SAP MM ( Material Management ) Is One Of The Important Modules In SAP ERP Software And MM application Module Supports The Procurement And Inventory Functions Occurring In Day-to-day Business Operations.
1.Explain what is SAP MM?
SAP MM (Material Management) is a functional module in SAP that deals with procurement handling andmaterial management. The MM module contains master data, system configuration and transactions tocomplete the procure to pay process.
2.What are the essential components in SAP MM?
Determine requirements
• Source determination
• Vendor Selection
• Order Processing
• Order follow up
• Goods receipts and Inventory management
• Invoice Verification
3.Mention what are the types of special stock available?
The types of special stock available are subcontracting, consignment, project, pipeline, sales order, stocktransfer, returnable packaging with customer, etc.
4.List out important field in purchasing view?
The critical fields in purchasing view are
• Base unit of measure
• Order unit
• Purchasing group
• Material group
• Valid from
• Tax indicator for material
• Manufacturer part number• Manufacturer, etc.
• Manufacturer, etc.
5.Explain the importance of the batch record?
A batch tells about a quantity of a particular product, which is processed or produced at the same time withthe same parameters. The materials produced in such batch have the same values and characteristics.While, the batch record gives the information about a particular batch product and helpful in knowingwhether the product has gone through GMP (Good Manufacturing Process).
6.Explain how you can link a document to a vendor master record?
To link the document with the vendor master record by using the XK01 transaction code or by using thefollowing menu path
SAP Menu > Logistics > Material Management > Purchasing > Master Data > Vendor > Central > XK01-Create.
7.Mention what are the major purchasing tables? List the transaction codes for them?
Purchase requisition ? EKBN
• Purchase requisition account assignment ? EBKN
• Release documentation ? EKAB
• History of purchase documents ? EKBE
8.Mention what are the data contained in the information record?
The information record contains data related to the units of measurement, such as the products, vendorprice, materials used by specific vendors, etc. It also contains information on the tolerance limit of theunder delivery of data, vendor evaluation data, planned delivery time, availability status for goods.
9.Mention what is the transaction code to delete a batch?
The transaction code MSC2N is used to delete a batch. By flagging the batch master record, you can deletea batch record alternatively.
10.Mention what is the transaction code used to extend the material view?
To extend the material view transaction, code MM50 is used.
11.Explain how you can change the standard price in the master material?
The standard price for the material data cannot be updated or changed directly. However, to change thestandard price you can perform the following steps
• Fill in the future fields price ( MBEW-ZKPRS ) and the effective data ( MBEW-ZKDAT) for the materials
• Select Logistics > Material Management > Valuation > Valuation Price Determination > Future Price
12.What is Source List and what is the transaction code for creating Source List?
To identify sources of supply for materials a source list is used. To create a source list the transaction codeused is ME01.
13.For creating a purchasing info record what are the pre-requisites?
The pre-requisites for creating a purchase info record are
• Material Number
• MPN ( Manufacturer Part Number )
• Vendor Number
• Organizational level code
14.Explain the terms Planned delivery and GR processing time?
Planned delivery means number of calendar days required to obtain the material, and GR processingmeans number of workdays required after receiving the material for inspection and placement into storage.
15.What is purchase requisition as related to SAP? Mention the document types that are used in purchase requisition?
Purchase requisition in SAP determines both stock and non-stock items to the purchasing department. Itcan be done either manually or automatically, the document types used in purchase requisition are
• RFO ( Request For Quotation )
• Outline Agreement
• PO ( Purchasing Order )
16.Explain how consignment stocks are created?
In the normal purchase order or requisition, consignment stocks are created. While creating consignmentstocks things to be considered is that you must enter K category for the consignment item. As a result, thegoods issued are posted to consignment stores and invoice receipt is not generated.
17.Explain how is the vendor return processed without a purchase order reference?
First you have to observe the return column and then select -- Item Detail > MIGO_GR > Goods Receiptfor Purchase Order. Use movement type 161 if the intention is to deduct the stock otherwise, 162 is used toundo the changes. In the end, you have to ensure that the document is a return purchase order, and then thedocument is saved. You can also use transaction code M21N for this purpose
18.Explain how you can create a vendor account group in SAP?
To create vendor account group in SAP
Select display IMG > Financial Accounting > Accounts Payable/Receivable >Vendor Accounts > MasterRecords > Preparation of creating vendor master records > Define Accounts groups with Screen Layout
19.Explain what are the accounts created in SAP MM?
Assignment of account is necessary for the purchase order item, it is important in SAP MM as itdetermines following things
• Account assignment type
• Account that will be charged when you post the invoice or goods receipt
• Account assignment data that you should provide
20.Explain what MRP (Material Requirement Planning) list is and what is the transaction code to access MRP list?
MRP list is the initial working document from which the MRP controller starts working, and it consists ofplanning results information for the material. For an individual item, you can access the MRP list by usingthe transaction code MD05. You can also access the MRP list by navigation path
SAP Menu > Logistics > Materials Management > MRP > Evaluations > MRP List- Material
21.Explain what is CBP? What is the difference between CBP and MRP?
