SAP Batch Determination

Batch Determination
Define Batch Determination
Batch Determination is used in inventory management, production, sales and
distribution, warehouse management. It is used to select batches and allocate the
same in a manufacturing order or in an outbound delivery or in a goods issue/goods
transfer in inventory management.
In Production, Sales & Distribution, in inventory management or in warehouse
management, batch determination is used to search and allocate batches for the
components in production order/process order or to search and allocate the delivery
batches in a customer based outbound delivery or to search for batches and allocate
batches in goods issues.
The tools that batch determination uses is the determination condition techniques
based on the condition tables, access sequence and strategy types. These condition
types are enough to choose and allocate batches. Though additionally batch
determination uses selection classes and its characteristics values to choose
batches and/or uses sorting rules to choose sort batches while selection based on
characteristics and its values.
We have already learnt in batch derivation documentation, how the search
procedures condition techniques help in searching the sending batches and
receiving batches and thus derive the transfer of characteristics values. Similarly you
can use the search procedures techniques to search and select batches during
batch determination.
SAP Batch Determination Condition Techniques

SAP Batch Determination Condition Techniques

You can follow the steps as below to create Batch Search Procedure Techniques:

First Step Create Batch Determination Condition tables

Batch determination condition tables once created become the key combination
fields for searching batches. Eventually the condition records or search strategies
are created as master data based on these key combinations. The Condition Tables
are created separately for IM, Production, WM and Sales.

Second Step Create Batch Determination Access sequence

Batch determination access sequences have multiple condition tables (key
combinations) assigned in a sequence of priority. This facility allows you to create
data for many key combinations so that even if the search of batches fails on the first
key combination condition the rest in the priority would help in search. The Access
Sequences are created separately for IM, Production, WM and Sales. The below
screen-shot shows all the screens involved in the access sequence configuration.

Third Step Create Batch Strategy Types

Batch Search Strategy holds multiple access sequences, though not assigned in any
sequential priority. The assignment of the strategy types is separately for IM,
Production, WM and Sales.
The strategy types or condition types are assigned in priority in the next step called
Batch Search Procedure Definition.
The strategy types configuration holds the selection criteria and the sort rules used
in batch determination techniques.
Strategy types are used ultimately to create the batch search master data or batch
search condition record so that the system would know the exact level at which
search for batches is to be carried out along with the selection/sort rules of these
batches.
It is obvious that batch search strategy is used to search batches on certain rules,
because you want to automate the process and do not want it to do it manually for
each and every batch. Thus you have to aid the system in putting in a decision such
as - search all the batches of a given plant or search all the batches of a given set of
material at a plant or search batches for a given component or etc.

Additionally the system gets a help from the selection criteria or the sort rules to
select and sort the batches for a characteristics value. Though the selection criteria
and the sort rules are optional if the condition tables and the strategy types are
enough to search and assign the batches to the business objects. The selection and
sort rules can be defined separately and assigned to the strategy type. See the
explanation below:
Create Selection class (Optional in Batch Determination) Selection class is used
to help the system choose a certain batch based on the characteristics and their

fixed values. Therefore when you create a selection in SAP using transaction code
BMC1 (BMC2/BMC3).
You would then assign the selection class to the strategy and use the same in the
condition record master data. In the condition records you need to enter the required
fixed values against any class characteristics that you would want to use to search
the batches.
Create Sort Rules (Optional in Batch Determination) Sort Rules are used to help
the system sort the batches for the given class characteristics. When you create the
sort rules in Batch determination, you would select the characteristics on which you
would want to sort the batches for selection and assignment to an object. The
characteristics on which the sort rules are based upon (LAST_GR) is shown in the
screen-shot below.

Fourth Step - Create a Batch Search procedure

A Batch Search procedure holds multiple strategy types assigned in sequential
priority. The Batch search procedure thus becomes the final configuration which
holds the total search configuration together. The Batch Search Procedures are
created separately for IM, Production, WM and Sales.

Fifth Step - Batch Search Procedure Allocation and Check Activation

In this step you allocate the batch search procedure to the respective modules. In
the case of inventory management, the Batch search procedures are assigned to the
Movement types. In the case of production or process order, the batch search
procedures are assigned to the production plants and order types. In the case of
Sales and Distribution the Batch Search Procedures are assigned to the Sales Areas
and Sales document type. In the case of Warehouse Management, the Batch Search
procedures are assigned to the Warehouse number and they can be also assigned
to the warehouse number + Movement type combination.
The below screen shot shows the batch search procedure assigned to various SAP
logistical areas. There are 4 screens illustrated in one screen shot below.

