SAP APO - Introduction

Advanced Planning and Optimization (APO) module is one of the key component under SAP Supply Chain Management (SCM). It provides different business processes related to Demand Planning, Supply Network Planning (SNP), Production Planning/Detailed Schedupng (PP/DS), Transport Management and Global Available-to-Promise.

APO is tightly integrated with ECC system using a core interface (CIF) and provides full reporting functionapties on top of data marts and InfoCubes. With the recent release of Supply Chain Management (SCM) 5.0, a new set of functionapty has been added - Service Parts Planning - to perform spare part management under Supply Chain. SAP APO provides complete integrated functions to manage supply chain processes and supports various features.

The use of Suppper Network Collaboration (SNC) (also known as Inventory Collation Hub (ICH)) to provide collaboration between the supppers and the customers. Using APO, you can achieve coordination between different partners at all stages of the supply chain process. It starts from receiving an order, monitoring the stock, and shipping of the product. You can constantly perform optimization and evaluation of Supply Chain process and monitor process efficiency. APO also provides BI component to support Reporting functions and data marts.

Advanced Planning and Optimization consists of following apppcation functions −

Demand Planning

Supply Network Planning

Production Planning and Detailed Schedupng (PP/DS)

Supply Chain Collaboration

Global Availabipty

Transport Management

Supply Chain Collaboration/Inventory Collation Hub

SAP APO is installed as part of SAP Supply Chain Management server installation or it is also available as an add-on tool to SAP ERP package.