SKCEP Overview

Starter Kit for Cost and Expense Planning in BPC

May 2011 Revision 1.0 SAP BPC Release 7.5

Table of Contents
Table of Contents ................................................................................................................... 2 Functional Overview ............................................................................................................... 4

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Introduction
Good fortune is what happens when opportunity meets with planning.

-Thomas Edison
The Starter Kit for Cost and Expense Planning (SKCEP) is an add-on for SAP BPC NetWeaver. BPC, also known as SAP BusinessObjects Business Planning and Consolidations for SAP Netweaver, is a strategic planning solution offered by SAP and is utilized for planning, budgeting and forecasting needs. Traditionally, Cost and Expense Planning has been done within SAP ERP in the Finance and Controlling module (FICO). These screens are based in SAP GUI, which is robust; however, business planners prefer a Microsoft Excel-based environment due to the enhanced features that it offers. The purpose of SKCEP is to take the functions of ERP based Cost and Expense planning and package them into a more robust and flexible interface. With the SKCEP, planners can now use the rich features of Excel for planning and forecasting, with the ability to then retract those values back into SAP ERP or BW. The SKCEP brings the power of Integration to business planning, budgeting and forecasting like never before, providing a flexible platform for cost and expense planning; utilizing a simple interface while leveraging the latest technologies of visualization and control. SKCEP brings to the business users fingertips the power of BPC for Netweaver, BW, ECC, .NET ribbons, Excel and BusinessObjects Xcelsius Dashboards all in one tool via: Retraction technology seamlessly transferring BPC planning data back to SAP BW or SAP ECC. An intuitive command and control EasyLoad cockpit, where a graphical WYSIWYG flow diagram lets an administrator control the data loads in a logical fashion. A multifunctional Excel based. NET ribbon with a complete suite of multipurpose macros based upon a business users common functions such as Trending, Weighting and Linear Trending. An embedded and interactive Xcelsius Dashboard with built in cost elements and views for quick and effective visualization of Cost Element trends creating the opportunity to proactively recognize early warnings or impactful insights.

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Functional Overview
The Starter Kit user interface is comprised of an Easy Load Cockpit for data loads, Input Schedules for entering planning data, reports for analyzing plan vs. actual results, and an Xcelsius Dashboard for reporting and analysis. The EasyLoad Cockpit is a unique Microsoft Excel-based central console used to manage data loads between ECC, BW and BPC. By using the EasyLoad Cockpit, the BPC administration team can easily trigger data loads and data management processes with the click of a button. This functionality eliminates the need to deal with backend technology fueling each step. This console also makes it possible to parameterize the loads and make selections for which data needs to be loaded.

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The EasyLoad Cockpit also enables Retraction to complete the planning process. With a click of a button, the user can push the planning generated data back into BW and ECC.

The SKCEP Input Schedules are Microsoft Excel-based cost center planning models that are integrated with SAP to support the end users budgeting, planning, and forecasting activities. The input schedules are business-user defined, which will reduce planning cycle times and IT dependencies. Business-users have the flexibility to combine any historical, market, forecast, or benchmark reference data into their input schedule.

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Being able to leverage excel functionality accelerates user acceptance and minimizes training. In addition the pre-defined SKCEP Excel Ribbon functions as a user Toolkit. With the SKCEP and BPC the act of planning, budgeting and forecasting is enhanced by equipping the user with rich , yet simple and straight forward tools that supply the business-user the right tools for the job. As a result, the business user has a greater experience and an improved overall performance: The 1.0 version of SKCEP provides the following out-of-the-box functionality/tools. Expand/Collapse Hierarchies Gives the user the ability to expand / collapse data (according to the hierarchy) to enable planning at different levels. Lock/Un-Lock Cells, Columns and Rows Gives the user the ability to lock a cell(s) prior to distributing numbers across time and/or the hierarchy. Hierarchical and Temporal Distribution Allows the users to distribute a number evenly across time and/or a hierarchy. Options include: distribute equally, by existing ratio, incremental by percentage and equally across empty values. Forecast Expenses (Spread, Trend, Weight, and Linear Trend) These standard BPC functions allow the user to easily spread the data. Recalculate Refresh and Save Data

The Input Schedule has a screen for entering planning parameters integrated with BPC functionality. It is possible to choose a reference year or commence zero-based planning (without any referential data). It is also possible to clear the data without saving in case the need arises to plan along a different set of parameters.
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The SKCEP Dashboard is an Xcelsius dashboard that can be used to analyze data in BPC. The user can select from a list of cost element groups and display values for the last 12 months on an interactive chart. If they choose to drill down on the chart, cost elements and values for the chosen month will be displayed.

For more information visit www.tli-usa.com or email SKCEP@tli-usa.com.

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