Foundation layer for services based enterprise software architecture

• US 20070233728A1
• Filed: 03/30/2006
• Published: 10/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SAP SE
• Original Assignee: SAP AG (SAP SE)
• Inventors: Morsch, Andreas, Neumann, Andreas, Bauer, Michael, Schmitt, Matthias, Said, Bare, Meyringer, Michael, Henrich, Dirk, Schmitt, Bernd, Huppert, Andreas, Bruss, Ingo, Storch, Silke, Grossmann, Toralf, Pielka, Kai-Uwe, Puteick, Joachim, Schaude, Horst, Geipel, Hendrik, Bahr, Klaus, Neumann, Michael, Miller, Stefan, Yeddula, Ashwin, Rogge, Martin, Rehfeld, Florian, Pluemper, Andrea
• Granted Patent: US 8,438,119 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling

Abstract

Methods and apparatus, including systems and computer program products, for a services architecture design that provides enterprise services having foundation layer functionality at the level of an enterprise application. The design includes a set of service operations, process components, and optionally deployment units. Suitable business objects are also described.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a computer system comprising one or more hardware platforms for executing computer software; and

computer software deployed on the computer system as a foundation layer, the computer software implementing a plurality of business objects, the business objects comprising master data objects, the master data objects comprising;

a business partner master data object, wherein the business partner master data object represents a person, organization or group of persons in which a company has a business interest;

an employee master data object, wherein the employee master data object represents a person who contributes or has contributed to the creation of goods or services for a company;

a clearing house master data object, wherein the clearing house master data object represents an organization which provides the services concerning credit card payments;

a payment card master data object, wherein the payment card master data object represents a payment medium;

a customer master data object, wherein the customer master data object represents a business partner with whom a business relationship exists;

a supplier master data object, wherein the supplier master data object represents a business partner who provides materials and/or services;

a tax authority master data object, wherein the tax authority master data object represents a business partner for value added tax declaration;

a house bank master data object, wherein the house bank master data object represents a business partner providing services for our company, such as account management or lock box;

a sales arrangement master data object, wherein the sales arrangement master data object represents an arrangement that is made by a sales unit for a customer, and is used for sales transactions;

a procurement arrangement master data object, wherein the procurement arrangement master data object represents an arrangement that is made by a purchasing unit for a supplier, and is used for procurement transactions;

a company tax arrangement master data object, wherein the company tax arrangement master data object represents a contractual arrangement based on the agreement between a company and a tax authority for a tax type;

a payment agreement master data object, wherein the payment agreement master data object represents the agreement between a company and a business partner concerning the handling of incoming and outgoing payments;

an organizational center master data object, wherein the organizational center master data object represents a building block of the enterprise model which represents a node in an organizational structure of the extended enterprise;

a position master data object, wherein the position master data object represents an object of the enterprise model representing a specific post in an enterprise that can be occupied by holders and is therefore a placeholder for persons in an organizational structure;

a cost center master data object, wherein the cost center master data object represents an organizational unit that represents a defined location of cost incurrence and for which costs are recorded separately;

a reporting line unit master data object, wherein the reporting line unit master data object represents the organizational unit in the personnel reporting line of the enterprise;

a company master data object, wherein the company master data object represents a financially and legally independent, locally unbound entity registered under business law;

a production center master data object, wherein the production center master data object represents an organizational unit that is responsible for organizing and executing the delivery processes as well as the processes in site logistics;

a distribution center master data object, wherein the distribution center master data object represents an organizational unit that is responsible for organizing and executing the processes in production;

a permanent establishment master data object, wherein the permanent establishment master data object represents an organizational unit that represents a localized subdivision of a company whose business activities are subject to uniform fiscal treatment;

a sales unit master data object, wherein the sales unit master data object represents responsible for planning, realizing and administering of sales force processes;

a purchasing unit master data object, wherein the purchasing unit master data object represents an organizational unit responsible for strategic and operational purchasing;

a service unit master data object, wherein the service unit master data object represents the organizational unit responsible for processes covering all aspects of a customer service and a support center'"'"'s business;

a profit center master data object, wherein the profit center master data object represents an organizational section of the enterprise for which a separate period result is determined and used for profit-oriented rating or control of the section activities;

a segment master data object, wherein the segment master data object represents a business branch of a company for which a closing statement (e.g., a financial statement and a profit and loss statement) is to be created based on the segment reporting regulations within the context of the particular accounting principle;

a program master data object, wherein the program master data object represents an organizational unit that represents a complex temporary undertaking to achieve subordinate objectives within one overall strategy;

a material master data object, wherein the material master data object represents a tangible product such as a sellable article, packaging, auxiliary material or expendable supplies;

a service product master data object, wherein the service product master data object represents an intangible product such as consulting and hotline service;

