Integration of Stocks
Use
The
Core Interface
(CIF) can be used to transfer stock data from the ERP system to SAP Advanced
Planner and Optimizer (SAP APO).
Anonymous and Assigned Stocks
Stocks can be divided into anonymous stocks and assigned stocks. The anonymous stocks are managed in the warehouse without being assigned to a consumer, hence the name anonymous. The assigned stocks are assigned to a particular purpose or consumer; for example, a project, a sales order, or a subcontractor.
Both anonymous and assigned stocks can contain various stock types.
Stock Types
Each storage location stock and special stock is subdivided into stock types that provide information about the usability of the material.
The in-house storage location stock and special stocks are divided into three stock types:
● Unrestricted-use stock
● Quality inspection stock
● Blocked stock
Special stocks at the vendor or customer are divided into two stock types:
● Unrestricted-use stock
● Quality inspection stock
The special stock indicator (SOBKZ) provides information about the nature of a material’s special stock.
● K for vendor consignment stock
● O for stock of material provided to vendor
● W for consignment stock at customer
● E for sales order stock
● Q for project stock
● V for returnable packaging stock at customer
When batch status management is active, there is also the additional stock type – restricted-use stock.
The stock type is relevant for calculating the stock available as well as for planning withdrawals, amongst other things.
Stock Tables
The stocks are stored at the following stock management levels in the ERP system and are derived from the following stock tables:
Stock Tables/Errors
Stock |
Table/Field |
Plant data for the material |
MARC |
Storage location data for the material |
MARD |
Batch stock |
MCHB |
Stock in transit |
MARD-TRAME |
Stock in transfer (storage location to storage location) |
MARD-UMLME |
Stock in transfer (plant to plant) |
MARC-UMLMC |
Project stock |
MSPR |
Total project stocks |
MSSQ |
Customer special stock including ● Consignment stock at customer ● Returnable packaging stock at customer ● Sales order stock ● Total sales order stocks |
MSKU MSKU MSKA MSSA |
Vendor special stock including ● Vendor consignment stock ● Stock of material provided to vendor ● Total stocks of material provided to vendor |
MKOL MSLB MSSL |
Integration
You can use the integration model to transfer all of the above stocks or just some of them; for example, only the sales order stock.
After the
initial
transfer, CIF transfers only those stock changes that occur as a result of
stock movements to SAP APO as part of the
transfer of data
changes.
The filter objects required to transfer the stock data are generated at the material/plant level. As a result, objects that the ERP system creates with the first goods movement, for example, the storage location, are automatically transferred to SAP APO with a stock change. This means that you do not have to activate an additional integration model for each new batch or storage location.
To improve the performance of the transfer of stock data, a program is available in both the ERP system (as of SAP R/3 Plug-In 2004.1) and in SAP APO that you can use to specify that CIF uses update counters for the transfer of stock postings, and not the queue names. This means that the load is spread more efficiently across free work processes, in other words, the system can process more transfers in parallel. It is also ensured that the order of the stock postings remains the same, even if CIF transfers stock postings in different logical units of work (LUWs).
In SAP R/3 Plug-In 2004.1, you activate the update counters for the transferring stock data by using the program CIFACTSC. As of SAP ECC 6.0, you use the program CIFACTSTKUC.
Prerequisites
For
information about the data transfer via CIF, see
Technical View of
Integration.
Stock data can be transferred from an external system to SAP APO using BAPIs.
The following master data objects must be transferred first to ensure that the stock data is transferred smoothly:
● Material
● Plant
● Vendor
● Customer
Features
● Stocks in the ERP system
The ERP system can map all the stock types listed below. Operative inventory management is controlled by transaction types designated for that purpose.
If you are working with the late material lock in the ERP system, you can use stock integration with late material lock in the ERP system so that you are always working with the correct absolute values in SAP APO.
● Stocks in SAP APO
SAP APO maps stocks as orders, and uses ATP categories to differentiate between the various stock types. SAP APO manages storage locations as sublocations and batches as versions. SAP APO also manages the ERP valuation types as versions. In the hierarchy, versions are subordinate to sublocations. SAP APO can also manage negative stocks.
