Determination Applications Softproviding Core User Documentation

Transcription

1 Great ideas are always simple Softproviding simply makes them happen. Determination Applications Softproviding Core User Documentation

2 Version: 1.00 Date: 20. June 2018 Release: v2.60 Softproviding AG Riehenring 175 CH-4058 Basel Switzerland +41 (0) SAP + Softproviding + YOU. Leading the field. 2/28

3 Contents 1 Overview 4 2 Customizing Z Namespace for Generated Objects Maintain Fields Maintain Field Groups Determination Groups Determination Applications 12 3 Application Authorizations for Determination Applications Maintain Determination Data Records User Settings Execute Determination Application Evaluate Determination Trace Enhancements for Determination Applications 24 Technology Comparison: Object Determination vs. Determination Application Assignment of the Corresponding Object Determination Elements Comparison of Elements Conclusion 27 3/28

4 1 Overview The Determination Application functionality allows you to manage customer-specific master data in dependence of a time interval and different search accesses. In dependence of the time interval means that each master data record (determination data record) is supplemented with a time interval for which the former is exclusively valid. If someone tries to access the determination record with a date lying outside the defined time interval, no result will be output. In dependence of different search accesses means that within the scope of a determination procedure the different accesses (field groups) are represented in a sort order. One access (field group) consists of at least one key (field), e.g. the plant. The field group is used to search for the first valid determination data record in the determination procedure. The field group sequence of the determination procedure is searched in a sequentially descending order for a valid determination data record. Since the field groups are sequentially searched from the top down, the field group with the most search criteria (fields) must be situated at the topmost position of the determination procedure sequence. The access (field group) with the least search criteria must stand at the bottommost position in the determination procedure sequence. Example The terms used above are explained using the example of printer management. Schematic Structure of the Determination Application Determination Data Records Plant Warehouse Terminal ID To Date From Date Printer ID TERM LABELPRT TERM LABELPRT TERM LABELPRT02 Plant Warehouse To Date From Date Printer ID LABELPRT LABELPRT03 4/28

5 Plant To Date From Date Printer ID LABELPRT04 5/28

6 2 Customizing 2.1 Z Namespace for Generated Objects Overview In order to be able to store customer-specific information, it is necessary that SAP objects (tables, structures and programs are automatically generated in the background during the customizing steps. Prerequisites The SAP user name of the person performing the customizing must have a valid SAP developer key. Procedure An application determination may only be created if the following settings in Customizing have been made: SAP Menu Transaction Tools > Customizing > IMG > Edit Project SPRO 1. Call Customizing using one of the above options and select Display SAP Reference IMG. IMG Menu Softproviding Core > Baseline > Determination > Determination Application > Determination Application > Set Z-Namespace for Generated Objects 2. Call the Z namespace customizing table and enter a Z namespace prefix and a SAP package. Note Package Related objects in the ABAP Workbench are grouped together in a package. The assignment of an object to a package is entered in the object catalog (TADIR). The package determines the transport layer that defines the transport attributes of an object. For a detailed description of the object package please refer to the respective SAP standard documentation. Caution SAP package must be initial. This package must not have any assigned objects. If this is not the case the package will not be accepted and the table entry cannot be saved. 6/28

7 Example FldNZNSpce ZNamespace Package FIELDNAME Field name for Z namespace ZFIND_ Z_Test 3. Select the Save button to save your entries. Result With the settings that were made you are able to create all necessary SAP objects of the application determination. 2.2 Maintain Fields Overview The search key components for the accesses and the contents data fields of the determination data records are defined by means of fields. Prerequisites A Z namespace must have been created. Procedure IMG Menu Softproviding Core > Baseline > Determination > Determination Application > Fields > Maintain Fields 1. Call the above-mentioned customizing table in order to maintain the fields. 2. Select the New Entries button. The following fields and indicators are available for each new object Field. Fill all the fields with values: Fields and Indicators for Object Field Field Name Fld name Reference table Ref field Field name of the table in which the data records of the determination application are stored. of object Field. (When the data is maintained, the description of the reference field s data element is drawn.) Table name of the referenced DDIC field Field name of the referenced DDIC field 7/28