a warranty master data object, wherein the warranty master data object represents an intangible product such as a warranty for electronic devices and machinery;

an individual material master data object, wherein the individual material master data object represents a tangible product;

a product category hierarchy master data object, wherein the product category hierarchy master data object represents a hierarchy for structuring product categories;

an equipment resource master data object, wherein the equipment resource master data object represents a permanently installed operating facility or a group of identical operating facilities providing capacity to perform specific services;

a vehicle resource master data object, wherein the vehicle resource master data object represents a means of transportation or a group of identical means of transportation providing capacity to perform transportation services;

a labor resource master data object, wherein the labor resource master data object represents an employee or a group of employees with the same skills and qualifications that provides capacity to operate specific devices or to perform specific tasks;

a resource group master data object, wherein the resource group master data object represents a grouping of individual resources that provide similar services or have similar physical and functional characteristics;

a capacity aggregation group master data object, wherein the capacity aggregation group master data object represents the total of the capacities of several resources that provide identical services and can be used for logistics or production planning and scheduling purposes;

a location master data object, wherein the location master data object represents a geographical place used, for example, for communication of place information in business processes;

a transportation zone master data object, wherein the transportation zone master data object represents geographical locations that may be considered collectively for modeling or planning transportation routes or transportations;

a transportation lane master data object, wherein the transportation lane master data object represents a connection between two locations in a supply chain model used for planning cross-location product movements;

a supply planning area master data object, wherein the supply planning area master data object represents groups of requirements, stocks and other requirements coverage elements with the purpose of being together taken into account in net requirements calculation of supply planning;

a logistics area master data object, wherein the logistics area master data object represents an object that describes the internal structure of a logistics facility (e.g., warehouse or production);

a source and destination determination rule master data object, wherein the source and destination determination rule master data object represents a rule to determine the search method for locating the source for stock retrieval or the destination for stock storage;

a storage behavior method master data object, wherein the storage behavior method master data object represents a set of rules distinguished by the manner in which a logistics area or resource is managed (e.g., picking area);

a quality issue category catalog master data object, wherein the quality issue category catalog master data object represents a catalogue of quality issues for the rating of different aspects of quality management (e.g., inspection decisions or inspection findings in the quality inspection process);

a sample drawing procedure master data object, wherein the sample drawing procedure master data object represents how samples are taken for an inspection, such as the number, quantity, and subcategory of samples;

an inspection rule master data object, wherein the inspection rule master data object represents how an inspection of a given object must be performed;

a document master data object, wherein the document master data object represents a carrier of electronic information, including control and monitoring information;

a production model master data object, wherein the production model master data object represents a model of a production process in a production center that is specified by a network of production segments;

a production bill of material master data object, wherein the production bill of material master data object represents a complete, structured list of the components that make up a product or a family of similar products;

a production bill of operations master data object, wherein the production bill of operations master data object represents a detailed description of how a product is to be produced;

a released planning production model master data object, wherein the released planning production model master data object represents a released version of a production model in a production center that contains all details from the production bill of operations and production bill of material necessary for the planning of a production process;

a released execution production model master data object, wherein the released execution production model master data object represents a released version of a production model in a production center that contains all details from the production bill of operations and production bill of material necessary for the execution of a production process;

a production segment master data object, wherein the production segment master data object represents part of a production process in a production center specified by a network of operations and assigned materials for the production of a material;

a site logistics bill of operations master data object, wherein the site logistics bill of operations master data object represents a detailed description of how a product is to be moved, packed and otherwise dealt with during site logistics processing;

a site logistics process segment master data object, wherein the site logistics process segment master data object represents a set of operations for moving, packing or checking stock in a logistics division, which specifies a segment of a site logistics process;

a site logistics process model master data object, wherein the site logistics process model master data object represents a model that defines a logistic process managed by a logistics division, by specifying a sequence of process segments;

a released site logistics process model master data object, wherein the released site logistics process model master data object represents a structure that defines a logistic process in a logistics division by specifying a sequence of process segments;

a supply quota arrangement master data object, wherein the supply quota arrangement master data object represents a distribution of material requirements or goods to different sources of supply, business partners, or organizational units within ones own company;

a source of supply master data object, wherein the source of supply master data object represents an object that describes a logical link between a possible source of products and a possible target;

an installed base master data object, wherein the installed base master data object represents a container that holds structured information of business components and their compositions, as well as their business features;

an installation point master data object, wherein the installation point master data object represents the time-dependent assignment of a business component to installed bases;

a sales price specification master data object, wherein the sales price specification master data object represents the specification of a price, discount or surcharge to be used in sales and service documents;

a sales price list master data object, wherein the sales price list master data object represents a list of price specifications with respect to common identifying criteria;

a procurement price specification master data object, wherein the procurement price specification master data object represents the specification of a price, discount or surcharge to be used in procurement documents;

