Generating Schedule Records

Objective

After completing this lesson, you will be able to model and update meter reading and billing dates in the system.

Generation Of Schedule Records

Illustration showing how master records transform into yearly schedule records through a data generation process, emphasizing organized and structured record creation.
  • Schedule records can be generated for portions and meter reading units separately, or they can be generated together for all meter reading units of a portion.
  • When you generate the schedule records you must specify the time period for which the dates are required.
  • You can easily check the generated schedule records (meter reading and billing dates, due dates, and so on) by choosing Schedule record→Analysis. This function can be performed for several portions or meter reading units at the same time. Choose the names of the portions and meter reading units in such a way that the objects are easy to select/access later.
Illustration of data flow for scheduling records over multiple years, emphasizing the use of a period key to link a master record to individual yearly schedule portions.
  • The period key can be used to specify the billing period to which a receivable refers in correspondence. Instead of saving a text in the item, you simply enter the desired key.
  • For example, you can use the period key to store the following information in the system and select it for the document item using the key:
    • Key: Period description
    • FQ: First quarter
    • JAN: January
    • FHY: 1.1. - 30.6.
  • Procedure: "TS - Copy info text" must be selected in table TE633
  • The period keys are defined in Customizing for Contract Accounts Receivable and Payable.
Visualization of annual billing and meter reading schedules, highlighting dates, periods, and overlapping timelines to communicate coordination and process flow across units.
  • End of billing period: This is the date on which the portion is to be billed for the first time. This date, together with the length of the billing period (that is, the period length), determines the date of the next billing (start of the next billing period = end of the billing period + 1 day).
  • The scheduled billing date is the date on which the contracts belonging to a portion are billed. This takes the SAP calendar into account.
  • The end of the meter reading period corresponds to the end of the billing period, and is used as a basis for defining dates of subsequent meter reading periods.
  • The scheduled meter reading date is the date on which the schedule specifies the register is to be read. It is also the date for which periodic meter readings are generated in scheduling. It forms the basis for calculating the expected consumption during meter reading order creation; it also acts as the final date for determining the budget billing amount.
Visual representation of a monthly billing schedule, emphasizing meter reading periods, billing timelines, and key dates to streamline utility management processes.
  • To generate schedule records - beginning with July 2025 – for the above schema, the following settings are required:
    • Portion:
      • End of billing period: 03.08.
      • Scheduled billing date: 01.08
      • Period length: 1 month
    • Meter reading units:
      • End of meter reading period: 30.06
  • When the meter reading unit is created, the end of the meter reading period is automatically adjusted to correspond to the end of the billing period.
Illustration explaining the process of linking scheduling, billing, and meter reading using defined time intervals and factory calendar settings for efficient utility management.

The above example illustrates the interplay of the schedule records for portions and meter reading units. If a portion has a period length that you have determined by specifying a specific number of days then the Budget billing interval field takes control of the requested budget billing.

Illustrates adjustment of billing periods using factory calendar allowances, with highlighted dates reflecting changes for operational flexibility and scheduling precision.
  • Taking the factory calendar into account

    Selecting the Include FacClr (Include factory calendar) field means that the factory calendar specified in the portion is taken into account when the day-based period length is calculated in work days. If non-working days fall within the period that is to be calculated then the end of the billing period is pushed back accordingly.

  • For example, if the factory calendar is not taken into account, billing takes place on 04/25. If the factory calendar is taken into account, the weekends and public holidays are not counted, so that billing takes place on 05/06.

Learning

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