What is reference structure in SAP SCM-APO-CA-CDP - Characteristics-Dependent Planning?

SAP Term: reference structure

• Component: SCM-APO-CA-CDP

• Component Name: Characteristics-Dependent Planning

• Description: The characteristic to be created derives its length and character type from a reference structure field in the data dictionary of the APO System. The default reference structure is /SAPAPO/MC01_REF_STRUC, and contains fields for: Number strings 15 decimal places, 3 places after the decimal point Character strings 1-48 characters

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• Key Concepts: 
  Reference structure 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 and resources into a hierarchical structure. This structure can then be used to plan and optimize the supply chain. 
  
  How to use it: 
  To use the reference structure, users must first define the characteristics that will be used to group materials and resources. These characteristics can include product type, supplier, location, etc. Once the characteristics have been defined, users can create a hierarchical structure based on these characteristics. This structure can then be used to plan and optimize the supply chain. 
  
  Tips & Tricks: 
  When creating a reference structure, it is important to consider how the characteristics will be used in the planning process. For example, if the goal is to optimize inventory levels, then it may be beneficial to group materials by supplier or location. 
  
  Related Information: 
  For more information on reference structures in SAP SCM-APO-CA-CDP, please refer to the official SAP documentation.