South of the Border...

Nat King Cole..

But also it is a title of Murakami's fiction story. About life of an ordinary, way too ordinary man. Such a twist. Murakami's characters are never ordinary, they are mysterious, they are weird (in a way ,let's say, majority's perception of 'weird'), they are strong, domestically, mentally, they overcome fantastic obstacles author invents. but the one from the 'South...' is an ordinary man, in his mid age crisis, with ordinary psychological problems, with wife, kids, life full of reflections on situations happened in the past, remininscents of things happened in the past. And the whole story is full of his memories about girls he dated and stuff like this. He doesn't seem to be Kazanova type of guy, but he is mentally weak, full of indecisiveness guy, that can't decide what is good and which one is not so bad for him. 

Shortly, moral of the story is that what goes around ,at the end, no matter how good you are in hiding from inevitability, comes around, period. 

I read it right after I finished 'Kafka...', and I was a bit sceptical, a bit disappointed, as if I was like 'well, now try to impress me even more than you did in Kafka on the shore', and he couldn't. 

Started reading 1Q84. I feel like it is way too much of Japanese literature, but I can't stop:)

Was having a conference call with Capgemini (Austrian one) people yesterday, they are planning to start roll out project in Kazakhstan. I've provided very brief introductory session on standard package for localization from SAP for their internal SAP bosses and IT people. I hope it was helpful in terms of understanding what to expect when they are here, starting with their roll out. 

P.s: recently I started taking cooking classes :) Those who know me know that I am not that type of girl, cooking, spending time at kitchen, buying ingredients to prepare that super mindblowing meal and etc. But ,I think, it is good in terms of expanding your imagination, I mean, when you combine something with something else, you imagine if that combination will work, how it is gonna work, what patterns you are getting by adding this and that. Shortly, so far I am interested :)))

Today I wanted to surprise my mum, and prepared fried potato with mushroom sauce :)) I prefer not to complicate things I am not really good at :)) It was me, mum and my auntie, I served dinner, candles I bought in Rivera Maison today, in these special astonishingly beautiful candle holders, or what is the name of it...)) Then my dad entered dining room, turned on the light and exclaimed 'You guys are like Van Gogh's painting, sitting in a darkness, eating potato' ahaha, that is such a hilarious comparison :)))) I am still laughing :))

Van Gogh 'Potato eaters', едоки картофеля :)))

Automatic Payment Program basics, PMW, S.W.I.F.T. standard format usage

While trying to extract data in MT100 format, there was an error: BFIBL02260 saying that some of the payments were left out during payment medium creation.

Solution was simple as it is:

I’ve forgotten to fill in ‘Drawer on the form’ section of payment method maintenance on company code level.

Brief instruction on how to activate/use PMW form:

Tick ‘Use payment medium workbench’ on the ‘Payment medium’ area of the screen (maintenance of payment method on a country level).

Then go to maintenance of payment method on company code level (FBZP t-code, or IMG SPRO menu):

In FBPM t-code create a variant for MT100 format, save the variant:

System might ask you to define payer’s SWIFT code, if so click on ‘Format parameters’ and enter the SWIFT code:

After you’ve saved the variant for MT100 format, assign the variant to format in OBPM4 t-code:

That’s about it.

Run F110, and see what happens there. 

Internal workshop. SAP Automatic payment program, DME engine

Yesteday I've initiated this kind of a workshop for my FI department fellows.

I've provided config journal, I am going to share below.. also showed detailed examples of APP configuration within the system, particularly, configuration of DME engine, which wasn't very common tool to use for my colleagues. Also there's a project running currently, it requires configuration of DMEE tree for clients' needs.

There's SAP training course for APP, probably, I've mentioned that already in my previous blog posts, but what I wanted to say is that there's no proper documentation on DME engine, even what they have there in help.sap.com not enough for understanding of 'nature' of this tool. But once you start using it, you realize how easy it is, and that that particular tool enables you to do things that you were doing by coding in ABAP before. Which means DME requires zero ABAP knowledge, just technical names of fields of structures and that's it.

I am sure you will love it, it is brilliant, from my point of view :)

So...

There are several ways of creation of DME files via APP:

-      Classical programs, starting from RFFO*

    -         PMW

    -        PMW formats adjusted by using DME engine

Classical programs are adjustable, you require ABAP coding here.

PMW formats are not enough when it comes to local requirements, so you still have to adjust formats. For instance, check for PMW format –MT100. I guess it is still adaptable by using a lots of ABAP coding.

And convenient way of creation required format that meets requirements of the client is:

(1)  Creation of payment method (country/company code levels);

(2)  Activating PMW format for new payment method;

(3)  Creation of DME format tree (name must be the same as payment method ,I guess);

(4)  Mapping of new payment method with DME format.

You don’t need to ABAP here. I think that’s about it. 

Let’s consider structure of MT100 format I’ve adjusted according to needs of the client.

