Reference Characteristics in SAP CRM

You can use reference characteristics to automatically apply certain values from the environment as context information, or to copy values to the environment, during runtime of product configuration with the configuration engine. You can use the dependency to then include these values in rules.

For more information, see:

Reference Characteristics and the Configuration Engine
ERP Master Data and Configuration Engine
Reference Characteristics in ERP Scenarios

Example Example

You can copy the country of the sold-to party from the sales order, and derive from this that, for example, only certain voltages are offered for the electrical connection of a device in the configuration.

You can read the transaction type and also infer that in a quotation, in contrast to an order, not all characteristics are visible in the configuration.

End of the example.

Technically, a reference characteristic is a characteristic that is created with reference to a table field. In the product configuration, you can transfer values of context parameters (table names and field names, for example VBAK-VBELN for a sales document) to the reference characteristic defined for the relevant field, and use them as characteristic values in configuration. When you start the product configuration in the respective context, the context parameter values are automatically allocated to the affected reference characteristics.

At the end of this document, there is a complete list of available reference characteristics.

You can use Business Add-In (BAdI) CRM_CONFIG_BADI to transfer additional context parameters. You can find this BAdI in SAP CRM Customizing, under Start of the navigation path Customer Relationship Management Next navigation step Basic Functions Product Configuration BAdI: Enhancements for Product Configuration End of the navigation path .

Using the method SET_CONTEXT, you can set values for any reference characteristics that were created for user-defined fields in SAP ERP, or overwrite existing values.

Prerequisites

You have defined a reference characteristic for the field whose value you want to use in the configuration model.
SAP ERP: In the characteristics management of the classification system (transaction CT04), on the tab page Addnl Data, you enter the table name and field name for the field that you want to assign to the reference characteristic. If you want to allow only read access to the context parameters, set the Not Ready for Input indicator on the Addnl Data tab page.

SAP CRM: You enter the alias for the field in the product model.
You have activated the transfer of the required additional context parameters.

Features

You can have both read and write access to certain fields of an application, using reference characteristics. When you confirm the product configuration, the changed values are sent to the application, and it is then updated with the changed values.

If you have changed a reference characteristic value in the product configuration, and it was then applied in the application, you can only change this value again in the product configuration. It is no longer possible to change the value in the application.
You can use reference characteristics not only in single-level product configuration, but also on all levels in multi-level product configuration.

The availability of reference characteristics depends on two variables:

The scenario in which you perform the product configuration (CRM Enterprise, CRM Mobile, CRM Web Channel, Interaction Center)
In CRM Web Channel, for example, certain reference characteristics are filled with values only in the B2B shopping basket, as it already appears in the CRM backend as an order. The filled reference characteristics are therefore the same as those in the CRM Enterprise order. In the Web catalog and the B2C shopping basket, on the other hand, less reference characteristics are filled.
The maintenance environment in which you model your configurable product (SAP ERP or SAP CRM).
In SAP CRM, there is a fixed list of reference characteristics available (see below). You can create other reference characteristics for user-defined fields, and analyze them using BAdI CRM_CONFIG_BADI, but only in SAP ERP.

For more information, see the tables below.

Note Note

The table contains the table name and the field name for SAP ERP. For usage in the configuration engine, these entries are mapped to a more descriptive alias.

On the ABAP side, copy the context parameter values in the data format that is defined in the DDIC for the respective fields (for example, QUAN13 for the weight). In the configuration engine, the format specified in the table is used.

End of the note.

