Batch Management 

What is a batch?

A batch in the Materials Management system is defined as a subset or partial quantity of a material that is managed separately from other subsets of the same material. Each batch is identified not only by its material identification but also by a separate batch number. Typical examples of batches include different production lots (such as paints, dyes, wallpapers, and pharmaceutical products), delivery lots, or quality grades of a material.

When is batch handling used?

In the logistics process, from procurement to sales, it is sometimes necessary for you to specify batches for individual business transactions. For goods receipt transactions, you can manually specify a batch number or you can use the internal number assignment function. For stock removals from WM, the system searches for stock with the batches specified in the sales order or delivery.

Logistics-wide batch handling is possible in the following core areas:

How do you distinguish between various batches in WM?

The essential features in Warehouse Management include the following:

  1. There are two statuses in batch status management: unrestricted and restricted. The status is stored centrally in the batch and is classified as a characteristic of the batch. The system then uses this status during batch determination.

    2. When you process transfer orders, you should avoid transmitting batches with the status restricted during certain movements. This is determined by the entries in the movement type table.

  2. A universal solution covering the whole of logistics was created for the batch determination complex whereby different areas use a central batch determination module. This module is divided into several sub-functions. The following steps are of importance to WM:

If a "batch neutral" quantity is requested when you create a transfer order to remove stock from storage, a "search pattern" in the movement type or in the warehouse number record specifies whether the batch determination is carried out or not. Based on the determination pattern, the system determines access sequences which, in turn, are linked to a search sequence. The system then selects a valid strategy for the batch determination.

Via the classification system, the system finds batches according to predefined search criteria. Examples of possible criteria include shelf life and batch status.

The system sorts any batches found according to certain criteria (for example, shelf life expiration date or the production date) and sends them to the program that creates the transfer orders. Here, the system processes the selected batches based on the stock removal strategies.

To make the settings mentioned above, see Logistics - General ® Batch Management ® Batch status management ® Activate batch status checking in Warehouse Management in the Enterprise IMG documentation.

Batch Determination

You can use batch determination in the following applications:

Application

Function / Document

Inventory Management (IM)

Goods movements

Warehouse Management (WM)

Transfer order

Production Planning (PP)

Run schedule header & Production order

Production Planning (PP-PI)

Process order

Sales and Distribution - Sales

Sales order

Sales and Distribution - Shipping

Delivery

For more information, see see Batch Determination.

Active Ingredient Processing

Active ingredient processing is integrated into the batch determination process in WM. For this process, the conversion factors for the individual batches are taken into consideration.

When you create transfer orders, the system displays the active ingredient unit of measure, however, it does not become the alternative unit of measure since this would not be appropriate for working in the warehouse. Therefore, you cannot use the active ingredient unit of measure for confirming transfer orders nor for taking inventory.