Advance Planning Optimization (SAP APO) Training

Target Group The courses are intended for current or future project members of APO
implementations. They should be attended by all those who need to understand the principles of
the system to judge the viability of business requirements and processes.

The courses include the usage of the respective transactions in order to provide the skills for typical
prototyping work in a project.

Prerequisites

SAP R 3 knowledge of the SAP MM, SAP SD and PP modules is of some advantage but not a strict
prerequisite. It is assumed that the student is familiar with the Windows environment. Although
not a prerequisite, it is recommended to attend the DP course prior to the SNP course and further
SNP course prior to PPDS Course.

Curriculum The APO training that we shall provide is based on a new concept, the UPPER-1
Approach. Training is focused on understanding the subject first and then carrying out what is
understood. It is very different to the conventional training provided by other institutions and
specifically geared towards systems like APO. The curriculum for the courses therefore outlines
business relevant topics rather than working steps. SAP APO with emphasis on Core Interface (CIF)
- Production Planning & Detailed Scheduling (PPDS) - Demand Planning (DP) - Supply Network
Planning (SNP).

Curriculum Topics

Demand Planning:

1. Introductions, APO Overview

2. Overview of Demand Planning Concept
3. Info-cubes (BW/BI) & Demand Planning
4. Planning area and Planning Books
5. Macros & Notes
6. Interactive Planning
7. Statistical toolbox and Life Cycle Planning
8. Promotion Planning
9. Mass Processing and Release of Plans
10. Alert Monitor

CIF Core Interface: Introduction to Architecture of Integration

1. Master Data, Integration to R/3

2. Planning in ECC - APO with Integration Model Generation
3. Initial & Change Transfers, Background Jobs
4. Monitoring & Handling CIF Errors

Comparison & Reconciliation

Supply Network Planning / Core Interface (CIF)

1. Overview of Supply Planning Concept

2. Supply Planning, Interactive Supply Planning, Integration with other SCM components
3. Planning Methods
a. Heuristics,
b. Optimization, &
c. CTM
4. Releasing Supply Plans to DP, PPDS, ECC
5. Deployment
6. Transport Load Builder
Production Planning/Detailed Scheduling:

1. Overview of PPDS, Prerequisites, Prod. Planning with ECC

2. Master Data & Transaction data Integration with ECC, SNP, DP
3. Demand Management, Requirements & Sales Orders in PPDS
4. Production Planning Strategies (Make-to-Order, Make-to-Stock)
5. Planning Heuristics
6. Capacity Requirements, Capacity Planning / Leveling
7. Optimizer
8. Exception Processing, Alert Generation