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This blog post presents four major highlights of the new SAP ECTR for SAP S/4HANA 1.2.1 release.
The following topics are essential for future-proof PLM solutions: ERP-near PLM functions and processes, the integration of capabilities from external (cloud) applications for overall cross-system processes and the topic of improving the user experience. We have already started this topics with SAP ECTR for SAP S/4HANA 1.2 and have extended it with the new release.
Now let’s look at the details of the highlights of this release 😉
#1 Integration of SAP PLM Requirements (BTP) in SAP ECTR
More and more customers are using systems engineering approaches to capture their product requirements in a structured way. SAP PLM at BTP enables Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) with the “Engineering” capability and supports the complete V-model. This also includes a solution that enables requirements management. The requirement models and requirements created on SAP PLM on BTP can now be seamlessly integrated into SAP ECTR and therefore boost collaboration between requirements engineers and designers. This is a real hybrid solution in which the processes and data are processed across system boundaries.
Search for Requirement Models and Requirements
In SAP ECTR it is now possible to search for requirement models and requirements. The search results can then be displayed and verified in SAP ECTR. Requirement models and requirements can be assigned to folders as well.
Link Document, Material, and Bill-of-Materials (BOM)
As an additional feature, the requirement models and requirements can be linked with Document, Material, and Bill-of-Materials (BOM) direct in SAP ECTR via drag&drop. This brings the designer's work together with the requirements.
#2 Additional Material Data
In addition to many enhancements and new features relating to the bill-of-materials (BOM) and the Change Record, we have also addressed the material master as part of the expansion of ERP-near PLM. The material master, or material for short, is the most important and powerful object in an ERP system.
The material is processed by many different departments in a company throughout the product life cycle and is enriched with a wide range of additional data. This data is an important source of information for ERP-near PLM processes and functions, but usually remains hidden from the PLM perspective. With the ERP-near extension of SAP ECTR, we uncover these valuable sources and make them available to users in SAP ECTR.
In the new release, you will find additional data for a material in a new container under the material. The additional information has been implemented as separate objects and carries the specific material data. Thanks to this technology, we are able to display all additional material data at once without having to enter organization levels (such as Plant, Storage Location, or Sales Organization).
We have currently implemented four new objects for the additional material data, which represent the following dimensions and associated information:
- Plant Data (MARC)
- Storage Data (MARD)
- Accounting Data (MBEW)
- Sales Data (MVKE)
As an example, the following screenshot shows the details of the Storage Data (MARD).
#3 New ways to copy classification
The classification of objects is essential to increase efficiency because it is often used to automate processes, increase reuse, and quite profanely, search for objects. In addition, the information from the classification represents important metadata to describe and declare a product across all facets.
Last year, with SAP ECTR for SAP S/4HANA 1.2. we have created a way to significantly simplify the classification of documents. With the new release, we did the same for materials. With this way, we help users save time and avoid errors.
Now, users can easily transfer the classification of a source object (material) to several target objects (materials), i.e. to copy the characteristic value assignment.
#4 External Window Handling
As always, improving the user experience is an important concern.
In the new release, we have implemented a significant optimization for the handling of windows in SAP ECTR, which was initiated by improvement requests from our SAP Customer Influence Campaign.
Now, each window in SAP ECTR can be used as an internal or external window. The windows status can be toggled using the new "Switch window mode" function or simple press F12. This optimizes general handling, such as working on several screens, as individual SAP ECTR windows (such as the 3D Viewer Window or the Assembly Window) can be used completely and in large format on a separate screen.
Summary
The management of product data with SAP ECTR and PLM in SAP has already become a standard in many companies that they no longer want to do without. We have pursued two main goals with the new release: Firstly, the new functionalities should further strengthen the processes in engineering and enhance functionalities and user experience. Secondly - and this is the most remarkable aspect - the extension of ERP-near PLM and the integration of SAP PLM (BTP) capabilities from the cloud. This helps companies to strategically focus on end-to-end processes and pursue an end-to-end digitalization approach.
Additional Information
Check out the SAP ECTR Road Map for further planned functions and capabilities:
Authoring Tool Integration | SAP Road Map Explorer
Information on the release strategy and release planning for SAP ECTR can be found here:
Release Strategy and Planning of Support Packages | SAP Help Portal
This blog post provides just four of the latest features and enhancements of SAP Engineering Control Center. You can find the complete list of improvements and enhancements of the release here: What's New in SAP ECTR 1.2 for SAP S4HANA | SAP Help Portal
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If you are interested in more PLM relevant topics, I encourage you to read other blog posts here: https://blogs.sap.com/tags/237172457501282589953116013994631/
