Modified: 28 March,2013
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This file contains important information about ReadSoft PROCESS DIRECTOR 7.2.
See the presentation PROCESS DIRECTOR What's New in 7.2 for detailed information on the major new features.
New transaction codes for starting PROCESS DIRECTOR
Order of fields in selection screen
Maximum number of hits by header field
Cover sheet to attach scanned paper documents
Smart Form for visualizing IDocs
Mandatory reason/note when rejecting a document
Jump from one PROCESS DIRECTOR document type to another
Authority check when assigning processor
Improved performance for document versions
User name in messages log and audit trail
Preset IDs for APPROVE, REJECT and RECALL
Copy checks and determinations
Split screen in checks and determinations configuration
Check document fields against check tables
Mapping conversion to store external data string as text
Automatic posting configuration
Configurable field state priorities
Configuration criteria for field statuses
SAP GUI detail screen customization
Customize business objects for archiving
Configuration to extend header tables
Simplified process configuration
Create workflow log depending on status/substatus
REPETITOR program for automatic checking/posting of documents
Configuration dump enhancements
Additional information on login screen
SAP system ID displayed above Worklist
Quick Start icon in the document detail view
Copy or export documents from document list
Display the last note attached to a document
Evaluation of percentage values
pd_forward_dialog_dimension parameter no longer supported
User name display for substitutes
System-specific Web Application URLs
Workflow actions on multiple documents
Maximum number of workflow recipients
Improved control of rejected workflows
BAdI Workflow steps handling CHECK_ACTION
Quotations and scheduling agreements
Duplicates/order updates handling
Check for missing material number
Material determination enhancements
Plant and UoM determination enhancements
Accrual report from PROCESS DIRECTOR Accounts Payable
Total debit and credit amounts in header
Exclude fields STBLG and STJAH in copied document
Alternative payee and Permitted payees
Comments field for vendor master data
Support for NAME3 and NAME4 fields
Vendor search help with block/deletion flags
Preset bank name and SWIFT number
Automatic change of payment blocks in SAP
Display of payments per vendor
Additional editing possibilities for line items
Credit/debit sign in Amount field
Create and archive report of line item proposals
Program to schedule payment proposal import
Customer Master Data Maintenance
A number of measures have been taken to improve performance of the application, for example, in the user interface, the database layer, and the amount of data exchanged between the Web Application and SAP.
It is now possible to use the transaction code /COCKPIT/PD as well as /n/EBY/PD to start PROCESS DIRECTOR. /n/EBY/PDAP can be used as well as /COCKPIT/1, and /n/EBYPDAPWC as well as /COCKPIT/WC.
It is now possible to configure a start-up selection screen, which is displayed instead of the Worklist when users start PROCESS DIRECTOR. Users must first enter search criteria and execute the search. The Worklist then displays only documents that correspond to the entered search criteria. The start-up selection screen has a general section, the search fields of which apply for more than one process type, and may also have sections for specific process types.
The addition of the Order field in the selection screen configuration now makes it possible to determine the order in which the fields will be displayed in the selection screen.
Previously, the Max. number of hits setting limited the document list to display the most recently created documents. Now, if a sort type is set for a header field (or fields) in the field catalog, the list is first sorted by that field and then limited to the maximum number of hits.
The Application toolbar now displays only those buttons that are relevant to the selected document(s) or Worklist node.
It is now possible to automatically create a cover sheet for request-driven documents when these are saved in the Web Application. The cover sheet can be scanned together with other paper documents, and these are then automatically attached to the PROCESS DIRECTOR document. The scan profile ID (mapping ID) and the external field names must be maintained in the PROCESS DIRECTOR mapping configuration.
Documents received via EDI can be supplemented with an attachment that visualizes the document. PROCESS DIRECTOR uses a Smart Form to create the attachment on transfer of the IDoc into PROCESS DIRECTOR. A pre-defined Smart Form is available for Customer Orders. To use this feature for other process types, custom Smart Forms must be created.
