The system offers an additional option, the integration of the Asset Accounting and Plant Maintenance components by synchronization of asset master records an d equipment master records. Synchronization means master data maintenance of the two objects is linked, so that changes to one are automatically made in the other. You can set up this process, so that when you create an asset master record, the system automatically enters an equipment master record number in the asset master record, and copies the values of certain master data fields (for example, company code, cost center). The equipment master record, however, is not actually created until you save. You can delete it from the asset master record before that, if you wish.

You can also set up the system so that equipment master records are automatically updated when you make certain changes to the asset master records linked to them.

The system provides workflow functions here to augment this process, or to handle it completely. For example, a workflow can inform the responsible employee in Plant Maintenance, who then makes the necessary entries manually. (This could involve creating an equipment master record, or checking master data.)

In Customizing for Asset Accounting, you specify whether the system

• Automatically creates an equipment master record and/or triggers a workflow when an asset is created
• Makes synchronous changes in the equipment master record and/or triggers a workflow when an asset master data is changed

When making these settings, you can specify which individual master data fields should automatically be synchronized in the asset and equipment master records (for example, company code, cost center).

You can also make all of these settings in the other direction, meaning that the equipment master record is the initiator. For example, creating an equipment master record then results in the automatic creation of an asset master record, or triggers a workflow. The same applies to changes.

For more information, refer to the Implementation Guide (IMG) for Asset Accounting. Choose Master Data ® Automatic Creation of Equipment Master Records

You specify the integration of the FI-AA and PM components by entering one or more equipment master records in the asset master record. The other way around, however, it is only possible to enter one asset number in an equipment master record (or functional location). As a result, it is possible

• To jump directly from the asset master record to the appropriate equipment master record

• To select, in the PM component, all the assets that belong to a piece of equipment

• To capitalize, in the PM component, all maintenance orders requiring capitalization, to the respective assets

The solid lines show the relationships between assets and equipment or functional locations, when you use equipment and functional locations at the same time in PM. A piece of equipment can be assigned to the asset main number as well as to the asset sub-number. The broken lines shows the situation when only functional locations are used.