Using MM for Indirect Procurement

[Sara_Br]

Hello,

I am looking at using Material Codes for Purchase Orders where we are procuring services or equipment. I know there are more correct ways to do this in SAP (External Services Management, Equipment Master) but the business already has external systems managing these details and does not want to start tracking these in SAP.

However, I think it would be very useful for our analytics and trending to use Material Codes in Purchase Orders so we can track standard services or instrument spend. My plan is to use the following:

Services = Material Type DIEN

Equipment = Material Type ZEQP, not quantity managed, valuated

Does anyone see a reason this would not work?

I want to maintain the least amount of master data possible (Basic Data, Purchasing View). Are there any other views I will need to include?

[ankurch]

I can see the only problem is you need to post Goods Receipts instead of Service Entry sheet Acceptance, which can lead to lost of lots of traceability of service procurement!

Thanks,

[Sara_Br]

I would have thought you don't have to post a GR if the material type is not quantity manged. Is this correct?

[ankurch]

Some time we need to post GR without accounting document just to update qty!

[Prasoon]

Hi,

If you use DIEN for services procurement, then you wont be able to create SES for the service. Did you check the service masters (AC03) for external service management, instead of DIEN.

Regards,

Prasoon

[Sara_Br]

Hi Prasoon, yes I know there is a way to do this with services, but I think that would be a fairly big change in process for the business and I don't think they would accept it. I am thinking the least disruptive solution is to allow them to keep their current process, but just ask them to populate the material code field in the PO.

[Prasoon]

Hi,

In this case, you are not using external service management. You are using the normal procurement scenario with non-stock material type for service scenarios.

Regards,

Prasoon