It is now possible to configure mandatory rejection reasons and/or notes when a user rejects a PROCESS DIRECTOR document. This applies to the standard rejection function, not to rejection of documents in a workflow. Configuration criteria can be used to specify conditions for rejection reasons/notes. A BAdI is also available to add custom logic before or after a rejection reason/note is entered.
It is now possible to display the relations between PROCESS DIRECTOR documents and SAP documents in an additional grid in the document overview and document detail view. For example, if a requisition and a corresponding order confirmation and goods receipt have been created in PROCESS DIRECTOR and posted to SAP, the relations grid displays these PROCESS DIRECTOR documents and their corresponding SAP documents.
It is now possible to jump from a field within one PROCESS DIRECTOR document type to another PROCESS DIRECTOR document type, similar to the way it is possible to jump from a PROCESS DIRECTOR document field to an SAP document. For example, the new Electronic Bank Statements document type has a field that displays the related PROCESS DIRECTOR payment advice document in the Payment Advice field. Clicking on this field displays the PROCESS DIRECTOR payment advice document.
Previously, it was possible for a user to assign a document to a processor who was not authorized to view the document. The system now checks whether the processor has the required authorization and issues a message if this is not the case.
Performance has been improved with regard to working with document versions.
The messages log and audit trail now display the user's first and last name, with the user name (logon name) in parentheses after the full name. If no full name is available, only the user name is displayed.
A number of new user settings have been introduced in the SAP GUI:
Message docking: Messages can now be displayed at the top, bottom, right or left of the screen.
Always enter detail view in change mode: Automatically switch to change mode when the document detail view is opened (if change mode is permissible).
Jump to next document when processing complete: Automatically display the next document when processing of the current document is completed.
Skip locked docs. on jump to previous/next doc.: Skip documents that are being processed by another user without displaying a message that the document is locked.
Image viewer type: A choice of viewers for displaying document attachments is now available (HTML, ECL or local viewer).
Always show image in detail view: Automatically display the document image when the document detail view is opened.
Always show image on jump to SAP transaction: Automatically display the document image when an SAP transaction is opened from within the PROCESS DIRECTOR document.
Standard Worklist views are now available for each process type. Worklist views are required for semi-dynamic nodes and selection screens.
To improve Worklist performance, a buffer has been introduced for Worklist GUIDs. The system works with the buffer until the Refresh button is clicked, the selection screen is used, or a document is created in the Worklist node. Two new Worklist node parameters - Always select GUIDs from DB and Always keep counters current - make it possible to override the use of the buffer and access the data directly.
Preset IDs are now available for the workflow actions APPROVE, REJECT and RECALL.
It is now possible to copy checks and determinations.
A new user parameter, /EBY/PDBO_CHK_SPLITV, makes it possible to split the checks and determination screen vertically so that the check/determination details and message parameters are displayed on the right instead of at the bottom of the screen. This is convenient when using a high resolution screen.
Previously, the check /EBY/CL_PDVI_EVT_CHK_CHECKTABL only checked fields in the SAP GUI against check tables provided in the model data structure. This check now works for the Web Application as well.
A new mapping conversion, /EBY/PDBO_MAF_ADD_TEXT, is available to store an external data string as a PROCESS DIRECTOR text. The external field containing the string must be mapped to an internal PROCESS DIRECTOR field.
Previously, captured documents were automatically posted to SAP if they were free from errors after checking. It is now possible to configure automatic posting. Automatic posting can be allowed or disallowed based on the values of specific fields.
It is now possible to define priorities for field statuses. If several field statuses are valid (workflow step, document status, Worklist node), the field status with the highest priority will be applied. However, a field status with a higher priority does not override all fields of the status with a lower priority; the field statuses are merged, so that only those fields of the status with a lower priority that are different are overridden by the status with a higher priority.
It is now possible to define configuration criteria to determine whether a field status is applied based on specific values.
It is now possible to replace the background detail screen of the SAP GUI document detail view in order to influence its size.
