1. CUBE INFORMATICS
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SAP BPC NW 10.0 Knowledgebase
Business Process Flow (BPF)
Author & Architect:
Satya Vipperla
SAP BPC & BOBJ Consultant
SAP EPM Community Member
Satya17@gMail.com
A SAP EPM Community Service
01/01/2012
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2. CUBE INFORMATICS
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Table of Contents
Executive Summary……………………………………………………………………………………………...3
What is BPF ……….……………………………………………………………………...4
Business Scenario……………..………………………………………………………………………………….4
BPF Statuses ……………………………………………………………………………...5
BPF Benefits and Costs ………………………..…………………………………………….………………...6
BPF Key Terms ……………….…………………………………………………………………....…….……..10
Activities …………………….……………………………………………………………………………….…...14
Accessing BPF …………………………………………..….…………………………………..………….……11
Current Template View ...…….………………………………………………………………………….….12
New Process Template ………………………………………………………………………………………13
Creating Performer/Reviewer Workspace …………………………………………………………17
Add Activities (Hyperlinks/Reports/Documents) ……………………………………………….18
Process Template Deployment …………………………………………………………………………..24
Process Instance ………………………………………………………………………………………………..25
Executing BPF …………………………………………………………………………………………………...33
Run Package Options ………………………….…..………………………………………………………....35
Process Instance and Submit ...………………....…………………………………………………….…..37
Review Process Instance ……………..……………………………………………………………….…….38
Approve/Reject Process Instances ……………………………………………………………………..39
Finalize the Process .…………………………………………………………………………………….……40
Disclaimer………………………………..…………………………………………………………………….….41
Author & Architect:
Satya Vipperla
SAP BPC & BOBJ Consultant
SAP EPM Community Member
Satya17@gMail.com
A SAP EPM Community Service
01/01/2012
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3. CUBE INFORMATICS
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Executive Summary:
This how-to-guide is to illustrate the purpose of Business Process Flow
(BPF) and key terms.
This document is only covers NW platform and MS platform should be
any different.
Assumptions:
We assume the user is familiar with user interface of BPC and EPM AdIn for Excel. All required Dimensions and Model is in place.
Author & Architect:
Satya Vipperla
SAP BPC & BOBJ Consultant
SAP EPM Community Member
Satya17@gMail.com
A SAP EPM Community Service
01/01/2012
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What is Business Process Flow (BPF)?
 Business Process Flow provides (ensures) consistency and
visibility
 Step-by-step guidance through consolidation process
 Enforce process and procedures and track process
status/completion
 Provides eMail (SMPT must be configured) and visibility of
process status /changes
 Will improve process coordination between teams/individuals
Business Scenario:
Business Process Flows (BPFs) provide the customer with a web based
launch pad, guided navigation, e-mail, and visibility of process status.
Business Process Flows can be used to improve the coordination
aspects of a process.
Step-by-step guidance through consolidation process.
Enforce Policies and Procedures
Track process status and completion
Author & Architect:
Satya Vipperla
SAP BPC & BOBJ Consultant
SAP EPM Community Member
Satya17@gMail.com
A SAP EPM Community Service
01/01/2012
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5. CUBE INFORMATICS
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BPF Statuses:
Status
Description
Open
Waiting for completion or to be submitted as a new activity
Submitted
Action has been taken and the activity is waiting for review
Completed
Activity is fully completed
Reopened
Completed activity has been reopened
Pending
Activity is waiting for an open activity to be completed
Rejected
A reviewer has rejected an activity. The status changes to Open for user action
Delayed
Completion of the activity has been delayed due to the previous activity being
reopened
Author & Architect:
Satya Vipperla
SAP BPC & BOBJ Consultant
SAP EPM Community Member
Satya17@gMail.com
A SAP EPM Community Service
01/01/2012
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6. CUBE INFORMATICS
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Benefits and Costs of Implementing BPF:
Benefits











Helps with coordination
Easy web based user interface / launch pad
Status and Tracking
Guided Navigation
Steps can be reopened
Steps can be reviewed by others (higher authorities)
Built in Monitor
Built in detailed reports
Work Status integration
Real time simulations in build mode
Users can save workspaces during execution
eMail notifications (SMP must be configured)