First of all, create new DME tree format you’re going to use (DMEE t-code). Copy it from some standard SAP_SAMPLE, or something like this, format, but initial one doesn’t really matters, in any of the ways you’re going to change it:

After you created format tree, go to FBZP and create new payment method, do all the configurations. Then activate PMW for newly created payment method:

Then you need to tick ‘Mapping with DME structure’ option in OBPM1 t-code (super important, don’t mess with the option you see in maintenance of payment method within company code. But anyways, system will not allow you to do this, simply cause it is inactive there, so go to OBPM1):

That’s about it, now your payment method is ready –ready J Do related assignment in master data, don’t forget to use it while posting invoices (in case, you have several payment methods within master data of customer/vendor).

And then run Automatic Payment Program (APP).

One more thing… Before running the APP, create variant for your newly created format ZMT100 (for instance). Go to FBPM t-code, and create the variant:

Save the variant:

And THEN assign the variant to your format in OBPM4 t-code (just don’t forget this!!):

What else...

Customizing of DME format tree itself is quite easy and pretty much intuitive, I would say. You need:

-       Root;

-       Segment;

-       And elements of the segment.

Let’s consider couple of fields you want to be included in your DME format:

/NAME/Key Century LLP, Almaty, Kazakhstan

To create this line:

1)    Create Root ‘NAME’ or whatever you want to name it, it won’t appear anywhere. Following pic shows the structure of the root:

1)    After you’re done with the root, create segment ,name it /NAME/

You can pick if this one is a field with constant parameter (word, sentences, poems) included in it, or you can work with the structure elements (we’re working in PAYM application area, don’t get confused).

On a ‘Source’ tab insert constant parameter, which is going to be /NAME/. Now this one will be shown in your output.

So we’re done with the first part of the line /NAME/Vendor for test so far.

Then, create new element, name it ‘Name’ (again, someone is having lack of fantasy today J)

Add the constant parameter on the Source tab:

And that’s it. You’re done with the line.

All of the rest lines can be created by using same logic (create it or copy it, it doesn’t matter, just do it right, OK? J)

Let’s see how using structures work here.

For instance, you want to create line:

i.e. /DATE/10.01.2014

Do the same as for the ‘NAME’ line, create /DATE/ segment (don’t pay much attention on naming of the segment, it doesn’t appear anywhere, what you use in Source tab is all that matters), create underlying element /DATE/ (field with constant parameter /DATA/ in it). Then create another element, that will include date itself. Say, you want to set today’s date:

Tick ‘Structure field’ option, then go to Source tab and define structure and the field of the structure you want to use here:

i.e. we’re taking system data.

And there you have your line created in your DME format. 

SAP, Automatic payment program, payment method supplement

So why you need payment method supplement on top of payment method you define on master data and in FBZP t-code.

Here is my very short configuration guide on that:

So start from configuration of your payment method on a company code level:

As it is shown on screenshot above, de-select 'Single payment' option. That's it, save.

Then go to master data of vendor/customer:

On a payment transactions screen de-select 'Individual payment' option and define grouping method, the one that will be used when running F110 t-code in order to merge different invoices using same payment method into one payment order.

Does it makes any sense? :)

What I am trying to say is that This groups line items by using payment method supplement ‘22’, not by vendor in payment order, i.e. if there are 4 invoices with the same payment method, APP generates single payment order for these 4 invoices, grouping them by payment supplement method.

Now run F110, proposal run:

On a screen above we see 2 invoices that were merged into one payment order, with '22' payment supplement method, which means now payment orders will be generated not by vendors, but by payment supplement key, defined in FBZP t-code and in master data.

And let's see payment order that was generated by APP (Environment menu, then go to Payment orders- Display):

That's about it :) 

Later on I am planning to upload my config journal about DMEE tree configuration... But it is huge one, since it covers configurations of APP, once I have more time on that, I will upload that one. Cause as far as I know, there is nor proper information regarding DME engine on the Internet, you don't have it in SAP training courses (they just mention that, but no config exercises and etc.). 

Murakami

Once you start reading it, it is very difficult to stop. And you read insanely, as if there's no tomorrow and you won't be able to know what is gonna happen next. And you're sad when book is over, like some interesting part of your life has come to an end, and then you keep thinking of what has happened, and all you're getting afterwards -is bittersweet remenescents, you don't remember names, situations, you just remember the way you felt when you were reading a book. You cry in places that are sad, you laugh ... but I don't remember funny scenes from Murakami books. Maybe that's the reason I am so obsessed with his books? Gosh, probably I, indeed, prefer writers that are mostly depressed in their stories, novels. Dostoyevsky, Franz Kafka, Haruki Murakami, to name the few :)

And I feel a bit envious of people who never read anything from him and they will someday, by a very lucky chance, have a chance to be introduced to his books.

I was so fond of his books, so I even started reading Ryu Murakami's books :)) Only because of misthinking that Murakami surname is a guarantee ot unforgettable books :))

When I was super young, what was it there...The wind- up bird chronicle. Dance Dance Dance. His short stories. Underground... Oh that's where I got a bit disappointed about him. Writing something documentary, something like- at that particular time, at that particular day, something has happened and etc. Only facts, nothing out of Murakami, just bare facts. But what happened in Japan, in the underground was horrible, of course... using zarine against innocent people in a closed environment...

