Maintaining Scale and Calculation Bases

A scale is used to define a parameter that then defines a rate. For example, if a rate depends upon distance and weight, you must define a separate scale for distance and for weight. The distance and weight scales are then used to define the rate. A scale can be reused in multiple rate tables.

In the example in the figure, the rate table has the following three dimensions:

• Dest zone
• Origin location
• Weight in lbs

Therefore, three scales must be defined for each dimension.

You can define scale bases in Customizing for Transportation Management under Basic Functions→Charge Calculation→Data Source Binding→Define Scale Bases.

Field Assignment

Field assignment denotes the internal field from /SCMTMS/S_TCSCALE_ITEM_DB, which is assigned to the corresponding scale base and stores the scale values for the scale created with this scale base.

UoM Relevant

Unit of Measure (UoM) relevance checks if a scale base is relevant for the unit of measure.

Dimension

Link to the T006 dimension.

Rounding Rule

The rounding rule indicates whether a rounding rule is applicable to the scale or not.

Numeric

Numeric checks whether the input scale value is numeric or not.

Crcy Scale base

Checks if the scale base is for currencies (example: amount).

Raw values

Checks if the scale base is for raw values (examples: business partner, location).

Date Scale Base

Checks if the scale base is for dates (example: date).

The cost of a shipment depends upon the weight of the goods and the distance traveled. Therefore, the weight and distance form the scale base. To define a scale base for weight, you maintain it in Customizing in the following way:

The calculation base is defined in Customizing. Choose Transportation Management→Basic Functions→Charge Calculation→Data Source Binding→Define Calculation Bases.

In the Customizing activity, you define a calculation base for a scale base.

The calculation base indicates on what base that the charge calculation is executed for a corresponding scale. You can assign a default calculation type to the calculation base, for example, absolute or relative. You can also specify the transportation mode category. This restricts the calculation bases in a rate table to calculation bases that have the same transportation mode category as the charge type in the rate table and to those with no specified transportation mode category. ​

When configuring, the following fields can be specified:

Scale Base

The Scale Base refers to the scale base, which will be utilized for this calculation.

Field Assignment

The Field Assignment refers to the internal field assignment of the logistical data.

Currency Field

The Currency Field is used for a currency-based calculation base.

Unit Field

The Unit Field is used for quantity-based calculation bases such as weight, volume, pieces, and so on.

Helper Assignment

The Helper Assignment refers to the program logic, which links to the data source.

Use BAdI

Select if a custom-specific logic is to be specified.

Party Role

The Party Role is used when business partners are specified and such role assignments are required, such as consignee, sold-to, or bill-to party, and so on.

Calculation Type

You can assign a default calculation type to the calculation base. For "same-scale" scale bases, the calculation type is absolute, whereas the quantity fields, which refers from and to will be relative.

Calculation Usage

The Calculation Usage specifies whether the calculation base is used for manual charges or rate tables, or whether it can be used in both situations. Leave blank for no restriction.

TrM Category

The TrM Category restricts the calculation bases in a rate table to calculation bases that have the same transportation mode category as the charge type in the rate table and to calculation bases with no specified transportation mode category.

When adding the scale and calculation base, it is often necessary to add a new resolution base.

To add a new resolution base, you do the following:

• Adapt the resolution base configuration. Add a new resolution base to table /SCMTMS/C_RES_BS. This was Customizing, but is now delivered as a control table. Only the resolution base name must be maintained. All other fields are currently not used.
• Implement logic in BAdl. The data access object provides a BAdI: /SCMTMS/TCC_BO_DATA_ACCESS for customer implementations.

1. Extend the communication structure:

a) Use the extension included for the calculation base structure: /SCMTMS/INCL_EEW_TCC_CB.

b) Append a new field with the corresponding data element.

The component name must be the same as on the underlying document.

The field is copied over to the internal communication structure and available in the engine automatically.

2. Add a calculation base in Customizing:

a) In Customizing, choose Transportation Management → Basic Functions → Charge Calculation → Data Source Binding → Define Calculation Bases.

b) Add a new entry and use the new field for the field assignment.

c) Set the scale base and other properties.

3. Implement the BAdl or helper class.

a) If the calculation base needs additional logic, use the BAdI method GET_CALC_BASE_VALUES of BAdI /SCMTMS/TCC_BO_DATA_ACCESS. Refer to the BAdI documentation for details.

b) Set the BAdI flag in the calculation base Customizing.

You can also use the helper class approach, which allows you to extend existing helper classes. The interface /SCMTMS/IF_TCC_CALC_BASE is similar to the BAdI interface.

c) Refer to existing helper classes /SCMTMS/CL_TCC_CB_* for sample implementations.

The BAdI or helper class is called after the value has been retrieved from the communication structure if a field assignment is provided as well.

A scale template is used to create a scale automatically. The use of a scale template is optional, as you can also create a scale manually.

One advantage of using scale templates is that you can predefine available scale items, reducing the effort required for manual maintenance and avoiding errors due to typos. A scale template is an efficient way to create scales during rate table maintenance.

You can create scale templates either in Customizing or as Master Data. When using Customizing, the templates can be transported between systems and used as templates for creating scales.

In Customizing, choose Transportation Management→Basic Functions→Charge Calculation→Basic Settings→Templates→Define Scale Templates.

The scale template includes the following information:

Scale template

This is the name of the scale template that the system uses to create a scale.

Scale type

Indicates whether the scale values depict the upper or lower boundaries for the scale levels. The scale type defines how the system interprets the scale values during calculation, as follows:

• From a certain value and upwards (Base Scale)
• Up to a certain value (To Scale)
• Exactly one value (Same Scale)

Scale base

Defines how the system interprets the scale. A parameter or a factor can influence transportation charges.

You also have the option of creating scale template items.

When creating scale templates using Customizing, you cannot create items for Same Scales, because they are dependent on Master Data. When creating Scale Templates as Master Data (using the SAP Fiori Launchpad), you can also maintain scale items for Same Scales.

Master data templates can be created and used by users who have no authorization to change customizing. In contrast to templates created in customizing, master data templates cannot be transported across different systems. In the SAP Fiori Launchpad Charge Management Worklist, master data and customizing templates are depicted in their own queries.

You can use the scale maintenance function to create and change scales. For example, you can configure the items of a scale according to one of the following:

• Quantities
• Volumes
• Weights
• Distances
• Points

Scale maintenance is a prerequisite for the maintenance of rates, as scales are the dimensions of rate tables. You can create scales as own master data, or during rate table maintenance. If you maintain scales as separate master data objects independently from rate tables, you can reuse scales in multiple rate tables.

You create a new scale in the SAP Fiori Launchpad.

Choose Charge Management→Create Scale.

When creating a scale, enter the following information:​