an identity master data object, wherein the identity master data object represents a set of attributes identifying a person together with all of his user accounts in a system landscape;

an exchange rate master data object, wherein the exchange rate master data object represents the relative value of two different currencies for a time span;

a bank directory entry master data object, wherein the bank directory entry master data object represents a bank or institution capable of performing financial transactions;

a logistic unit master data object, wherein the logistic unit master data object represents an object that represents an item of any composition, which is used for storage, movement, and packing;

a logistic unit usage master data object, wherein the logistic unit usage master data object represents an object that represents a logistics purpose for which logistic units are grouped;

a logistics task folder master data object, wherein the logistics task folder master data object represents the local work organization on the shop floor;

a service issue category catalog master data object, wherein the service issue category catalog master data object represents a structured directory of issue categories that describe business transactions in customer service from an objective or subjective point of view;

a packing bill of material master data object, wherein the packing bill of material master data object represents a complete and structured list of components that defines the packing structure of logistic units;

an identified stock master data object; and

a key performance indicator master data object.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the business objects further comprise:

a material sales process control transformed object, wherein the material sales process control transformed object represents a material, needed to control processes in presales, sales, and customer service;

a material inventory process control transformed object, wherein the material inventory process control transformed object represents the control features for a material that are used in several logistics processes, especially for inventory management;

a material availability confirmation process control transformed object, wherein the material availability confirmation process control transformed object represents the control features for a material and are used when executing the availability check;

a material procurement process control transformed object, wherein the material procurement process control transformed object represents a material that is required to use the material in procurement-relevant processes;

a material delivery process control transformed object, wherein the material delivery process control transformed object represents the control features for a material required by the delivery processes in a distribution center;

a material financials process control transformed object, wherein the material financials process control transformed object represents parameters to control processes in financials applied to a material;

a service product sales process control transformed object, wherein the service product sales process control transformed object represents a service product, needed to control processes in presales, sales, and customer service;

a service product procurement process control transformed object, wherein the service product procurement process control transformed object represents about a service product that is required to use the service product in procurement-relevant processes;

a material supply planning process control transformed object, wherein the material supply planning process control transformed object represents the control features for a material that are required to control procurement planning;

a warranty service process control transformed object, wherein the warranty service process control transformed object represents a warranty needed to control processes in customer service;

an individual material sales process control transformed object, wherein the individual material sales process control transformed object represents an individual material, needed to control processes in presales, sales, and customer service;

a business document flow transformed object, wherein the business document flow transformed object represents a view on the flow of business transaction documents;

a task business process object, wherein the task business process object represents a piece of daily business work or a notification about a business event;

a phone call activity business process object, wherein the phone call activity business process object represents a type of activity that records telephone interactions that are undertaken by employees on behalf of their company;

a letter activity business process object, wherein the letter activity business process object represents a type of activity that records messages written on paper by employees on behalf of their company;

an appointment activity business process object, wherein the appointment activity business process object represents different types of planned activities that are maintained in an employee'"'"'s calendar, including external appointments and scheduled meetings with other business parties;

an email activity business process object, wherein the email activity business process object represents a type of activity that records messages written on paper by employees on behalf of their company;

a fax activity process business object, wherein the fax activity process business object represents a type of activity that records documents or graphics transmitted over a telecommunications facility by employees on behalf of their company;

an activity transformed object, wherein the activity transformed object represents an activity that can be performed by employees on behalf of their company;

a sourcing list transformed object, wherein the sourcing list transformed object represents supply arrangements and supply sources;

a software problem report business process object, wherein the software problem report business process object represents a report about a computer software incident;

a price and tax calculation dependent object, wherein the price and tax calculation dependent object represents the summarization of the determined and calculated price and tax elements of a business case;

a price calculation dependent object, wherein the price calculation dependent object represents the summarization of the determined and calculated price elements of a business case;

a tax calculation dependent object, wherein the tax calculation dependent object represents the summarization of the determined and calculated tax elements of a business case;

a price specification dependent object, wherein the price specification dependent object represents the specification of a price, discount or surcharge to be used in procurement documents;

an engineering change order business process object, wherein the engineering change order business process object represents an object that controls the alteration of different objects over time and their usage by means of other parameters;

a used address transformed object, wherein the used address transformed object represents the address data (e.g., the addressee, postal address and communication connections) used in a business transaction;

a supply planning exception view transformed object, wherein the supply planning exception view transformed object represents an unsolved or incorrect planning situation;

an incident context dependent object, wherein the incident context dependent object represents structured information about the status of the source system where an incident is reported;

a payment explanation dependent object, wherein the payment explanation dependent object represents the explanation of a payment amount with regard to one or more business documents (e.g., invoices or orders);

an accounting coding block distribution dependent object, wherein the accounting coding block distribution dependent object represents the distribution of coding blocks to enterprise resources changes, such as expenses or material movements;

