Manage Forecast
Application component: Service Parts Planning
App type: SAP GUI
Description:   Forecasting in Extended Service Parts Planning (eSPP) is distinguished by the following properties:   You can react flexibly to changed demands.   You can determine the best forecast model for a location product and use stability rules to change the forecast model   You can maintain parameters efficiently and at a detailed level.   Forecasting encompasses the whole life cycle of a product and considers product interchangeability. It also guarantees high automation for mass processing of location products.  The forecast for active, planned location products includes the demand in the absolute number of pieces as well as a forecast of the number of order items, and a forecast of the average demand per order item.  You can either schedule the planning services of the forecasting function in the Planning Service Manager (PSM) or you can execute them manually using interactive forecasting.  For more information about how to schedule the forecast services in the PSM, see Use of the Planning Service Manager in eSPP and PSM Services for Forecasting.  
Key features:   Forecasting in eSPP has the following functions:  Forecast Profile  In the forecast profile, you can define, check, and change the control parameters for forecasting. There you can, for example, assign a forecast strategy to each location product. You can create a forecast profile manually or the Planning Service Manager (PSM) can create one automatically. For more information, see Forecast Profile Inheritance.    Forecast Run  You can either schedule the forecast run as a regular PSM planning service or you can start it manually on the Interactive Forecasting screen. During the forecast run, the system calculates the forecasting results at location product level. If you are not satisfied with the results, you can make manual corrections or adjustments to the demand history, forecast profiles, and PSM service profiles, and then restart the forecast run.    Standard Deviation and Mean Absolute Deviation (MAD)  The system calculates the standard deviation and the MAD for each location product. This calculation is realized as a PSM planning service.    Automatic Model Evaluation  Automatic model evaluation consists of Trigg's tracking signal and tripping. Trigg's tracking signal checks whether the forecast model is still optimal or whether there is a systematic forecasting error. Tripping reinitializes basic values and the deviation of an existing forecast model and shortens the demand history used for forecast creation. You can schedule Trigg's tracking signal and tripping separately in the forecast service profile as part of the planning service. However, both functions are also included in the combined forecast.   For more information about the composite forecast, see Planning Services for Forecasting.    Automatic Model Selection  You can use automatic model selection to automatically determine the forecast model best suited to a specific location product. You can start automatic model selection manually or you can schedule it in the PSM. If you want to schedule automatic model selection in the PSM, you can schedule it separately in the forecast service profile as part of the forecast service. However, automatic model selection is also included in the combined forecast.    Rough-Tuning and Fine-Tuning  For the forecast models that consider smoothing factors during forecast creation, you can automatically optimize these smoothing factors by using rough-tuning and fine-tuning. You can schedule rough-tuning separately in the forecast service profile as part of the forecast service. However, it is also included in the combined forecast. You can only start fine-tuning manually.    Forecast Disaggregation  The system calculates the forecast on the basis of aggregated demand history at the level of the entry location. It then disaggregates the forecast result to the child locations of the entry locations. Forecast disaggregation is realized as a stand-alone PSM planning service. However, the system also performs forecast disaggregation when you manually save the forecast results on the Interactive Forecasting screen.    Forecast Approval  Forecast approval calculates the final forecast for each location product and checks which forecast results require manual approval according to rules that you define. The system automatically approves all other forecast results and provides these results to other eSPP planning services. Forecast approval is realized as a PSM planning service. However, the system also performs forecast approval when you manually save the forecast results on the Interactive Forecasting screen.    Historical Forecasts Optionally, the system records all calculated forecast results as historical forecasts. You can also schedule the PSM planning service Recalculation of the Forecast in the Past. This service can only be maintained if you set the checkbox Update via Recalculation Service in the General Settings for Forecast Customizing activity. If the forecast model changes, the system triggers this planning service so that it creates historical forecasts for the new combination of location product and forecast model.   Display Forecast Results  You can display forecast results for individual locations products on the Interactive Forecasting screen.    Phase-In Planning  Phase-in planning uses values based on experience to calculate forecast values for new products that do not yet have any historical data. Phase-in planning is realized as a PSM planning service.    Phase-Out Planning  Phase-out planning calculates forecast values at entry location level for products in discontinuation. Phase-out planning is realized as a PSM planning service.   
Business roles: Demand Planner - Service Parts
Demand Planner - Service Parts : 
Is responsible for the demand plan of several products or product groups in a country or region. Has deep business and market knowledge about the sales of the products, statistical forecasting, and how to optimize processes in Supply Chain Planning.