Sixth Step Creation of Batch Search Condition records or Batch Search

Strategy
When the entire configuration for batch search condition techniques is done, you
would create the Batch search condition records using varied transaction codes:
For Inventory management - MBC1 Create, MBC2 Change, MBC3 Display
For Production order/Process order - COB1 Create, COB2 Change, COB3
Display
For Sales and Distribution - VCH1 Create, VCH2 Change, VCH3 - Display
For Warehouse Management - LS51 Create, LS52 Change, LS53 Display
The Batch Determination Search Strategy or Condition records can be created as
below:

Step 1:
Enter the Strategy Type For example C001 in Production order Scenario
Step 2:
Press Enter
Step 3: A Key combination is provided by the system to choose from. Choose a Key
combination for which you want to create the condition record for. The Key
combination in this case is Order type + Plant + Component.
Step 4: Enter the Values for the order type, plant and the component combination for
which you want the system to search the batches during batch determination. Also
enter the Validity Period for which the Batch Master Strategy would be valid and can
be used by the system.
Enter the values of the following fields while creating the batch strategy master data
or you can also have the values of these fields brought in from the Batch strategy
type configuration

Number of allowed Batch splits Enter the allowed number of batch splits
during batch determination. Batch splits specifies the number of batches that
can be picked so as to satisfy the requirement quantity.

Select the Change allowed indicator If you want the number of batch splits
to be flexible and it can be changed as per the situation, so as to satisfy the
quantity required.

Over delivery Allowed If you select this indicator, the batch split can pick up
batches whose batch quantity could possibly exceed the requirement quantity.

UOM to display the batch quantities in, during the batch determination
process. It could be in stock keeping UOM or in unit of entry of the document.

Select the Dialog for Batch determination If the batch determination is run
in the foreground and if you want the results of batch determination to pulledup in a dialog box, you should select this indicator. Forget this indicator if
batch determination is always carried out in the background.

Routines You can assign Routines to help in quantity proposal. If there is no

special routine that you have created for batch determination then you can set
this field with a default value as 1. Routines in SAP would carry out certain
functions. For example you can write a routine to select the batches in batch
determination based on your own special rules and logics which cannot be
covered by search procedures, selection classes and sort rules.

Selection Type Specifies the following options which are self explainable.

N
O
F

Immediate selection according to selection criteria

No selection at beginning of batch determination
Selection with no selection criteria
Selection criteria cannot be changed in batch determination

Step 5: If you are working with selection classes, you can assign the characteristics
values for which you want the system to select the batches during batch
determination as shown in the screen shot below.
If you are working with Sort rules as well, you can assign a sort rule (create the sort
rule before you create the Batch Search Strategy).

Illustration of Batch Determination Condition Technique Configuration

This particular Illustration of Batch determination condition techniques configuration
is shown for SAP PP/PPPI.
Step 4: Create Batch Search Procedure
0010 CO0001 10 ZP01 (Existing Standard SAP Batch Search Strategy)
0010 ZP0001 10 ZP01 (Assign here - Batch Search Strategy Z001)
Step 3: Create Batch Search Strategy
Z001 (Assign Here Access Sequence Z001)
C001 (Existing Standard SAP Search Strategy)
Step 2: Create Access Sequence
0010 Z001 10
901
ZCD1 (Assign Here Condition Tables ZCD1)
0010 Z001 20
902
ZCD2 (Assign Here Condition Tables ZCD1)
0010 Z001 30
903
ZCD3 (Assign Here Condition Tables ZCD1)
Step 1: Create Condition Table
901
ZCD1 (Choose Here Condition Fields from a set provided)
Choose Condition Fields
Plant
Step 1: Create Condition Table
902
ZCD2 (Choose Here Condition Fields from a set provided)
Choose Condition Fields
Component + Plant
Step 1: Create Condition Table
903
ZCD3 (Choose Here Condition Fields from a set provided)
Choose Condition Fields
Order type + Plants + Manufactured Material + Component

Pre-requisite for SAP Batch Determination in SAP PP/WM

Pre-requisite for SAP Batch Determination in SAP PP/WM

When you want to use batch determination in SAP PP/WM you should also use the
Batch Entry Field in MRP3 View:

For the Batch Determination to work in production order for the components, you
should have a value for the batch entry field. The values if set to 3 will carry out
batch determination automatically and if set to blank will not carry out batch
determination for the components in the production.
Batch Determination in Logistical areas

Batch Determination in Logistical areas

Batch Determination In Production
Batch determination is used in production to search for component batches in the
production order or in the process order component list. It also reserves the batches
for the production order. These batches once assigned get included in the
reservation list created for the order.
The selection of inventoried component batches can be based on the simple batch
search procedure techniques with or without the selection class and sort rules.
Determination of batches can be an automatic procedure or can be triggered
manually.
Note that:

The components should be batch managed

If selection rules and sort rules are to be applied for determination of batches,
the components should be classified with a class. Most of the times the
selection is on Batch Class. Though you can select on the basis of any other
class.

For the batch search procedure to work as per your conditions records, selection
rules and sort rules, you should configure batch determination in Production order
and/or Process order (as per the type of manufacturing set up) and maintain the
required master data:
a) Create the required configuration for Batch search procedures using the
path - Logistics >>> Batch Management >>> Batch Determination and Batch
Check
b) Then assign Production order and/or Process order Batch search
procedure to the Order type and Plant combination using the path -Logistics >>> Batch Management >>> Batch Determination and Batch Check

>>> Batch Search Procedure Allocation and Check Activation >>> Assign
Search Procedures to Production and Activate Check
c) Create condition records in the front end using transaction code COB1
(Change/Display - COB 2/ COB3)
Example:
As a simple example, you would want to manufacture a product M1 with batch
managed components C1, C2, C3; out of which you would like to have the system
automatically select batches for the product C3 based on the following rules:
The selection classes and the sort rules can be illustrated as below:

Select Batches which has a selection class (Batch Class) called as =

ZCOMPONENT. This batch class should have been assigned to the
component
The Values of the following characteristics are entered while creating the
selection class. The other characteristics which exist in the class are not used
for selection purpose.
o
o
o
o

pH = <=3
COLOR = RED
LOBM_RLZ = < 100 Days (Remaining Shelf Life for Batch)
LOBM_ZUSTD = Released (Standard Characteristics for Batch
Status)

Though please note that use of selection class is optional; this example uses
selection class since the business process demands.
Depending upon the batch master strategy or the condition record created for
a given production order or process order strategy type (for example with a
key combination = Manufactured Material + Plant + Component) and
depending upon the selection class rules set for the selection classes, the
system would select the component batches.

Selection of the component batches should also be based on a FIFO Sort rule
(First In First Out) so that the component batches lying in stock do not age
out. To do this you would create the sort rule with a Characteristics
LOBM_HSDAT (Date on which batch was produced) placed in ascending
order and FIFO_LAST_GR_DATE (which is a reference characteristics
referencing the field last GR data MCHA + LWEDT) also placed in
ascending order of selection.

ZSORT_SEQ_1
Sequence

Production

Characteristics
LOBM_HSDAT
FIFO_LAST_GR_DATE

Order

Component

Selection

Sort

Ascending/descending
Ascending
Ascending

Batch Determination In Sales and Distribution

Batches can be assigned to the quantity based contracts or in quotations early in the
process so that they can be reserved for the customer. Though assigning to these
objects can lock your inventory, thus disallowing it to be used for any other customer
delivery.
Similarly in the sales order, you can assign the batches through automatic
determination based on condition techniques supported by selection classes and/or
sort rules. You could have the determination done manually as well in the sales
order.
Assignment of the batches to the Sales orders is required if the customer requests
batches of a certain specification set or if you want to choose batches in the sales
order based on certain sort rules or based on certain characteristics values
maintained by you to classify the inventory.
Since there is no Batch Split in Sales order Batch determination allowing the system
to assign multiple partial batches, the system finds itself incompetent to assign
multiple partial batches to satisfy the sales order line item demand. Even though with
such as shortfall in functionality, if you still want to allocate batches to the sales order
line item through Batch determination you can do so and call the batch selection
screen through manual batch determination and have the batches chosen manually
to satisfy the quantities.
Whereas In Outbound Deliveries, you can use Batch determination and have the
system allocate batches or pick the batches. The Good News is that outbound
delivery has the functionality of Batch split and allocation of multiple batches to
satisfy the sales order line item quantity. Having Batch determination late in the sales
business process would make sure that the inventory is not locked up for a very long
time.
Batch determination in the outbound deliveries can be triggered manually or can be
automated as per the configuration. You can also change the determined batches
and overwrite the same till they are issued to the customer.

Batch Determination in outbound deliveries can be made using the condition

techniques, the selection classes and the sort rules. Follow the example below to
know more about batch determination in outbound deliveries.
For the batch search procedure to work as per your conditions records, selection
rules and sort rules, you should configure batch determination in Sales and
Distribution and set up the required master data:
d) Create the required configuration for Batch search procedures using the
path - Logistics >>> Batch Management >>> Batch Determination and Batch
Check
e) Then assign Sales and Distribution Batch search procedure to the sales
area and document type using the path -- Logistics >>> Batch Management
>>> Batch Determination and Batch Check >>> Batch Search Procedure
Allocation and Check Activation >>> Allocate SD Search Procedure/Activate
Check
f) Create condition records in the front end using transaction code VCH1
(Change/Display - VCH2/VCH3).

Example:
If you want to carry out batch determination for all the materials that are sold out of
the plant through an outbound delivery, then you can create a condition technique
with or without the selection classes and sort rules. Though in outbound delivery
batch determination, most of the customers would mandatorily base their batch
allocation on selection classes, values of the characteristics in these classes and
sort rules.
The selection classes and the sort rules can be illustrated as below:

Select Batches which has a selection class (Batch Class) called as =

ZCOMPONENT.
The Values of the following characteristics are entered while creating the
selection class. The other characteristics which exist in the class are not used
for selection purpose.
o
o

LOBM_RLZ = < 20 Days (Remaining Shelf Life for Batch)

LOBM_ZUSTD = Released (Standard Characteristics for Batch
Status)

Though please note that use of selection class is optional; this example uses
selection class since the business process demands.

Selection of the finished product batches should also be based on a FIFO

Sort rule (First In First Out) so that the batches lying in stock do not age out.
To do this you would create the sort rule with a Characteristics
LOBM_HSDAT (Date on which batch was produced) placed in ascending
order and FIFO_LAST_GR_DATE (which is a reference characteristics
referencing the field last GR data MCHA + LWEDT) also placed in
ascending order of selection.
ZSORT_SEQ_2 Outbound Delivery Selection Sort Sequence
Characteristics
LOBM_HSDAT
FIFO_LAST_GR_DATE

Ascending/descending
Ascending
Ascending

Batch Determination In Inventory Management

It is logical that for all the movement types which are involved in goods issue, you
would want to search for batches from inventory. The business processes can be
goods issue to production order or process order, transfer posting, return to supplier
etc.
For the batch search procedure to work as per your conditions records, selection
rules and sort rules, you should configure batch determination in inventory
management and set up the required master data:
g) Create the required configuration for Batch search procedures using the
path - Logistics >>> Batch Management >>> Batch Determination and Batch
Check
h) Then assign Inventory management batch search procedure to the
movement types using transaction code OMCG (Logistics >>> Batch
Management >>> Batch Determination and Batch Check >>> Batch Search
Procedure Allocation and Check Activation >>> Allocate IM Search
Procedure/Activate Check)
i) Create condition records in the front end using transaction code MBC1
(Change/Display - MBC2/MBC3).
If you want to be generic, you can have the condition tables set at the Plant level or
Movement type + Plant level; whereas if you want to be more specific or detailed you
can have the condition tables set at Movement type + Plant + Material level.

On the other hand, if you have forgotten to enter any batch determination condition
techniques or if you have forgotten to assign them to the movement types, the
system would eventually carry out an availability checks and choose a batch for you
(for which you would have to put an asterisk - *, in the batch field while creating the
goods movement.
Use in Inventory Management - When you create the goods issues, you can enter an
Asterisk * in the Batch Field and expect the system to throw up a batch number.
Putting an asterisk would provide an available batch number from the stock or
provides a batch number as per the batch search condition techniques set. And if
you have forgotten to configure batch determination in inventory management, the
system would search the batches based on standard availability checks and provide
you with a batch number.