Must be designed and configured
Must be maintained
Must be supported by the help desk
Users cannot be forced to use the BPF user interface
Costs-
Author & Architect:
Satya Vipperla
SAP BPC & BOBJ Consultant
SAP EPM Community Member
Satya17@gMail.com
A SAP EPM Community Service
01/01/2012
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7. CUBE INFORMATICS
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Key Terms:
Term
Meaning
Process
Template
A sequential grouping of activities to complete a process
Activities
The activities an authorized user can perform
Activity Region
The members that an activity is executed by
Process Instance
Current use/iteration of a BPF template
Process Monitor
Where users can monitor the instances of a BPF template
Performer
A user/team assigned to a DIM who can perform (complete/submit) activities on
BPF
Reviewer
A user/team assigned to a DIM who can review or reject submitted activities
Workspace
An area/tab in web interface with list of Activities
Hyperlink
A link in a workspace for a defined action that occurs when chosen
Author & Architect:
Satya Vipperla
SAP BPC & BOBJ Consultant
SAP EPM Community Member
Satya17@gMail.com
A SAP EPM Community Service
01/01/2012
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8. CUBE INFORMATICS
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Login in to the system:
Author & Architect:
Satya Vipperla
SAP BPC & BOBJ Consultant
SAP EPM Community Member
Satya17@gMail.com
A SAP EPM Community Service
01/01/2012
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9. CUBE INFORMATICS
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Initial/Home Screen:
Author & Architect:
Satya Vipperla
SAP BPC & BOBJ Consultant
SAP EPM Community Member
Satya17@gMail.com
A SAP EPM Community Service
01/01/2012
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10. CUBE INFORMATICS
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Business Process Flow Activities - From the Home tab, go to
Activities
Author & Architect:
Satya Vipperla
SAP BPC & BOBJ Consultant
SAP EPM Community Member
Satya17@gMail.com
A SAP EPM Community Service
01/01/2012
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11. CUBE INFORMATICS
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Accessing BPF:
Go to Administration tab From Home page after logging in
BPF – Process Template is a generic version of the
planning/consolidation process flow that we want to model.
Instances of this generic template then be executed during a specific
close or planning cycle.
Author & Architect:
Satya Vipperla
SAP BPC & BOBJ Consultant
SAP EPM Community Member
Satya17@gMail.com
A SAP EPM Community Service
01/01/2012
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12. CUBE INFORMATICS
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Process Template: List of current process templates for a
given Model with their status
Author & Architect:
Satya Vipperla
SAP BPC & BOBJ Consultant
SAP EPM Community Member
Satya17@gMail.com
A SAP EPM Community Service
01/01/2012
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13. CUBE INFORMATICS
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Process Template: New Process
Author & Architect:
Satya Vipperla
SAP BPC & BOBJ Consultant
SAP EPM Community Member
Satya17@gMail.com
A SAP EPM Community Service
01/01/2012
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14. CUBE INFORMATICS
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Process Template: New Process Contd…
Author & Architect:
Satya Vipperla
SAP BPC & BOBJ Consultant
SAP EPM Community Member
Satya17@gMail.com
A SAP EPM Community Service
01/01/2012
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15. CUBE INFORMATICS
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Process Template: New Process – Create Activities
Author & Architect:
Satya Vipperla
SAP BPC & BOBJ Consultant
SAP EPM Community Member
Satya17@gMail.com
A SAP EPM Community Service
01/01/2012
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16. CUBE INFORMATICS
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Process Template: New Process – Select Driving DIM
Member
Author & Architect:
Satya Vipperla
SAP BPC & BOBJ Consultant
SAP EPM Community Member
Satya17@gMail.com
A SAP EPM Community Service
01/01/2012
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17. CUBE INFORMATICS
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Process Template: New Process – Create Performer
Workspace
Once the create button is selected for Performer workspace a new tab will be
created:
We can add Comment, Report or Hyperlink to the current workspace for
the performer to execute
Author & Architect:
Satya Vipperla
SAP BPC & BOBJ Consultant
SAP EPM Community Member
Satya17@gMail.com
A SAP EPM Community Service
01/01/2012
17 | P a g e

