Where do we see the product categories and hierarchies in ECC

[Former Member]

Hi,

I know that the product hierarchies and categories come from ECC to the CRM system. But where can I see it in the ECC system? Can it be seen in the MM tables in ECC? How can I add additional product categories in ECC. Is there any procedure to do this?

[Former Member · Accepted solution]

Hi Neena,

Product hierarchies and categories are a tool only in CRM products.

From ECC materials there are only hierarchies R3PRODHIER, R3PRODSTYP and R3PRODCLASS which are mapped, and the relevant categories are precise fields in MARA or MVKE "hardcoded" by SAP.

Can you precise the initial requirement from your customer?

Best regards,

Vincent

[Former Member · Accepted solution]

Hi Vincent,

The requirement is to maintain certain service products in CRM with levels of details, For example if the category is telephone support, we need to maintain produtcs under it like 24/7 telephone support and under it we need to maintain the languages the support can be offered. So I need to maintain a hierarchy of products such that when the product is used in the line item of a contract, the customer will have the options to see the hierarchy of products and select what product they need at each level.

Is it right to create new categories under R3PRODSTYP in the CRM system or should I create a new hierarchy in CRM itself to add my product categories without making any changes to the ECC system?

[Former Member · Accepted solution]

Hi Neena,

In the requirement of your customer, the information of "required support" must only be readable in the contract, or is it used in some functionality like SLA?

It is better to use standard hierarchies, but in this scenario ECC-CRM, it must be changed in ECC and then replicated in CRM. And ECC usually already uses the fields for other purposes, and usually is not ready to change it.

R3PRODSTYP is material type in ECC, it shouldn't be used.

R3MATCLASS is material group in ECC, I'm not sure it is displayed in the contract item.

R3PRODHIER is product hierarchy in ECC, it is displayed in the contract item.

Another lead: is there an special requirement to use a hierarchy rather than a single field in the product master data?

For example, product group field (one in the 5 available)  have 3 digits length, and is displayed in the contract item.

So a 3 level hierarchy with up to 36 (A-Z and 0-9) values for each level could be stored in a single product group field.

Best regards,

Vincent

[Former Member · Accepted solution]

Hi Vincent,

The support related information should be readable only, nothing related to SLA. Also, there is no special requirement as such, to display the information. The sub products have almost the same characteristics as that of the main product.

I have created a Product and then created the second level in 'Relationships'. However, its not allowing me to create any further level of relationships.

I also read in a blog that we can use product hierarchies and categories directly in a business transaction. Is that possible? Can I use the product hierarchy to directly create different levels of products in a business transaction?

[Former Member · Accepted solution]

Hi Neena,

I don't have knowledge product hierarchy can be used directly in business transaction Do you have the link of the blog?

As a workaround, could you use accessories, cross-selling, up-selling...?

http://scn.sap.com/docs/DOC-26765

http://scn.sap.com/docs/DOC-5374

For example if telephone support is main item: cross selling would be the languages, accessories would be the 24/7 type...

I've used product proposal only for sales product, I guess it's worth trying with service product.

Moreover, if accessories is working, you could try accessories of accessories, and so on...: this would give a kind of hierarchy of products.

Best regards,

Vincent

[former_member224760]

Hi Neena,

Try SPRO Logistics - General--> Material Master--> Settings for Key Fields--> Data Relevant to Sales and Distribution--> Define Product Hierarchies

Also can try Tcode: v/76, or check the table T179 using the SE16 transaction.