Article
Exploring Fiori’s user-centric apps for production planning and scheduling.
Published
23 May 2024
The Fiori UI for SAP S/4HANA and S/4 PP/DS sets a new standard for user experiences in the enterprise software domain. In this article, we will take a closer look at the Fiori front end for S/4 PP/DS and some of the newly available apps, such as the Advanced Scheduling Board, Monitor Capacity Utilization and Monitoring Material Requirements.
This article is part of an article series about SAP PP/DS. Find other related articles here.
Let's face it - for a long time, SAP's user interface was often viewed as complex and somewhat antiquated, a sentiment that lingered around the edges of SAP APO as well. However, with the introduction of SAP S/4HANA and the Fiori UI, we've witnessed a transformation. SAP has not only acknowledged these past criticisms but has catapulted its user interface into the modern era with a fresh, intuitive and streamlined design that is a joy to navigate. The Fiori UI for SAP S/4HANA and S/4 PP/DS is the result of this change, setting a new standard for user experiences in the enterprise software domain.
The Fiori as part of S/4 and, as part of that, SAP PP/DS
SAP Fiori has revolutionised the way users interact with SAP software by providing a clean, modern and consistent user experience across devices and platforms. With the introduction of Fiori for SAP PP/DS, planners now have access to intuitive applications that simplify and enhance the planning and scheduling workflow. Below, we will go through some of the key Fiori Apps for SAP S/4 PP/DS.
Advanced Scheduling Board
As the heart of the detailed scheduling process, this Fiori app provides schedulers with a comprehensive and interactive view of production orders and resources. It allows for easy drag-and-drop operations, real-time adjustments and quick access to critical information, all within a visually appealing and user-friendly environment.
Some of the benefits:
- Unlike its APO predecessor, the Fiori scheduling board works out of the box with no configuration required.
- As a planner, key functionalities are readily available, and with the click of a button, you can jump to order details, product view etc.
- Embedded alert monitor with live alerts.
- Easily add or remove more charts with a single click.
Adding extra charts has never been easier:
Legend added, making it easier for first-time users to familiarise themselves with the system quickly and to understand the details of the plan:
New alert monitoring with live updates. Jump to relevant orders at the click of a button.
Monitor Capacity Utilization
Keeping a pulse on capacity utilisation is essential for any planning department. The Monitor Capacity Utilization app gives planners a clear overview of capacity loads and the ability to drill down into specific areas. It offers the flexibility to monitor by work centre or resource and provides insights into potential bottlenecks and underutilised resources.
Get an overview of relevant resources in a condensed way:
Quickly deep dive into specific resources at the click of a button:
Monitoring Material Requirements
Ensuring that materials are available when needed is fundamental to uninterrupted production. This app allows planners to monitor material requirements and stock levels efficiently, filtering, sorting, and acting on the information rapidly. Planners can proactively address shortages, thus minimising the risk of production delays.
Quickly spot issues for relevant materials and take actions such as triggering an MRP run at the simple click of a button:
Click for details on the shortage situation for the coming days and weekends:
Monitor Process Orders
This app simplifies follow-up for process orders. Quickly spot delays, component shortages and order statuses, enabling planners to take corrective actions:
Drill down for further details:
Follow-up on specific dates and milestones:
The benefits of standardisation with Fiori for SAP S/4 PP/DS
SAP S/4 PP/DS is part of a move towards a more standardised interface and offers numerous benefits for both businesses and operations:
- User experience consistency: with Fiori, users across different modules and applications encounter a consistent look and feel for S/4, IBP, PP/DS, EWM, TM etc. This consistency reduces complexity and allows users to transition seamlessly between various tasks without reorienting themselves to different UI paradigms.
- HTML5-based interface: enabling the use of the interface on tablets, smartphones etc.
- Streamlined training and onboarding: a standard interface means that training materials and onboarding processes can be unified. Once users are familiar with the Fiori design principles, they can quickly adapt to new apps without the need for extensive additional training.
- Increased adoption and productivity: a user-friendly and appealing interface is more likely to be embraced by users.
- Reduced customisation and maintenance: a standardised UI reduces the need for costly and time-consuming customisations. Organisations can benefit from lower maintenance costs and reduced complexity when updates or upgrades are rolled out, as they are applied universally across the Fiori landscape.
- Enhanced collaboration: when everyone uses the same interface, sharing information and collaborating become much easier. Teams can work together more effectively when they are all on the same page, quite literally, regarding the software they are using.
- Future-proofing: SAP’s commitment to the Fiori design means it continuously evolves with user needs and technological advancements in mind. Adopting the standard Fiori interface positions organisations to easily take advantage of future improvements and innovations from SAP – across the entire suite.
Enhancing planning efficiency with Fiori
The Fiori apps for SAP S/4 PP/DS embody efficiency and user empowerment. They are built with the end user in mind, providing a responsive and adaptive interface that caters to the dynamic needs of modern planning environments. Furthermore, the Fiori UI will continue to get a lot of development attention from SAP; thus, more functionality and new apps will come with future releases of S/4.
The Fiori web-based user interface for SAP S/4HANA PP/DS is a testament to SAP’s commitment to creating more user-friendly tools for planning professionals. By leveraging some of the Fiori apps highlighted in this article, organisations can optimise their planning and scheduling processes, ultimately leading to better resource utilisation, improved responsiveness to market demands and increased operational efficiency.
In addition, introducing a more standardised interface with Fiori for SAP S/4HANA PP/DS represents a significant leap forward in enterprise resource planning. By embracing this standardisation, organisations can enjoy a multitude of benefits, including consistency, ease of use and reduced overhead costs, all of which contribute to a more efficient and productive planning environment. The Fiori UI is more than just a facelift for SAP applications – it is a strategic investment in the future of business operations.
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