a financial audit trail documentation dependent object, wherein the financial audit trail documentation dependent object represents the uniform documentation of a business transaction in terms of an operational component;

an address dependent object, wherein the address dependent object represents the data that describes the addressee, postal address and communication connections;

a storage control dependent object, wherein the storage control dependent object represents the data that describes addressee, postal address and communication connections;

a payment control dependent object, wherein the payment control dependent object represents a storage related behavior scheme that specifies storage state, set of rules, and required actions;

a market segment dependent object, wherein the market segment dependent object represents a homogeneous submarket of the total market;

it contains characteristics of customer, product, region, and organizational classification;

a cash discount terms dependent object, wherein the cash discount terms dependent object represents the modalities agreed upon between business partners for the payment of goods delivered or services provided;

an attachment folder dependent object, wherein the attachment folder dependent object represents a collection of all related documents for an arbitrary business object node;

a text collection dependent object, wherein the text collection dependent object represents a set of all multilingual textual descriptions, including formatting information, for a business object or a part of a business object;

a party business process object;

a change document business process object;

an output request business process object;

a product requirement specification business process object;

a controlled output request transformed object; and

a customer value added tax exemption arrangement business process object.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the foundation layer comprises process components, the process components comprising:

a business partner data processing process component, an organizational management process component, a product data processing process component, a resource data processing process component, a location data processing process component, a logistics storage data processing process component, an inspection master data processing process component, a business document flow processing process component, a document management process component, a production model processing process component, a site logistics model processing process component, an activity management process component, a source of supply determination process component, a software problem reporting process component, an installed base data processing process component, a price master data management process component, an identity management process component, a pricing engine process component, an engineering change processing process component, a financial market data management process component, a date and time process component, a currency conversion process component, a quantity conversion process component, a payment card authorization process component, a payment authorization process component, and a document flow processing process component;

wherein;

the business partner data processing process component includes the business partner master data object, the employee master data object, the clearing house master data object, the payment card master data object, the customer master data object, the supplier master data object, the tax authority master data object, the house bank master data object, the sales arrangement master data object, the procurement arrangement master data object, the company tax arrangement master data object, the payment agreement master data object, and the party transformed object;

the organizational management process component includes the organizational center master data object, the position master data object, the cost center master data object, the reporting line unit master data object, the company master data object, the production center master data object, the distribution center master data object, the permanent establishment master data object, the sales unit master data object, the purchasing unit master data object, the service unit master data object, the profit center master data object, the segment master data object, and the program master data object;

the product data processing process component includes the material master data object, the material sales process control transformed object, the material inventory process control transformed object, the material availability confirmation process control transformed object, the service product master data object, the material procurement process control transformed object, the material delivery process control transformed object, the material financials process control transformed object, the warranty master data object, the service product sales process control transformed object, the service product procurement process control transformed object, the material supply planning process control transformed object, the individual material master data object, the product category hierarchy master data object, the warranty service process control transformed object, and the individual material sales process control transformed object;

the resource data processing process component includes the equipment resource master data object, the vehicle resource master data object, the labor resource master data object, the resource group master data object, and the capacity aggregation group master data object;

the location data processing process component includes the location master data object, the transportation zone master data object, the transportation lane master data object, and the supply planning area master data object;

the logistics storage data processing process component includes the logistics area master data object, the source and destination determination rule master data object, and the storage behavior method master data object;

the inspection master data processing process component includes the quality issue category catalog master data object, the sample drawing procedure master data object, and the inspection rule master data object;

the business document flow processing process component includes the business document flow transformed object;

the document management process component includes the document master data object;

the production model processing process component includes the production model master data object, the production bill of material master data object, the production bill of operations master data object, the released planning production model master data object, the released execution production model master data object, and the production segment master data object;

the site logistics model processing process component includes the site logistics bill of operations master data object, the site logistics process segment master data object, the site logistics process model master data object, and the released site logistics process model master data object;

the activity management process component includes the task business process object, the phone call activity business process object, the letter activity business process object, the appointment activity business process object, the email activity business process object, the fax activity process business object, and the activity transformed object;

the source of supply determination process component includes the supply quota arrangement master data object, the source of supply master data object, and the sourcing list transformed object;

the software problem reporting process component includes the software problem report business process object;

the installed base data processing process component includes the installed base master data object and the installation point master data object;

the price master data management process component includes the sales price specification master data object, the sales price list master data object and the procurement price specification master data object;

the identity management process component includes the identity master data object;

the pricing engine process component includes the price and tax calculation dependent object, the price calculation dependent object, the tax calculation dependent object, and the price specification dependent object;

the engineering change processing process component includes the engineering change order business process object; and

the financial market data management process component includes the exchange rate master data object and the bank directory entry master data object.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the computer system comprises multiple hardware platforms that are distinct and separate from each other; and

