Storage Resources (SAP Library - Resource (PP-PI-MD))

Storage Resources

Definition

A storage resource is a storage location or production unit that has both the characteristics of a resource and a storage location. It is used for intermediate storage of materials. Temporary storage of material in a production process can either be required between operations that follow each other chronologically within a production stage or between several production stages.

There are two types of storage resources:

Storage resource, on which no production process takes place (resource category Storage)

This storage resources can have an available capacity and material stock assigned to it. Its available capacity is defined in the unit volume/quantity.

Storage resources that are only for storage are assigned to the material flow directly in the master recipe or in the process order.

Storage resource, at which a production process takes place (resource category Processing unit / Storage)

This storage resources can also be planned as far as time is concerned and material movements take place on it. Its available capacity is defined both in a time unit and in volume/quantity.

Storage resources that are also processing units are copied to the master recipe (or process order) as primary resources.

Use

A storage resource that is only used for storage serves as an intermediate storage location for materials and is used to avoid bottlenecks in production planning.

Such bottlenecks occur, for example, in the following situations:

When a line is not available for the next operation during the production of an intermediate product.

Within the production process when there is a changeover between a continuously producing and a batch-oriented line.

When a product cannot be released for further processing right away (perhaps, for example, because results from laboratory studies are still being waited on or materials are in quarantine).

The available capacity of storage resources remains continuous as far as time is concerned, however, it is dependent on volumes / maximum quantities.

Since inventory management is necessary, the storage resource is recorded as a storage location. In this way, the quantity of material flow is controlled.

A storage resource that is at the same time a processing unit is used for intermediate storage of materials and for production. It therefore functions as a primary resource in the production process. After the last production step, the material remains at the line until part or all of it is withdrawn for a process. The available capacity of this type of storage resource is defined based on time-related availability as well as on the quantity-related capacity and the stock.