8 Note Reference Table A SAP-, Softproviding- or a customer-specific table or structure may be used as reference table. Experience has shown that it is recommended to create a customer-specific structure which contains all table fields of the application determinations to be created. ZDGS_S_FINDUNG has established itself as structure name. Note Reference Field The properties of the reference field like, for instance, a check table or search help will later be copied to the determination tables. 3. Select the Save button to save your entries. Example Field Name Reference Table Reference Field WERKS Plant ZDGS_S_FINDUNG WERKS LAGER Warehouse ZDGS_S_FINDUNG LAGER TERMINAL Terminal ID ZDGS_S_FINDUNG TERMINAL_ID DRUCKER Printer ZDGS_S_FINDUNG DRUCKER_ID Result With the settings that were made it is now possible to create the necessary objects, Field groups, for the search keys and data fields of the determination data records. 2.3 Maintain Field Groups Overview Field groups are used to define the search keys of the accesses and determination data records. Prerequisites The fields of the field groups to be created must exist. Procedure IMG Menu Softproviding Core > Baseline > Determination > Determination Application > Fields > Maintain Field Groups 1. Select Field Groups for Determination Applications in the explorer to the left of the screen. 8/28

9 2. Fill all the fields with values. The following fields are available for each new Field Group object: Fields for Object Field Groups Field Name Field group A field group features at least one field. A field group containing the search key of an access should feature the following components: Abbreviation for the determination application (3-digit) Character I (1-digit), indicating that this is a field group with search fields. Sequence position (3-digit) to indicate the position the field group has within the determination procedure. Example: PRT_I_010 PRT = Abbreviation for the printer determination I = Field group with search fields 010 = Field group situated at the topmost position in the determination procedure A field group containing data fields should feature the following components: Abbreviation for the determination application (3-digit) Character O (1-digit), indicating that this is a field group with data fields. Example: PRT_O PRT = Abbreviation for the printer determination O = Field group with data fields of object Field Group, which is showed during data maintenance. If this is an access key it is recommended to separate the field names with a slash (/). If these are data fields it is recommended to specify the names Data. 3. Select the Save button to save your entries. 4. In the menu tree, select Assignment: Field to Field Group. 5. Select the New entries button. The following fields are available for each new Field Group object. Fill all the fields with values: 9/28

10 Fields and Indicators for Object Field Groups Field Name Field name Sequence Descending Mandatory Field name of the table in which the data records of the determination application are stored. Sequence of the fields as it is displayed when a determination application is maintained. Descending sort order for the fields If this indicator is set, this field must be filled when the determination records are maintained. 6. Select the Save button to save your entries. Example 1: Field Groups for Search Key Field Groups for Determination Applications Field Group PRT_I_010 Printer/warehouse/terminal PRT_I_020 Printer/warehouse PRT_I_030 Printer Assignment: Field to Field Group Field Name Sequence Descending Mandatory LAGER 20 TERMINAL 30 WERKS 10 Assignment: Field to Field Group Field Name Sequence Descending Mandatory LAGER 20 WERKS 10 Assignment: Field to Field Group Field Name Sequence Descending Mandatory WERKS 10 Example 2: Field Groups for Data Field Groups for Determination Applications Field Group PRT_O Data 10/28

11 Assignment: Field to Field Group Field Name Sequence Descending Mandatory DRUCKER_ID 10 Result With the settings that were made it is now possible to create object Determination Application. 2.4 Determination Groups Overview The determination groups allow you to group or organize determinations by topic. However, these groups are of informative nature (e.g. in the search help) and do have no further effect. Prerequisites None. Procedure IMG Menu Softproviding Core > Baseline > Determination > Determination Applications > Determination Applications > Determination Groups 1. In the menu tree, select the Determination Groups menu item. 2. Select the New entries button 3. Fill the fields with values The following fields are available for input per new Field Group object: Fields for the Field Group Object Field Name Determination Group Example Name of the determination group of the Determination Group object. It is language-specific and may be translated via the menu item Goto > Translation Determination Groups Determination Group 11/28

12 PRINT MAT TECH Printer determinations Material-specific determinations Technical determinations Result The determination groups have been created and may now be assigned to determinations. 2.5 Determination Applications Overview The field groups defined in the previous step may now be used to create the determination application. Prerequisites The fields groups for the search keys are defined. Procedure IMG-Menu Softproviding Core > Baseline > Determination > Determination Applications > Determination Applications > Determination Applications 1. Call the customizing table for the maintenance of the determination application. 2. Select the New entries button. The following fields and indicators are available for each new Determination Application object. Only fill the fields Appl, Inactive, and Log with values: Fields for Object Determination Application Field Name Appl. Technical name of the determination application. A determination application may have one or multiple steps (sequences). Usually, a determination application at each step has entry fields which are searched for and output fields which are the result of the determination. Use The use of determination applications is intended for developers. 12/28