the foundation layer is separately deployed in its entirety on each of the multiple hardware platforms.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the computer system comprises a first hardware platform and a second hardware platform that are distinct and separate from each other;

the foundation layer is separately deployed in its entirety on each of the first and the second hardware platforms;

also deployed on the first hardware platform is first application software implemented in one or more first deployment units; and

also deployed on the second hardware platform is second application software implemented in one or more second deployment units, the second deployment units being distinct and separate from the first deployment units.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein:

the one or more first deployment units comprise a first plurality of business objects and the one or more second deployment units comprise a second plurality of business objects; and

the first plurality of business objects and the second plurality of business objects have no business objects in common.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a repository of resource descriptions, the repository including a standards-based description of business objects in the foundation layer.

8. A computer program product encoded on a tangible machine-readable information carrier, the product comprising computer software operable to implement on a computer system a foundation layer, the foundation layer comprising:

a plurality of master business objects, the master data objects comprising;

a business partner master data object, wherein the business partner master data object represents a person, organization or group of persons in which a company has a business interest;

an employee master data object, wherein the employee master data object represents a person who contributes or has contributed to the creation of goods or services for a company;

a clearing house master data object, wherein the clearing house master data object represents an organization which provides the services concerning credit card payments;

a payment card master data object, wherein the payment card master data object represents a payment medium;

a customer master data object, wherein the customer master data object represents a business partner with whom a business relationship exists;

a supplier master data object, wherein the supplier master data object represents a business partner who provides materials and/or services;

a tax authority master data object, wherein the tax authority master data object represents a business partner for value added tax declaration;

a house bank master data object, wherein the house bank master data object represents a business partner providing services for our company, such as account management or lock box;

a sales arrangement master data object, wherein the sales arrangement master data object represents an arrangement that is made by a sales unit for a customer, and is used for sales transactions;

a procurement arrangement master data object, wherein the procurement arrangement master data object represents an arrangement that is made by a purchasing unit for a supplier, and is used for procurement transactions;

a company tax arrangement master data object, wherein the company tax arrangement master data object represents a contractual arrangement based on the agreement between a company and a tax authority for a tax type;

a payment agreement master data object, wherein the payment agreement master data object represents the agreement between a company and a business partner concerning the handling of incoming and outgoing payments;

an organizational center master data object, wherein the organizational center master data object represents a building block of the enterprise model which represents a node in an organizational structure of the extended enterprise;

a position master data object, wherein the position master data object represents an object of the enterprise model representing a specific post in an enterprise that can be occupied by holders and is therefore a placeholder for persons in an organizational structure;

a cost center master data object, wherein the cost center master data object represents an organizational unit that represents a defined location of cost incurrence and for which costs are recorded separately;

a reporting line unit master data object, wherein the reporting line unit master data object represents the organizational unit in the personnel reporting line of the enterprise;

a company master data object, wherein the company master data object represents a financially and legally independent, locally unbound entity registered under business law;

a production center master data object, wherein the production center master data object represents an organizational unit that is responsible for organizing and executing the delivery processes as well as the processes in site logistics;

a distribution center master data object, wherein the distribution center master data object represents an organizational unit that is responsible for organizing and executing the processes in production;

a permanent establishment master data object, wherein the permanent establishment master data object represents an organizational unit that represents a localized subdivision of a company whose business activities are subject to uniform fiscal treatment;

a sales unit master data object, wherein the sales unit master data object represents responsible for planning, realizing and administering of sales force processes;

a purchasing unit master data object, wherein the purchasing unit master data object represents an organizational unit responsible for strategic and operational purchasing;

a service unit master data object, wherein the service unit master data object represents the organizational unit responsible for processes covering all aspects of a customer service and a support center'"'"'s business;

a profit center master data object, wherein the profit center master data object represents an organizational section of the enterprise for which a separate period result is determined and used for profit-oriented rating or control of the section activities;

a segment master data object, wherein the segment master data object represents a business branch of a company for which a closing statement (e.g., a financial statement and a profit and loss statement) is to be created based on the segment reporting regulations within the context of the particular accounting principle;

a program master data object, wherein the program master data object represents an organizational unit that represents a complex temporary undertaking to achieve subordinate objectives within one overall strategy;

a material master data object, wherein the material master data object represents a tangible product such as a sellable article, packaging, auxiliary material or expendable supplies;

a service product master data object, wherein the service product master data object represents an intangible product such as consulting and hotline service;

a warranty master data object, wherein the warranty master data object represents an intangible product such as a warranty for electronic devices and machinery;

an individual material master data object, wherein the individual material master data object represents a tangible product;

a product category hierarchy master data object, wherein the product category hierarchy master data object represents a hierarchy for structuring product categories;

