What is block definition in SAP SCM-APO-CA-CDP - Characteristics-Dependent Planning?

SAP Term: block definition

• Component: SCM-APO-CA-CDP

• Component Name: Characteristics-Dependent Planning

• Description: The assignment of a validity period to an existing block basis definition. The block definition is related to a specific resource.

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• Key Concepts: 
  Block definition is a feature of Characteristics-Dependent Planning (CDP) in SAP's Supply Chain Management - Advanced Planner and Optimizer (SCM-APO). It allows users to define a set of characteristics that are used to group materials into blocks. This allows for more efficient planning and optimization of the supply chain. 
  
  How to use it: 
  To use block definition, users must first define the characteristics that will be used to group materials into blocks. This can be done by selecting the characteristics from the list of available characteristics in the CDP module. Once the characteristics have been selected, users can then assign materials to blocks based on their characteristics. This allows for more efficient planning and optimization of the supply chain. 
  
  Tips & Tricks: 
  When defining block characteristics, it is important to consider how they will be used in the supply chain. For example, if a certain characteristic is not relevant to the supply chain, it should not be included in the block definition. Additionally, it is important to consider how different blocks will interact with each other when planning and optimizing the supply chain. 
  
  Related Information: 
  Block definition is closely related to other features of CDP such as product allocation and product substitution. Product allocation allows users to assign materials to specific locations or customers, while product substitution allows users to substitute one material for another based on certain criteria. Both of these features can be used in conjunction with block definition to further optimize the supply chain.