13 Field Name Inactive Determination Group Gen.Struct. Generated structure The main function module for determination applications is /SPDGS/FIND_VALUES. Do have a look at example /SPDGS/FIND_VALUES_EXAMPLE. of object Determination Application which is displayed during data record maintenance. It is language-dependent and, if necessary, may be translated via menu item Goto > Translation. If this indicator is set, the objects for this determination application (or sequence) are not generated and maintenance is not allowed. Determination group to which the determination is assigned. It is of mere informational character. of the determination group (language-dependent, display only. This flag indicates whether a main structure is to be generated. If it is set, a main structure is generated, and its name is only displayed when Customizing is accessed again. The main structure contains all fields of the determination (i.e. from all levels) and may be used as input and output structure of the determination. The name of the generated main structure for a determination application. Caution The Gen.Struct. indicator can only be used after the determination procedure of the determination application was maintained. If no determination procedure was created, an error message might be issued when the structure is created. The structure which is created is empty. 3. Select the Save button to save your entries. 4. In customizing table Determination Application, mark the determination application you created and select the Determination Procedure menu tree item. 5. Select the New entries button. 6. Fill all relevant fields with values. The following fields and indicators are available for each new Determination Procedure step: Fields for Object Determination Procedure Field Name Sequence The sequence of the steps. The sequence of the steps actually forms an inverted hierarchy of a determination application. In case of a determination, the values are searched for in this sequence. for an object Determination Application which may be displayed for maintenance. It is language-dependent and, if necessary, may be translated via menu item Goto > Translation. 13/28

14 Entry fields Output fields Generated table Inactive Customizing sequence Data class Size category Buffering allowed Buffering type NoKeyFields Log JavaOnly Store type A field group with entry fields, which are searched for during determination. A field group with output fields which represent the result of the determination. The name of the generated table for a step (sequence) of a determination application. If this indicator is set, the objects for this determination application (or sequence) are not generated and maintenance is not allowed. This flag controls whether the level is to be considered as Customizing. If the level is flagged as Customizing, a transport request is required for maintenance. The changed data are included in the transport request and transferred to the downstream system. Optional field to influence the technical property Data Class of the generated table. Optional field to influence the technical property Size Category of the generated table. Optional field to influence the technical property Buffering Allowed of the generated table. Optional field to influence the technical property Buffering Type of the generated table. Optional field to influence the technical property Number of Key Fields of the generated table. Optional field to influence the technical property Log Data Changes of the generated table. Optional field to influence the technical property Write Access Only with Java of the generated table. Optional field to influence the technical property Store Type of the generated table. Note The optional fields used to influence the technical properties are partly interdependent and, if to filled, must be sufficiently consistent. If the settings are not consistent, the table cannot be generated correctly, meaning it cannot be activated, and an error message is displayed when the user tries to save the data. 7. Select the Save button to save your entries. Example Determination Procedure Sequence Entry Fields Output Fields Generated Table Inactive 10 Plant/warehouse/terminal PRT_I_010 PRT_O ZFIND_PRT Plant/warehouse/ PRT_I_020 PRT_O ZFIND_PRT Plant PRT_I_030 PRT_O ZFIND_PRT030 14/28

15 Note The generated table per step of the determination procedure is only displayed after the user again accesses IMG activity Determination Applications. Result All the necessary determination application objects were created, and the data records of the determination application may now be maintained. 15/28

16 3 Application 3.1 Authorizations for Determination Applications Overview Authorization object /SPDGS/FD can be used to restrict activities of users for determination applications. Note For more information on the SAP authorization concept, please refer to the Softproviding Core Security Guide. Prerequisites None. Procedure This is the authorization object /SPDGS/FD in which generally or specifically activities may be released per determination application. The following authorization fields are available in authorization object /SPDGS/FD: Fields for Authorization Object /SPDGS/FD Authorization Field /SPDGS/FDA ACTVT Determination application Activity The following activities are available: Activities of Authorization Object /SPDGS/FD Activity 01 Add or create Adding determination data records 02 Change Changing determination data records 03 Display Displaying determination data records 06 Delete Deleting determination data records 16 Execute Executing determination data records Result The activities of determination applications can be restricted specifically. 16/28

