Supersession 

Purpose

Changes to the design, form and function of parts require vendors and manufacturers to replace obsolete parts with new versions of the same parts. This is particularly important for the aftermarket environment where technical innovations produce a constant flow of new parts of a better quality or in a different form that supersede older parts.

This constant process of exchange can now be mapped using the SAP System. If part A must be substituted by part B, a relationship exists between part A and part B. This relationship is documented using a chain, in which parts replace each other. Part B can be replaced by part C and part C by part D.

The following graphic shows the relationship between the partners in the aftermarket environment: the Supersession application is particularly useful for distribution centers that receive orders for replacement parts from customers through the dealers. The distribution center then orders these parts from the manufacturer or the vendor and then finds out about possible material replacements. In the system, the originally ordered part is replaced by the superseding part and is ordered from the manufacturer or vendor. The parts are staged in the distribution centers and are sent to regional depots. The regional depots then send them to the dealer and the customer.

Up to now, you could only use the product selection function in Sales and Distribution to replace parts. You can use supersession to take into account supersession chains in all logistical functions, such as, in procurement (in purchase orders, shipping notifications and goods receipts), in MRP (in the requirements calculation, stock overview and forecasting) and in sales (in orders, backorder updating, rescheduling and delivery), thus making this application cross-component.

There are original and follow-up parts in a supersession chain. An original part is replaced by a follow-up part. If the construction or manufacturing method of an article changes, the system documents the versions using new item references, so that it is possible to differentiate between the versions in stock, in the procurement process and in the sales process. The supersession chains consist of the expansion of the relationships with the individual objects (= item reference). Superseded and superseding relationships are a requirement.

Implementation Considerations

If you execute the availability check for one plant only, ERP with SAP for Automotive (as of Automotive system 2.0) with a basis of the R/3 System 4.6B is sufficient. For planning materials in several plants and for alternative products, the rules-based ATP check from APO is quicker and its functions are better suited to the task.

Integration

The Supersession application is supported by the product selection function in Sales and Distribution. The master data is entered in a function that has been created solely for Supersession.

You cannot use the discontinued parts function from MRP for the Supersession process.

Features

The following functions are available:

·        Master data: you can create, change and display supersession chains in a function for this purpose.

·        Purchasing:

1.       A material replacement is possible in requests for quotations, quotations themselves, in purchase requisitions, purchase orders and inbound deliveries.

2.       You can determine prices for Supersession.

3.       You can verify an invoice and post the goods receipt if the purchase order is changed subsequently.

·         Forecasting: you can use consumption-based forecasting to generate forecast requirements for the supersession chain.

·        Material Requirments Planning:

1.       Enhancements in MRP enable you to execute a requirements planning run for supersession parts.

2.       You can calculate planned independent requirements for supersession parts. 

3.       Enhancement of stock/requirements list: you can access a period overview for a supersession part and a complete view for the other parts in the chain.

4.       There is an improved stock overview displaying the stocks of all parts in the supersession chain.

·         Stock overview: enhancements to the stock overview enable you to display the stock situation for all members of the supersession chain.

·         Sales and Distribution:

1.       You can execute rescheduling for supersession chains.

2.       You can execute the ATP check for supersession chains both in the ERP System and in APO (rules-based).

·         CIF: there are enhancements to the integration model for the transfer of supersession data from the SAP Automotive System to APO.