Perform Demand Planning Over the Web
- by Shreekant W. Shiralkar, Global Head, SAP Analytics CoE, Tata Consultancy
- October 1, 2005
SAP APO 4.1 provides a collaborative planning platform for Demand Planning (DP) that helps you to capture demand directly from customers or from your field sales force over the Internet. Learn tips from a recent implementation, and take advantage of improvements in key performance measures like forecast accuracy.
Key Concept
SAP APO 4.1 has an integrated Internet Transaction Server (ITS) and provides a collaborative planning feature, which is easy to configure and deploy. Earlier versions of SAP-APO needed an external ITS to offer collaborative planning, which required an extra piece of hardware. Collaboration improves accuracy in forecasting demand and optimizes transportation and warehouse management functions.
It doesn't take an analyst to
appreciate that a highly accurate demand
forecast requires direct entry by the
demand generator or consumer. The Internet
is an excellent channel for capturing
such demand straight from the consumer
or from a salesperson in contact with
the consumer, requiring no intervention
by demand planners. Capturing demand
over the Web requires an APO Demand Planning
(DP) entry option that is easy to use
yet mitigates security risk. It should
also meet a minimum bandwidth requirement
and offer a tailor-made entry screen
and options.
Starting with SCM Release 4.1, you
can offer DP over the Web using integrated
Internet Transaction Servers (ITS). This
functionality allows your customers or
sales representatives to give planning
input directly over the Internet rather
than having to use a PC loaded with SAPGUI
that is connected to the company's
network.
Earlier versions of SAP APO still have
the option of using an external ITS.
During my own implementation of the integrated
approach, I had to do a great deal of
experimentation, so I'd like to
share with you the fruits of my time
and effort and present my recommended
method for configuring DP service over
the Web. My methods include tasks normally
performed by the Basis team — for
instance, activating the service. All
settings and images contained in this
article are taken from SCM Release 4.1,
with integrated ITS.
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Shreekant W. Shiralkar
Shreekant W. Shiralkar is a senior management professional with experience on leading and managing business functions as well as technology consulting. He has authored best selling books and published many white papers on technology. He also holds patents for innovations. Presently he is global head of the SAP Analytics Centre of Excellence at Tata Consultancy.
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