an equipment resource master data object, wherein the equipment resource master data object represents a permanently installed operating facility or a group of identical operating facilities providing capacity to perform specific services;

a vehicle resource master data object, wherein the vehicle resource master data object represents a means of transportation or a group of identical means of transportation providing capacity to perform transportation services;

a labor resource master data object, wherein the labor resource master data object represents an employee or a group of employees with the same skills and qualifications that provides capacity to operate specific devices or to perform specific tasks;

a resource group master data object, wherein the resource group master data object represents a grouping of individual resources that provide similar services or have similar physical and functional characteristics;

a capacity aggregation group master data object, wherein the capacity aggregation group master data object represents the total of the capacities of several resources that provide identical services and can be used for logistics or production planning and scheduling purposes;

a location master data object, wherein the location master data object represents a geographical place used, for example, for communication of place information in business processes;

a transportation zone master data object, wherein the transportation zone master data object represents geographical locations that may be considered collectively for modeling or planning transportation routes or transportations;

a transportation lane master data object, wherein the transportation lane master data object represents a connection between two locations in a supply chain model used for planning cross-location product movements;

a supply planning area master data object, wherein the supply planning area master data object represents groups of requirements, stocks and other requirements coverage elements with the purpose of being together taken into account in net requirements calculation of supply planning;

a logistics area master data object, wherein the logistics area master data object represents an object that describes the internal structure of a logistics facility (e.g., warehouse or production);

a source and destination determination rule master data object, wherein the source and destination determination rule master data object represents a rule to determine the search method for locating the source for stock retrieval or the destination for stock storage;

a storage behavior method master data object, wherein the storage behavior method master data object represents a set of rules distinguished by the manner in which a logistics area or resource is managed (e.g., picking area);

a quality issue category catalog master data object, wherein the quality issue category catalog master data object represents a catalogue of quality issues for the rating of different aspects of quality management (e.g., inspection decisions or inspection findings in the quality inspection process);

a sample drawing procedure master data object, wherein the sample drawing procedure master data object represents how samples are taken for an inspection, such as the number, quantity, and subcategory of samples;

an inspection rule master data object, wherein the inspection rule master data object represents how an inspection of a given object must be performed;

a document master data object, wherein the document master data object represents a carrier of electronic information, including control and monitoring information;

a production model master data object, wherein the production model master data object represents a model of a production process in a production center that is specified by a network of production segments;

a production bill of material master data object, wherein the production bill of material master data object represents a complete, structured list of the components that make up a product or a family of similar products;

a production bill of operations master data object, wherein the production bill of operations master data object represents a detailed description of how a product is to be produced;

a released planning production model master data object, wherein the released planning production model master data object represents a released version of a production model in a production center that contains all details from the production bill of operations and production bill of material necessary for the planning of a production process;

a released execution production model master data object, wherein the released execution production model master data object represents a released version of a production model in a production center that contains all details from the production bill of operations and production bill of material necessary for the execution of a production process;

a production segment master data object, wherein the production segment master data object represents part of a production process in a production center specified by a network of operations and assigned materials for the production of a material;

a site logistics bill of operations master data object, wherein the site logistics bill of operations master data object represents a detailed description of how a product is to be moved, packed and otherwise dealt with during site logistics processing;

a site logistics process segment master data object, wherein the site logistics process segment master data object represents a set of operations for moving, packing or checking stock in a logistics division, which specifies a segment of a site logistics process;

a site logistics process model master data object, wherein the site logistics process model master data object represents a model that defines a logistic process managed by a logistics division, by specifying a sequence of process segments;

a released site logistics process model master data object, wherein the released site logistics process model master data object represents a structure that defines a logistic process in a logistics division by specifying a sequence of process segments;

a supply quota arrangement master data object, wherein the supply quota arrangement master data object represents a distribution of material requirements or goods to different sources of supply, business partners, or organizational units within ones own company;

a source of supply master data object, wherein the source of supply master data object represents an object that describes a logical link between a possible source of products and a possible target;

an installed base master data object, wherein the installed base master data object represents a container that holds structured information of business components and their compositions, as well as their business features;

an installation point master data object, wherein the installation point master data object represents the time-dependent assignment of a business component to installed bases;

a sales price specification master data object, wherein the sales price specification master data object represents the specification of a price, discount or surcharge to be used in sales and service documents;

a sales price list master data object, wherein the sales price list master data object represents a list of price specifications with respect to common identifying criteria;

a procurement price specification master data object, wherein the procurement price specification master data object represents the specification of a price, discount or surcharge to be used in procurement documents;

an identity master data object, wherein the identity master data object represents a set of attributes identifying a person together with all of his user accounts in a system landscape;

an exchange rate master data object, wherein the exchange rate master data object represents the relative value of two different currencies for a time span;

a bank directory entry master data object, wherein the bank directory entry master data object represents a bank or institution capable of performing financial transactions;

