SAP Business Planning and Consolidation 10.1 (BPC10.1), version for NetWeaver is now the latest available version for SAP BPC NetWeaver. This version introduced the embedded model type in addition to the existing standard model type. Now users have a choice of model type to use depending on their business requirements. Users can still use the Enterprise Performance Management (EPM) Add-in as the single reporting tool for both model types; however, the method of executing planning functions for the two models within EPM Add-in is different. This article explains how you can execute planning functions using EPM Add-in for the embedded model.

First, for those who are not familiar with the two model types, here is an overview of some similarities and differences between them.

Overview of the Standard and Embedded Models of SAP BPC 10.1, Version for NetWeaver

At the outset, the standard model type is exactly the same as the planning model in SAP BPC10.0, version for NetWeaver and the embedded model type is similar to the planning model in SAP BW-Integrated Planning (IP). In SAP BPC10.1, version for NetWeaver, both standard and embedded models can be used in the EPM web client, EPM web reporting, and mobile reporting in similar ways. Both models can make use of business process flows, work status, process chains, and granular transports in similar ways. Both support NetWeaver authorizations and customizing using ABAP.

However, there are many differences in the way planning can be administered with the two models. The standard model is more suitable for business user-driven planning administration, whereas the embedded model is more suitable where centralized (IT) governance is more important. The embedded model provides complete EDW integration, leverages SAP BW content, makes use of BEx Analyzer, and uses FOX scripting. The standard model has a separate name space, automatically generates related SAP BW InfoCubes within the name space, and still has the earlier SAP BPC 10.0, version for NetWeaver functionality, including data access profiles, books, and logic scripts. Figure 1 summarizes the similarities and differences between the standard and embedded model types.

Figure 1

Similarities and differences between the standard and embedded models

Two common questions that arise are (1) how to upgrade to these model types from the existing BPC and BW-IP models and (2) whether you can have a hybrid solution with both model types in BPC10.1, version for NetWeaver. For existing SAP BPC 10.0, version for NetWeaver users, the good news is that there is a migration tool available to migrate their data from SAP BPC 10.0 models to SAP BPC 10.1, version for NetWeaver standard models. The detailed steps are listed in the SAP BPC 10.1, version for NetWeaver upgrade guide available at www.help.sap.com/epm. SAP BW-IP users can use their existing BW-IP models after they migrate their database to SAP HANA and build new environments in BPC10.1 on top of their existing BW-IP models. Presently, although one model type can’t be converted into another model, companies can choose to implement a hybrid scenario in which they can use both model types in the same SAP BPC 10.1, version for NetWeaver instance, depending on their planning requirements regarding business-user driven administration and centralized administration.

Executing Planning Functions from the EPM Add-in for the Standard Model

For the standard model in SAP BPC 10.1, version for NetWeaver, the method of executing a planning function from the EPM Add-in remains the same as it was in SAP BPC10.0, version for NetWeaver. Hence you can execute the function as default logic if you want it to be automatic after planning data is saved (for example, for currency conversion) or you can create a data manager package in the EPM Add-in and run the data manager package (Figure 2).

Figure 2

Data Manager functionality for the standard model

The following example shows how you can run a copy of the planning function. You can also create data manager packages for any other planning function (including planning functions created by enhancing the Business Add-ins [BAdIs]) in the same way (Figure 3).

Figure 3

Data Manager packages for the standard model

Executing Planning Functions from the EPM Add-In for the Embedded Model

For embedded model types, the method for executing planning functions from the EPM Add-in is different. Assuming that the planning function is already created in SAP BPC10.1, version for NetWeaver, the steps to execute that planning function from the EPM Add-in are as follows.

1. Upgrade the EPM Add-in: First, make sure that your EPM Add-in version is at least Support Package 18 or above (Figure 4). The new functionality works only with Support Package 18 or higher; therefore it is required for you to upgrade the EPM Add-in. The latest build for EPM Add-in can be downloaded from the SAP Service Marketplace (login required). You can check the version of your EPM Add-in by accessing the About option in the EPM ribbon, and then click About EPM Add-in.

Figure 4

Make sure the EPM Add-in has Support Package 18 or higher

2. Choose the right connection type: Make sure that you are connecting to SAP BPC10.1, version for NetWeaver using the SAP BW (INA Provider) connection type (Figure 5). You can check the connection type by clicking the icon next to the Connection field in EPM Add-in.

Figure 5

Select the connection type

3. Access the planning objects: Once you create the connection, enter your user ID and password, and choose your model, you can either open an existing report you might have already stored or create a report by entering a query name. The planning function can be executed from the input ready query as well as the display query. You can see that the EPM Panel is available for you. In the EPM Panel screen, double-click the Planning Objects option (Figure 6).

Figure 6

Click the Planning Objects link

4. Access the planning function menu: Select the connection and click +Select to view the planning function execution menu (Figure 7). The menu allows you select either a planning function or a planning sequence. A planning sequence can execute multiple planning functions in the defined sequential order (similar to a planning package in the standard model). In this example, I select the Planning Function option (Figure 8).

Figure 7

Access the function execution menu

Figure 8 Click the Planning Function tab

Click the Planning Function tab

5. Retrieve the planning function: To execute the planning function, type in the name of the planning function. The closest matching choices for the selected connection are presented to you to select from.

6. Set the variables: If the Variables tab is displayed (Figure 9), then the variables have to be set for the parameters or filters of the planning function. If the planning function parameter or filter has variables, there are four possibilities. The action required for each of these possibilities is depicted in Table 1.

Figure 9

Enter the planning function values for the variables

7. Set the filters: Filters can be used to define restrictions to the function execution (even if there are no variables defined in the filter). Using the Filter functionality (Figure 10), users can also create ad-hoc restrictions based on the members of dimensions from the aggregation level on which the planning function is defined.

Figure 10

Enter the filter values to create ad-hoc restrictions

8. Execute the planning function: Click the Execute button after defining the variables and filters as necessary (Figure 11), and you see the pop-up message about the execution of the planning function. Click the OK button in the pop-up (Figure 11). At this point you have completed execution of the planning function successfully and you are back in the EPM Add-in screen (Figure 6).

Figure 11

Execute the planning function and verify that it has executed successfully

9. Refresh the query: This step is necessary only if you want to view the results of the planning function in a query. If the report that you entered in step three uses the results of the planning function, then you need to refresh the report to see the results of the planning function execution. In this example, the report does use the planning function results. Click Refresh in the EPM ribbon as shown in Figure 12. If the report does not use the planning function results then there is no need to execute this step.

Figure 12

Refresh the query to see the planning function