PROCESS DIRECTOR provides a standard system configuration that determines which SAP business objects are connected to a specific PROCESS DIRECTOR document type. Attachments to PROCESS DIRECTOR documents are available via the Services for object > Attachment list menu in the configured SAP business objects. It is now possible to customize this configuration in accordance with customer needs.
In order to overcome the SAP limitation of a maximum number of possible fields in a structure, it is now possible to extend the header table with additional tables.
Previously, configuring processes such as automatic workflow start or posting rules required advanced knowledge of PROCESS DIRECTOR actions and events. The configuration of such processes has now been simplified. The most frequently used processes are pre-configured in the Process parameters configuration screen, so that the parameters can be quickly and easily configured without having to select the appropriate action and event. These include processes for archiving, checks, posting, workflow, and other processes.
It is now possible to specify multiple document statuses/substatuses for the creation of the workflow log (GETCON event parameter).
The program /EBY/PDBO_REPETITOR is now available to automatically check and post documents at regular intervals.
The Determination results BAdI is now available to add customer logic after determinations are run (but before checks are performed).
Debug messages are now available that indicate when an active BAdI implementation is called.
If a process type is not configured in the Worklist, by default its related classes are not processed. If the customer has a custom-built solution that needs to use these classes, it is possible to include them in processing.
A number of improvements have been made to the /EBY/PDBO_CONFIG_DUMP program. It is now possible to download, upload or compare specific tables, for which pre-defined variants are supplied. It is also possible to download only the configuration of a specific process type.
It is now possible to show additional information on the login screen; this can be information from the buyer to the vendor, or information from ReadSoft, such as system downtime or maintenance announcements.
It is now possible to move from field to field using the arrow up/down keys and from page to page using the page up/page down keys. Browser navigation buttons (back, forward) are also supported.
In systems without a Master Worklist configuration, the SAP system ID is now displayed above the Worklist.
The Quick Start icon is now available on the document detail screen as well as the document overview screen.
The layout of the header data has been redesigned to improve usability. Data fields are no longer displayed in tabs, but in individual panes within the header area. This means that all data can be displayed at the same time, except on smaller screens, where the user can browse and hide or display individual panes. Attachments, notes, messages and the audit trail can be displayed by clicking the appropriate button on the right of the screen.
Read-only fields in the document detail view are now displayed in a specific style (color) depending on the message type belonging to the field.
A new parameter, pd_show_old_messages, controls whether only the most recent messages are displayed or also messages from previous actions.
A new parameter, csvDownloadList, is now available. This setting allows users to copy or export the documents in the document list.
The imageattach and imageattach.STEPID parameters are now available. They enable users to add an invoice image to the document, provided the invoice can be edited and has no image attached to it already.
A new parameter, pd_show_last_note, is now available. If this parameter is set, the last note attached to a document in a workflow is displayed. The number of characters to be displayed needs to be specified.
It is now possible to enter percentages in the accounting lines. They will be evaluated and automatically converted to absolute values, to correspond with the header data.
It is now possible to create customized buttons in the PROCESS DIRECTOR Web Application.
The pd_forward_dialog_dimension parameter is no longer supported. It was used to set the size of the Workflow start/Workflow status dialog box.
Two new parameters, userformat.superior and userformat.superior.tooltip, make it possible to control which information is displayed in the Worklist node and node tooltip for substitutes. The user ID, user type, user name, department, phone and email can be displayed.
It is now possible to specify different URLs for different SAP systems in the General settings (/PDWC_VGENC).
It is now possible to perform the workflow actions start, recall, approve, reject and forward on multiple documents.
It is now possible to specify a maximum number of recipients for a workflow step in the step settings.
When a workflow step is rejected, it is now possible to send the document back to the previous or first workflow recipient instead of the previous or first workflow processor. (If a workflow step has been forwarded or processed by a substitute, the processor of a step may not be the same person as the recipient who originally received the step).
The document detail view now displays the workflow and step names in both the SAP GUI and the detail screen in the Web App.
A new method, CHECK_ACTION, is available in the Workflow steps handling BAdI. This method implements a check to establish what happens when one of the actions approve, query, forward or reject is performed. This can be useful, for example, to check if an approver has authorization to perform an action.