Anonymous Stocks
Anonymous stocks are storage location stocks that are not assigned to a particular consumer. From a logistics point of view, it is not important whether the stocks are valuated or non-valuated.
You activate the transfer of the following stock data in the integration model by using the indicators for Storage Location Stocks and Stocks in Transit (stock in transfer and stock in transit). When stock is transferred, stock in transfer is posted in the ERP system in a two-step procedure. Stock in transit is created when stock is transferred via a stock transport order.
Storage Location Stock
Stock Types for Storage Location Stock
Stock Type |
SAP APO Category |
Comment |
Safety stock |
CB EISBE |
|
Unrestricted-use stock |
LABST |
|
Stock in quality inspection |
CF INSME |
|
Blocked stock |
CI SPEME |
By default, not relevant to pegging in SAP APO. You can change this on a customer-specific basis in the product master on the Demand tab page. |
Restricted-use stock |
CK EINME |
The batch is mapped as a version. You can change this on a customer-specific basis in the product master on the Demand tab page. |
Some stock types in SAP APO are not relevant for pegging. That means that they are not taken into account in planning for Production Planning and Detailed Scheduling (PP/DS), but instead are just displayed for information purposes.
SAP APO usually maps batches as versions. The ATP category is not influenced by this.
Stock in Transit
Stock Types for Stock in Transit
Stock Type |
SAP APO Category |
Comment |
Stock in transfer |
CA UMLMC CN UMLME |
By default, not relevant to pegging in SAP APO. You can change this on a customer-specific basis in the product master on the Demand tab page. |
Stock in transit |
CS TRAME |
By default, not relevant to pegging in SAP APO. You can change this on a customer-specific basis in the product master on the Demand tab page. |
Cross-company-code stock in transit |
|
Is not transferred to SAP APO. |
Goods Receipt Blocked Stock
This stock is not relevant for MRP and is not valuated. It is either incorporated into the company’s own stock or sent back to the vendors. Goods receipt blocked stock is not mapped in SAP APO.
Blocked Stock Returns
This stock consists of goods returned by the customer, and is not managed on either an MRP nor a valuated basis. Blocked stock returns are not mapped in SAP APO.
Assigned Stocks
Vendor Consignment Stock
This stock belongs to the vendor, but it is kept in the company’s own warehouse. Materials planning and consumption are the responsibility of the customer. The material that is withdrawn must be settled with the vendor regularly; for example, on a monthly basis.
You can activate the transfer of vendor consignment stocks in the integration model by using the Storage Location Stocks indicator. Vendor consignment stocks are managed in SAP APO in the plant location of the appropriate ERP plant. The corresponding vendor is displayed in the Owner column of the stock overview in SAP APO.
To ensure that the system selects the stock data, the vendor master data must be contained in the same integration model as the stocks.
Stock Types for Vendor Consignment Stock
Stock Type |
SAP APO Category |
Comment |
Unrestricted-use vendor consignment stock |
CD LABST-K |
|
Vendor consignment stock in quality inspection |
CG INSME-K |
|
Blocked vendor consignment stock |
CJ SPEME-K |
By default, not relevant to pegging in SAP APO. You can change this on a customer-specific basis in the product master on the Demand tab page. |
Restricted-use vendor consignment batch stock |
CL EINME-K |
|
Consignment Stock at Customer
This is stock belonging to the company that is located at the customer. Materials planning and consumption are the responsibility of the customer. The material that is withdrawn must be settled periodically; for example, on a monthly basis.
Consignment stocks are required at the customer; for example, for scheduling in the vendor-managed inventory process. In this case, the part availability information is sent from the customer directly to SAP APO as an EDI message (PROACT). As a result, a transfer using CIF is not necessary and the Special Stocks at Customer indicator is not set.
However, the indicator must be set if the consignment stock at the customer is posted in the ERP system and is to be transferred to SAP APO using CIF. In addition, the customer master data must be contained in the same integration model, so that the data is selected for transfer in the initial data transfer. An active integration model for the relevant customers must exist for online transfers.
In addition, the product master must be created in the customer location in SAP APO. If necessary, this can occur in a customer enhancement.