18. CUBE INFORMATICS
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Process Template: New Process Contd…
Author & Architect:
Satya Vipperla
SAP BPC & BOBJ Consultant
SAP EPM Community Member
Satya17@gMail.com
A SAP EPM Community Service
01/01/2012
18 | P a g e

19. CUBE INFORMATICS
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Process Template: New Process – Add second Activity
Hyperlink
Author & Architect:
Satya Vipperla
SAP BPC & BOBJ Consultant
SAP EPM Community Member
Satya17@gMail.com
A SAP EPM Community Service
01/01/2012
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20. CUBE INFORMATICS
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Process Template: New Process – Save New Hyperlinks
under Activities
Author & Architect:
Satya Vipperla
SAP BPC & BOBJ Consultant
SAP EPM Community Member
Satya17@gMail.com
A SAP EPM Community Service
01/01/2012
20 | P a g e

21. CUBE INFORMATICS
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Process Template: New Process – You may add a specific
report/input form as well
Author & Architect:
Satya Vipperla
SAP BPC & BOBJ Consultant
SAP EPM Community Member
Satya17@gMail.com
A SAP EPM Community Service
01/01/2012
21 | P a g e

22. CUBE INFORMATICS
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Process Template: New Process – Second Activity: Review
Current Year Budget
Author & Architect:
Satya Vipperla
SAP BPC & BOBJ Consultant
SAP EPM Community Member
Satya17@gMail.com
A SAP EPM Community Service
01/01/2012
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23. CUBE INFORMATICS
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Process Template: New Process – Return to the Process
template screen
Author & Architect:
Satya Vipperla
SAP BPC & BOBJ Consultant
SAP EPM Community Member
Satya17@gMail.com
A SAP EPM Community Service
01/01/2012
23 | P a g e

24. CUBE INFORMATICS
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Process Template: New Process Template Deployment
Author & Architect:
Satya Vipperla
SAP BPC & BOBJ Consultant
SAP EPM Community Member
Satya17@gMail.com
A SAP EPM Community Service
01/01/2012
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25. CUBE INFORMATICS
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Process Instance: New Process Instance
This is also as an Administrator task. The BPF Instance is what is being
executed during a specific planning or consolidation cycle. Only minor
change (like changing the reviewer) will be allowed in Instances of the
base template.
Within Administration tab, choose Process Instances under Business
Process Flows
Author & Architect:
Satya Vipperla
SAP BPC & BOBJ Consultant
SAP EPM Community Member
Satya17@gMail.com
A SAP EPM Community Service
01/01/2012
25 | P a g e

26. CUBE INFORMATICS
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BPF – Process Instances
Author & Architect:
Satya Vipperla
SAP BPC & BOBJ Consultant
SAP EPM Community Member
Satya17@gMail.com
A SAP EPM Community Service
01/01/2012
26 | P a g e

27. CUBE INFORMATICS
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BPF – Process Instances, Choose user
Author & Architect:
Satya Vipperla
SAP BPC & BOBJ Consultant
SAP EPM Community Member
Satya17@gMail.com
A SAP EPM Community Service
01/01/2012
27 | P a g e

28. CUBE INFORMATICS
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BPF – Process Instances, Choose user
Author & Architect:
Satya Vipperla
SAP BPC & BOBJ Consultant
SAP EPM Community Member
Satya17@gMail.com
A SAP EPM Community Service
01/01/2012
28 | P a g e

29. CUBE INFORMATICS
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BPF – Process Instances, Check Assignment
Author & Architect:
Satya Vipperla
SAP BPC & BOBJ Consultant
SAP EPM Community Member
Satya17@gMail.com
A SAP EPM Community Service
01/01/2012
29 | P a g e

30. CUBE INFORMATICS
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BPF – Process Instances Contd…
Check to start the Process Instance and click Finish
Author & Architect:
Satya Vipperla
SAP BPC & BOBJ Consultant
SAP EPM Community Member
Satya17@gMail.com
A SAP EPM Community Service
01/01/2012
30 | P a g e

