The new GIB Release 23.0 is here! This extensive and useful system upgrade is now available for download in our customer portal.
On this landing page we show you which new functions and features you can expect in Release 23.0. Each section contains the indication if the new features are exclusively available for GIB SCX or if there is also a downgrade for GIB Suite.
For all template users there is a little sensation: With our programming templates you can now easily build your own Fiori interfaces!
We have also summarized all essential technical aspects on this page.
If you have further questions or need support with the installation of the release, please open a ticket in our customer portal. Simply click on the button at the bottom of the page and log in with your user data.
Look forward to exciting functionalities and even better usability!
News about the SCX indicators and the SCX process explorer
With the new Release 23.0, in SCX the Role Administration Cockpit (RAC) can be migrated to the SCX RAC.
Migration of RAC into SCX RAC
The RAC already offered role-based and activity-oriented work for users under SAP ECC 6.0. Due to new requirements and functional enhancements, a new SCX RAC has now been created in SCX. The SCX RAC guides the user through the SCX process. The new function ensures simple and fast migration of the RAC to the SCX RAC. This reduces the effort required to manually recreate all settings in SCX RAC analogous to RAC. Users, activities and roles are migrated here.
New in Demand Planning
In the new version, GIB Forecast offers a fundamentally revised tool for measuring the planning quality based on the VDA 9000 standard. In this way, the quality of the planning carried out can be analyzed in a user-friendly manner and possible optimizations can be worked out at the desired level. Furthermore, the automatic model selection was extended by a forecast method. In addition, the selection for entering the planning sheet and the dashboard have been enriched with useful parameters. Moreover, a new editing of editable fields within the material overview enables a clear adjustment of mass data.
Roman Bernikov, Software Developer Forecast at ifm business solutions gmbh, presents the innovations in Demand Planning (GIB SCX on SAP S/4HANA and GIB Suite on SAP ECC 6.0).
Quality of planning/forecast – QOPF
The colored markings, meaningful icons and dynamic adjustment of the considered levels from within the application support the user in the analysis.
The tool for measuring planning quality has been fundamentally revised for the new SCX and Suite release. In particular, the usability and the targeted analysis of the forecast quality on the individual levels of the hierarchical planning were implemented in a focused manner. Thus, the tool allows a comfortable access to individual hierarchies, hierarchy nodes or aggregated over a selected element a different perspective on the forecast quality depending on the level.
Forecast: automatic model selection
The method "Combined Forecast“ (CF) is available as a new method in forecasting with automatic model selection for X and Y materials in the new SCX and Suite release.
Extensive selection extensions
Thanks to the extensive expansion of the selection screens – both the planning sheet and the dashboard – a convenient and targeted program entry is possible. An additional option allows a choice of data selection on aggregated level or material level.
Planning sheet
Dashboard
Mass change of forecast material overview
Editable fields can now be comfortably adjusted across all selected data or a desired cross marking with just one click. The feature is available in both the new SCX and Suite releases.
New in Manufacturing
The new release offers exciting innovations for the production connection. In this release, the focus is on further simplifications. An AI-based algorithm simplifies production planning and new Fiori apps support workers in production execution and confirmation.
Sebastian Lindig, Senior Developer and Björn Knabe, Product Manager, both ifm business solutions gmbh, present the innovations in Manufacturing (GIB SCX on SAP S/4HANA and GIB Suite on ECC 6.0).
Manufacturing Apps
GXM Factory Optimization Excellence (FOX)
The "control center" for order processing
GIB SCX on SAP S/4HANA offers the possibility to use an AI-based algorithm for optimized production planning. In the process, all necessary data is determined from the S/4 system – without duplicate or additional data maintenance. Cross-order structures can now be determined via "pegging" even for anonymous make-to-stock production. The data and information determined in pegging are then passed on to the so-called "optimizer".
The optimizer then puts the object dependencies extracted from the SAP system together with all determined restrictions into an optimized sequence.
