Int Order
Int Order
From a financial perspective both WBS-elements and internal orders are just cost collectors (in SAP
terms: cost object). When the collection is complete, costs are settled to one or more destinations,
e.g. fixed asset, P&L account or another cost object.
WBS-elements are part of SAP's Project System module. Internal orders are part of the Controlling or
CO module of SAP. When you work with WBS-elements, you have available all kinds of functionality
that has to do with project management like structuring a project, planning, assigning project leads
etc. With internal orders you don't have all these kind of things ... it is just collecting costs and in the
end settle those costs. Pls have look at the info available in the SAP help documentation.
If your primary focus is on collecting (and reporting) on costs and you don't have to deal with the real
project management stuff ... stay with internal orders.
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Only projects(WBS Elements) enables to create a hierarchical structure for the objects that collects
costs.
Orders are always one – dimensional. Its not possible to distribute budgets for several orders in a
structured form from top to bottom.
Projects also offers the advantage of their integration with networks & the functions of logistics. With
orders, its not possible to carry out capacity & resource planning.
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WBS follows a hierarchical structure, breaking the project scope into smaller, manageable
components. It provides a clear overview of project deliverables and dates, including detailed tasks,
subtasks, and their relationships. - Internal Order: Provides a single charge code allowing cost
tracking and monitoring.
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Yes, budget control for both CAPEX (Capital Expenditures) and OPEX (Operational Expenditures) can
be achieved through Internal Orders in many ERP systems like SAP. Internal orders act as temporary
cost collectors, allowing for planned expenditure tracking and monitoring against a budget. They can
be used for various purposes, including tracking expenses for construction projects (CAPEX) and
operational activities (OPEX).
Cost Collection:
Internal orders serve as temporary repositories for expenses incurred during a specific project or
activity.
Budget Planning:
Budgets can be created and assigned to internal orders, allowing for proactive monitoring of planned
vs. actual spending.
Availability Control:
Systems like SAP offer availability control features, enabling you to set limits on how much of the
budget can be committed.
Reporting:
Internal orders provide a granular level of detail for tracking expenses and reporting on budget
performance.
Settlement:
Once a project or activity is completed, the costs can be settled to their final destinations (e.g., cost
center for OPEX, fixed asset for CAPEX).
CAPEX:
Internal orders can be used to track expenses for capital projects like building construction, asset
purchases, or renovations. The costs are ultimately settled to fixed assets.
OPEX:
Internal orders can be used for tracking operational expenses like employee salaries, rent, utilities, or
maintenance. The costs are settled to cost centers.
Granular Control:
Internal orders provide a more granular level of control over expenses compared to simply tracking
them at a high level.
Improved Reporting:
Internal orders facilitate more detailed and accurate reporting on budget performance.
Enhanced Planning:
Budget planning becomes more precise when you can track expenses at the internal order level.
Cost Visibility:
Internal orders offer greater visibility into project costs and overall budget performance.
In essence, internal orders are a valuable tool for managing both CAPEX and OPEX budgets by
providing a centralized, configurable, and reportable system for tracking expenses and monitoring
performance against planned budgets.