PROCESS DIRECTOR now supports the creation of quotations and scheduling agreements. For these documents, additional fields are available in which the validity dates can be entered. It is also possible to create a sales order with reference to a quotation.
A new check, /EBY/CL_PDSO_EVT_CHK_OPEN, checks if an open contract or open quotation exists for the given sold-to party and if the Reference doc. field in the PD document is empty. If so, an error message is raised.
The duplicate check has been enhanced to enable users to process possible duplicates and order updates. If a purchase order number that already exists is captured or entered and the duplicate check is configured accordingly, a popup opens in which the user can view documents that have the same PO number. The user can choose to reject the current document or the original document, to manually update the sales order in SAP, or to delete the SAP document.
PROCESS DIRECTOR now provides a number of ALV reports for monitoring KPIs (key performance indicators), including document and item overviews, processing issues and statistics, and workflow related reports.
The Customer Orders duplicate check now also checks for the Sold-To party, rejected PD documents and SAP sales orders with a header value of zero.
The check /EBY/CL_PDSO_EVT_CHK_ITEMS (Check count of order item positions) now checks whether a material number has been entered for all line items and returns an error message if not.
It is now possible to specify a minimum length when searching for a manufacturer or customer part number or EAN. The search will not be executed if the length of the material number given on the customer order is below this value. It is now possible to search for alternative EANs. Materials that are not valid for the given sales organization and materials that are blocked for sales are automatically eliminated from the search results. The search uses wild cards at the beginning and end if an exact match is not found.
There are now separate determinations for plant and unit of measurement (UoM). The UoM can be determined from a captured UoM description or from the material master (general or sales data). In addition, the search help for the line item sales unit now only displays units that are valid for the material.
The following new posting types are available for FI G/L Account postings:
Regular postings
Adjustment postings
Provisions
These can be assigned a validity date by which they are to be released.
Reminder emails are sent when this date is reached.
Recurring entries
A template document with complete posting data and scheduling details
is created in PROCESS DIRECTOR and new G/L postings are automatically
created from the template as scheduled. The resulting postings have
a reference to the template, and the template a reference to all created
postings. The process is simpler and more flexible than in SAP standard.
Accrual with reversal
The PROCESS DIRECTOR document is posted with a reversal date and reason.
Posting is performed with transaction FBS1 and the standard SAP mechanism
(F.81) automatically reverses it on the specified date.
Recurring accrual with reversal
The following new posting types are available for FI Customer postings:
Invoice
Credit note
Recurring invoice
Deferral (invoice)
Here it is possible to specify a validity date. If the amount is not
consumed by this date, a reminder email is sent to the document creator.
Write-off
A configuration screen is available for configuring and activating these process types. A program is also available to synchronize document statuses between the SAP documents and the PROCESS DIRECTOR documents.
A report is now available that collects aggregated accrual information from unposted PROCESS DIRECTOR Accounts Payable documents. The report displays all PD AP document line items that have not yet been posted. It is possible to select line items in the report and create an aggregated accrual posting in PROCESS DIRECTOR Financial Postings that consists of all selected line items and one aggregated offsetting / balancing position.
The total debit and total credit amounts are now displayed in the document header. A status icon indicates whether or not there is a discrepancy in the total amounts, and checks return an error message if there is a balance.
By default, the header fields STBLG (Reverse document number) and STJAH (Reverse document fiscal year) are now excluded when a document is copied.
It is now possible to configure the popup that is displayed when a new master data request is created. The popup title can be changed and the available fields and dropdown lists can be customized.
Fields are now available for the entry of withholding tax data.
It is now possible to enter an alternative payee and permitted payees in a vendor master data maintenance request.
The Comments field for vendor master address data is now available in PROCESS DIRECTOR.
The NAME3 and NAME4 fields are now available and the values are transferred to the vendor master address data. Note that by default these fields are hidden and must be re-configured in the customer field catalog in order for them to be displayed.
