Stock Load Process for Handling Unit Managed locations

[DineshAgarwalla]

Process : -

1. Mock Stock Load : -

Focus on Mock stock load in a pre-prod system as part of mock cutover. It is a very important activity. Do not ignore this. It should try to mock exactly what you are going to do during go-live starting from file extraction from current legacy system. Share the learnings with client so that process or method can be improved for actual stock upload in production system. Some of the learnings which we shared with client to improve extract file based on mock cutover were: -

1. Unique HU must be there in file. No duplicate HU.
2. Thumb rule is that HU should be loaded in HU managed Sloc. But If you need HU number in a Non-HU Sloc like rework location for scanning, pls provide that.
3. Each Stock in a HU managed Sloc must have a HU number. Without HU number, stock cannot exist in HU managed Sloc.
4. Quantity & Value should be in UoM based on which UoM it is palletized.
5. One Production Date should be there for a batch. Multiple production date for same batch is not allowed.
6. A value must be provided for each record in file from FI perspective.

1. Stock load method in SAP for HU stock : -

Pre-work before stock load –

• There should be a cross-reference file to map Legacy plant/sloc to SAP Plant/Sloc.
• SAP material mapping with legacy material. We used old material number field material master to capture legacy material. It might not work if you are merging multiple legacy materials to one SAP material. 
• Create new packaging material type and new packaging material with material type VERP to support stock load. Create and assign external HU number ranges to packaging materials as per current legacy handling unit numbers.

                Actual Stock load in SAP: -

We have used LSMW to load stock. This blog is not about which tool is used and why was it used.  This is more on process and method followed for stock load. Although I must say that LSMW worked well for us.

1. First step is to load stock at IM level using 561 movement type in PS01 Sloc which is partner sloc and Non-HU managed.
2. Load Hus for the material/batches in HU02 in partner sloc PS01 with legacy handling units provided using LSMW that is created for HU02.
3. Move Hus to their HU storage location using HUMO.  If you move Hus using HUMO, it will not create outbound delivery in background. Hence, it is easier process.

1. Change the stock type from unrestricted to either blocked OR quality afterwards based on the stock load file. If you are going to move to Quality, please make sure to deactivate inspection type ‘08’ for the material. Unless you do it, it will unnecessarily create an inspection lot with the stock movement from unrestricted to quality.

1. Stock reconciliation: -

First & foremost objective is that you should be able to reconcile each and every penny of stock. Unless reconciliation is done properly, there will be lot of issue post go-live and in general, you should not get a green signal for go-live.  In case of your plant & storage location is handling unit managed, you will receive two files from two different business function of client.

• Finance controller from client will send a file at Inventory Managed level. That file will have material/plant/storage location/stock category/Batch/Production Date/Quantity/Unit of Measure.
• Logistics Lead from client will send a file at HU level. That file will have stock of material/plant/storage location at HU level. This file will also contain pallet type and bin location.
• Before stock is loaded, reconciliation should be done between both the files (IM and HU). Excel skill is required to do subtotal in this case. In case of quantity mismatch between both the files, an email should be sent to both the parties at client site to check the anomaly. Reconciliation file should be sent in the email. Meanwhile, stock should be loaded parallely for which quantity matched in both the files. For stock mismatch, action should be taken based on client feedback.

 Please feel free to leave comments and feedback. This article will help you in process of LE Handling Unit Management stock load in MM Inventory Management locations , LE Warehouse Management locations. Readers can find Q&A  and post questions in SAP S4 HANA OR MM Inventory Management community.

[sanjibray]

That is a very nice explanation 

I will test Stock Load Process for HU Managed location

[AmitavaSaha]

Nice, detailed explanation.

[arijit369]

Excellently explained.

[Chandramani1985]

Extremely valuable information that proves to be helpful for everyone during the cutover process.

[Chiradeep_Sikdar]

Very well explained👍

[rkrath]

Well done, Dinesh well explained