Resource Planning and MRS

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Resource Planning and MRS

Sunday, 01 January 2012Written by Sri Subramaniam Print

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Resource Scheduling in the Serviceenvironment is an area that has been largelybeing viewed with a degree of apprehension bycompanies that have implemented SAP. This isin part because Service requirements are quitevaried from one company to another, but largelydue to the fact that there is limitedunderstanding about what options are availablefor consideration, and which among theseoptions meet the criteria of a) ease of use b)functional fit and c) cost to implement.

In a purely SAP ERP driven environment, the

options for resource scheduling are limited,whether it is with the use of PS (ProjectSystem) and Work Force Planning or with theuse of CS (Customer Service) or PM (PlantMaintenance) where the choices are not veryeasy to evaluate, and external tools were

deployed to work in conjunction with SAP.
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The problem becomes more complicated whencustomers use more than one ERP module todrive service based demand a combination of

a PS based solution and a CS based solutionusing largely the same resources is a difficultproposition. Add cProjects and SAP CRM to themix, and the Solution Architect has someserious work to do to design a solution thatadequately meets business requirements

without a largely bespoke solution or acomplicated interface with external schedulingsystems.

Although there are some decent third partywork scheduling tools in the market that areproven to work well with SAP solutions, acommon deterrent to using these tools is thecost of additional licensing and integrationeffort, implementing these tools, additional skillsrequired for ongoingsupport and maintenance.

MRS (Multi Resource Scheduling)One of the possible options that companiesevaluate is the SAP's MRS (Multi-Resource

Scheduling) This is a SAP Netweaver / SAPERP based planning tool and can be used tomanage resources across systems, and as thename suggests can manage demand frommultiple sources (SAP CS, SAP PS, cProjects,SAP PM and SAP CRM).


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Resources can be manually planned usinginformation about open demands and resourceavailability and suitability. They can also be

automatically assigned based on a variety ofoptimisation considerations, like maximisingutilisation of resources or minimising traveltimes between jobs.The resource planner ispresented with an intuitive graphical interfacecontaining information about open demands,

utilisation of resources and possible conflictswith the existing resource assignments.

MRS can also be integrated with geographicalinformation systems to enable resourceplanners to visualise travel routes and identifynearest service engineer when a service call islogged.

System Landscape and ImplementationConsiderationsDepending on the sources of demands, and theintegration scenarios that are to be used, thereare a number of possible installation /implementation considerations. Depending on

the integration scenarios, the MRS Add on canbe installed on the SAP ERP system or on theSAP Netweaver system. There are restrictionsdepending on the integration scenario, so it isalways advisable to review the installation guiderecommendations and OSS notes relevant to

the installation before proceeding.


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The prerequisite BASIS software is SAP ERP6.0 (with or without Enhancement Packs) andSAP Netweaver 7.0. In case MRS 8.0 is being

considered for use with SAP CRM Servicedemands, the prerequisite version is SAP CRM7.0 (with or without Enhancement Packs)BADIs will have to be implemented in CRM forMRS.

System Landscape and Implementation

ConsiderationsThe latest version of MRS has a number ofuseful functional enhancements over theprevious versions. The new versionincorporates the Web based planning board toplan resources. Some of the enhancements arelisted below:

Integration with external geographicalinformation systems such as Google Maps.

User-specific configuration. Optimisation of resources at team level Multi-day optimisation Appointment scheduling, ability to download

assignments into Microsoft Outlook Integration of service parts availability check on

the planning board

Resource Planning in SAP CRM 7.0For companies that implement SAP CRM

Service, and do not have other sources ofdemands to consider as part of their resource


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planning solution, it is worth evaluating thefunctions and features available in theResource Planning Application in SAP CRM

7.0. This has also been recently enhancedsignificantly in CRM 7.0 EhP2.

ConclusionIn the area of determining what is right for eachcompany in the area of resource planning, it isclear that one size does not fit all. It is worth

knowing what options are available beforeembarking on an implementation.

Key consideration criteria include:

Implementation scenario(s) required (onesource of demand, or multiple).

