Hello SAP experts, can you suggest solution for this real business issue.
We have to use SAP ECN on a BOM component to be replaced along with discontinuation function on Material master , But we are facing an issue.
Assume a BOM has several parts to be replaced by 1 ECN. We don’t want to have separate ECNs on same BOM. ECN has initial Effectivity of Apr.1st on header . Later it’s date may be changed.
Eg: Part A1 was loaded into the BOM during data migration using an ECN-0 (Dated: Jan.1st). Later part A1 is to be replaced by part A2 in the BOM (Using another Engineering change, ECN-1)

Meanwhile we notice that inventory of A1 will be over around Feb.1st . So we need part A2 to be available on Feb.1st rather than in Apr.1st.
For this we want to use discontinuation function in material master. ie, put Feb.1st in MRP4/discontinue date of Part-A1.. We also need to maintain follow up and discontinue group in BOM item details,
But we have an issue in MRP.
Because of the ECN, A2 will be available only on Apr.1st. So even though part A2 is expected from Feb.1st, it is not in the BOM until Apr.1st. So if there is demand for part-A2 from Feb.1st to April 1st, MRP cannot create a purchase requisition for A2.since BOM does not have part A2 from Feb.1st to Apr.1st. .........How to solve this issue?
One work around I found is to create one more record of A2 in same BOM [same item id) during this missing period (between Feb1st and Apr.1st). So for that you can come into BOM with migration ECN-0 and create part A2 and then come to SAME truck BOM and delete part A2 with ECN-1. so part A2 will have a record from Jan/Feb1st till Apr.1st. This solve MRP issue.
Note: One minor good thing is that, if business decides to change effectivity date on ECN-1 header, from Apr.1st to Apr.10th or March.10th, then I don't have to go into BOM, it is enough to change in ECN and date will appear in BOM.
But some of the pains are the creation of additional line item.)by having to go twice to BOM withh create and delete).It may also cause confusion to business, allocation to routing operation etc...
Additional pain occurs if there are more BOM items with same ECN but different discontinuation date. (Part D1, D2)
Qn: So Is there a better way to handle this real life challenge???? How to have ECN change (Engineering) and Parts replacement (Logistic/Inventory issue?) at the same time? This is real issue in several industry? Does PPDS or any other solution work? (eg: alternate dates in ECN didn't help either).
If there is no other solution, business may need a custom program to duplicating rreplaced part.
Any good suggestions are appreciated
Roy