CBP is the past consumption values of stock; it is used to forecast future requirements. On the basis of pastconsumption values, the net requirement of goods is calculated. The difference between CBP and MRP isthat when you plan materials using MRP, you have to predict the materials requirement based on sales andoperations planning (SOP). While in CBP you have to predict the material requirement based on historicaldemand for materials.
22.What are important steps in procurement life cycle?
Procurement Process starts with gathering requirements, then creating a purchase requisition and then wecreate a formal document that has to be sent to vendor i.e. purchase order. After this goods will be suppliedby vendor and goods receipt is done along with invoice verification. Then vendor is paid for suppliedgoods and services.
23.What do you mean by special stocks?
Special stocks are stocks that are managed differently as these stocks did not belong to company and theseare being kept at some particular location.
24.How stock is being transferred from one plant to another plant?
Stock within plants is transferred with the help of stock transport order. One plant order the goodsinternally from another plantreceivingplant/issuingplant with the help of stock transport order.
25.What are some of the movement types for stock transport order?
One step transfers of materials can be posted using movement type 301. Other movement types are 303,351, 641, or 643 in the stock transport order.
26.What is difference between purchase requisition and purchase order?
Purchase requisition is an internal document and it is a request that is made to purchasing organization toprocure certain list of material while purchase order is formal document that is given to vendor containinglist of items to be procured from vendor.
27.What is a RFQ and how it is different from quotation?
RFQ is request for quotation and it is a form of invitation that is sent to vendors to submit quotationindicating pricing and their terms and conditions while quotation is a reply by a vendor in response torequest for quotation.
28.What are transactions that will cause change in stock?
Goods receipt and goods issue will cause change in stock as goods receipt will increase warehouse stockand goods issue will decrease warehouse stock.
29.What do you mean by reservation?
Sometimes, stock need to be blocked in advance so that it can be available at a particular point of time.This is known as reservation. Reservation ensures that stock is available and it can be used when required.
Reserved quantity can be viewed by tcode MMBE.
30.Can you manually create purchase requisition with reference to documents such as purchase order or scheduling agreement?
No, purchase requisition cannot be created with either of these as it is an internal document which iscontrolled by purchase organization.
31.Is material and vendor data available at all organizational levels?
Yes, material and vendor data is available at all levels as it is normally created for company and it is validfor the levels below company.
32.What do you mean by release procedure?
Release procedure means approval of documents like purchase orders and purchase requisition manuallyby the criteria defined in the configuration.
33.If you have multiple line items in purchase order, can you release line by line that purchase order?
No, release is done only at header level in a combined way for all line items in case of purchase order.
34.What do you mean by material type?
Materials with some common attributes are grouped together and they are assigned to a material type. Thiswill differentiate materials and allow organization to manage different materials in systematic manner inaccordance to company’s requirement.
35.What is a source list?
Source list include list of possible sources of supply for a material over a given framework of time. Aparticular material can be ordered from different vendors in different time intervals. This information canbe maintained in a source list.
36.What do you mean by consignment stock?
In Consignment, material is available at our store premises, however it still belongs to the vendorseller/Owner of the material. If you utilize the material from consignment stocks, then you have to pay tothe vendor.
37.What is invoice verification?
Once goods are procured from vendor and placed in company’s premises through goods receipt then weneed to pay to vendor for acquired goods and services. The amount to be paid along with details ofmaterial is provided by vendor in form of document that is known as invoice. Before paying to vendor weneed to verify the invoice. This process of verifying invoice and paying to vendor is known as invoiceverification.
38.What do you mean by outline agreement?
Outline agreement is a long term purchasing agreement with vendor containing terms and conditionsregarding the material that is supplied by vendor. Outline agreement are valid up to certain period of timeand cover a certain predefined quantity or value.
39.What is difference between contract and scheduling agreement?
Contract is a long term outline agreement between vendor and ordering party over predefined material orservices over certain framework of time whereas scheduling agreement is a long term outline agreementbetween vendor and ordering party over a predefined material or service which are procured onpredetermined dates over a framework of time.
40.What is difference between planned and unplanned services?
In planned services at the time of procurement specifications like quantity and price are known in advance.It means nature and scope of service is clear before procurement whereas in unplanned services at the timeof procurement specifications like quantity and price are not known in advance. It means nature and scopeof service is not clear before procurement. These services can be extended as per the requirement.
41.What is quota arrangement?
A particular material can be procured from different vendors depending upon the requirement. So, totalrequirement of a material is distributed to different vendor’s i.e. quota is assigned to each source of supply.This is known as quota arrangement.
42.What do you understand by posting period?
Various documents like purchase order, request for quotation, goods receipt are essential documents in abusiness. These documents need security i.e. if any of documents is posted incorrectly then business can beaffected at various concern levels. So, to secure these documents we have a concept of posting period.Posting period means it will allow you to post and make changes in the documents only in a specific timeperiod.
43.Under what conditions are "planned orders" created? What may planned orders be converted to and how is that conversion accomplished?
