25.04.2022
Service planning process in SAP PPG
A service planning process comprises the complete planning of a service in the project (e.g. execution of an engineering service by a subcontractor, etc.) with all the necessary information. In SAP PPG, we have the option of planning the service virtually in full before the actual service execution or specification, without (initially) naming the service as such. The entire planning scope is represented by a "service planning item".
The "Service planning item" is largely supported by the "SAP MM-SRV purchasing integration" with a focus on services: Among other things, the SAP service master record can be used here for the specification. This is used to represent a specified service that frequently has to be procured/fulfilled.
However, the overall process of service handling is not so trivial that the service description alone can be categorised as sufficient to represent the overall process. In addition to this description, the entire service fulfilment spectrum also includes other factors such as place of fulfilment, fulfilment period, budget, etc., which must be considered in full and taken into account in the service planning process. This power of information is illustrated in Figure 1:
SAP PPG plays a major role here, as the essential components for the factors described above, such as sales, purchasing, project system, maintenance and customer service, can be directly integrated. This results in a comprehensive process chain description, mapped by the automatic generation of a service purchase requisition in conjunction with the service planning item.
The special features of a service planning process in SAP PPG
The service planning process is becoming increasingly important due to globalisation and specialisation. At BDF, services are planned with the help of the SPP (Service Planning Position). In addition to all important information, planned and unplanned services* can be processed here. It is important to note that even services that do not contain an SAP service master record can be executed. At first glance, this statement seems contrary to the "sense" of a service planning process in terms of execution, but the SAP PPG makes it possible. The ability to plan services with a certain level of detail in the SAP PPG means that the SAP service master record does not necessarily need to be included. The PPG is supported here by the SAP MM-SRV Purchasing Integration Focus Service.
Possibilities of realisation
Our customers not only appreciate the flexibility of SAP PPG when it comes to executing service processes. The low cost of implementation and the holistic view of the entire process chain are also key factors in successful process implementation. Based on this experience, a brief description of two potential approaches is presented here:
1. Service planning processes without reference to the SAP service master record
A service planning process can also be planned without reference to the SAP service master record. The advantage here is the flexibility of SAP PPG, which can still provide all the necessary information, such as place of fulfilment, etc. The information provided is then used to automatically create a service request without the SAP service master record. Here you can decide whether it should be a direct requisition (directly from the SAP PPG) or a PS requisition (via the PS).
1. Service planning processes with reference to the SAP service master record
If a service planning process is planned with SAP service master record, this is integrated within SAP PPG. All other information can then be collected and triggered based on the planning with the master record.
Two further aspects of service planning processes with SAP service master records should be emphasised at this point:
1. Planning with SAP service master records also allows you to choose between direct requisition and PS requisition.
2. Here too, planning with SAP service master records is not mandatory.
