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Inventory Management: Batch Handling

Description

Release 3.0 includes batch handling functions for use in all relevant areas in Logistics. This new functionality comprises the following key areas:

The concepts of batch handling are described in detail in the Release note Batch Handling in Sales and Distribution and in Materials Management.

The present Release note focuses on items of importance for Inventory Management.

Batch definition

It is possible to define number assignment for batches at various levels:

In the standard R/3 System, numbers are assigned to each material at plant level.

Status management

In batch status management, the system differentiates between two sifferent statuses. A batch can have the status unrestricted-use or restricted-use. The status is stored centrally as part of the batch and is used as a batch characteristic in classification, which, in turn, is responsible for batch selection in batch determination.

In Inventory Management, the status is set to unrestricted-use upon receipt of a new batch. A batch can only be given the status restricted-use in the following instances:

With a goods movement, the status of a batch is specified in the RU (restricted-use) column on the collective entry screen.

With a withdrawal, the System issues a warning or an error message (depending on the configuration) if the batch to be withdrawn belongs to the restricted-use stock.

Batch classification in goods receipt

You can only use the batch determination function if batches are subject to classification. With a goods receipt, you can access the batch classification function directly in order to assign values to the class characteristics.

Batch determination

With a goods issue of a material handled in batches, you can enter the value * in the Batch field in order to initiate automatic batch determination. The system then uses a specific search strategy to search for batches with certain characteristic values (such as status, shelf life, and so on) and proposes these batches in a list. In this list, the batches are sorted by specific critieria (sort sequence), and the characteristic values are displayed. You can use the batches suggested by the system for your goods movement or select the batches manually.

If the system could not find any batches using the batch determination function (for example, because the batches had not been classified or because there was no batch corresponding to the characteristic values in the search strategy), you can display a list of all batches for the material and select the desired batches from this list.

Change system parameters in customizing

Once you have made these settings, you have to maintain the individual search strategies for each strategy type. To create the search strategies, select Environment -> Batch search strategy in the application menu for Inventory Management.