Tutorial: Creating Configurable Materials (KMAT) in SAP S/4HANA

[mickaelquesnot]

Key Transactions:

We will be using the following SAP GUI transactions in this tutorial (while Fiori is emphasized for many areas, KMAT creation and configuration often still involve these core SAP GUI transactions):

• CT04 - Create/Change Characteristics: To define the attributes that describe the configurable material's variations.
• CL01 - Create/Change Class: To group related characteristics into classes.
• MM01 - Create Material Master: To create the Configurable Material (KMAT) master record and assign the class.
• (CU41, VK11/VK12, BOM/Routing - Briefly Mentioned for Configuration): For more advanced configuration aspects, briefly mention Configuration Profiles (CU41), Pricing Conditions (VK11/VK12), and Variant BOMs/Routings.

Step 1: Define Characteristics (Transaction CT04)

Purpose: Characteristics define the specific attributes or features that can vary for your configurable material. These are the "options" or "choices" customers can select when configuring the product.

Procedure (SAP GUI - Transaction CT04):

1. Execute Transaction CT04: Open SAP GUI and enter transaction code CT04 in the transaction field and press Enter.

2. Characteristic Name:

   • In the "Characteristic" field, enter a name for your characteristic. Use a naming convention (e.g., Z_COLOR, Z_SIZE, Z_ENGINE_TYPE). Start with Z or Y for custom characteristics.
   • Click the "Create" button (diskette icon).

3. Basic Data Tab:

   • Description: Enter a Description and Short Description for your characteristic (e.g., "Color of Product", "Size in Inches", "Engine Type").
   • Data Type: Select the appropriate Data Type from the dropdown. Choose the data type that best represents the characteristic's values:
     • CHAR - Character Format: For text-based values (e.g., colors like "Red", "Blue", "Green").
     • NUM - Numerical Format: For numeric values (e.g., size in inches, memory capacity in GB).
     • DATE - Date Format: For date values.
     • CURR - Currency Format: For currency values.
     • UNIT - Unit Format: For quantities with units.
   • Length (for Character Format): If you chose "CHAR", specify the maximum Length of the characteristic value.

4. Values Tab (Define Allowed Values):

   • Go to the "Values" tab. This is where you define the possible values that this characteristic can take.
   • Single Values: For characteristics with a predefined list of options (like "Color"), enter each allowed value in a new row under the "Value" column and provide a corresponding "Description" (e.g., "Red", "Blue", "Green").
   • Interval Values (for Numeric Characteristics): For numeric characteristics where you want to allow a range of values (like "Size"), you can define intervals or specify individual allowed numeric values.
   • Example (for Characteristic "Z_COLOR" - Character, Single Values):
     • Value: RED Description: Red
     • Value: BLUE Description: Blue
     • Value: GREEN Description: Green

5. Units of Measure Tab (for Numeric Characteristics with Units):

   • If you chose "NUM" or "UNIT" data type and the characteristic has a unit of measure (e.g., "Memory Capacity" in GB), go to the "Units of Measure" tab.
   • Define the Units of Measure relevant for this characteristic (e.g., "GB" for Gigabytes, "MB" for Megabytes, "Inches" for size).

6. Additional Tabs (Optional): Explore other tabs like "Restrictions," "Intervals," "Documentation" for more advanced characteristic settings if needed, but for basic KMAT creation, "Basic Data" and "Values" are usually the most important.

7. Save Characteristic: Click the "Save" button (diskette icon) to save your characteristic.

Step 2: Create Classes (Transaction CL01)

Purpose: Classes are used to group together related Characteristics. Think of a Class as a container or category for a set of attributes that describe your configurable product.

Procedure (SAP GUI - Transaction CL01):

1. Execute Transaction CL01: Open SAP GUI and enter transaction code CL01 and press Enter.

2. Class Name:

   • In the "Class" field, enter a name for your class. Use a naming convention (e.g., Z_CLASS_LAPTOP_CONFIG, Z_CLASS_CAR_OPTIONS). Start with Z or Y for custom classes.
   • Class Type: In the "Class Type" field, select the appropriate Class Type. For Material Classification, use 001 - Material Class. Other Class Types exist for Batches (023), Variant Configuration (300), etc., but for basic material configuration, 001 is the standard.
   • Click the "Create" button (diskette icon).

3. Basic Data Tab:

   • Description: Enter a Description and Short Description for your class (e.g., "Laptop Configuration Class", "Car Options Class").

