SAP’s internal solution for Forecast Reporting

Summary

SAP Global IT developed a reporting solution that helps controllers with their formatted reporting of forecast results. The vision for the solution was created by SAP Global Controlling using Design Thinking. While this used to be a rather manual reporting process, this solution enables controllers to compile and comment their forecast reports in an “online shop” approach.

The solution was built with Floorplan Manager for Web Dynpro ABAP, SAP Crystal Reports, BI Platform and SAP NetWeaver BW Powered by SAP HANA.

Now, the solution is also rolled-out for other scenarios for formatted reporting like quarter-end reporting and month-end reporting.

History

In 2011, Global Controlling harmonized the forecast reporting at SAP on several levels. One part of that was to get a standardized tool support. To find the right solution, they employed Design Thinking and came up with an ideal solution that offered controllers an experience similar to an online shop. They would compile their required report out of available standard modules, set the necessary parameters, add comments and receive the result as a PDF. See below for some slides about the product vision.

In 2012, Global IT started implementing that solution by integrating SAP Crystal Reports, the BI Platform and SAP NetWeaver BW Powered by SAP HANA with a user interface based on Floorplan Manager for Web Dynpro ABAP.

Solution Highlights

• Landing page: Controllers see their reports and access all functions of the solution.
• Growing collection of standard modules out of which controllers compile their own reports.
• Integrated commenting.
• Controllers collaborate on reports and comments.
• PDF export of reports.

Screens and Slides