; thus freezing my program.
Chris Walker
Certified Labview Developer
Attachments:
4-4-2012 9-36-53 PM.jpg ‏158 KB

Some Purchase Requistions are not being replanned during SNP Heuristics

Hi All,
Has anyone experienced any issue with purchase requisitions not being replanned during the SNP heuristics run (background or interactive). I have a product location combination and about half of the PRs are not being replanned and these are not fixed/firmed. When I say replannned I mean that they are not generating a new Purchase req. #. I have no idea why at this point. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Regards,
Rumi

Rumi,
we faced a ismilar issue and figured out that the issue was due to the change in MoT for the Preq. The earlier Preqs were created with MoT 'Ship' which was then changed to 'Plane'. When we ran the heuristic the Preqs created with Ship were not recreated. This is a standard SAP APO behaviour.
I am sure that after deleting these preqs all subsequent runs would be working fine for you.
Nxet time if it happens consider what I have said, it could be a possible reason.
Abhi

Use of SNP Heuristics & Optimizer

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