An assortment is an object to which articles are assigned for a specific time frame (validity period). This assignment can be made either directly of via assortment modules. The results of this assignment are listing conditions that form the basis for a variety of reports.

The following types of assortment are available:

• Assortments suitable for stores

• Assortments suitable for distribution centers

• General article assortments, particularly suitable for wholesale customers

Currently, only the following assignments can be made:

• For stores, exactly one suitable assortment (occurs implicitly through retail site maintenance)

• For distribution centers, the same applies

• For general article assortments, as many customers as desired with one or more assignments per sales area.

An assortment user must be assigned to an assortment before it can use the articles in that assortment for its various business functions. The scope of functions available is determined by the category of assortment user.

Currently, there are the following categories of assortment users:

• Retail sites

• Stores
• Distribution centers

• Customers

In Retail, the most important assortment user is the retail site.

The assortment of a site consists of all the articles in which it trades.

Assortments can be grouped together in the Classification System using SAP class type 047. Listing checks use only the characteristics defined here.

Mass functions are available for assigning customers to assortments (using assortment maintenance functions and radio buttons).

The following graphic shows the relationship of assortments to assortment users:

• Adding these articles to the article assortment that is assigned to this store’s distribution center

• Determining the distribution centers via which articles are distributed when stores are to be supplied from the warehouse

• Determining the stores in which articles are to be sold at the point of sale

• Determining the articles which are to be included in the customer‘s assortments

Assortment Management has been designed to be independent of all purchasing and vendor constraints, goods movements and supply sources. This has the following advantages:

• The central purchasing division in a company can function independently, without being involved in any goods movements or marketing activities of individual distribution chains

• Different sales and distribution strategies are possible, independent of central purchasing policy

• Local autonomy is possible for sites and distribution chains

• Flexible supply sources are supported

The assortment management demands of retailers differ greatly. Some require identical assortments in all areas, while others demand assortments unique (for example) to each store. Assortment Management takes account of these differences and offers a variety of tools to allow any combination of article assortments as well as the structuring of article assortments for wholesale.

Normally listing results in all the units of measure of an article being assigned to an assortment. For promotions, however, it is possible to list only those (sales) units you specify.