a logistic unit master data object, wherein the logistic unit master data object represents an object that represents an item of any composition, which is used for storage, movement, and packing;

a logistic unit usage master data object, wherein the logistic unit usage master data object represents an object that represents a logistics purpose for which logistic units are grouped;

a logistics task folder master data object, wherein the logistics task folder master data object represents the local work organization on the shop floor;

a service issue category catalog master data object, wherein the service issue category catalog master data object represents a structured directory of issue categories that describe business transactions in customer service from an objective or subjective point of view;

a packing bill of material master data object, wherein the packing bill of material master data object represents a complete and structured list of components that defines the packing structure of logistic units;

an identified stock master data object; and

a key performance indicator master data object;

wherein the foundation layer software is operable to be deployed on each of multiple hardware platforms that are distinct and separate from each other to support a software application deployed as multiple deployment units distributed on the multiple hardware platforms without duplication of deployment units.

9. The product of claim 8, wherein the foundation layer further comprises business objects comprising:

a material sales process control transformed object, wherein the material sales process control transformed object represents a material, needed to control processes in presales, sales, and customer service;

a material inventory process control transformed object, wherein the material inventory process control transformed object represents the control features for a material that are used in several logistics processes, especially for inventory management;

a material availability confirmation process control transformed object, wherein the material availability confirmation process control transformed object represents the control features for a material and are used when executing the availability check;

a material procurement process control transformed object, wherein the material procurement process control transformed object represents a material that is required to use the material in procurement-relevant processes;

a material delivery process control transformed object, wherein the material delivery process control transformed object represents the control features for a material required by the delivery processes in a distribution center;

a material financials process control transformed object, wherein the material financials process control transformed object represents parameters to control processes in financials applied to a material;

a service product sales process control transformed object, wherein the service product sales process control transformed object represents a service product, needed to control processes in presales, sales, and customer service;

a service product procurement process control transformed object, wherein the service product procurement process control transformed object represents about a service product that is required to use the service product in procurement-relevant processes;

a material supply planning process control transformed object, wherein the material supply planning process control transformed object represents the control features for a material that are required to control procurement planning;

a warranty service process control transformed object, wherein the warranty service process control transformed object represents a warranty needed to control processes in customer service;

an individual material sales process control transformed object, wherein the individual material sales process control transformed object represents an individual material, needed to control processes in presales, sales, and customer service;

a business document flow transformed object, wherein the business document flow transformed object represents a view on the flow of business transaction documents;

a task business process object, wherein the task business process object represents a piece of daily business work or a notification about a business event;

a phone call activity business process object, wherein the phone call activity business process object represents a type of activity that records telephone interactions that are undertaken by employees on behalf of their company;

a letter activity business process object, wherein the letter activity business process object represents a type of activity that records messages written on paper by employees on behalf of their company;

an appointment activity business process object, wherein the appointment activity business process object represents different types of planned activities that are maintained in an employee'"'"'s calendar, including external appointments and scheduled meetings with other business parties;

an email activity business process object, wherein the email activity business process object represents a type of activity that records messages written on paper by employees on behalf of their company;

a fax activity process business object, wherein the fax activity process business object represents a type of activity that records documents or graphics transmitted over a telecommunications facility by employees on behalf of their company;

an activity transformed object, wherein the activity transformed object represents an activity that can be performed by employees on behalf of their company;

a sourcing list transformed object, wherein the sourcing list transformed object represents supply arrangements and supply sources;

a software problem report business process object, wherein the software problem report business process object represents a report about a computer software incident;

a price and tax calculation dependent object, wherein the price and tax calculation dependent object represents the summarization of the determined and calculated price and tax elements of a business case;

a price calculation dependent object, wherein the price calculation dependent object represents the summarization of the determined and calculated price elements of a business case;

a tax calculation dependent object, wherein the tax calculation dependent object represents the summarization of the determined and calculated tax elements of a business case;

a price specification dependent object, wherein the price specification dependent object represents the specification of a price, discount or surcharge to be used in procurement documents;

an engineering change order business process object, wherein the engineering change order business process object represents an object that controls the alteration of different objects over time and their usage by means of other parameters;

a used address transformed object, wherein the used address transformed object represents the address data (e.g., the addressee, postal address and communication connections) used in a business transaction;

a supply planning exception view transformed object, wherein the supply planning exception view transformed object represents an unsolved or incorrect planning situation;

an incident context dependent object, wherein the incident context dependent object represents structured information about the status of the source system where an incident is reported;

a payment explanation dependent object, wherein the payment explanation dependent object represents the explanation of a payment amount with regard to one or more business documents (e.g., invoices or orders);

an accounting coding block distribution dependent object, wherein the accounting coding block distribution dependent object represents the distribution of coding blocks to enterprise resources changes, such as expenses or material movements;