This optimized production plan is created using an intelligent algorithm and then imported into the SAP system. There, all affected orders are automatically rescheduled according to their new sequence.
Extended Shopfloor Terminal App
Production planning: The sequence matters
In GIB SCX on SAP S/4HANA, the Shopfloor Terminal App has more information and functions. For example, additional columns have been added. Moreover, the system now also offers further detailed information on long texts and means of production. The worker can now enter info texts that are displayed directly to the production planner in Manufacturing (GXM). For further simplification of processes, a direct jump to one of the two new confirmation apps is now available for the worker.
New confirmation app “time event”
Manual time event reporting – timely, process-reliable and simple
The new time event confirmation app in GIB SCX on SAP S/4HANA enables the worker to enter an error-free time event confirmation in a very simple way. Incorrect entries can be avoided by offering the worker a selection of predefined confirmation record types from which he can choose one. Thanks to the standardized confirmation record types, component withdrawals and incoming goods can now be booked automatically in the background according to system customizing – all clearly laid out in a modern Fiori application that runs on desktop devices and tablets.
By the way: This type of confirmation also makes it possible to calculate an Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) for workplaces with manual feedback acquisition.
New confirmation app “time ticket”
Time ticket confirmation – classic in new form
The new confirmation app for time tickets in GIB SCX on SAP S/4HANA enables the worker to enter time ticket messages. The app can be started manually or called up directly from the Shopfloor Terminal App. It is clearly presented in a modern Fiori application that can run on desktop devices and tablets. There is no need to operate a complicated SAP GUI transaction. Thus, the input for the worker is simple and quick to make, which is why errors are avoided and late entries by a central location are unnecessary. Component withdrawals and incoming goods are automatically booked in the background according to system customizing.
New in Procurement
In SCX Procurement, there is a new app that optimizes procurement prices by always identifying the lowest source of supply for purchase requisitions. A new icon has been added to the Operations main list, which can be used to quickly determine the pegged requirements for all material requirements. In addition, it is now possible to save your own information at document level in GIB Operations.
Sebastian Lindig, Senior Developer and Felix Grab, Technical Management, both ifm business solutions gmbh, present the innovations in Procurement (GIB SCX on SAP S/4HANA and GIB Suite on ECC 6.0).
Optimization procurement price
Start tile on launchpad
The new SCX-exclusive app “optimization procurement price" was created to provide a price-optimized source of supply finding for purchase requisitions that shows the group-wide savings potential.
Overview of purchase requisitions including possible cost savings
All purchase requisitions and their valid sources of supply –including the respective savings potential – are clearly displayed in the app. Compliance with the delivery time is considered and all procurement and bulk prices are shown. In this way, cost savings in procurement can be realized.
Document analysis in the list report
The list report for the analysis of the individual documents can be called up filtered via the jump of a line from the table area (see marking in the screenshot on the left) or unfiltered via the corresponding tile on the launchpad. For a quick overview, purchase requisitions with savings potential are highlighted in green, documents with savings potential over the next scale are highlighted in yellow and documents with errors are highlighted in red.
Bottleneck planning
In the Operations main list, a new icon is displayed if an exception exists that the element should be preferred. This is possible for real data as well as for simulative scenarios. When clicking on the icon, the pegged requirements are determined for all requirements of the material and the requirements are brought to a period beam. Quantities can also be simulated here, as is already known from the period details.
The great advantage of this new function, which is available for GIB SCX and GIB Suite, is the significant time saving for the user, since the determination of this information was previously associated with very high effort.
Comment texts and codes in the accompanying detail windows
Until now, Operations only had comment texts and codes at material and plant level or in the MRP area. From now on, in GIB SCX and GIB Suite, you can also save your own information at document level. This sustainably improves communication and transparency.
New in Inventory Management
The introduction of the first Virtual Data Model (VDM) makes real-time analysis without job scheduling possible.