31. CUBE INFORMATICS
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BPF – Process Instances Contd…
Check to start the Process Instance and click Finish
Author & Architect:
Satya Vipperla
SAP BPC & BOBJ Consultant
SAP EPM Community Member
Satya17@gMail.com
A SAP EPM Community Service
01/01/2012
31 | P a g e

32. CUBE INFORMATICS
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BPF – Process Instances Contd…:
The Process is now available for execution
Author & Architect:
Satya Vipperla
SAP BPC & BOBJ Consultant
SAP EPM Community Member
Satya17@gMail.com
A SAP EPM Community Service
01/01/2012
32 | P a g e

33. CUBE INFORMATICS
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Executing BPF:
Author & Architect:
Satya Vipperla
SAP BPC & BOBJ Consultant
SAP EPM Community Member
Satya17@gMail.com
A SAP EPM Community Service
01/01/2012
33 | P a g e

34. CUBE INFORMATICS
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Execute Process:
Click on Actuals Report will launch EPM Ad in for Excel and a report
similar to the following will be launched.
Once results are reviewed, execute copy package to copy the data to
current year budget
Author & Architect:
Satya Vipperla
SAP BPC & BOBJ Consultant
SAP EPM Community Member
Satya17@gMail.com
A SAP EPM Community Service
01/01/2012
34 | P a g e

35. CUBE INFORMATICS
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Process Template: Run Package Options:
Author & Architect:
Satya Vipperla
SAP BPC & BOBJ Consultant
SAP EPM Community Member
Satya17@gMail.com
A SAP EPM Community Service
01/01/2012
35 | P a g e

36. CUBE INFORMATICS
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Process Template: Run Package Options Contd…
Author & Architect:
Satya Vipperla
SAP BPC & BOBJ Consultant
SAP EPM Community Member
Satya17@gMail.com
A SAP EPM Community Service
01/01/2012
36 | P a g e

37. CUBE INFORMATICS
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Process Instance:
Author & Architect:
Satya Vipperla
SAP BPC & BOBJ Consultant
SAP EPM Community Member
Satya17@gMail.com
A SAP EPM Community Service
01/01/2012
37 | P a g e

38. CUBE INFORMATICS
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Process Instance: Review Process Instance
Once submitted, two options available under Actions, Approve or Reject.
Until Approved, the second Process Instance is not avilable to proceed
Author & Architect:
Satya Vipperla
SAP BPC & BOBJ Consultant
SAP EPM Community Member
Satya17@gMail.com
A SAP EPM Community Service
01/01/2012
38 | P a g e

39. CUBE INFORMATICS
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Process Instance: Approve Process Instances:
The Activity for Create Budget Demo are now complete.
Go to process Monitor and “Finalize” the process:
Author & Architect:
Satya Vipperla
SAP BPC & BOBJ Consultant
SAP EPM Community Member
Satya17@gMail.com
A SAP EPM Community Service
01/01/2012
39 | P a g e

40. CUBE INFORMATICS
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Process Template: Finalize the Process:
Go to process Monitor and “Finalize” the process:
--- Business Process Flow (BPF) ---
Author & Architect:
Satya Vipperla
SAP BPC & BOBJ Consultant
SAP EPM Community Member
Satya17@gMail.com
A SAP EPM Community Service
01/01/2012
40 | P a g e

41. CUBE INFORMATICS
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Disclaimer:
This description is a preliminary version and not subject to a license agreement or
any other agreement with SAP®. This document contains only intended strategies,
developments, and functionalities of the SAP product and is not intended to be
binding upon SAP/us to any particular course of business, product strategy, and/or
development. Please note that this preview is subject to change and may be changed
by SAP at any time without notice.
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The statutory liability for personal injury and defective products is not affected.
SAP Community Contributor:
Author & Architect:
Satya Vipperla
SAP BPC & BOBJ Consultant
SAP EPM Community Member
Satya17@gMail.com
Author & Architect:
Satya Vipperla
SAP BPC & BOBJ Consultant
SAP EPM Community Member
Satya17@gMail.com
A SAP EPM Community Service
01/01/2012
41 | P a g e