Entering content frameFunction documentation Inventory Locate the document in its SAP Library structure

Use

You use the inventory to regularly carry out a physical inventory in your warehouse. You compare the material stocks that are physically present with the data managed in the Warehouse Management system (WMS). You enter inventory differences, as recorded in the results of the physical inventory, to update the accounting side of the stock data. The inventory is regarded as completed if an inventory was taken for every storage bin in the warehouse at least once during the fiscal year.

Integration

If you use the WMS, the inventory takes places at Warehouse Management level. The WMS uses the interface to Inventory Management to pass on the inventory differences determined to Inventory Management, where you can then clear them.

In contrast to the material-related inventory in Inventory Management (MM-IM), in the WMS you manage the inventory for each storage bin or quant for the warehouse numbers managed by the system.

Prerequisites

You have activated the inventory interface to Inventory Management in Customizing for Warehouse Management under Activities ® Physical Inventory. For more information, see Basic Settings for the Physical Inventory

Features

In the warehouse, you specify the appropriate inventory procedure for each storage type. You first need to decide whether you want to carry out the inventory as an annual inventory, or as a continuous inventory.

A warehouse managed using the WMS is basically suited for using continuous inventory, because the WMS ensures continuous updates of the storage bins and stock movements. The Warehouse Management system (WMS) supports the following inventory procedures for continuous inventory:

You can carry out the inventory sampling procedure in both Inventory Management (MM-IM) and the WMS.

The Inventory Overview function is a central access point into inventory processing for the WMS. From here you can monitor and process all essential activities for the inventory. In the SAP Menu, choose Logistics ® Logistics Execution ® Internal Whse Processes ® Physical Inventory ® In Warehouse Management ® Physical Inventory Document ® Overview.

Inventory of Handling Units

The inventory for handling units is based on the outermost handling unit. Because in the Warehouse Management System this is the same as a storage unit (SU), you carry out the inventory in the same way as for a normal inventory.

For more information on entering inventory differences for nested handling units (HUs), see Structure linkPhysical Inventory of Handling Units.

Inventory of Batches or Special Stocks

If you carry out an inventory for materials subject to batch management, or for special stocks, you do not only compare the material stock in the storage bin with the data managed in the system. You also check whether the batch or special stock information in the system matches the actual batch or special stock in the storage bin. For more information, see Inventory of Batches or Special Stocks..

Activities

You carry out the inventory for the storage bins or quants. The system stores all inventory differences in an interim storage area for differences. You use the interface to Inventory Management to enter any inventory differences determined into Inventory Management and clear them there.

The WMS updates the inventory data for the storage bin and the quant, where applicable. As soon as you have carried out the inventory for a storage bin, the system sets the physical inventory indicator for that storage bin. This means that there is a documented record of when and with which inventory procedure you carried out the inventory for the storage bin.

Caution

Some of these inventory procedures are subject to legal restrictions, others may not be suitable for use with your warehouse for warehouse-related technical or organizational reasons. SAP therefore recommends that you define the inventory procedure to be used together with the person responsible for inventories, and agree on the inventory procedure with your external auditor.

 

 

Leaving content frame