Tim Kolb, Software Developer Inventory at ifm business solutions gmbh, presents the innovations in Inventory Management (GIB SCX on SAP S/4HANA and GIB Suite on ECC 6.0).
Visualization of key figures? No problem!
New design, new possibilities: Periodic key figures can be created on day, week, month, quarter and year with the new VDM. Furthermore, the number of available aggregation levels has increased significantly. Thus, key figures are possible, for example, at company code level, batch level, material type level or stock type level.
The denormalized database table "MATDOC", which represents the new data basis in Inventory Management under SAP S/4HANA, is used to determine the live key figures. This ensures a real-time analysis of the most current system data.
Thanks to the connection to an analytical list page, up to 14 different charts are available to the user (depending on the UI5 version). All key figures and aggregation levels can, for example, be integrated into pie charts, bar charts or heat maps with just a few clicks.
Controlling area for/with transit stock
In the customizing of the controlling areas, it is now possible to determine how the stock in transit is to be taken into account via three radio buttons in both the GIB SCX and the GIB Suite. The selection "Without transit stock" reflects the default value. With the help of the other two setting options, the stock in transit can be included or taken over separately, i.e. without a default value, into a controlling area.
New in Shop Floor Integration (SFI)
The new release highlights SFI's central role as an integration solution. This offers the possibility of networking production-related shop floor and logistics systems with SAP ERP processes. In addition, GIB supply chain solutions, e. g. the Manufacturing of the SCX Suite, and ifm software solutions, e. g. the ifm mate, are now also integrated. This shows how production lines will be even more closely interlinked with production planning in real time in the future.
Nikolaj Schmitz, Product Manager SFI at ifm business solutions gmbh, presents the innovations in Shop Floor Integration (GIB SCX on SAP S/4HANA and GIB Suite on ECC 6.0).
SAP integration of the worker assistance system ifm mate
The new SCX-exclusive integration solution enables an end-to-end process from scheduling to realization of manufacturing or packaging orders. This is realized using GIB Manufacturing by retrieving the associated data from ifm mate, performing an assembly or packaging operation with subsequent quality control and finally automatically reporting back the number of pieces produced.
Components involved:
Practical example for the use of Shop Floor Integration
AI-supported worker assistance system ifm mate: workplace with material boxes
The worker assistance system ifm mate is connected to an SAP system via SFI and then performs the following steps:
- Onboarding: The mate is assigned to a workplace in SAP.
- Scanning: The order papers are scanned at the mate.
- Readout: The order data is read from SAP.
- Control: A check is made to see if the scanned job matches the mate workplace.
- Load program: mate loads the appropriate assembly/packaging instructions.
- Manufacturing: The product is manufactured/packaged.
- Quality control: Camera-based quality control is performed.
- Confirmation: Good parts or rejects are reported back to the SAP system.
Throughout the entire process, the current number of pieces produced for the production order can be tracked in real time in the GIB GXM Shopfloor Terminal App.
Benefits
Fast training of personnel
Reduction of error rates
Automatic provision of order data at the workplace
Use of the best way in assembly/packaging
Integrated quality control
Automatic feedback in real time
Material monitoring: automatic triggering of Kanban control cycles
Sensor technology can be used to determine material quantities in a wide variety of ways:
- Number of boxes in the input buffer, e. g. by laser-based distance measurement
- Weight of a material box (number of screws, etc.)
- Filling level in a tank
- Digital 3D camera (number of objects on pallet etc.)
- and much more
The material quantity is measured in real time. If the quantity falls below a minimum value, SFI can then trigger a wide variety of processes in the SAP ERP system, e. g. material withdrawal from stock, material reservation or triggering of an order.
Representation of the Kanban control cycle in the SFI system
Triggering a status change in a Kanban control cycle is included as a new feature in SFI Release 23.0. This automatically initiates material provision. This is done according to the supply process that is stored in the control cycle.
The new function for SAP Kanban control cycles can be easily set up via event maintenance by selecting it in the rule items (see screenshot on the left). It is available for both SAP ECC 6.0 and SAP S/4HANA.
