Migration to S/4 - extension of material number field MATNR

[robin_mcrae2]

Hello experts,

When migrating to S/4HANA an option to keep the material number at 18 characters or extending the material number field to 40 characters exists. I'm looking for lessons learned or side effects of keeping the material number field at 18. Has anyone migrated without extending the field and then later regretted not doing so.

Any pros or cons related to the extending or not would be appreciated. Interface problems or any collateral impacts.

Warm regards,

Robin.

[FredericGirod]

If you don't need more than 18 characters, don't change! otherwise you will have to check all your specific report, all the idoc exchange ...

It is not a minor change.

[robin_mcrae2]

Thank you Frédéric. I will weigh the collateral damage against future proofing.

[FredericGirod]

There is a variable available to prepare upgrade in ATC tool, this could help you to evaluate the risk of changing MATNR size.

[Oscar_DC]

Hi all, I have the exact same question. In your opinion what's the point of extending it?

Are folks using text instead of material numbers so they need more space?

I know SAP is providing the option to extend the field for a reason, I just don't understand why anyone would do it. Do you?

[FredericGirod]

There could be a lot of reasons, but I think there are two ways of managing numbers:

- Non-representative number: 18 Char is a very very big size for this

- Representative number : 18 char could be realy short quickly, depending of what you put in the "representative part"

(representative number is a value containing human readable information : Year / Plant / Material type / Material release / .... )

[hiram_calvo]

Frederic, do you know if is mandatory in S4HANA?? I prefer maintain 18char. of course we dont need 40 , thanks!

[BijayKumarBarik]

Material code length 18 or 40 depends on business(business size) and quantum of material used or to be used in future. Mostly based on business nature implementation team can visualize and decide material length, with addition material codes/material numbering also depends on material type!

As option provided S4H- you can extend material length to 40 from 18 but with 18 also you can manage material numbering for all material types with proper material coding logic(internal/external). Refer Material code logic- An example

[robin_mcrae2]

Thank you Bijay for taking the time to answer.

We are not in the retail space so there is no issue with number range limitations. We use quite a few material types, and considering what we've used over the last 20 years, we will be good for a long time in the future.

I was looking for arguements for or against adopting 40 positions or staying at 18. Any lessons learned. Any heads-up of any kind. Did anyone regret not moving to 40 after implementing S/4 or any type of impact that we should consider.

Regards,

Robin.