17 3.2 Maintain Determination Data Records Overview The determination application created previously may now be used to create determination data records. The determination data records represent the possible results which may be found using the search fields. Prerequisites A determination application was created in Customizing. Procedure IMG Menu Transaction Softproviding Core > Baseline > Determination Applications > Maintain Determination Data Records /SPDGS/FIND_M_TABLES 1. Start the Maintain Determination Data Records transaction via one of the options listed above. The Maintain Determination Records entry screen is displayed. 2. If not already preset In the Application field, enter the desired determination or select it using the search help. 3. If not already preset, In the Sequence field, enter the desired sequence step of the determination application or select it using the search help. 4. Select the Execute button. The selection screen of the sequence step is displayed The fields of field group Entry Fields which in the determination will be searched for are displayed as selection parameters. The additional selection parameter Valid On specifies for which date the search result shall be valid. Note When a determination data record is initially created, the selection parameters need not be restricted. Restricting parameters makes sense as soon as there are existing determination data records. Example Selection Screen for Sequence step Plant 0001 Storage Location 0001 Terminal ID TERM01 Valid On /28

18 5. Select the Execute button. The screen where the determination data records are maintains is displayed. It features fields of field group Entry Fields and Output Fields with the added fields Valid From and Valid To. 6. Select the Append Row or Insert Row button to create a new or a further determination data record and enter the respective field values. The Delete Row button allows you to delete existing determination data records. Changes must be confirmed with the Enter key. This will check the field values and, if necessary, display messages. Note Without an entry in the Valid From and Valid TO the system will automatically fill the Valid From date with today s date and the Valid To date with Example Maintenance Screen for Sequence steps Plant 0001 Storage Location 0001 Terminal ID TERM01 Valid From Valid TO Printer Name LABELPRT01 7. Select the Save button to save your entries. If data were changed, a popup is displayed asking you whether want to save the data when you exit the determination records data maintenance screen. 8. Select Yes. You will return the sequence step selection screen. Result You created determination data records for the determinations application. Note When data records for determination applications are maintained, entries with overlapping validity periods are possible but not allowed. This must be guaranteed by organizational means. When a determination application is executed for a period with overlap, it is not defined which of the valid entries is found. For this reason, do select entries the validity of which does not overlap (not even partially) with identical key fields. Key fields are Plant and Work area. 18/28

19 On the database, the input fields of the sequence step as well as, for technical reasons, the valid-to date are the key fields of the table. It follows that if in two or more entries all input fields as well as the valid-to date are identical, only the first entry is stored. Example Plant Material Valid from Valid to Test Test When the second data record is maintained, the information message A data record with the same key is already being processed, is displayed. If the data record is saved the message Data were saved may be displayed. In reality the data record is not stored. 3.3 User Settings Overview The user settings allow you to make presettings for the display and maintenance transactions for determination data records. Prerequisites In order to be able to use determinations, these must already have been created. Procedure SAP Menu Transaction Softproviding Core > Baseline > Determination Applications > User Settings /SPDGS/FIND_UST 1. Start the User Settings transaction using one of the two options above. Note It is also possible to jump from the determination records display and maintenance transaction directly to the user settings. In this case, however, only the settings for the own user may be created or maintained, 2 Select the New entries button. The following fields and indicators are available for input for every new User object. Fill in values in the desired fields: Fields and Indicators for the Object User Field Name User User name for which these settings arte valid. 19/28

20 Field Name Default appl. Default seq. Param ID f. det. appl. Show preset det. apps. Only active det. apps Determ. Trace active Preset determination application. Preset sequence step of the determination. Only possible in combination with a preset determination application. This flag indicates whether determination application and the sequence step are to be drawn from the respective parameter IDs (/SPDGS/FIND_APPL_ID und /SPDGS/SEQ_NUM_ID). If this indicator is set, only the preset determinations are shown in the search help (see following steps). This flag allows you to control that only active determination applications are shown in the search help. Activates the determination trace for the user. Note If a determination application is preset (possibly with sequence step and the Param ID f. det. appl. flag is active, the values from the parameter IDs will take priority. This may also be empty or SPACE. 3. Select the Save button, to save your entries. 4. In order to assign preset determination applications to the user (only necessary or useful in connection with the Show preset det. apps. indicator), select the Determination Applications for Display folder in the explorer tree to the left. Otherwise, maintenance of the user settings is completed. 5. Select the New entries button. The following fields are available for input for each new Determination Applications for Display object: Fields for the Object Determination Applications for Display Field Name Appl. Visual order Determination application assigned to the user of the determination application Display order which allows you to set the sequence of the determination applications in the search help. Note The search help sorts the determination applications in ascending order by the Visual Order field. Empty or SPACE is the equivalent of zero and therefore always stands at the beginning of a list. 6. Select the Save button to save your entries. 20/28