List of Available Reference Characteristics
ERP Table	Field	Reference Characteristics (Alias)	Description	Type	Write
Document Header
VBAK	AEDAT	DOCUMENT_CHANGE_DATE	Date of last change	DATE8
VBAK	ERDAT	DOCUMENT_CREATION_DATE	Date on which the document was created	DATE8
VBAK	WAERK	DOCUMENT_CURRENCY	Document currency	CHAR5
VBAK	KVGR1	DOCUMENT_CUSTOMER_GROUP_1	Customer group 1	CHAR3
VBAK	KVGR2	DOCUMENT_CUSTOMER_GROUP_2	Customer group 2	CHAR3
VBAK	KVGR3	DOCUMENT_CUSTOMER_GROUP_3	Customer group 3	CHAR3
VBAK	KVGR4	DOCUMENT_CUSTOMER_GROUP_4	Customer group 4	CHAR3
VBAK	KVGR5	DOCUMENT_CUSTOMER_GROUP_5	Customer group 5	CHAR3
VBAK	VTWEG	DOCUMENT_DISTRIBUTION_CHANNEL	Distribution channel	CHAR2
VBAK	SPART	DOCUMENT_DIVISION	Division	CHAR2
VBAK	VBELN	DOCUMENT_ID	Sales document	CHAR10
KOMK	HWAER	DOCUMENT_LOCAL_CURRENCY	Local currency	CHAR5
VBAK	KALSM	DOCUMENT_PRICING_PROCEDURE	Pricing procedure	CHAR6
VBAK	VDATU	DOCUMENT_REQ_DELIVERY_DATE	Requested delivery date	DATE8	x
VBAK	VKGRP	DOCUMENT_SALES_GROUP	Sales group	CHAR3
CRMD_ORGMAN	SALES_ORG	DOCUMENT_SALES_ORG_CRM	Sales organization in CRM	CHAR4
VBAK	VKORG	DOCUMENT_SALES_ORG_R3	Sales organization	CHAR14
VBAK	AWAHR	DOCUMENT_SALES_PROBABILITY	Sales probability	CHAR4
VBAK	VSBED	DOCUMENT_SHIPPING_CONDITIONS	Shipping conditions	CHAR2	x
BUT000	PARTNER	DOCUMENT_SOLD_TO_PARTY_CRM	Sold-to-party in CRM	CHAR10
VBAK	KUNNR	DOCUMENT_SOLD_TO_PARTY_R3	Sold-to party	CHAR10
VBAK	STCEG_L	DOCUMENT_TAX_DESTINATION	Tax destination	CHAR3
VBAK	AUART	DOCUMENT_TYPE	Sales document type	CHAR4
VBAK	ANGDT	DOCUMENT_VALID_FROM	Quotation/request valid from	DATE8
VBKD	IHREZ	CUSTOMER_INTERNAL_REFERENCE	Customer reference	CHAR12
Document Item
VBAP	MEINS	ITEM_BASE_UNIT	Base unit of measure	CHAR3
VBAP	PSTYV	ITEM_CATEGORY	Item category	CHAR4
VBAP	AEDAT	ITEM_CHANGE_DATE	Item change date	DATE8
VBAP	ERDAT	ITEM_CREATION_DATE	Item creation date	DATE8
VBKD	KDGRP	ITEM_CUSTOMER_GROUP	Customer group	CHAR2
VBAP	LPRIO	ITEM_DELIVERY_PRIORITY	Delivery priority	NUM2	x
VBAP	ARKTX	ITEM_DESCRIPTION	Item short text	CHAR40	x
VBAP	VBELN	ITEM_DOCUMENT_ID	Sales document for item	CHAR10
VBKD	KURSK	ITEM_EXCHANGE_RATE	Exchange rate	NUM9
VBPA_WE	LAND1	ITEM_GOODS_RECIPIENT_COUNTRY	Goods recipient country	CHAR3
BUT000	WE	ITEM_GOODS_RECIPIENT_CRM	Goods recipient in CRM	CHAR10
VBPA_WE	KUNNR	ITEM_GOODS_RECIPIENT_R3	Ship-to party	CHAR10
VBAP	BRGEW	ITEM_GROSS_WEIGHT	Gross weight of item	NUM15	x
VBKD	INCO1	ITEM_INCOTERMS_1	Incoterms 1	CHAR3	X
VBKD	INCO2	ITEM_INCOTERMS_2	Incoterms 2	CHAR28	X
VBAP	NTGEW	ITEM_NET_WEIGHT	Net weight of item	NUM15	x
VBKD	KONDA	ITEM_PRICE_GROUP	Price group	CHAR2
VBKD	PLTYP	ITEM_PRICELIST_TYPE	Price list	CHAR2
VBKD	PRSDT	ITEM_PRICING_DATE	Date for pricing and exchange rate	DATE8
CRMD_ORDERADM_I	PMATN	ITEM_PRICING_PRODUCT_ID_CRM	Pricing product in CRM	CHAR40
VBAP	PMATN	ITEM_PRICING_PRODUCT_ID_R3	Pricing reference material	CHAR18
VBAP	MVGR1	ITEM_PRODUCT_GROUP1	Product group 1	CHAR3
VBAP	MVGR2	ITEM_PRODUCT_GROUP2	Product group 2	CHAR3
VBAP	MVGR3	ITEM_PRODUCT_GROUP3	Product group 3	CHAR3
VBAP	MVGR4	ITEM_PRODUCT_GROUP4	Product group 4	CHAR3
VBAP	MVGR5	ITEM_PRODUCT_GROUP5	Product group 5	CHAR3
VBAP	PRODH	ITEM_PRODUCT_HIERARCHY	Product hierarchy	CHAR18
VBAP	MATNR	ITEM_PRODUCT_ID_R3	ERP material number	CHAR18
VBKD	J_1AREGIO	ITEM_REGION	Region of item	CHAR3
