How to Restart a Failed Process Chain if Repeat Option is not Applicable

Introduction

Sometimes the process chain fails at particular step due to some kind of error and the “Repeat” option also
will not be applicable for the failed process. This article explains the steps for how to complete the process
chain and get the issue resolved.

Business Scenario

1. Data is loaded from R3 to BI using process chain. Variants involved in process chain are to load data
from R3 to different InfoProviders in BI.
2. Data is loaded successfully in one of the DSO (Z_OFCPS), but the process chain failed while further
data load to next DSO (Z_OPSF01).
3. This is because while doing the delta update, there are some erroneous records found and the process
chain failed.
4. Manual corrections are made on the erroneous records and uploaded data manually in the DSO
(Z_OPSF01).
5. The process chain is restarted from the One Step Ahead where it was failed as the manual corrections
are done and loaded data. Therefore, that step has to be skipped. (Also as process chain contains many
steps to be executed, and doing it manually is not a best practice.)

Step by Step Solution

The process chain fails at the step below while loading data into InfoProvider (marked in red box).

Process chain failure at this step is due to the erroneous records. It is necessary to manually correct it and
load data manually into the respective InfoProviders.
Once the data is loaded successfully at this step, start the process chain from next step onward as this step
is not required to execute again.

Finding the Variants and Instance of the Failed Process

Right-click the failed process. Select the Displaying Messages option.

It will open the screen as below.

Copy the Variant and Instance from above screen.

Go to the transaction SE11. Select the table – RSPCPROCESSLOG. 

Put the value for variant and instance received from above screen.

Execute this, and the value of the other fields is returned: LOG_ID, TYPE, BATCHDATE and BATCHTIME.

Report to Execute Process Chain

Go to the transaction SE38. Enter the program name - RSPC_PROCESS_FINISH and execute.
Enter the values in the fields received from above table. Additionally, make the STATE as „G‟ -> Execute.

Once the program is executed with all mandatory fields as described above, it will move the process chain to the next step. And the process chain execution will start from that step as below screenshot. Also it will mark
the previously failed step as green.

The next data load can be done smoothly.

Inventory Management (0IC_C03) Part:2

Introduction:

To monitor the Inventory Management and to take any decisions on Inventory Controlling, 

Management/Users need reports on Inventory Management; basically they need complete status/details of 

the all Materials i.e. from Raw Materials to Finished Goods. I.e. In-Flow and Out-Flow of the Materials in the Organization.

In the coming Articles we will discuss about Process Keys and Movement Types and other details.

DataSources:

A DataSource is a set of fields that provide the data for a business unit for data transfer into BI System. From 

a technical viewpoint, the DataSource is a set of logically-related fields that are provided to transfer data into 

BI in a flat structure (the extraction structure), or in multiple flat structures (for hierarchies).

There are two types of DataSource (Master Data DataSources are split into three types.):

1. DataSource for Transaction data.

2. DataSource for Master data.

a) DataSource for Attributes.

b) DataSource for Texts.

c) DataSource for Hierarchies.

To full fill the Industry requirements, SAP given the following Transactional DataSources for Inventory 

Management/ Materials Management.

1. 2LIS_03_BX : Stock Initialization for Inventory Management.

2. 2LIS_03_BF : Goods Movements From Inventory Management.

3. 2LIS_03_UM : Revaluations.

All the above DataSources are used to extract the Inventory Management/ Materials Management data from 

ECC to BI/BW.

About 2LIS_03_BX DataSource:

This DataSource is used to extract the stock data from MM Inventory Management for initialization 

to a BW system, to enable the functions for calculating the valuated sales order stock and of the 

valuated project stock in BW.

See the SAP help on 2LIS_03_BX DataSource.

About 2LIS_03_BF DataSource:

This DataSource is used to extract the material movement data from MM Inventory Management 

(MM-IM) consistently to a BW system. A data record belonging to extractor 2LIS_03_BF is defined 

in a unique way using the key fields Material Document Number (MBLNR), Material Document 

Year (MJAHR), Item in Material Document (ZEILE), and Unique Identification of Document Line 

(BWCOUNTER).

See the SAP help on 2LIS_03_BF DataSource.

About 2LIS_03_UM DataSource:

This DataSource is used to extract the revaluation data from MM Inventory Management (MM-IM) 

consistently to a BW system.

See the SAP help on 2LIS_03_UM. DataSource.

To use the all above DataSources, first you need to install in ECC. See the steps given below.

How to Install?

In ECC using Transaction Code RSA5, we can install the above DataSources. SAP given all DataSources in the form of “Delivered Version (From this System)”, once you install it, then the status will changes to “Active Version”.

Select the DataSources one by one and Click on Activate DataSources.

Post Process DataSources:

Once we install the DataSources, it will be available in RSA6 and you can see the DataSources in RSA6.

So go to Transaction Code RSA6 and then do the Post Processing steps that are required for DataSources.

Select DataSource and then click on Change Icon and

Once you click on Change Icon, it will go to DataSource Customer Version, here you can hide the unwanted fields and you can select the fields for Data Selection in InfoPackage. After that you save and come back.