4. Characteristics Tab (Assign Characteristics to the Class):

   • Go to the "Characteristics" tab.
   • In the table, enter the Characteristic Names that you created in Step 1 (CT04) that are relevant to this Class. Enter one characteristic name per row.
   • Example: If you created characteristics Z_COLOR, Z_SIZE, Z_ENGINE_TYPE, and you want to include all of them in the class Z_CLASS_CAR_OPTIONS, you would enter these three characteristic names on separate rows in the "Characteristics" tab.

5. Class Type Specific Data Tab (Optional): Explore the "Class type specific data" tab if you need to adjust settings specific to the chosen Class Type (001 - Material Class). For basic KMAT creation, defaults are often sufficient.

6. Save Class: Click the "Save" button (diskette icon) to save your class.

Step 3: Create the Configurable Material (KMAT) - Transaction MM01

Purpose: This is where you create the actual Material Master record for your configurable product. You will use the Material Type KMAT (Configurable Material) and assign the Class you created in Step 2 to this material.

Procedure (SAP GUI - Transaction MM01):

1. Execute Transaction MM01: Open SAP GUI and enter transaction code MM01 and press Enter.

2. Material Number: Enter a Material Number for your Configurable Material. You can use internal or external number assignment based on your system configuration.

3. Material Type: In the "Industry sector" and "Material type" fields, select:

   • Industry sector: Choose the relevant industry sector for your material (e.g., "Mechanical Engineering", "Chemicals", "Retail").
   • Material type: Select KMAT - Configurable Material from the Material Type dropdown list.

4. Select Views: In the "Select View(s)" dialog box, choose the relevant Material Master Views you need to create for your KMAT. At a minimum, you will typically need:

   • Basic Data 1
   • Basic Data 2
   • Classification
   • MRP 1, MRP 2, MRP 3, MRP 4 (MRP views are often needed for configurable materials, especially in production scenarios)
   • Sales: Sales Org. 1, Sales: Sales Org. 2, Sales: General/Plant (Sales views if you sell this material)
   • Purchasing (Purchasing views if you purchase this material or components)
   • Accounting 1, Accounting 2
   • Storage 1, Storage 2 (Storage views if you manage stock)
   • Click "Continue" (Green Check Mark).

5. Organizational Levels: In the "Organizational Levels" dialog box, enter the necessary organizational data (Plant, Storage Location, Sales Organization, Distribution Channel, etc.) relevant to the views you selected. Click "Continue."

6. Maintain Material Master Data - Basic Data Views:

   • Basic Data 1 Tab: Enter basic information:
     • Material Description: Enter a descriptive name for your Configurable Material (e.g., "Configurable Laptop Model XYZ", "Customizable Car Model ABC").
     • Base Unit of Measure: Select the base unit of measure (e.g., "EA" - Each).
     • Material Group: Assign a relevant Material Group.
     • External Material Group (Optional):
     • Other fields as needed.
   • Basic Data 2 Tab: Enter further basic data as required (e.g., dimensions, weight, etc.).

7. Classification View - Assign the Class (Crucial):

   • Navigate to the "Classification" view tab.
   • Class Type: The Class Type will default to 001 (Material Class) if you are creating a KMAT.
   • Class: In the "Class" field, enter the Class Name you created in Step 2 (CL01) (e.g., Z_CLASS_CAR_OPTIONS). Press Enter.
   • Characteristic Values (Initial): After assigning the class, the system might display the characteristics assigned to that class. You can optionally enter default values for characteristics here in the Material Master, but often you will configure the configuration behavior more dynamically using Configuration Profiles (Step 4). For now, you can leave characteristic values blank or enter default values if appropriate.

8. MRP Views (MRP 1, 2, 3, 4):

   • Go to the MRP views (MRP 1, MRP 2, MRP 3, MRP 4 tabs).
   • MRP Type: Choose an appropriate MRP Type (e.g., PD - MRP, ND - No planning).
   • MRP Controller: Assign an MRP Controller.
   • Procurement Type: Define the procurement type (e.g., "F - External Procurement", "E - In-house production").
   • Backflush Indicator (MRP 2 Tab): If this KMAT or its components are backflushed in production (automatic goods issue upon confirmation), set the "Backflush" indicator appropriately (e.g., '1' for backflush always). This is often relevant for configurable materials used in manufacturing.
   • Availability Check: Configure availability check settings in MRP views if needed.
   • Planning Strategy (MRP 3 Tab): If you are using planning strategies, select a strategy (e.g., Make-to-Stock, Make-to-Order).