a financial audit trail documentation dependent object, wherein the financial audit trail documentation dependent object represents the uniform documentation of a business transaction in terms of an operational component;

an address dependent object, wherein the address dependent object represents the data that describes the addressee, postal address and communication connections;

a storage control dependent object, wherein the storage control dependent object represents the data that describes addressee, postal address and communication connections;

a payment control dependent object, wherein the payment control dependent object represents a storage related behavior scheme that specifies storage state, set of rules, and required actions;

a market segment dependent object, wherein the market segment dependent object represents a homogeneous submarket of the total market;

it contains characteristics of customer, product, region, and organizational classification;

a cash discount terms dependent object, wherein the cash discount terms dependent object represents the modalities agreed upon between business partners for the payment of goods delivered or services provided;

an attachment folder dependent object, wherein the attachment folder dependent object represents a collection of all related documents for an arbitrary business object node;

a text collection dependent object, wherein the text collection dependent object represents a set of all multilingual textual descriptions, including formatting information, for a business object or a part of a business object;

a party business process object;

a change document business process object;

an output request business process object;

a product requirement specification business process object;

a controlled output request transformed object; and

a customer value added tax exemption arrangement business process object.

10. The product of claim 8, wherein the foundation layer comprises process components, the process components comprising:

a business partner data processing process component, an organizational management process component, a product data processing process component, a resource data processing process component, a location data processing process component, a logistics storage data processing process component, an inspection master data processing process component, a business document flow processing process component, a document management process component, a production model processing process component, a site logistics model processing process component, an activity management process component, a source of supply determination process component, a software problem reporting process component, an installed base data processing process component, a price master data management process component, an identity management process component, a pricing engine process component, an engineering change processing process component, a financial market data management process component, a date and time process component, a currency conversion process component, a quantity conversion process component, a payment card authorization process component, a payment authorization process component, and a document flow processing process component;

and wherein;

the business partner data processing process component includes the business partner master data object, the employee master data object, the clearing house master data object, the payment card master data object, the customer master data object, the supplier master data object, the tax authority master data object, the house bank master data object, the sales arrangement master data object, the procurement arrangement master data object, the company tax arrangement master data object, the payment agreement master data object, and the party transformed object;

the organizational management process component includes the organizational center master data object, the position master data object, the cost center master data object, the reporting line unit master data object, the company master data object, the production center master data object, the distribution center master data object, the permanent establishment master data object, the sales unit master data object, the purchasing unit master data object, the service unit master data object, the profit center master data object, the segment master data object, and the program master data object;

the product data processing process component includes the material master data object, the material sales process control transformed object, the material inventory process control transformed object, the material availability confirmation process control transformed object, the service product master data object, the material procurement process control transformed object, the material delivery process control transformed object, the material financials process control transformed object, the warranty master data object, the service product sales process control transformed object, the service product procurement process control transformed object, the material supply planning process control transformed object, the individual material master data object, the product category hierarchy master data object, the warranty service process control transformed object, and the individual material sales process control transformed object;

the resource data processing process component includes the equipment resource master data object, the vehicle resource master data object, the labor resource master data object, the resource group master data object, and the capacity aggregation group master data object;

the location data processing process component includes the location master data object, the transportation zone master data object, the transportation lane master data object, and the supply planning area master data object;

the logistics storage data processing process component includes the logistics area master data object, the source and destination determination rule master data object, and the storage behavior method master data object;

the inspection master data processing process component includes the quality issue category catalog master data object, the sample drawing procedure master data object, and the inspection rule master data object;

the business document flow processing process component includes the business document flow transformed object;

the document management process component includes the document master data object;

the production model processing process component includes the production model master data object, the production bill of material master data object, the production bill of operations master data object, the released planning production model master data object, the released execution production model master data object, and the production segment master data object;

the site logistics model processing process component includes the site logistics bill of operations master data object, the site logistics process segment master data object, the site logistics process model master data object, and the released site logistics process model master data object;

the activity management process component includes the task business process object, the phone call activity business process object, the letter activity business process object, the appointment activity business process object, the email activity business process object, the fax activity process business object, and the activity transformed object;

the source of supply determination process component includes the supply quota arrangement master data object, the source of supply master data object, and the sourcing list transformed object;

the software problem reporting process component includes the software problem report business process object;

the installed base data processing process component includes the installed base master data object and the installation point master data object;

the price master data management process component includes the sales price specification master data object, the sales price list master data object and the procurement price specification master data object;

the identity management process component includes the identity master data object;

the pricing engine process component includes the price and tax calculation dependent object, the price calculation dependent object, the tax calculation dependent object, and the price specification dependent object;

the engineering change processing process component includes the engineering change order business process object; and

the financial market data management process component includes the exchange rate master data object and the bank directory entry master data object.