Setting up Flexible Data Model for OBP

OBP relies on a static master data model. Supposing that you want to use master data types configured in SAP Integrated Business Planning for order-based planning, you must adhere to the format and structural requirements of this model.

You can also create your own Attributes and Master Data; however, it is recommended that you use a copy of SAP7F.

When you are copying a planning area based on flexible master data, respect the following guidance:

• The model only supports the usage of the simple, compound, reference, or virtual master data types.
• Use the CONF_MD_SAP integration profile that is available for selection by default.

If you directly associate a master data type to a planning level, in other words, you tightly couple them, you can simplify your planning level configuration.

For that, specify a master data type in the Tight Coupling for Planning Objects section of the Planning Levels tab. Following this approach, you do not need to add additional attributes to the master data type.

You can automate planning object generation if you also activate Automatically Create Planning Objects. In such a setup, you do not need to upload key figures to generate planning objects, it is sufficient to integrate/create master data entries in SAP IBP, and the planning objects are generated automatically for them at the defined planning level.

To enable tight coupling, do the following:

• The planning level you use can only contain the root attributes of one master data type.

• All key attributes of the master data type must be set as root in the planning level, that was changed.

Planning objects are created without the time dimension, which differs from using attributes as key figures. However, you can use copy operator with the flag to create a missing combination to add the time dimension. Loading transactional data is sufficient to display data in SAP Excel Add-In or SAP Planner Workspaces.

External data sources allow you to map master and transactional data from external systems to a planning area used for order-based planning (OBP). When setting up a planning area based on flexible master data for order-based planning, you can use external data sources to define the key figures you want to use at your planning level.

If you plan to use external key figures, choose the external data source you want to use in Data Source for External Key Figure Definition and then map to it by selecting the required key attributes in Referenced Column.

The following should be done.

• Map a key attribute to each root attribute in Referenced Column.
• You do not have to use all key attributes of the external data source.

Key figures for order-based planning support the conversion of units of measure under certain circumstances.

You cannot have any input key figure for the supply run (meaning in the Settings for Order-based Planning app) with UoM conversion. Check OSS notes 3110007 - IBP Real-time Integration: Information/Restrictions - SAP ONE Support Launchpad for the limitation and how-to-use information when you want to work with UoM Conversion.

External key figures are not stored in planning areas but are available for planning, although the planner cannot modify them since they are based on orders, which are integrated with SAP IBP using RTI (CIF). Defining calculated key figures using external key figures as input is possible.