What are the advantages & disadvantages of making an equipment as Functional location in SAP PM

[arifsappm]

What are the advantages & disadvantages of making an equipment as Functional location and vice versa in SAP plant maintenance?

[thiago_valadao · Accepted solution]

Short answer:
SAP allows the same capabilities to both Equipment and Functional Locations, however there is a distinct separation in their roles.
Functional Locations are best utilized as process locations from a reliability standpoint, hence the word "location". The Functional Locations are process-based designations and should follow the logical groupings of manufacturing organizational structure.

Equipment is defined as the actual physical devices that are used in the manufacturing process. For example, a feedwater pump. The location is where the pump is installed and the pump itself is considered the equipment.

The location usually never change, but the actual equipment can be removed, rebuilt, re-installed or relocated, and the history of that equipment is therefore moved with it. You can also use serial numbers to track equipment in stock.

Now, a more complex comparison:

Equipment and functional locations are key elements in asset management, particularly in industries like manufacturing, facilities management, and infrastructure maintenance. Here are the advantages and disadvantages of each:

Advantages of Equipment:

1. Specific Identification: Equipment refers to individual assets, which allows for precise identification and tracking of each asset's performance, maintenance history, and costs.
2. Focused Maintenance: Maintenance activities can be tailored to the specific needs of each equipment item, ensuring optimal performance and prolonging asset lifespan.
3. Cost Allocation: Costs related to maintenance, repairs, and upgrades can be directly allocated to specific equipment, facilitating accurate cost analysis and budgeting.
4. Easy Replacement: When equipment reaches the end of its life cycle, it's easier to replace or upgrade individual items without affecting other assets.

Disadvantages of Equipment:

1. Complexity: Managing a large number of individual equipment items can be complex and time-consuming, requiring detailed record-keeping and tracking systems.
2. Higher Overhead: The administrative overhead of managing numerous equipment records, maintenance schedules, and documentation can be significant.
3. Limited Insight: Focusing solely on equipment may lead to overlooking broader operational or systemic issues that affect multiple assets or functional areas.

Advantages of Functional Locations:

1. Systemic Approach: Functional locations group assets based on their operational context (e.g., a production line, a building floor), allowing for a systemic view of asset performance and maintenance needs.
2. Efficient Maintenance: Maintenance activities can be planned and executed based on the functional context, optimizing resources and reducing downtime for entire operational areas.
3. Holistic Analysis: Functional locations enable holistic analysis of asset performance within specific operational contexts, aiding in identifying systemic issues or improvement opportunities.
4. Simpler Management: Managing assets by functional locations can be less complex than managing individual equipment items, especially in large-scale operations.

Disadvantages of Functional Locations:

1. Lack of Precision: Assets within a functional location may have different maintenance requirements or performance characteristics, which can lead to less precise maintenance planning compared to managing individual equipment items.
2. Limited Flexibility: Changes or upgrades to assets within a functional location may require adjustments to the entire operational area, potentially causing disruptions or additional costs.
3. Difficulty in Cost Allocation: Allocating maintenance and operational costs to specific assets within a functional location can be challenging, leading to less accurate cost analysis at the individual asset level.

In practice, many asset management systems use a combination of equipment and functional locations to balance precision and systemic insights. The choice between these approaches depends on factors such as the complexity of the asset landscape, the nature of operations, and the desired level of granularity in asset management.

[arifsappm · Accepted solution]

Thanks Thiago valadao