Add Time Dimension

Objective

After completing this lesson, you will be able to explain Modeling Requirements for the Add Time Dimension Function.

Add Time Dimension Function

You can use the IBP_ADD_TIME_DIMENSION function to retrieve and return the value of the time-independent input key figure in a time-dependent output key figure.

Typical use cases to present the following key figures in SAP Integrated Business Planning, add-in for Microsoft Excel (Excel add-in) or in the Planner Workspaces app:

  • Time-independent stock and/or cost key figures

  • Other time-independent key figures, like forecast accuracy

The function can be very useful for project work when regular integration from the ERP system is not yet established. Configurators can load an extract with inventory values, etc., into a time-independent key figure and use the IBP_ADD_TIME_DIMENSION to have these values present in the current week.

The function can present values in the current period or shift the value to other periods. It can also present the time-independent value in all past or future periods.

The figure shows an example of IBP_ADD_TIME_DIMENSION Configuration.

Features and Modeling Requirements

  1. The displayed key figure is not editable.
  2. This function does not cause a filter block unless the time-independent input key figure is the aggregated value of a time-dependent key figure (i.e., when the previously aggregated time dimension must be joined again).
  3. It can work with a stored or calculated input.
  4. The second parameter determines the current period in the calculation. Use the placeholder $$PERIODIDnCU$$ to have a fixed variable for the current period. The variable n represents the time profile level that matches the time profile level of the output planning level.
  5. You can also add a plus or a minus operator with an integer value in the expression to shift the current date.

    For example: $$PERIODID0CU$$ +1 or $$PERIODID0CU$$ -2.

  6. The current period offset of the planning area affects the results.
  7. The third parameter defines the time periods where the time-independent value will be populated. Possible values are PAST, PASTCURRENT, PASTCURRENTFUTURE, CURRENT, CURRENTFUTURE, and FUTURE.

The IBP_ADD_TIME_DIMENSION function can't be used at REQUEST.

When a calculation graph includes an IBP_ADD_TIME_DIMENSION calculation, the topmost key figure in the calculation graph must not be editable.

IBP Time Dimension Function - Enhancements

You can use the IBP_ADD_TIME_DIMENSION function to retrieve and return the value of a time-dependent input key figure in a time-dependent output key figure that is on a more granular time level.

The presence or absence of time attributes on the input planning level decides which use case is realized:

The function adds a time dimension to a time-independent input key figure if there are no time attributes on the input planning level.

If the input key figure is time-dependent, its value is copied to an output key figure on a finer time granularity. The value of the input key figure is not disaggregated; it is only copied into the output key figure.

Note

The root time profile level of the input planning level must be an aggregate of the root time profile level of

the output planning level. For example, if the root time profile level of the input key figure is month, the

root time profile level of the output key figure can be technical week or day, but can't be calendar week.

Use the Add Time Dimension Function

In one of the previous exercises, you were working with the key figure Initial Inventory key figure.

That key figure was loaded with values across many time buckets to support exercises in this course. We will now work with a more life-like example when we process the time-independent inventory values and make them appear in the current bucket.

Task 1: Create Configuration

Steps

  1. Create a key figure called CURRENTINVENTORY at the MTHPRODLOC planning level, displaying the values of Timeless Inventory Qty key figure in the current bucket.

    Use the following data.

    FieldValue
    Key Figure IDCURRENTINVENTORY
    Base Planning LevelMTHPRODLOC
    NameCurrent Inventory
    Calculated√

    1. Select your T## planning area and navigate to Key Figures tab at the top.

    2. Choose New → Key Figure.

    3. Enter the Key Figure ID, followed by other values from the table.

    4. Validate the request level calculation that will be generated automatically.

      You will see a warning and you can choose Proceed anyway.

  2. Add the following calculation:

    CURRENTINVENTORY@MTHPROLOC = IBP_ADD_TIME_DIMENSION("TIMELESSINVENTORY@PRODLOC","$$PERIODID0CU$$",''CURRENT'')

    1. While in your CURRENTINVENTORY key figure navigate to Add Calculation Definition tab.

    2. Enter the MTHPRODLOC level in the window.

    3. Enter the right side of the equation in the space.

    4. Click on the Inputs and validate that TIMELESSINVENTORY@PRODLOC is stored.

    5. Validate the calculation.

    6. Click Save.

Task 2: Activate Your Planning Area

Steps

  1. Activate your planning area.

    1. Choose Activate → Full Scope with Depedencies.

    2. Refer to the activation logs to ensure that your planning area is activated.

Task 3: Test Your Solution in the Planner Workspace

Steps

  1. Test your solution by creating a Planner Workspace using the following information.

    FieldValue
    Time
    Time PeriodMonthly
    FromCurrent Month
    ToCurrent Month + 12
    RollingYes
    Planning Level
    Product ID

    Selected

    Location ID

    Selected

    Key Figures 
    Current Inventory

    Selected

    Filters
    Product IDx100 Phone

    1. Choose Planner Workspaces app in the General Planner group.

    2. Open the workspace 300_##.

    3. On the top right, choose Design.

    4. Choose Settings on the top right of your existing planning view.

    5. Under the Save dialog, choose Save As.

    6. Name your new planning view as Current Inventory.

    7. Return to the Planner Workspaces app and choose Planning View.

    8. Select the copied content.

    9. Complete the dialog box with the information provided in the table.

    10. To display the planning view, choose Apply.

    11. Validate the calculation against the data you loaded in Exercise 13. Check the file Timeless Inventory in the Documents folder on the Remote Desktop.

    12. When you will observe how the formula calculates the current value for the inventory, choose Workspace → Save on the top right.

Learning

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