Search help is now available to enable the user to search for vendors by block or deletion flags.
A new preset class, /EBY/CL_PDMDVM_PRESET_IBAN2BNK, is available to preset the bank country, key, account number and control key based on the entered IBAN number.
A new preset class, /EBY/CL_PDMDVM_PRESET_BANKDETS, is now available to preset the bank name and SWIFT code based on the entered country and bank key.
A new check event, /EBY/CL_PDMDVM_EVT_CHK_EMAIL, is now available that checks whether there is a valid email address in the vendor master.
A new check event, /EBY/CL_PDMDVM_EVT_CHK_ADDR, is now available that checks the validity of address data.
It is now possible to compare the PROCESS DIRECTOR general ledger accounts data with the SAP data.
It is now possible to deactivate individual depreciation areas for an asset.
Three new checks are available that check the price, quantity and delivery date. These checks can be used when no SAP confirmation control configuration is in place. A new check is also available for checking Incoterms.
Previously, payment blocks entered in the PROCESS DIRECTOR payment proposal document had to be manually entered in SAP in transaction F110. Payment blocks are now automatically updated in the SAP transaction.
A new grid has been introduced that displays the payments in the proposal per vendor. When the user double-clicks a vendor payment line, the individual line items for that payment line are displayed. This improves usability and performance.
In addition to changing the payment block, it is now possible to perform other editing functions, such as entering cash discounts or reallocating items.
Credit/debit signs (+/-) are now displayed in the Amount field in order to be able to sum up these values in the grid.
Key processing fields in Payment Approval documents now have the search help function.
It is now possible to create a report containing the line item proposals. The report is added as an attachment and archived with the PROCESS DIRECTOR document.
It is now possible to import payment proposals by company code, specify a start date for the import, exclude payment proposals with exceptions, and include payment requests.
Measures were taken to improve system performance when working with Payment Approvals.
New payment proposals in SAP are imported into PROCESS DIRECTOR when the user clicks a payment proposal Worklist node or the Refresh button. This can result in performance issues if you have a lot of payment proposals, or payment proposals with many line items. A program, /EBY/PDPR_IMPORT, is now available that imports new SAP payment proposals into PROCESS DIRECTOR. This program can be scheduled to run at regular intervals, for example, overnight. Clicking a Worklist node or the Refresh button would then only import proposals that have been created since the last program run. This can considerably improve performance.
Similar to vendor master data maintenance, it is now possible to create and process requests for changes to customer master data.
This process allows users to create requests for asset acquisition postings. It is possible to post an asset acquisition for multiple fixed assets in one PROCESS DIRECTOR request.
This process allows users to create requests for asset transfer postings, either within one company code or between different company codes.
This process allows users to create requests for asset retirement postings.
This process enables users to create requests to block or release invoices for payment, as well as requests to cancel invoices that have already been posted in SAP. Cancelation can take place with or without automatic clearing, depending on the customization parameters. If PROCESS DIRECTOR Accounts Payable is installed and licensed and there is a corresponding PROCESS DIRECTOR invoice document, this can optionally also be canceled. Individual configuration of the process per company code is possible.
Note: This process type requires the installation of PROCESS DIRECTOR Accounts Payable (/COCKPIT/ namespace) in the customer system. However, it is not required that a valid PROCESS DIRECTOR Accounts Payable is available in the system, and no configuration of PROCESS DIRECTOR Accounts Payable is necessary.
This process provides a list of electronic bank statements with uncleared item. Payment advices can be assigned automatically or manually to the uncleared items. If a match is found, the payment advice is assigned automatically via a preset. If not match is found, the user can manually enter the payment advice number, or can create a new PROCESS DIRECTOR payment advice document and post it to SAP. The details are then entered in the PROCESS DIRECTOR electronic bank statement item.
If you have questions or problems, please contact your local ReadSoft representative. Information on how to reach the local support channels is available at http://www.readsoft.com/services/support.htm.
Authorized ReadSoft customers and partners can obtain upgrades from the ReadSoft home page at the following locations: