In our previous posts, we discussed Understanding the basics of CATS (cross-application time sheets) showing how SAP provides a very robust method to capture time data and have that data passed to other SAP modules. We then covered Using CATS Data: Updating CO (controlling) and Using CATS Data: Updating PM (plant maintenance).
Next up is CATS updating the Project Systems module. Something to keep in mind is time entered in CATS as hours transfers to PS as minutes. This may initially throw you off and knowing it ahead of time is helpful. CATS generates confirmations for networks and performs activity allocation in CO at the same time. The PS confirmations contain state of processing, work center where the activity was carried out, and the individual person who carried out the activity.
Just like PM orders, processing time can be a major issue if there is a large volume of open PS orders. Consider using nightly batch runs with narrow periods to reduce the processing time. However, narrowing the period to much may cause prior period corrections to be missed so performance vs. time period narrowing must be weighed carefully.
An effective schedule we have put in practice is a nightly run pulling data for the last two weeks and a weekend run that pulls in data for a year. The weekend run will capture corrections that were made outside of our two week window we captured during nightly runs.
Next we’ll discuss Using CATS Data: Updating HR (human resources).