SAP batch determination

posted in: SAP PP 6
SAP batch determination
SAP batch determination

In SAP, the notion of Bacth is crucial. Indeed, this functionality is used in most of the companies that requirehave an increased traceability of their products, their process or their quality control. This term appears everywhere in the software: in MM (Material Management), in SD (Sales and Distribution), in WM (Warehouse Management) or in QM (Quality Management). But today, we will focus on the PP (Production Planning) part and we will see how SAP PP batch determination works.

But first of all, what is a batch in SAP?

Definition of the term "Batch".

A batch is defined by a partial quantity of an article or product that have the same characteristics in common. Since a picture is worth a thousand words, here is how this term could be explained:

Batch definition
Batch definition

Thus, it can be understood that, despite an identical product, it can be manufactured differently, at separate times and can therefore have distinct properties / characteristics. It is therefore attributed a unique batch.

To find out more, I refer you to our guide dedicated to Batch Management for beginners:

There are many use cases for these batches. Indeed, as seen previously, they are found in most of the SAP modules. But today, we are going to focus on a very specific case : SAP PP batch determination.

In production, to manufacture a finished product, several elements are usually required:

  • A finished product in SAP
  • Components found in a BOM
  • Routings which include the operations necessary for manufacturing
  • A production version

But since the components are also managed in batches, how do you choose the right one?

Batch determination process
Batch determination process

SAP then comes into play to help us determine this, based on predefined rules. But, to do this, we need to specify them. To make it easier to understand, let's analyze a concrete example.

SAP batch determination – configuration

First of all, go to the customizing of SAP :

SPRO : Logistics - General / Batch Management / Batch determination and batch Check
Batch determination and batch check
Batch determination and batch check

Step 1 : Condition Tables

Condition Tables
Condition Tables

First of all, you will have to create/use a condition table. This parameterization point allows you to define the combination of data that will be used for the research strategy. Here, we will start with table 030 which includes the following data:

  • Order Type
  • Plant
  • Material
Condition table 030
Condition table 030

Hence, these criteria will be used for our research strategy.

Step 2 : Access Sequences

Access Sequences
Access Sequences

Next, turn to the "Access Sequences" item. The purpose of the latter is to go search the condition tables seen before and define a sequence, if needed. Indeed, it is possible to implement a strategy based on « Order Type / Plant / Material » and if no material is detected, then SAP searches the « Order Type / Plant » only.

For our purposes, we will use this sequence : CO01

Access Sequences CO01

The check is made only on condition table 030.

Access Sequences : Condition tables
Access Sequences : Condition tables

Step 3 : Define Sort Rules

Define Sort Rules
Define Sort Rules

So, in this part, we will define how the research is to be carried out, according to which order, according to which characteristics.

When creating these Sort Rules, you will choose the characteristics that will be used as reference, and in which order they should be sorted.

Sort rules by batch
Sort rules by batch

Here, the chosen characteristic is the batch number and the sorting is done in ascending order:

Sort rule : batch ascending
Sort rule : batch ascending

Step 4 : Strategy Types

Strategy Types
Strategy Types

Here we define how the search will be performed, based on the following configuration points. It is through this parameterization point that the whole search strategy will be defined. Let's look at the 3 most important parts of this setting point:

Strategy Type YB11
Strategy Type YB11

First of all, you have to fill in which Access Sequence this strategy will use, on which it will be based, after having given a description to your strategy (condition type).

Here we refer to the Access Sequence CO01

Then you indicate which "Object" will be searched for. To do so, we will use the Class. You can fill in a Class Type, a Class and specify how the selection will be made.

Strategy type : Selection
Strategy type : Selection

For more information about the Class, I refer you to our article on the subject :

https://keyusertraining.com/sap-systeme-de-classification/

Then, in the case where it is necessary toapply a sorting system to the search, it is then possible to fill in the Sort Sequence previously created together, thus making it possible to be based on a specific characteristic.

Step 5 : Batch Search Procedure Definition

Just like the Access Sequence, where it is possible to assign several condition tables, it is possible here to allocate several search strategies to our Batch Determination.

Batch Search Procedure Definition
Batch Search Procedure Definition

Here you must indicate the Condition Types to be used (the Strategy Type created earlier) and specify the order in which it should be processed.

Procedure : control overview
Procedure : control overview

Step 6 : Assign Search Procedure to Production Order and Activate Check

Search Procedure assignment
Search Procedure assignment

Finally, let's go to the last step of the "Configuration" section. This is where we will assign our previously defined strategy, in the "Order Type-Dependent Parameters : Overview" point. This point, composed of the "Plant/Order Type" key, groups together a number of important fields in Production Planning, based on the defined Order Type.

Order type parameter : batch determination
Order type parameter : batch determination

What we are interested in here is the "Batch Determination" part. Thus, inform the Search Procedure seen earlier. This will then allow SAP to know, according to the Plant and the selected Order Type, if it must activate or not the Batch Determination and especially how to carry it out.

We can also note the check box "Check batch" which will also check the manually filled batches, by checking that they correspond to the defined strategy.

SAP batch determination – Material Master Data

By the way, let's take some time now to configure the material where we would like to implement the automatic determination. For this, let's go to the Material Master Data of our article :

No doubt the first step is to make our item "Batch managed". This will tell SAP that our item will have a batch number.

Batch managed
Batch managed

In addition to this, it is essential to indicate when/how the search will be carried out. For this purpose, a Batch Entry is indicated :

Batch determination : Batch entry
Batch determination : Batch entry

The 3 "Automatic batch determination upon release of order" will allow SAP to perform the action itself upon release of the manufacturing order.

Finally, we need to assign a classification to our article. Indeed, this classification is filled in the strategy, which allows SAP to understand for which article / Class it must make the determination.

Batch determination : Classification
Batch determination : Classification

SAP batch determination – Conclusion

In short, we have seen all the points that need to be implemented to allow SAP to help you assign a batch. Indeed, it is not always easy to know which one to use, but above all, the time saving and the reduction of errors make this functionality an indispensable part of the PP (Production Planning) module.

What about you? Do you find this function essential in the world of industry? Do not hesitate to leave a constructive comment, but also to ask your questions in case of remarks, misunderstanding.

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6 Responses

  1. SAP Software
    | Reply

    A very good article! I especially like that it explains how to set up a SAP as it's an easier way to understand and understand how it works. Thanks for sharing! Greetings.

  2. Walter
    | Reply

    Muy bien explicado. Pero tengo una duda: si yo quiero que el Lote sea obligatorio sólo desde la Entrada de Mercadería y no desde el pedidio, ¿cómo podría hacer? Es decir, no quiero que al momento de crear el pedido de compra me pida como obligatorio el lote, sino recién en la EM.
    Gracias!

  3. Doddeshi
    | Reply

    Very good article

  4. Bernabel
    | Reply

    Is it possible to value by BATCH the same article but different prices and values depending on the batch and the possibility to value my stock by BATCH?

    • Yes, it is possible to value inventory by batch, assigning different values to specific batches of the same item. This method makes it possible to accurately track the value of inventory according to the variable purchase or production costs of each batch. ERP systems, such as SAP, offer features for managing and valuing inventory by batch, using methods such as weighted average cost, FIFO (first-in, first-out), or LIFO (last-in, first-out) specific to each batch. This approach improves the accuracy of financial data and helps to manage inventory more efficiently.

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