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SAP IBP has taken a major step forward with the Harmonized Planning Area (I_SAPIBP2), combining time-series and order-based planning into one streamlined model. HPA is a major enhancement designed to simplify and streamline planning processes by combining time-series and order-based planning into a single integrated environment.
Traditionally, SAP IBP had separate planning areas for:
- Time-series planning (e.g., demand, inventory, S&OP)
- Order-based planning (e.g., response and supply)
The Harmonized Planning Area merges these into one, allowing planners to:
- Work with both types of data (e.g., forecasts and sales orders) in a single planning area
- Enable end-to-end visibility and planning across the supply chain
Some of the key benefits of HPA:
- Streamlines end-to-end planning processes
- Moving forward, new functionalities will be implemented in harmonized planning area, with existing TS and OBP planning areas only receiving critical updates
- Avoid complex data replication and integration between planning areas and SAP ERP
- Smoother customer adoption (e.g., start with the S&OP process and extend to operation planning later)
- Improved reporting and planner efficiency
HPA offers benefits for organizations at any stage of their SAP IBP journey – whether you’ve not yet started, are actively implementing the solution, or are already operating within a live SAP IBP environment.
New customers who are yet to start their SAP IBP journey:
- This is a no brainer, SAP recommends starting with harmonized planning area for any new SAP IBP implementations for time-series or order-based planning
- This enables you to realize the benefits of common harmonized planning processes sooner and reduces hassles later to migrate to I_SAPIBP2
Customers who are in the process of implementing SAP IBP:
- Consider the new functionalities and benefits of harmonization and compare with the current stage of your journey
- If you are implementing time-series or order-based solutions, then you might be better served to continue with your implementation while keeping harmonized planning area in consideration. Avoid building too many integrations or customizations within planning areas, SAP ERP or any other external systems as this will be resolved or need to be rebuilt in future migration to harmonized planning area
Customers who have already implemented SAP IBP:
- SAP will deliver migration tools as part of the roadmap (H2 2026) to help customers (who have already implemented SAP IBP) migrate to harmonized planning area so you might be better served to sit tight for now
- Meanwhile, you can still do a lot to ensure a successful future migration:
- Evaluate the features and benefits of the harmonized planning area
- Setup the harmonized planning area in a sandbox system and experiment
- Identify which integrations may need to be built or excluded
- Engage business stakeholders & start working on harmonized planning processes