VBAP	AWAHR	ITEM_SALES_PROBABILITY	Sales probability for item	NUM4
VBAP	UMZIN	ITEM_SALES_TO_BASE_UNIT_DENOM	Denominator for conversion of sales quantity into base unit of measure	NUM5
VBAP	UMZIZ	ITEM_SALES_TO_BASE_UNIT_NUMER	Numerator for conversion of sales quantity into base unit of measure	NUM5
VBAP	UMVKN	ITEM_SALES_TO_SHIP_UNIT_DENOM	Denominator for conversion of sales quantity into delivery unit of measure	NUM5
VBAP	UMVKZ	ITEM_SALES_TO_SHIP_UNIT_NUMER	Numerator for conversion of sales quantity into delivery unit of measure	NUM5
VBAP	VRKME	ITEM_SALES_UNIT	Sales unit	CHAR3
VBAP	MATWA	ITEM_SELECTED_PRODUCT	Selected material/product ID	CHAR54
VBAP	VSTEL	ITEM_SHIPPING_POINT_R3	Delivery address	CHAR3
VBPA_AG	LAND1	ITEM_SOLD_TO_COUNTRY	Sold-to-party country	CHAR3
KNA1	PSTLZ	ITEM_SOLD_TO_PARTY_CITY_POSTCODE	Postal code of sold-to party	CHAR10
BUT000	AG	ITEM_SOLD_TO_PARTY_CRM	Sold-to-party in CRM	CHAR10
KNA1	BRSCH	ITEM_SOLD_TO_PARTY_INDUSTRY	Industry of sold-to party	CHAR4
KNA1	PSTL2	ITEM_SOLD_TO_PARTY_POBOX_CODE	PO box of sold-to party	CHAR10
VBPA_AG	KUNNR	ITEM_SOLD_TO_PARTY_R3	ERP sold-to party	CHAR10
KNVK	PARGE	ITEM_SOLD_TO_PARTY_SEX	Gender of sold-to party	CHAR1
VBAP	ZMENG	ITEM_TARGET_QUANTITY	Target quantity for item	NUM15
VBAP	ZIEME	ITEM_TARGET_QUANTITY_UNIT	Target quantity unit of measure	CHAR3
VBKD	ZTERM	ITEM_TERMS_OF_PAYMENT	Terms of payment	CHAR4
VBAP	KWMENG	ITEM_TOTAL_QUANTITY	Total quantity for item	NUM15	x
VBKD	KURSK_DAT	ITEM_TRANSLATION_DATE	Exchange rate date	DATE8
VBAP	VOLUM	ITEM_VOLUME	Item volume	NUM15	x
VBAP	VOLEH	ITEM_VOLUME_UNIT	Volume unit	CHAR3	x
VBAP	GEWEI	ITEM_WEIGHT_UNIT	Weight unit	CHAR3	x
MAEPV	MATNR	COPY_1_OF_PRODUCT_ID_R3	Material number	CHAR18
MAAPV	ARKTX	PRODUCT_DESCRIPTION	Short text of customer order item	CHAR40
MAAPV	BRGEW	PRODUCT_GROSS_WEIGHT	Gross weight	NUM15
COMM_PRODUCT	PRODUCT_ID	PRODUCT_ID_CRM	Product ID	CHAR40
MAAPV	MATNR	PRODUCT_ID_R3	ERP material number	CHAR18
MAAPV	NTGEW	PRODUCT_NET_WEIGHT	Net weight	NUM15
MAAPV	PMATN	PRODUCT_PRICING_ID_R3	Pricing reference material (proposal)	CHAR18
MAAPV	VOLUM	PRODUCT_VOLUME	Volume	NUM15
MAAPV	VOLEH	PRODUCT_VOLUME_UNIT	Volume unit	CHAR3
MAAPV	GEWEI	PRODUCT_WEIGHT_UNIT	Weight unit	CHAR3
Contract-Specific Fields
VEDA	VINSDAT	CONTRACT_ACTIVATION_DATE	Activation date	DATE8	x
VEDA	VBEDKUE	CONTRACT_ALLOWED_CANC_DATE	Allowed cancellation date	DATE8
VEDA	VENDDAT	CONTRACT_END_DATE	Contract end date	DATE8	x
VEDA	VDEMDAT	CONTRACT_PLANNED_RUNTIME_END	Planned contract end date	DATE8
VEDA	VWUNDAT	CONTRACT_REQ_CANCELLATION_DATE	Requested cancellation date	DATE8	x
VEDA	VBEGDAT	CONTRACT_START_DATE	Contract start date	DATE8	x
CRMC_IST_TP_PRC	TYPE	PROVIDER_PROCESS_TYPE	CRM for Telco: Process type	CHAR4
Reference Characteristics for Internal Control
SDCOM	VARKOND	VARIANT_CONDITION	Collector for variant condition	CHAR26	x
STPO	MENGE	BOM_POSITION_AMOUNT	Quantity of BOM item	NUM13	x
ERP-Specific Fields
VBAK	VBTYP	DOCUMENT_CATEGORY_R3	Sales document category	CHAR1
VBAP	WERKS	ITEM_PLANT_R3	Plant for item	CHAR4
MAEPV	WZEIT	PRODUCT_REPLENISHMENT_TIME	Total replenishment lead time (working days)	NUM3
MAAPV	MTART	PRODUCT_TYPE_R3	Material type	CHAR4
MAEPV	STDPD	PRODUCT_VARIANT_OF_R3	Configurable material for the variant	CHAR18
MAEPV	DZEIT	PRODUCT_MANUFACTURING_TIME	In-house production time	NUM3
MAAPV	DWERK	PRODUCT_DELIVERY_PLANT	Delivering plant	CHAR4