21 Result Depending on the settings, the determination application is filled automatically with data stemming from the user settings or the parameter IDs when display/maintenance transaction of the determination data records. In the search help, the determination application are displayed according to the settings (i.e. possibly only determinations assigned to the user and/or no inactive determination). Determination trace may be active. 3.4 Execute Determination Application Overview In the determination applications, customer-specific master data are stored. Calling a determination application therefore means merely reading these master data. Since it only makes sense to read master data if they are meant to be processed in any way, executing or calling the determination applications without subsequent processing is useless. Determination applications are therefore almost exclusively called directly in the program code. A transaction is therefore superfluous. Prerequisites The determination application to be executed must have been and determination data records possibly had to have been maintained. The executing user needs the authorization to execute the determination application. Procedure The execution of the determination applications is written in the program code. For this, function module /SPDGS/FIND_VALUES is executed. The following parameters are available in function module /SPDGS/FIND_VALUES: Parameters of Function Module/SPDGS/FIND_VAUES Parameter IV_APPLICATION IV_SEL_DATE IS_INPUT IV_NO_MESSAGE Determination application to be executed. Validity date of the date records to find (default is the current date / system date). Structure from which the values of the search fields are taken. If messages are generated when the determination application is executed, they are displayed if the SAP GUI is used. This parameter allows you to inactivate the messages. 21/28

22 Parameter EV_NOT_FOUND EV_SEQUENCE_NUMBER ET_RETURN CS_OUTPUT If no valid entry fitting the search fields is found in any of the determination application sequence steps, it will be marked by this parameter. If a data record is found, this field will show the sequence step from which the entry stems. This table contains all the messages that occurred within the function module, independent of parameter IV_NO_MESSAGE. Structure into which the values of the output fields of the respective sequence step Note The import parameter IS_INPUT is used to determine the search field values for all sequence steps. For each search field, the parameter is searched for structure fields with identical names. If found, this value is used for data selection. The same goes for the Changing parameter CS_OUTPUT. For the output fields of any found data record, the parameter is searched for structure fields with identical names. If found, this value is transferred. This parameter is optional in case only the existence of an entry needs to be verified. The SAP Standard conversion rules apply to both of the above-mentioned parameters as long as the types of the relevant fields in the parameters differ from those of the determination fields. It is recommended to have the main structure generated for each determination application. It will automatically contain all relevant fields of the determination application and may be used for IS_INPUT as well as for CS_OUTPUT. In general, however, any data field may be transferred to these parameters. Result After function module /SPDGS/FIND_VALUES is called the result of the search is available in the parameters EV_NOT_FOUND, EV_SEQUENCE_NUMBER and CS_OUTPUT. EV_NOT_FOUND will show whether a data record was found. If a data record was found, the sequence step is located in EV_SEQUENCE_NUMBER and the values of the determined data record in CS_OUTPUT. If messages occur, they can be found in ET_RETURN 3.5 Evaluate Determination Trace Overview The Determination Trace functionality may be used to evaluate accesses to determination applications. If the Determination trace functionality is activated in the user settings, each execution of all determinations for this user is logged and may be evaluated accordingly. 22/28

23 Prerequisites The Determination Trace functionality must be activated in the user settings. Determination applications must have been executed. Procedure SAP Menu Transaction Softproviding Core > Baseline > Determination Applications > Show Trace /SPDGS/FIND_TRC 1. Start the Show Trace transaction using one of the two options above. 2. If necessary, make restrictions in the selection screen or change the default settings. 3. Select the Execute button. A list with the respective accesses to determination applications is displayed The following fields are available in the list Fields in the Determination Trace List Field Name User Application Created on Created at Timestamp Sequence Variable key text Variable key Transaction code Calling program Result User who executed the determination application. Determination application which was executed Creation date of the trace entry Time at which the trace entry was created Timestamp of the execution of the determination application Sequence step in which an entry was found ( empty means no entry was found). Field content of IS_INPUT (as character string) Field content of CS_OUTPUT (as character string) Accesses to determination applications can be analyzed in detail. Executing transaction (field values of SY-TCODE at the time of execution of the determination application) Executing program (field values of SY-CPROG at the time of execution of the determination application). Caution Active determination trace may create a great amount of data. Also, the additional data base cooperation needed to write the trace entry will influence performance negatively. For these reasons you should only activate determination trace if needed. 23/28

