The latest update to the SAP Integrated Business Planning (IBP) add-in for Microsoft Excel, version 2505, introduces a game-changing feature: AI-powered "planning assistance". This innovative tool simplifies formula creation, making complex planning tasks more accessible to a wider range of users.
Formula Generation Made Easy
Planning assistance empowers users to generate SAP IBP formulas using natural language descriptions. Instead of grappling with intricate functions and parameters, you can simply describe the formula you need in plain English, and the AI will handle the rest.
Key Features and Benefits
- Simplified Formula Creation: Say goodbye to manual input of complex formulas. Describe your desired calculation in natural language, and let the AI generate the corresponding SAP IBP formula.
- Intelligent Member Referencing: For accurate formulas, planning assistance intelligently references members like key figures when launched from cells containing those members.
- Versatile Formula Examples: The video showcases a wide range of formula applications, including calculating deltas, totals per year, incorporating conditional logic, performing calculations across time periods, summing specific periods, and handling complex calculations with division and error management.
- Efficient Formula Management: Formulas generated with planning assistance are easily editable and deletable, providing flexibility and control.
- Persistent Formula Storage: Save your frequently used formulas by updating the template or adding them to your favourites for quick access in the future.
Improved Alert Management with Alert Grouping
SAP IBP 2505 introduces an enhanced alert grouping feature, empowering planners to manage plan exceptions more effectively. Key features include:
- Hierarchical Tree Structure: View alerts in a three-level hierarchy based on selected grouping attributes, remaining attributes, and time periods.
- Interactive Navigation: Drill down into each level for context-specific, filtered information.
- Flexible Alert Snoozing: Snooze alerts at any grouping level for greater control.
Integrating Budgetary Constraints into Inventory Planning
The innovative inventory budget entitlement solution process, part of the SAP best practices for integrated business planning with the 2505 release, integrates budgetary constraints into the inventory planning process. This balances service level objectives with financial limitations. Key aspects include:
- Budget Allocation & Validation: Budgets are allocated to each location, region, and product family.
- Budget Disaggregation: The budget is broken down to determine the available budget per unit.
- Service Level Prediction: The solution calculates the predicted service level, allowing users to observe the impact of budget constraints.
- Comprehensive Analysis: A dedicated page allows for detailed analysis of budget distribution and its relation to service levels.