Planned orders are always created when the system creates an internal procurement proposal. In the caseof vendor procurement, the MRP Controller may create a planned order or directly create a PR. The nextstep for a planned order is to be converted to a PR so it goes to purchasing and is to eventually become aPO. A planned order can be converted to a PR using transaction code MD14.
44.What are the different ways to organize purchasing organizations?
A Purchasing Organization may be responsible for multiple plants and this is referred to as “DistributedPurchasing”. On the other hand, "Centralized Purchasing" features one Purchasing Organization per Plant.
A Purchasing Organization doesn’t necessarily need to be assigned to a Company Code. This wouldenable procurement for every company code as long as buyers are acting for an individual Plant, and thatPlant is assigned to the Purchasing Organization. Hence, a plant may be assigned to more than onePurchasing Organization.
45.What are "Special Stocks"?
Special Stocks are stocks that are accounted for but are not owned by the client, or are not stored at aregular facility. Consignment, sales order, and project stock are examples.
46.What are some of the options available to transfer materials from one plant to another?
Although it is possible to transfer materials from one plant to another without a Stock Transport Order,many advantages are lost including entering a vendor number, planning a goods receipt in the receivingplant, monitoring process from PO history, and the ability to create STO directly from a MRP PR.
47.What are some of the common Stock Transport Order Movement Types?
One step transfers of materials can be posted using MT 301. Other various transport scenarios differ in theMTs by the Goods Issues and Good Receipts. Common Goods Issues may use MTs 303, 351, 641, or 643in the STO. A STOs Good Receipt often uses MT 101.
48.What is the difference between a Purchase Order and a Purchase Requisition?
A Purchase Requisition is a document type that gives notification of a need for materials or services. APurchase Order is a document type that is a formal request for materials or services from an outside vendoror plant. Procurement types may be defined at the line item and can be standard, subcontracting,consignment, stock transfer, or an external service.
49.What is an "indirectly created" Purchase Requisition?
An indirectly created Purchase Requisition has been initiated by CBP, the PS Project System, PMMaintenance, and Service Management, or PP Production Planning and Control. The “directly created”Purchase Requisition, on the other hand, is created by a person manually in the requesting departmentspecifying what materials/services, units, and a delivery date.
50.What is an RFQ and how is it different from the Quotation Form?
A RFQ is a purchasing document and an invitation to a vender(s) for quotation regarding needed materialsor services. If multiple an RFQ is sent to multiple vendors, the system can automatically determine the bestquote and send rejection letters in response to all others. The RFQ and the Quotation Form are one in thesame in the system as vendor’s quotes are entered directly in the RFQ.
51.What are the transactions that will result in a change of stock?
Goods Receipt is a posting acknowledging the arrival of materials from a vendor or production, whichresults in an increase in warehouse stock, a Goods Issue which results in a reduction in stock, or a StockTransfer moving materials from one location to another.
52.When would it be prudent to post goods movements via the Shipping Application?
If picking, packing, and transportation operations need to be planned in detail. Also, in shipping, you canmanage movements like returns from customers, vendors, and returns to stock. Movement Types inshipping start with a 6.
53.What is a Reservation?
A Reservation is a document used to make sure that the warehouse keeps a certain amount of a material ormaterials ready for transfer at a later date. It contains information on what, quantity, when, where from andto. Reservations help effective procurement by utilizing the MRP system to avoid out of/lack of stocksituations.
54.Can you manually generate a Purchase Requisition referencing a Purchase Order or a Scheduling Agreement?
A Purchase Requisition cannot be created with reference to either of these, as they are documentscontrolled by the purchasing organizations.
Requirements can be automatically generated with MRP that reference a Scheduling Agreement if thesource list is maintained for item-vendor combination.
55.How is GR/IR account related to Inventory?
If you are involved with inventory, then you need the GR/IR account (Inventory Account) when the IR isposted. If you are not involved about inventory, then the system does not need the GR/IR account when theIR is posted; the system needs a G/L instead of the GR/IR account.
56.How do planned and unplanned consumption affect Movement Types?
In a customized Movement Type, you have defined which consumption value gets posted in themovement. Many will always be planned or unplanned, but for some there is a dependency on if themovement references a reservation. This would be planned consumption.
57.What are Departmental Views?
All functional areas of the system use the same material master data. The material master data is defined inindividual screens (departmental views) that can be added as needed. Thus a material can be created withonly basic data and other departments can add other information later as it becomes available.
58.Is Material Data valid for all organizational levels?
Control of master data depends largely on how each company sets up its Organizational levels -centralized or decentralized. Some material data is valid for all organizational levels while other data isvalid only at certain levels. (I.e.: client, plant, sales org., etc.).
59.Why would you want to create physical inventory sheets to perform an inventory cycle-count on a material or materials?
For a cycle counting procedure, physical inventory documents need to be created. These are used to recordinventory levels of the material being cycle counted.
Use transaction MICN. Click on the Execute button. On screen “Batch Input: Create Physical InventoryDocuments for Cycle Counting”, perform the following, Click on the Generate Session button and Clickon the Process Session button.
This procedure details how to create the physical inventory documents for cycle counting in a batch, ratherthan one at a time, based on certain criteria. This would print physical inventory documents for allmaterial/batches that meet those requirements.