Selection:

Set this indicator to use a field from the DataSource as the selection field in the Scheduler for BW. Due to the properties of the DataSource, not every field can be used as a selection field.

Hide Field:

To exclude a field in the extraction structure from the data transfer, set this flag. The field is then no longer available in BW for determining transfer rules and therefore cannot be used for generating transfer structures.

Inversion:

Field Inverted When Cancelled (*-1)

The field is inverted in the case of reverse posting. This means that it is multiplied by (-1). For this, the extractor has to support a delta record transfer process, in which the reverse posting is identified as such.

If the option Field recognized only in Customer Exit is chosen for the field, this field is not inverted. You cannot activate or deactivate inversion if this option is set.

Inventory Management (0IC_C03) Part:1

What is Inventory Management?

Inventory management is primarily about specifying the size and placement of stocked goods. Inventory
management is required at different locations within a facility or within multiple locations of a supply network
to protect the regular and planned course of production against the random disturbance of running out of
materials or goods. The scope of inventory management also concerns the fine lines between replenishment
lead time, carrying costs of inventory, asset management, inventory forecasting, inventory valuation,
inventory visibility, future inventory price forecasting, physical inventory, available physical space for
inventory, quality management, replenishment, returns and defective goods and demand forecasting.
The Inventory Management system provides information to efficiently manage the flow of materials,
effectively utilize people and equipment, coordinate internal activities, and communicate with customers.
Inventory Management and the activities of Inventory Control do not make decisions or manage operations;
they provide the information to Managers who make more accurate and timely decisions to manage their
operations.

Building blocks for the Inventory Management system:

Sales Forecasting or Demand Management
Sales and Operations Planning
Production Planning
Material Requirements Planning
Inventory Reduction

Inventory Management Process:

This process allows users to manage all the Materials/items purchased, manufactured, sold, or kept in stock.
For each Material/item, users enter the data relevant for a particular area in the system. This data is used
automatically by the system for purchasing, sales, production, inventory management, accounting and etc...
It provides optimum support for business. Helps create orders, delivery notes, and outgoing invoices,
automatically calculating prices, sales units, and gross profit. Enables complete control over stock quantities
at all times and lets users analyze the financial aspects of stockholding at the same time. Allows users to
control production on the basis of the items that are used for production and on the basis of the finished
product and any by-products created.

The Purpose of SAP - Inventory Management:

Today most of the industries/companies implemented SAP and also implementing SAP, because SAP is
giving the full-fledged solution for their Business Requirements and it is meeting Customer/Client
requirements without huge Customization.
For example, If you take FMCG industries, they want to know the status of their Inventory on
Daily/Weekly/Monthly/Yearly basis. Because at the end of the day, Management wants to know the
movements of the Goods/Products for their future planning and also to maintain the balance between
Demand and Supply.
The main components are:
Management of material stocks on a quantity and value basis.
Planning, Entry, and Documentation of all Goods Movements.
Carrying out the Physical Inventory.
Look into the following Business Process & Inventory Analyses diagram:

Inventory Management System

Integration with other Modules:

Inventory Management is part of the Materials Management and it is fully integrated with the following other 

modules in SAP. So with this we can easily track the whole information/transactions of the 

Materials Management

Production Planning

Sales & Distribution

Quality Management

Plant Maintenance

Logistics Information System

How to Monitor?

In any organization to Monitor the all Inventory Management activities, from Shop Floor Executive’s to Top 

Manager’s they need good reports, so it is highly difficult to take such kind of MM reports in ECC (OTLP 

System), so for that we need to implement SAP-BI/BW and generate reports in SAP-BI/BW (OLAP System).

Especially, if you want to generate the reports for all Materials and Plant combinations which contain MTD 

and YTD calculations, it is very difficult in ECC (OLTP Server).

Inventory Data Flow Diagram from ECC to BI/BW:

To take all kind of Inventory Management SAP given 0IC_C03 InfoCube, which will use three DataSources, 

see the below figure.

In the coming Articles we are going to discuss about the above Dataflow. I.e. configuring the DataSources in ECC, Mapping to InfoCube in BI/BW, Data Loads to InfoCube and Reports.

Some important Reports Details: 

Few important reports names given below…
Stock Ledger Report
Stock Overview Report.
Demand Supply Match Report.
Valuated Stock Report.
Inventory Aging Report.
Inventory Turnover Report.
Stock in Transit Report.
Scrap Report.
Blocked Stock Report.
Days' Supply Report.
Receipt and Issue Consignment Stock at Customer Report.

Conclusion & Benefits:

For optimal inventory management processes, we need robust functionality for managing our logistics
facilities. Support for Inventory Management helps us record and track of each materials on the basis of both
Quantity and Value.
We can reduce the cost for warehousing, transportation, order fulfillment, and material handling – while
improving customer service. We can significantly improve inventory turns, optimize the flow of goods, and
shorten routes within our warehouse or HUB/distribution center. Additional benefits of inventory management
include improved cash flow, visibility, and fast and good decision making.
Inventory management offers one of the largest opportunities in supply chain management. End-to-end
inventory visibility increases buyer purchasing power, minimizes inventory levels, ensures product balance,
and ultimately reduces warehousing costs.