Existing systems/processes around this area(e.g. existing SAP CS implementation)

Bespoke solutions or interfaces with externalsolutions

Need for integration with mobile devicesthrough tailored or commercially availablesolutions

Complexity of business requirement (e.g.optimisation rules)

Ease of installation and implementation Ease of use


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Implementation of a Resource Planning

Solution to manage work assignments tofield service engineering resources

ClientOne of the world's leading Door AutomationProducts manufacturer with more than 150 fieldengineers in the UK.

Key Requirements

Basic automatic resource allocation based onpredefined criteria and manual reassignmentwhere necessary.

Integration to existing mobile devices.

Allow resource planners access to all keyinformation about service demands andresources.

Simple, single screen , easy-to-use graphicalscreens for planners.

Breakdown of demands and resources basedon geographical zones and skillsets.

Solution Approach

Previous tool used for resource planning wasExcel.

Initial push from key users to consider forresource optimisation tools like MRS (Multi-


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Resource Scheduling) or Click Scheduler (thirdparty tool).

After critical requirements review with thebusiness, a more pragmatic solution wasproposed the initial use of the CRM ResourceScheduling application to standardise resourceplanning processes across geographicalregions with a view to scaling up to resourceoptimisation solutions in subsequent phases.

Key Benefits

Web based Resource Planning tool includingGantt Chart in CRM 7.0.

Basic first level allocation by automaticscheduling taking Service Areas into account.

Automatic determination of Service Area basedon post code of the customer site

Ability to drag and drop, reassign jobs toresources.

Basic UI enhancements gave vital additionalinformation on jobs and statuses to planners.

Enhancements to combine multiplemaintenance jobs for ease of planning.

Skills matrix maintenance for resources, basedon qualifications.

An full view of Service jobs, assignments,confirmations and statuses in one system.


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A wide array of search, personalisation featuresand filters available on the Resource PlanningBoard.

Simple enhancements to bring Installed baselocation and Service Area into the ResourcePlanning Board significantly improved thePlanning efficiency by providing key informationin one place.

Download Case Study

MULTI-RESOURCE SCHEDULING

Planning is an essential part of any project,maintenance and customer serviceenvironment. Studies show that a better andmore optimized planning most often leads to

cost efficiency. Many see tools like MS Excel ofMS Project as the ideal planning environmentbut they clearly lack integration with e.g. HumanResources (work schedule, holiday planning,...)or in general your backbone ERP system.
http://gauritech.com/download-case-study?view=message&layout=message&pf=3http://gauritech.com/download-case-study?view=message&layout=message&pf=3http://gauritech.com/download-case-study?view=message&layout=message&pf=3


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For many years SAP offers the graphicalplanning board and workforce planning as userinterface part of the standard ERP software and

integrated with Project Systems(PS),Production Planning(PP), CustomerService(CS) and Plant Maintenance(PM).Although it serves its purpose it lacksfunctionality, especially when planning andoptimizing personnel resources.

To handle more complex schedulingenvironments SAP has developed Multi-Resource Scheduling (MRS). This multi-resource scheduling software tracks resourcesavailable along with their skill sets, experience,cost, location, commitment schedule, and otherdata important in determining their suitability forspecific engagements. It has a flexible and


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enhanced graphical planning board, fullyintegrated with HR (for attendance, absenceand work schedules), alerts, teams, tool

planning, utilization reporting, integration withGIS and possibility to integration with MobileApplications such as SAP MAM (mobile assetmanagement for service engineers on theroad).


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SAP MRS is an add-on application which wasco-developed with some major customerswhich makes it a real hands-on and straight-to-

the-point application. The latter also means thatit is not part of the standard ERP system andlicense. For more information pleasecontactus. Short demos can be found on e.g.YouTube(example:http://www.youtube.com/user/SAP

MRSExpert).

REFERENCES

Plantin (planning of customer servicetechnicians according to skills and availabilities)
http://www.oasisconsultants.com/en/contact-ushttp://www.oasisconsultants.com/en/contact-ushttp://www.youtube.com/user/SAPMRSExperthttp://www.youtube.com/user/SAPMRSExperthttp://www.youtube.com/user/SAPMRSExperthttp://www.youtube.com/user/SAPMRSExperthttp://www.youtube.com/user/SAPMRSExperthttp://www.oasisconsultants.com/en/contact-ushttp://www.oasisconsultants.com/en/contact-us

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