Days ago I finished reading 'Kafka on the shore'. About this guy... About that woman... Story is quite similar to  the one happened with Oedipus rex in Sophocles' tragedy. Abandoned son grows up, finds whereabouts of his mother, unintentionally sleeps with her, and then everybody dies. But the story is not that prosaic as it may sound. It is about love, that ruined one's soul beyond any repair. Memories of that love, that 'warm you up from the inside, and also tear you apart'. Throughout your life you keep those memories, in this 'library' built for you only, protected by tall fences, unbreakable walls, and at the end... endless desire to fire these memories to hell.

Mysterious, sad story...

Oh, and it is about cats :) A person that can speak to cats. Nakata- san, the most wise, the most smartest character of the book.

SAP, Kazakhstan add-on, FI-AA, tax fields

While testing FI-AA reports they have there in localization extension, I couldn't find where they have hidden option to activate tax-related fields. So after a while, I finally have found it :) Solutin is absurd, it is just activation of additional business extension for FI-AA, and very basic manipulations with asset classes screen layouts.

Without having these fields active in your system, you are not able to work with 2 reports included in add-on:

Transport and Property tax (advance payments and declaration).

So here is my kinda instruction on the issue:

In order to activate country- specific tax fields ,required for Property and Tax reports, create new screen layout for master data record, t-code AOLA:

Check for layouts of master data:

In particular, check for layout ‘6’, which includes country- specific fields, where you want to add all of the tax relevant information.

Assign newly generated tab layout to the asset class (for instance, Vehicle).  Go to t-code AOLK, and do the necessary assignment to asset class. Also system asks you to define transaction group:

Before proceeding with creation assets in Vehicles asset class, you need to activate EA-FIN ECC extension. Use t-code SFW5:

Make sure that all of the relevant Kazakhstan add-on business extensions are also been activated.

So do the activation of EA-FIX extension for Financials:

After you do this, check the status of activation process, once it is been activated, you can activate necessary tax related table fields in: IMG (SPRO)- FI (New)- FI-AA- Master Data- Screen layout- Activate country specific data, where you should activate required fields. Let’s say for transport tax purposes:

There you have it! J Enjoy! J

Ah, check AS01(2 or 3) t-code, and see how that goes:

SAP Kazakhstani add -on, Invoice registration journal

It's been a while...
So after all the New Year, Christmas celebrations, we have to get back to the battles of our lives :)

Today there was very brief workshop organized by SAP Kazakhstan, and it was dedicated to add- on solutions, what is it there so far, what is planned to develop in the future and etc. So they are planning 3 releases of it, recently there was a second release of add- on. Third one will include such, from my point of view, substantial things as Corporate Income Tax forms. I think this is pretty much cool, and will ease life of FICO consultants a lot :) But let's see when they are going to do the release, probably it will be released in 2015.

What else was there.. Currently they are developing electronic invoices, they are going to develop general VAT form 300.00. Also form 700.00 is under development, which is also nice, I think.

There was interesting discussion after the presentation, about how to do the upgrade from previous version of SAP to EHP7 with add- on in it. And if this upgrade would affect current system customizations, namely, chart of accounts, General Ledger and etc. It seems that indeed before doing the upgrafe you have to activate New G/L. Reports included in add- on are not assigned to chart of accounts, so there's no problem from this prospective. What else...

So workshop was fine, informative I would say.

I would like to share some stuff I managed to configure in add- on.

Invoice registration journal, which is basically includes supplementary forms of VAT form 300.00- 300.07 and 300.08 for incoming and outgoing invoices.

1.     Activation of business extension

First step is to activate Kazakhstan add- on extension in your system (t-code SFW5):

Press ‘Continue’ to proceed with the activation.

Then pick required business extension objects from the list (highlighted in yellow):

Click on ‘Activate changes’ on control panel.

2.     Invoice Registration Journal.

All of the basic configurations must be set before you start working with it (master data configuration).

Then set number ranges for incoming and outgoing invoices by using following t-codes:

-    -    FIKZRGIN

-     -  FIKZRGOUT

As it is said in users- guide, activate KZREGINV product by using t-code FIBF:

Do the new entry in table and save it.

Then t-code BF22:

Do the new entry with already created product KZREGINV and assign it to partner KZ:

Save.

Also it is said that users must be authorized to work with the following object: F_KZ_REGIN. I’ve created new user role in PFCG t-code, which is Z_TEST and assigned to this one only one single object:

But as long as you have SAP_ALL this one is not the most crucial part of the whole thing…

Now try to register invoice, go to F-43 or FB60:

After you saved it , you can check if the document was saved in table FIKZD_REGINV_IN. Go to SE16:

Which means this document will be shown in Invoice Registration Journal:

Tick ‘Incoming payments’ in Output control, fill in all the required fields:

Same thing with outgoing invoices, just to the switch on ‘Output control’ are on selective screen of the Journal.

  

To generate general VAT form, tick ‘Calculate totals’ on selective screen in ‘Output control’ layer of the screen: