How To...

Master Data Governance for Material:

Maintenance for multiple Materials in one
Change Request

Applicable Releases:
all

Version 1.2
December 2014

Document History
Document Version

Description

1.00

First official release of this guide

1.10

Chapters 3.4 and 4.6

1.20

Update chapter 4.5: Update in Staging possible

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.

BUSINESS SCENARIO ......................................................................................................................................................... 4

2.

PREREQUISITES ................................................................................................................................................................. 5

3.

CREATION OF MULTIPLE MATERIAL................................................................................................................................... 6

3.1.
3.2.
3.3.
3.4.
3.5.

4.

CHANGE REQUEST WITH BUSINESS TYPE MATA (STAGING) ............................................................................................................... 6

FILE UPLOAD (STAGING) ............................................................................................................................................................. 9
DATA IMPORT FRAMEWORK (STAGING/ACTIVE AREA) .................................................................................................................... 12
ENTERPRISE SERVICE MATERIALERPBULKREPLICATEREQUEST (STAGING/ACTIVE AREA) ........................................................................ 14
BACKEND FUNCTIONS DIRECT INPUT/ALE (ACTIVE AREA) ............................................................................................................... 19

CHANGING MULTIPLE MATERIALS................................................................................................................................... 20

4.1.
4.2.
4.3.
4.4.
4.5.
4.6.
4.7.
4.8.

CHANGE REQUEST WITH BUSINESS TYPE MATA (STAGING) ............................................................................................................. 20

FILE DOWNLOAD AND UPLOAD (STAGING) ................................................................................................................................... 21
MDG7.0 MULTIPLE-RECORD PROCESSING (STAGING) ................................................................................................................... 25
MASS CHANGE (STAGING)......................................................................................................................................................... 27
DATA IMPORT FRAMEWORK (STAGING/ACTIVE AREA) .................................................................................................................... 30
ENTERPRISE SERVICE MATERIALERPBULKREPLICATEREQUEST (STAGING/ACTIVE AREA) ........................................................................ 31
BACKEND MASS MAINTENANCE MM17 (ACTIVE AREA) ................................................................................................................. 33
BACKEND FUNCTIONS DIRECT INPUT/ALE (ACTIVE AREA) ............................................................................................................... 36

1. BUSINESS SCENARIO
SAP Master Data Governance for Material (MDG-M) provides business processes to support the governance of
material master data on a central hub and the subsequent distribution of material master data to connected operational
and business intelligence systems. This includes of course capabilities to search, create and change individual
materials as well as options to work on many records at a time. The related processes are workflow-driven and can
include several approval and revision phases, including collaboration between all users participating in master data
maintenance.
Now, with the delivery of MDG 7.0 MDG-M supports in addition the maintenance of multiple material master data
records at a time within the framework of Multi-Record Processing.
Taking the offered variety of functions at a glance it does not really surprise that frequently question arises when to use
what. Moreover, this becomes important with a view to some restrictions originating from the intended purpose of the
feature in contemplation.
The following guide tries to provide some insights on the applicability of the individual features also with respect of
boundary conditions and possible limitations.

2. PREREQUISITES
Check if the following SAP Notes:
1517867
1571467
1701437
1806108

Functional restrictions in MDG-M in EhP5

Functional restrictions in MDG-M in EhP6
Functional restrictions in MDG-M in MDG6.1
Functional restrictions in MDG-M in MDG7

3. CREATION OF MULTIPLE MATERIAL

This chapter gives some insights about how to create multiple materials in the MDG Hub. You can create new
materials using a Change Request in the staging area or by writing directly into the active area of the material master
backend tables.
3.1.

Change Request with Business Type MATA (Staging)

Use case:
You want to create more than one material master using one change request.
Solution:
You can use a change request type with the business activity MATA.

3.1.1.

Create Change Request and Assign the new Materials

Create one Change Request and assign multiple materials to it.

3.1.2.

Enrich the Materials in the Change Request

The next processor can find the submitted change request in the worklist. The processor can enrich the data with the
single processing. The user can work material by material.

3.2.

File Upload (Staging)

Use case:
You want to create data for one entity (for example, the entity Material).
Solution:
You can use the File Down- and Upload function. Flex Entities can also be created in this way.

CSV*-based transfer of data (entities) could be used for load scenarios into staging area. Be aware that a material
master data object usually spans several entities, which have to be uploaded separately. Dependencies are not
covered by the system. Therefore the user has to ensure that all the necessary entities are available as CSV file and
uploaded into the same change request.
You can NOT upload a complete Material Master (all views at once). Each single view is mapped more or less as a
single MDG entity type. This needs to be selected upfront and can be uploaded one by one for different entity types. It
could be used to create a small number of entities in staging. Flex Entities can also be created in this way.
3.2.1.

Create Change Request

Create one change request and do not assign materials to it.

3.2.2.

Upload the CSV file

Upload your CSV file with the File Upload function. You can use a variant which you created before.

Load your CSV file from your PC.

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3.3.

Data Import Framework (Staging/Active Area)

Use Cases:
You want to do an initial load in the MDG implementation phase (importing data into a new MDG system) or you want
to do an initial load while operating MDG (importing data from new client systems into running MDG system).
Solution:
You can use the Import Master Data service to import files.

Data transfer represents a collection of functions and features you can use to move master data and mapping
information between systems and clients. Examples of these systems include existing ERP systems and your Master
Data Governance hub system. To transfer master data and mapping information, perform the following steps:
1. Export the master data and mapping information from the source system to an XML file. This file rests on your
application server.
2. Copy the XML file from the application server of the source system to the application server of your target system.
3. Import the master data and mapping information to the target system using the Data Import Framework.
Note: The Master Data Governance for Material business functions only support the import (DIF) and
monitoring of material master data and key mapping information. The export of material data can be done with
other technologies for extraction (for example pure ALE technology using transaction BD10).
You can use the Import Master Data service to import files containing material and classification data to the Master
Data Governance system. You can also import key and value mapping information. The data from these files can
create new data using the options available in the Import Master Data service. You can import the data in Active area
(do not flag the field Governance) and in Staging area (flag field Governance and define a Change Request Type). A
prerequisite is that you have prepared your file for import in IDoc-XML format.
See also How To Guide for DIF: https://scn.sap.com/docs/DOC-47519

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3.4.

Enterprise service MaterialERPBulkReplicateRequest (Staging/Active Area)

Overview:
An A2A inbound service interface to group the operations to request the replication of materials
Supports single and bulk replication of materials
Possibility to create/replicate directly to MDG Active or Staging Area
Use case:
Your source system (for example BPM Business Process Management) or any client system can create SOA
messages. You may need to create multiple materials on the MDG Staging/Active Area from your cross system or
client system.
Note: Services can also be used to make changes to Materials in the active/staging area. This is discussed in section
4.6.
Solution:
Settings:
1. Ensure all the Service configuration and customizing settings are maintained (Logical Port, End-point settings)
in the SOA Manager.
2. Ensure the business function ERP_Material_SOA is switched on.
3. The appropriate Key Mapping and Value Mapping customizing settings have been made if applicable.
Steps:
1. The inbound service supports the following views of ERP Material Master (for most of the standard ECC fields):
Basic, Classification, Purchasing, Sales, MRP, and Accounting.
2. Download the WSDL corresponding to this inbound service from SOA Manager as an XML file.
3. Prepare the payload for the service by maintaining data under respective nodes using any XML editor.
4. The screen shots provided below indicate how the views of backend are mapped to corresponding Nodes of the
Service; for more details regarding mapping of Service fields and ECC backend fields, refer to the SDN Link.

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5. In order to create material in multiple plants, sales areas, or valuation types you must maintain multiple entries
in the corresponding nodes (by clicking on + button next to the node). In order to create/change multiple
materials, maintain multiple entries in the Material node and org data under the respective nodes.
6. Use WS Navigator to import the XML file and test it. Alternatively, you can create a proxy instance and execute
the Service by passing the data from source system
7. Check the log using transaction SXMB_MONI and go to the detailed log to see the details of the
material/change request created.

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If the material is created in Active Area -> try to display material using MM03
If the material is created in Staging -> try to display the corresponding Change Request using MDG UI.

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3.5.

Backend Functions Direct Input/ALE (Active Area)

Use case:
You want to do an initial load or transfer material data from other systems and want to create the complete Material
Master in the active area.
Solution:
Use a custom program for Direct Input or BAPI or use ALE.
You can transfer materials:
Using direct input
The preferred way is to use direct input method or a user-created program with a BAPI. See this information
sheet on transferring material master data (Industry):
http://help.sap.com/erp2005_ehp_07/helpdata/en/f6/ca0766a7a911d1950500a0c930e0da/content.htm?frameset
=/en/f6/ca0766a7a911d1950500a0c930e0da/frameset.htm
Available BAPIS:
BAPI_MATERIAL_SAVEDATA Create and Change Material Master Data
BAPI_MATERIAL_SAVEREPLICA BAPI for Mass Maintenance of Material Data
Using Application Link Enabling (ALE)
You can find a detailed description of ALE, including supported functions and the procedure, under the following
components:
BC ALE Implementation and Administration
BC ALE Introduction
Creating Material Master Data
Distributing Material Master Data
ALE Programming Guide
Master Data Distribution

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4. CHANGING MULTIPLE MATERIALS

This chapter gives some insights on changing multiple existing materials in the MDG Hub. The change is possible with
a Change Request in Staging or directly into the active area of the material master backend tables.
4.1.

Change Request with Business Type MATA (Staging)

Use case:
You want to change more than one material master in one change request. You can use a change request type with
business activity MATA to do this. Select existing materials in the change request.
See chapter 3.1 Change Request with Business Type MATA (Staging)

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4.2.

File Download and Upload (Staging)

Use case:
You want to change data for one entity (for example, entity Material).
Solution:
You can use the File Download and Upload function. Flex Entities can also be changed in this way. Data to be
changed must reside in only one entity and selected materials are not in other change requests.

The File Download and Upload functionality provides the possibility to download existing data and upload the changed
data for one entity with an Excel file. This could be sufficient for changing specific values which are on one entity but
not for maintaining the complete material master. In this scenario several entities must be updated which requires
several Excel files. This can be very inconvenient for the end user.
If you want to change data in one entity you can use the File Download and Upload function. Flex Entities can also be
changed in this way.

4.2.1.

Create Change Request

Create one change request and do not assign materials to it.

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4.2.2.

Execute File Download

Download data for one entity with the Download function. You can use a variant which you created before.

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Store the file as CSV if you want to maintain it with Microsoft Excel.

4.2.3.

Maintain Data in file

4.2.4.

Execute File Upload

Upload the changed data using the Change Request, which was created before.

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4.3.

MDG7.0 Multiple-Record Processing (Staging)

Use case:
You want to change various data with governance for some materials.
Solution:
You can use Multiple-Record Processing. This service enables you to edit (and mark for deletion) a number of master
data records at the same time. The service is recommended for small numbers of records and should not be
considered a replacement for the Mass Change service. You cannot use this service to create new materials.

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The Multiple-Record Processing function enables you to use the following features:

Streamlined Processing
Multiple records can be updated without creating a separate mass change request before beginning
processing. The service can be accessed directly from the material search function.
Entity Pre-Selection
A Multiple-Record Processing change request automatically includes entities from the related data model,
thereby speeding up the creating process. Depending on the MDG application you are using, BC sets are
available with pre-configured scenarios for Material.
UI Options
The Multiple-Record Processing UI enables you to use a Find and Replace feature, to copy data to selected
rows, and to highlight rows with identical values.
Color Coding
The Multiple-Record Processing UI offers color coding to facilitate easy identification of material fields and
values changed in the current change request.

For details see How To Guide on SDN: https://scn.sap.com/docs/DOC-48895

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4.4.