9. Sales Views (Sales Org 1, Sales Org 2, Sales General/Plant):

   • If you intend to sell this Configurable Material, maintain the Sales views.
   • Sales Organization Data 1 Tab: Enter Sales Organization, Distribution Channel, Sales Unit, Delivering Plant, Tax Classification, etc.
   • Sales Organization Data 2 Tab: Enter Material Pricing Group, Account Assignment Group, Material Statistics Group, etc.
   • Sales: General/Plant Tab: Enter Availability Check Group, Transportation Group, Loading Group, etc.

10. Purchasing Views (Purchasing):

    • If you purchase this Configurable Material or its components, maintain the Purchasing view.
    • Enter Purchasing Group, Order Unit, Purchasing Value Key, etc.

11. Accounting Views (Accounting 1, Accounting 2):

    • Accounting 1 Tab:
      • Valuation Class: Select the appropriate Valuation Class for your KMAT. This links the material to the correct G/L accounts for inventory postings.
      • Price Control: Choose S - Standard price or V - Moving average price for Price Control, depending on your valuation strategy. For configurable materials, standard price is often used but moving average price can also be applicable.
      • Standard Price (if Price Control 'S'): Enter a Standard Price.
    • Accounting 2 Tab: Maintain further accounting data if needed.

12. Storage Views (Storage 1, Storage 2):

    • If you manage stock of this KMAT, maintain the Storage views, specifying storage conditions, shelf life data, etc.

13. Save Configurable Material: Click the "Save" button (diskette icon) to save your Configurable Material Master record.

Step 4: Configure the Material - Advanced Steps (Brief Overview)

Once the KMAT material master is created with its class and characteristics, you need to define how it is configured. This involves more advanced configuration, typically using:

• Configuration Profile (Transaction CU41):
  • Create a Configuration Profile (using transaction CU41) and assign it to your KMAT material master (usually in the Basic Data 2 view, "Configuration profile" field).
  • The Configuration Profile is where you define:
    • Configuration Strategy: How the configuration process should work (e.g., Variant Configuration).
    • Selection Conditions and Procedures: Rules and dependencies between characteristics.
    • User Interface settings for configuration.
• Pricing Conditions (Transactions VK11, VK12):
  • Set up pricing conditions (using transactions VK11, VK12) to define prices for the base KMAT and potential price surcharges or discounts based on characteristic values selected during configuration. You might use condition types like VA00 (Material Price), VAxx (Variant conditions), etc.
• Variant Bill of Materials (BOM) and Routings:
  • For manufactured configurable materials, you will often need to create Variant BOMs and Variant Routings. These are BOMs and Routings that are designed to adapt based on the characteristic values selected during configuration.
  • Variant BOMs are created using transaction CS01 (or similar) and often use selection conditions or dependencies to include/exclude BOM components based on configuration choices.
  • Variant Routings are created using transaction CA01 (or similar) and may include operations that are only relevant for certain configurations.

SAP Fiori Context for KMAT:

• Material Master Display Apps: While creation is often in SAP GUI, you can use Fiori apps like "Material Master" or "Browse Materials" to display and review the KMAT material master data, including its classification and characteristic values.
• Configuration Apps (Potentially): Depending on your S/4HANA version and configuration, there might be Fiori apps for simulating material configuration or for sales order configuration. However, full KMAT creation and detailed configuration setup are still often done in SAP GUI backend transactions like CT04, CL01, CU41, etc.

Important Considerations for KMAT Creation:

• Planning is Crucial: Carefully plan your characteristics, classes, and configuration logic before you start creating them in SAP. Understand the product variations you need to represent and the attributes that define them.
• Naming Conventions: Use clear and consistent naming conventions for Characteristics, Classes, and the KMAT material number to improve organization and maintainability.
• Data Types and Values: Choose appropriate data types and define allowed values for characteristics carefully to ensure data integrity and correct configuration options.
• Testing and Validation: Thoroughly test your configurable material after creation to ensure that the configuration logic works as expected, pricing is correctly determined, and manufacturing/procurement processes function correctly for different configurations.
• Authorization: Ensure users involved in creating and maintaining configurable materials have the necessary authorizations for transactions like CT04, CL01, MM01, CU41, etc.
• Complexity: Configurable Materials can become complex to set up and maintain, especially for highly configurable products. Start with simpler examples and gradually increase complexity as you gain experience.

In Summary:

Creating Configurable Materials (KMAT) in SAP S/4HANA involves a structured process of defining characteristics (CT04), grouping them into classes (CL01), creating the KMAT material master (MM01), and then further configuring the material using configuration profiles, pricing, and variant BOMs/routings. While some steps might still be primarily done in SAP GUI transactions, the result is a powerful way to manage product variations and offer customizable products within your SAP system. Remember to plan carefully, test thoroughly, and follow best practices for naming and data consistency.

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