Item Type Overview and Mapping 
The table below lists the mapping between SAP ERP Item Categories and SAP Sourcing Item Types.
Item Type | ERP Item Category | Use with Material Master Line Item | Use with Free Text Line Item | ERP Item Category ID Internal/External |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Material | Standard | Yes | Yes | 0/(blank) |
Service | Service | No | Yes | 9/D |
Consignment | Consignment | Yes | No | 2/K |
Subcontracting | Subcontracting | Yes | Yes | 3/L |
Material Unknown | Material Unknown | No | Yes | 4/M |
Material Group (Not in RFx) | Material Group | No | Yes | 8/W |
Customer Type 1 | N/A | Yes | Yes | N/A |
Customer Type 2 | N/A | Yes | Yes | N/A |
Customer Type 3 | N/A | Yes | Yes | N/A |
Material
Item Type Material represents the SAP ERP Item Category Standard. Items of this type can have a material number (from Material Master) or a free-text description. You can use this Item Type in RFx, RFx Responses, RFx Awards, Auctions and Master Agreements/Agreements. You can transfer line items of this type to Purchase Orders and Outline Agreements from RFx Awards, and to Outline Agreements and Scheduling Agreements from Master Agreements/Agreements. You can also transfer line items of this type from an SAP ERP RFQ to an SAP Sourcing RFx.
Service
Item Type Service represents the SAP ERP Item Category D (Service). SAP Sourcing supports free text service items (no Service Master) in RFx, RFx Responses, RFx Awards, Auctions and Master Agreements. Items of this type can have a material number (from Material Master) or a free-text description. With SAP ERP Enhancement Package 4, you can transfer line items of this type to Purchase Orders and Outline Agreements from RFx Awards, and to Outline Agreements from Master Agreements/Agreements. Each SAP Sourcing Service line item is represented by one Service Line item with one Service in SAP ERP. You can transfer Line items of this type from an SAP ERP RFQ to an SAP Sourcing RFx.
Consignment
Item Type Consignment represents the SAP ERP item category (K Consignment). Items of this type must have a material number (from Material Master). In the consignment process, the vendor provides goods that are stored in consignment stores, typically located at the buying company. The vendor remains owner of the material until the withdrawal of materials from the consignment stores.
In SAP Sourcing, for line items of this type, price is optional. Prices for consignment items are determined from an Information Record at the time the material is withdrawn from the consignment stock.
You can use this Item Type in RFx, RFx Responses, RFx Awards, and Master Agreements/Agreements. You can transfer line items of this type to Outline Agreements from RFx Awards and Master Agreements/Agreements.
Note
You cannot transfer prices to Outline Agreements. You must manually transfer Prices to the SAP ERP Consignment Information Record. However, SAP ERP Enhancement Package 4 includes an option to update Consignment Information Records automatically during Outline Agreement Creation and Update, based on custom specific enhancements. You can transfer line items of this type from an SAP ERP RFQ to an SAP Sourcing SAP RFx. For details on updating the Consignment Information Record automatically, see SAP Note 1703392.
Subcontracting
Item Type Subcontracting represents the SAP ERP item category L (Subcontracting). Items of this type can have a material number (from Material Master) or a free-text description. In Subcontracting, the vendor (subcontractor) typically receives components in order to manufacture a product. The components are listed as sub-items in the purchase order.
Note
SAP Sourcing does not support components (sub-items). SAP Sourcing and SAP CLM processes only reflect the Subcontracting line item. Components (sub-items) are typically represented in the SAP ERP purchase order. You can use this Item Type in RFx, RFx Responses, RFx Awards and Master Agreements/Agreements. You can transfer Line items of this type to Purchase Orders and Outline Agreements from RFx Awards and Master Agreements/Agreements. You can also transfer line items of this type from an SAP ERP RFQ to an SAP Sourcing RFx.
Material Unknown
Item Type Material Unknown represents the SAP ERP item category M (Material Unknown). Items of this type can have a free-text description only. Item Category M is for entering contract items without specifying the material number. SAP recommends using Item Category M for similar materials with the same price but with differing material numbers. Operational contract items have the short text, material group, quantity, and unit of measure, but do not have a material number. The material number is not specified until a release order for the material is created against the contract.
You can use this Item Type in RFx, RFx Responses, RFx Awards and Master Agreements/Agreements. You can transfer line items of this type to Outline Agreements from RFx Awards and Master Agreements/Agreements. You can also transfer line items of this type from an SAP ERP RFQ to an SAP Sourcing RFx.
Material Group
Item Type Material Group represents the SAP ERP item category W (Material Group). Items of this type only have a free-text description and a product category. Item Category M is used for similar materials with the same price but different material numbers. Operational contract items have the short text, material group, quantity, and unit of measure, but do not have a material number. The material number is not specified until a release order for the material is created against the contract. You can use this Item Type in Master Agreements/Agreements.
Note
This item type is not available in RFx documents, because the RFx process in SAP Sourcing always requires Prices and Quantities. You can transfer line items of this type to Outline Agreements from Master Agreements and subagreements.
Customer Types
SAP Sourcing reserves three Customer Item Types that you can use for customer-specific Item Types, or for SAP ERP Item Categories that SAP Sourcing will support in future releases. Items of this type can have a material number (from Material Master) or a free-text description. Customer Item Types are available for custom mapping in PI.