Time-independent key figures are configured in a similar way to attributes as key figures, except that the key figure value is not dependent on time periods. An example of a time-independent key figure is Unit of Measure Conversion Factor. Unlike an attribute as key figure, where an attribute value is copied to all time periods in the time series for the planning combination, time-independent key figures have just one record in the time series for the planning combination.
Time-Independent Key Figure Planning Level
To create a time-independent key figure you start with the planning level. You create a time-independent planning level by not selecting any time profile attributes when you create the planning level. Instead of PERPROD we would select PROD without any time profile attributes. Now we have one value for the key figure, which is more efficient.
You can load time-independent key figures only if they have been configured as attributes as key figures. You configure them in the same way, except that the planning level contains no time periods, for example, the base planning level for Unit of Measure Conversion Factor is PRODUOMTO. You can view and edit time-independent key figures in the SAP IBP, add-in for Microsoft Excel under Master Data Maintenance. You cannot, however, view these key figures in the Microsoft Excel planning views. We introduce this concept here but we will use this concept in the next exercise when we configure unit of measure conversion where it is applicable.
Note
SAP recommends that you use time-independent key figures instead of attributes as key figures in cases where the key figure value does not vary over time and does not have to be maintained in Excel like a regular key figure. This type of key figure provides much better performance than an attribute as key figure, which stores the key figure value for all time periods.