Mass Change (Staging)

Use case:
You want to change data from one value to another for many material master records in one change request. The data
to be changed is on entity type 1 Material.
Solution:
You can use a change request type with business activity MATA and Mass Change in MDG. The data must be on
entity type 1 Material and selected materials must not be in other in-process change requests.

The Mass Change function enables you to change attributes of the entity type 1 Material.

4.4.1.

Create Change Request

Create one change request and do not assign materials to it.

4.4.2.

Mass Change

Start the mass change and select your relevant materials using Define and Refine Selection. Then replace one or more
fields with one dedicated value. You can review the results and then execute the change.

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4.5.

Data Import Framework (Staging/Active Area)

Use case:
You want to import files containing material and classification data to the Master Data Governance system. The data
from these files should update existing master data records using the Import Master Data service.
Solution:
You can use the Import Master Data service to import files.
It is possible to update into the Active Area with DIF. With MDG 7.0 and SAP notes 2045848 and 2035892 it is also
possible to update into Staging Area.

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4.6.

Enterprise service MaterialERPBulkReplicateRequest (Staging/Active Area)

Use case:
Change an existing material or material(s) (with various material view relevant attributes) from an external system (For
example, a NW MDM or GDS system) on MDG Staging Area by calling the MaterialERPBulkReplicateRequest_In
asynchronous inbound web service.
Solution:
The sequence of steps for mass change using the Service remains the same as creating materials (as explained in
Section 3.4), except for some points regarding preparation of the XML file (payload).
Under the material node, there is a flag called Complete Transmission Indicator (CTI flag) corresponding to each
view/node under material sub node. This flag indicates how the data of that node is to be processed in accordance with
its action code value.
Example:
Consider the Description node.
Go to the node MaterialERPBulkReplicateRequest MaterialERPReplicateRequestMessage
MaterialERPReplicateRequestMessage Material. Click on the button
details of Description.

next to the Description node to add the

If the CTI flag (corresponding to description at Material node level) is False:

Material descriptions not passed remain unchanged.
Check the is Null checkbox for the field descriptionListCompleteTransmissionIndicator in the material
node.

The behaviour of different action codes are given below:

04-Save:
Create if new data is passed.
Update the material with the new data entered if the material already exists.
05-Remove:
Delete if the data already exists.
If no data exists, then no action.

If the CTI flag is True:

All material descriptions are passed and based on action code description are created/updated/deleted.
Uncheck the is Null checkbox for the field descriptionListCompleteTransmissionIndicator in the
material node and check the True indicator.

The behaviour of the different action codes are as given below:

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04-Save:
Create if new data is passed.
If the material already exists, updates the material with the new data passed and deletes the
existing data.
05-Remove:
Delete if the data exists
If no data exists, then no action
.

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4.7.

Backend Mass Maintenance MM17 (Active Area)

Use case:
You want to change data without governance. You want to change data from one value to another for many material
masters.
Solution:
You can use backend transaction MM17.
Note:
Materials changed by this transaction should not be locked in change requests, as activation of a change request might
overwrite changes done by the MM17 (due to the snapshot comparison).

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4.8.

Backend Functions Direct Input/ALE (Active Area)

Use case:
You want to transfer material changes from other systems and want to change the complete Material Master in the
active area.
Solution:
Use a custom program for Direct Input or BAPI or use ALE.
You can transfer materials:
Using direct input
The preferred way is to use direct input method or a user-created program with a BAPI. See this information
sheet on transferring material master data (Industry):
http://help.sap.com/erp2005_ehp_07/helpdata/en/f6/ca0766a7a911d1950500a0c930e0da/content.htm?frameset
=/en/f6/ca0766a7a911d1950500a0c930e0da/frameset.htm
Available BAPIS:
BAPI_MATERIAL_SAVEDATA Create and Change Material Master Data
BAPI_MATERIAL_SAVEREPLICA BAPI for Mass Maintenance of Material Data
Using Application Link Enabling (ALE)
You can find a detailed description of ALE, including supported functions and the procedure, under the following
components:
BC ALE Implementation and Administration
BC ALE Introduction
Creating Material Master Data
Distributing Material Master Data
ALE Programming Guide
Master Data Distribution

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