24 3.6 Enhancements for Determination Applications Overview There are various possibilities to enhance determination applications by means of a BAdI. You may, for instance, include authorization checks of your own. In the maintenance transaction, it is furthermore possible to manipulate layout and functions as well as determination data records before storing the data. Prerequisites The SAP user name of the user carrying out the enhancement needs to have a valid SA developer key. Procedure IMG Menu Softproviding Core > Baseline > Determination > Determination Applications > Determination Applications > Enhancements for Determination Applications 1. Start the Enhancements for Determination Application customizing activity via the above-mentioned path. A list with the existing BAdI implementation with which to enhance determination applications is displayed. In case none exists, the dialog with which to create a BAdI implementation is started directly. 2. Create a BAdI implementation. This corresponds to the SAP Standard dialog with which to create a BAdI implementation, which is documented in the respective SAP documentation. Note This BAdI implementation may also be carried out in the SAP Standard transactions SE18 and SE19. The appropriate enhancement spot and BAdI name is each time /SPDGS/FIND 3. Implement the desired method of the implemented class. The following methods are available in the BAdI for implementation: BAdI Methods for the Enhancement of Determination Applications Method BADI_FIND_BEFORE_START_DISPLAY This method is executed between the selection and bevor the display of the data in the display transaction of the determination applications. It is possible to manipulate the selected data or to prevent the start. 24/28

25 Method BADI_FIND_BEFORE_START_MAINT BADI_FIND_ALV_PBO_MAINT BADI_FIND_ALV_BEFORE_SAVE BADI_FIND_AUTHORITY_CHECK This method is executed between the selection and bevor the display of the data in the display transaction of the determination applications. It is possible to prevent the start. This method is called for the initialization of the ALV grid list in the maintenance transaction of the determination data records and allows you to manipulate the layout, the display variant and the field catalog. Also, ALV grid functions may be restricted and the data to be processed may be manipulated. Before you are saving, this method allows you to manipulate data records changed in the maintenance transaction or data records to be deleted. For each authorization check to do with determination applications (e.g. for the activities display, change or execute) this method is called first. You may implement your own authorization check and, if necessary, inactivate the standard authorization check. Result There are active enhancements for determination applications. 25/28

26 4 Technology Comparison: Object Determination vs. Determination Application 4.1 Assignment of the Corresponding Object Determination Elements Determination application - element Determination application Object determination - element Object plan Object determination - description Maintenance of class objects in dependency of a validity period Step Object In this section you define, per plant, objects with a text and a priority. Objects may be, for instance, pigs, halves, cow, young cow. They are freely definable. Each object has its class and certain characteristics (inputs) Search fields Characteristics Property serving to distinguish between objects, e.g. length, color, weight. Output fields Output fields In addition to the objects, output fields may be used to store further information on an object. 4.2 Comparison of Elements Object determination - element Advantage Disadvantage Object plan Amendment of search order in the production system with no transport order SAP standard and Softproviding customizing objects required => extensive customizing Object plan of the relevant authorization concept Definition of the validity period only cross-object Integration in DPS workbench only possible by creating DPS wrapper function module Determination application - element Determination application Advantage Disadvantage Only Softproviding customizing objects required => lean customizing Definition of search order only possible in the customizing system Integration in DPS workbench possible without creation of DPS wrapper function module No authorization concept 26/28

27 Object determination - element Advantage Object De/activation in production system possible Re-creation in production system possible Determination application - element Advantage step Parallel editing of steps by different users possible Definition of validity period for each step Disadvantage Lock all object plans in the class for object amendment Disadvantage De/activation possible in customizing system only No creation in production system possible Object determination - element Advantage Characteristics Maintenance of several values for each characteristic possible Value restriction inclusive and exclusive possible Maintenance of value ranges possible Determination application - element Advantage Search fields No SAP standard customizing object required => lean customizing Disadvantage SAP standard customizing object required => extensive customizing Disadvantage No maintenance of several values for each characteristic possible Only inclusive value restriction possible No maintenance of value ranges possible 4.3 Conclusion Object plan area of operation If the following criteria for managing business process data apply, the use of object determination technology is recommended: Complex search criteria Authorization concept required Automatic deactivation of business process data 27/28

28 Ad hoc changes directly in the production system required Solid SAP proficiency in business departments Application determination area of application If the following criteria for managing business process data apply, the use of application determination technology is recommended: Simple search criteria No authorization concept required SAP department should have overall responsibility for administration Little SAP proficiency in business departments 28/28