benefits of PI sheets

[raju_123]

Hi Gurus, Please advise what are the advantages or disadvantages of pi sheets? thank you.

[uwe_dittes]

Hi,

I suppose you talk about browser-based PI Sheets (PP-PI)/Electronic Work Instructions (PP) (and not old ABAP list based PI Sheets)?

Browser-based PI Sheets and Process Operator Cockpits are part of process management functionality for process industries (application components PP-PI-PMA*). Have a look at corresponding chapters in SAP library first to get an impression about features and functions.

Major advantages are:

• Tight integration of PI Sheet functionality into planning and production processes (manufacturing orders, quality management, inventory management, OPC data access etc.).
• Easy handling of building blocks for PI Sheets with the help of XStep functionality
• Flexible UI layout via XSL and CSS stylesheets
• etc. etc.

Disadvantages:

• Once PI Sheets or EWIs are generated from control recipes/instructions you can't change their content (add additional instructions, processing steps)
  • You can define such additional elements, make it invisible and activate it based on predefined conditions
• Currently limited capabilities for mobile devices and touchscreens
  • PI Sheets can be processed on iPads using Citrix clients...
  • SAP provides standard stylesheet for touchscreen that covers basic functions 

Check presentations and recordings of Arne's XStep café or book SAP training course SCM 372 😉

Greetings

Uwe

[raju_123]

Hi, Thanks for the response. looking for the benefits of abap based pi sheets against standard process order without pi sheets? thank you.

[uwe_dittes]

Hi,

since R/3 4.6 support for ABAP list based PI Sheets is limited to customers
that already used them before (see SAP note 397504 for details). At this time
browser-based PI Sheets have introduced and have got functional enhancements
through the last years. So don't introduce ABAP list based PI Sheets for
customers that start working with PI Sheets.

Using or not using (browser-based) PI Sheets strongly depends on business
processes and scenarios of your customer/your company, especially when
production execution has to be managed by workers/shift members at the
shop-floor level. Some examples:

• If you already use MES software
       from other companies or already execute confirmation of consumed time and
       quantities with ERP manufacturing order transactions you probably don't
       want to introduce PP PI process management including browser-based PI
       Sheets
• If you work in an regulated
       environment (pharma, medical devices etc.) you have to track and trace
       information that is critical for the quality of your production/products.
       Here PI sheets come into place because features like cross-check digital
       signatures can be easily applied to.
• If you want to standardize your
       production processes worldwide and provide a single document from which
       your users can navigate to various transactions and return then browser
       based PI Sheets and Electronic Work Instructions might be the choice.
       Usage of standard execution steps (SXS) as flexible building blocks for
       browser-based PI Sheets significantly reduce TCO at customer side. Some
       customers are able to manage SXS content directly by members of the
       shop-floor department instead of maintenance done by their IT department.
• Usage of SAP process management components like PI Sheets don't cause extra licence costs at customer side. Customers that use ERP manufacturing orders and 3rd party MES systems have to pay licence fees for both (and cope with data and process integration problems and costs..)..
• etc...

So you can manage shop-floor business processes with or without using SAP
process management (PP-PI-PMA). Make a detailed analysis of the needs and
bottle-necks of customers business processes first. Then check, if SAP
PP-PI-PMA components can improve these processes. If yes, do it..

Greetings

Uwe