Stock Types for Consignment Stock at Customer
Stock Type |
SAP APO Category |
Comment |
Unrestricted-use consignment stock at customer |
CD LABST-K |
Stock is in the customer location. |
Customer consignment stock in quality inspection |
CG INSME-K |
|
Blocked customer consignment stock |
CJ SPEME-K |
By default, not relevant to pegging in SAP APO. You can change this on a customer-specific basis in the product master on the Demand tab page. |
Restricted-use customer consignment batch stock |
CL EINME-K |
|
Stock of Material Provided to Vendor
This is the company’s own stock that is made available to the vendor (subcontractor) to manufacture the ordered material. This material provided to the vendor is booked out of the company’s own stock after the ordered material has been received.
The stock of material provided to the vendor can be managed in SAP APO either in the plant location or in the vendor location. The choice of location depends on whether a product master has been created in the vendor location (stock of material provided to the vendor at the vendor location) or not (stock of material provided to the vendor at the plant location). Alternatively, you can also use a subcontracting location that you have previously created manually.
You can activate the transfer of the stocks of material provided to the vendor by using the Special Stocks at Vendor indicator in the integration model. The relevant vendor master data must be contained in the same model for the initial data transfer (see the section above Consignment Stock at Customer).
Stock Types for Stock of Material Provided to Vendor
Stock Type |
SAP APO Category |
Comment |
Unrestricted-use stock of material provided to vendor |
CE LABST-L |
|
Stock of material provided to vendor in quality inspection |
CH INSME-L |
|
Restricted-use stock of material provided to vendor |
CH EINME-L |
By default, not relevant to pegging in SAP APO. You can change this on a customer-specific basis in the product master on the Demand tab page. |
Sales Order Stock
This stock is assigned to a sales order and is only available to be planned and used for this sales order.
In SAP APO, the sales order stock is assigned to the corresponding sales order, planned in individual segments, and managed amongst the normal stock types for storage location stock.
Project Stock
This stock is assigned to a project and is only available to be planned and used for this project.
In SAP APO, the product stock is assigned to the corresponding WBS element, planned in individual segments and managed amongst the normal stock types for storage location stock.
Special Features for Representing Stocks in SAP APO
SAP APO also manages stocks that are physically located in the company’s own plant or storage location in the ERP system at the Plant Location or at the Sublocation.
SAP APO manages stocks that are physically located on the vendor's premises (for example, the stock of material provided to the vendor) at the Vendor Location.
SAP APO manages stocks that are physically located on the customer's premises (for example, consignment stock at customer or customer returnable packaging) at the Customer Location.
SAP APO manages stocks that come from the vendor (for example, vendor consignment stock) at the Storage Location/Plant Location. In the case of these stocks, SAP APO does not differentiate between vendors.
SAP APO represents the batch as a version.
SAP APO represents the storage location as a sublocation.
SAP APO records transaction data in the form of versions. Here the system manages the stock data from the ERP system in the active version 000.
By default, CIF transfers inspection lots from the ERP system to SAP APO as stock in quality inspection. If, however, you have configured the integration of inspection lots, CIF transfers them as inspection lots to SAP APO.
Modeling in liveCache
In SAP APO, all transaction data is managed in the form of orders in liveCache. The order header contains the following information:
● Pegging area: Determined from the material, location, and – if required – from the account assignment (sales order, project).
● Batch
● Stock type, for example, unrestricted-use stock. The stock type should be regarded as an order type.
● Additional location (for special stock)
The order items below the order header represent the stocks, each of which is categorized in accordance with its sublocation (for example, the storage location) and its ATP category.
Activities
You can navigate through the stock display in SAP APO as follows:
1. In SAP APO, choose Production Planning → Interactive Production Planning → Product View.
2. Enter the following data:
○ Planning version: 000
○ Product
○ Location
○ Special stock indicator and account assignment object (project number or sales order number)
3. From the planning view you can go to a detailed stock overview using the Stock tab page.
If SAP APO is not working with liveCache, the stock is posted to the product master.
4. To display the product master, select the Product Master tab page.
5. On the Product Master tab page, you can display the current stock using the GR/GI tab page.