SAP HCM (Human Capital Management) is an extensive module used for managing various human resources functions. One key aspect of SAP HCM is the use of Infotypes, which are used to store different types of employee information. Infotypes are logical groupings of related data and are stored in a structured way in the SAP system. This tutorial will provide an overview of Infotypes, their role in data storage, and real-world examples of their use in SAP HCM.
1. What Are Infotypes in SAP HCM?
Infotypes in SAP HCM are defined as a set of data fields that contain information about an employee. Each infotype is used to store specific types of information, such as personal details, organizational assignments, or payroll data. Infotypes are organized into a numeric system, and each infotype corresponds to a particular type of employee information.
1.1. Structure of an Infotype
Each Infotype consists of:
Infotype Number: A unique number that identifies the type of information stored (e.g., Infotype 0002 for Personal Data, Infotype 0001 for Organizational Assignment).
Subtype: A further classification within the Infotype (optional, not all Infotypes have subtypes).
Data Fields: The specific fields within the Infotype that store the data (e.g., employee's first name, birth date, department, etc.).
Validity Period: Defines the time period for which the data is valid. Data can be valid for a specific period (e.g., a contract period).
2. Types of Infotypes in SAP HCM
There are numerous Infotypes in SAP HCM, each designed for specific purposes. Some of the most commonly used Infotypes are:
Infotype 0000 (Actions): Contains the employee's actions, such as hiring, promotions, transfers, etc.
Infotype 0001 (Organizational Assignment): Stores the employee’s position, department, and location.
Infotype 0002 (Personal Data): Stores the employee’s personal information such as name, gender, date of birth, etc.
Infotype 0006 (Addresses): Stores the employee’s home address details.
Infotype 0008 (Basic Pay): Stores the employee’s salary and payment details.
3. Data Storage in SAP HCM: How Infotypes Work
Infotypes are stored in database tables in the SAP system. Each Infotype corresponds to a specific table that holds the data associated with it. For example:
Infotype 0000 (Actions): Data is stored in the PA0000 table.
Infotype 0001 (Organizational Assignment): Data is stored in the PA0001 table.
Infotype 0002 (Personal Data): Data is stored in the PA0002 table.
Infotype 0006 (Addresses): Data is stored in the PA0006 table.
Infotype 0008 (Basic Pay): Data is stored in the PA0008 table.
3.1. Data Storage Example
When an employee is hired, an action is recorded in Infotype 0000 (Actions). For instance, if an employee is hired on January 1, 2024, the following data might be recorded in the PA0000 table:
Employee Number: 12345
Action Type: Hiring (01)
Action Date: 01.01.2024
Reason for Action: New Hire
This information is stored in the PA0000 table and can be accessed through various reports and transactions in SAP HCM.
4. Real-World Example of Infotype Usage in SAP HCM
Let’s consider a real-world example of how Infotypes are used in SAP HCM:
4.1. Hiring an Employee
When an employee is hired, the HR department would initiate the following steps:
Infotype 0000 (Actions): The action "Hiring" is recorded, which creates a new record for the employee.
Infotype 0001 (Organizational Assignment): The employee is assigned to a specific position, department, and location.
Infotype 0002 (Personal Data): The employee’s personal details such as name, date of birth, and marital status are entered.
Infotype 0006 (Addresses): The employee’s address is stored.
Infotype 0008 (Basic Pay): The employee’s salary and payment details are added.
4.2. Transferring an Employee
When an employee is transferred, the following Infotypes are updated:
Infotype 0000 (Actions): A transfer action is recorded.
Infotype 0001 (Organizational Assignment): The employee’s new position, department, and location are updated.
Infotype 0007 (Planned Working Time): The employee’s new working hours may also be updated if applicable.
5. Infotype Subtypes in SAP HCM
Some Infotypes have subtypes, which allow you to categorize data more specifically. For example:
Infotype 0002 (Personal Data): This Infotype might have subtypes like "Personal Identification Number" (PID), "Emergency Contact", etc., to further categorize personal information.
Infotype 0008 (Basic Pay): This Infotype might have subtypes such as "Salary", "Bonus", and "Overtime" to store different types of pay information for an employee.
5.1. Real-World Example of Subtypes
Let’s say an employee has a salary and a bonus. The Basic Pay Infotype (0008) could be configured with the following subtypes:
Subtype 1: Salary (the employee’s base salary)
Subtype 2: Bonus (an additional amount paid to the employee as a performance bonus)
6. Conclusion
Infotypes are a crucial component of SAP HCM and play a vital role in organizing and storing employee-related data. By understanding the different Infotypes and how they are used to capture various HR details, HR professionals can manage employee information effectively. Whether it’s hiring, transferring, promoting, or updating an employee’s personal details, Infotypes in SAP HCM provide a structured and organized way to store, access, and update this data.