In SFI, two events "full" and "empty" were defined for each of the three Kanban IDs of the control cycle shown. The "full" event sets Kanban status 5 (Kanban full), the "empty" event sets Kanban status 2 (Kanban empty, with replenishment). Both events close the opposite event.
Status display of the Kanban control cycle with three Kanban IDs. The status is set automatically by SFI.
Benefits
Avoiding material bottlenecks
Immediate and reliable triggering
Triggering on demand
Elimination of manual effort for capturing material quantities
Elimination of manual effort in setting the associated Kanban signal
Finding the correct Kanban status in SAP
Display of the number of events directly on the Fiori tile in the launchpad
The number of events and error states is displayed directly on the tiles in the launchpad.
The SFI event monitor displays incoming events from the upstream IIoT platform (warning and error states on machines, material shortages, etc.). To see the number of open events of the current day immediately, you no longer must start the app in the future, but see them directly in the Fiori launchpad.
The SFI health monitor displays the connection status of the upstream IIoT platform. Here, too, you no longer must launch the app to get the information. You can see directly in the Fiori launchpad whether there are any error states. This feature is only available for GIB SCX on SAP S/4HANA.
Various handling improvements
Various usability improvements simplify the use and operation of the software for the SFI user:
Notification in case of an error
If errors occur in signal or event processing, selected users are proactively notified.
Branching to signal maintenance from event maintenance
It is now possible to call signals from event maintenance and vice versa.
Update function in signal onboarding
If new signals have been created in the upstream IIoT platform since the last call of the signal transfer, these are marked accordingly as "new" in the SFI transfer tool. This simplifies the search for new signals.
Action log for signals and event definitions
A new function supports companies in their documentation obligations. SFI now logs when which user has made changes to signals and event definitions. The original value is also updated in the action log.
The new dimension of GIB programming templates
Lukas Kohl, Software Developer Inventory at ifm business solutions gmbh, presents the innovations in the programming templates.
Build Fiori apps yourself? The programming templates for developers make it possible!
Using the templates, it is now possible to create an OData service for a report generated from the current ALV-Grid template, which can be displayed in a Fiori app.
For this purpose, a template SEGW Gateway Service Builder project and methods that facilitate service creation are available.
From now on, it is very easy to create modern Fiori apps yourself. Based on the well-known GIB ABAP programming templates, the groundbreaking further development of the templates enables professional app design in Fiori optics – and without much effort.
In addition, it is now also possible in the templates to display the status of the last preliminary corrections using the GIB notes program.
In order to standardize the maintenance of the product registration across all GIB products and to prepare for the changeover to a subscription model, the product registration of the templates will take place via the central GIB product registration as of Release 23.0.
Technical details
Download and installation
The release can be downloaded via our customer portal.
Technical requirements
The technical requirements for Release 23.0 can be viewed here. If you need support with the release change, please contact us.
Available for
GIB Suite / GIB SFI: SAP Business Suite – ERP 6.0 EhP 7 and 8
GIB SCX / GIB SFI (with integrated front-end functionalities based on the latest SAPUI5 technology): S/4HANA 2020 / 2021 / 2022
Hint for existing customers using SCX or planning SAP S/4HANA conversion
With GIB SCX 23.0 we deliver our authorization objects in the GIB namespace for the first time. Due to this, it may be necessary to manually adjust your authorization roles. Please follow the corresponding instructions in the installation guide.
Languages
The release is delivered in German and English by default.
The following languages are scheduled to be available as of week 12: French, Italian, Korean, Croatian, Czech, Hungarian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Slovak, Slovenian (*), Spanish, Swedish, and Thai.
Chinese (simplified), Japanese, Dutch, and Turkish are expected to be available from mid-April.
(*) Please check the availability of the language package for the individual modules in advance.
Support desired?
We are happy to take over the release change in your system landscape.
Request your individual offer by opening a ticket via our customer portal. We will put together the right support package for you.
