An SAP S/4HANA conversion is not just a technical upgrade, but also brings functional changes that significantly alter business processes. This includes integrated business planning with SAP S/4HANA.
What does a technical conversion to SAP S/4HANA mean for planning in controlling?
With the introduction of SAP S/4HANA, all actual line items are posted to the ACDOCA data table (Account Document Actual) and all plan line items are posted to the ACDOCP data table (Account Document Plan). These tables are also known as the “Universal Journal.”
Actual transaction data for planning in controlling in SAP S/4HANA (Source: SAP SE)
Plan transaction data for planning in controlling in SAP S/4HANA (Source: SAP SE)
CO actual data can be posted to ACDOCA in SAP S/4HANA via standard transactions with SAP GUI as well as via SAP Fiori. The familiar CO data tables from R/3 (ECC) such as COEP, COSP, and COSS are available in SAP S/4HANA as CDS views. This enables reporting in the actual state with SAP Fiori and, transitionally, also with the Report Painter based on classic report tables such as CCSS. Due to the CDS views, performance problems may occur with Report Painter evaluations.
For CO plan data, there is no standard transaction in SAP GUI in SAP S/4HANA that guarantees direct posting to ACDOCP. Although the classic planning transactions such as KP06 are available, an evaluation with SAP Fiori or SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC) is not possible, as these tools access ACDOCP exclusively for evaluations. Direct posting of CO plan data to ACDOCP is possible via the SAP Fiori app “Import Financial Plan Data” or SAC.
Which strategic tool is suitable for integrated business planning with SAP S/4HANA?
The strategic product for integrated business planning in Finance and Controlling is the licensed SAC. To ensure that all existing planning functions from SAP R/3 (ECC) continue to be covered in SAP S/4HANA with SAC, a fit-gap analysis is mandatory. In addition, a redesign of the planning processes and training of key users are necessary, which involves higher effort and costs.
In the case of a technical conversion, it should therefore be clarified in advance whether integrated business planning with SAC will already be implemented as part of the technical conversion. Technically, this would mean that the CO plan data would be posted directly to the ACDOCP data table. This also means that adjustments must be made in reporting, as the CO plan values are no longer available in the classic CO tables and, for example, a plan/actual comparison in the Report Painter is no longer possible.
With the upcoming technical conversion to SAP S/4HANA, a crucial question arises: Will integrated business planning with SAC already be implemented as part of the conversion?
From a technical point of view, the CO plan data is written directly to the ACDOCP data table with the SAC. This means that, in addition to the adjustments to planning processes, adjustments to reporting are also necessary, as the CO plan values are no longer available in the classic CO tables. A plan/actual comparison, for example in the Report Painter, is therefore no longer possible.
Furthermore, it is possible to initially take along and continue to use the familiar planning processes and functionalities from SAP R/3 (ECC) on a transitional basis in order to ensure planning capability. After the conversion, the planning processes are then adapted in order to guarantee full compatibility with SAP S/4HANA and to be able to benefit from new innovations in the long term.
It is therefore important to carefully examine whether integrated business planning with SAC will be implemented as part of the conversion or at a later point in time.
Are you planning a conversion? We would be happy to assist you with integrated business planning – personally and competently.
