The Material Master in SAP PP is a core data file in SAP that stores essential information about materials used across departments. It acts as a centralized library, ensuring that each department—from production and sales to logistics and finance—has the specific data it needs for efficient operations. Understanding the material master is crucial for any beginner in SAP PP, as it connects various departments, ensuring smooth coordination across business processes.
What is a Material Master?
The material master holds information for all material-related activities within an organization. Each department uses this data to manage processes related to procurement, production, sales, inventory, and costing. Here’s how different departments interact with the material master:
| Department | Views Used in Material Master |
|---|---|
| Production | Material Requirements Planning (MRP), Work Scheduling |
| Sales | Sales view for tracking sales and marketing data |
| Logistics | Purchasing, inventory, and warehouse data |
| Finance | Costing and accounting details |
This organization-wide access makes the material master critical to an efficient production planning process, allowing each department to contribute and retrieve relevant data as needed.
Common Types of Materials in SAP
SAP classifies materials into different types, each used in various business functions:
| Material Type | SAP Abbreviation | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Finished Assembly | FERT | A product ready for sale |
| Semifinished Assembly | HALB | Partially completed goods |
| Raw Material | ROH | Basic materials used in production |
| Packaging Material | VERP | Materials for packaging products |
Each abbreviation represents a German term commonly used in SAP:
- FERT (“Fertigteil”) for finished goods
- HALB (“Halbfabrikat”) for semifinished products
- ROH (“Rohteil”) for raw materials
These standard types are customizable, allowing businesses to adjust material types to fit specific needs.
Unique Identification: Material Number
Each material master record is identified by a unique material number, which can be up to 40 characters in SAP S/4HANA (18 characters in SAP ECC). There are two ways to generate material numbers:
- Internal Numbering: The system automatically generates a material number.
- External Numbering: Users manually assign a number, ideal for companies using multiple systems that require synchronized material numbers, such as a Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) system.
Different Views of the Material Master
Material master data is structured into views, each managed by different organizational levels. This approach helps keep the data organized and ensures that each department has access to the relevant information for their function.
| View | Organization Level | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Sales View | Sales Area | Contains data for sales and marketing |
| MRP and Work Scheduling | Plant | Used for production planning and scheduling |
| Accounting View | Valuation Area (e.g., Plant or Company Code) | Used for material costing and valuation |
For instance, sales teams manage the Sales view at the sales area level, while production teams handle MRP data at the plant level. Accounting data is maintained at the valuation area level, defining how materials are valued within the system.
Steps to Create a Material Master Record
To create a material master, certain basic details are required:
- Material Number: Unique identifier for the material.
- Industry Sector: The industry category for the material.
- Material Type: Classification based on material use (e.g., FERT, HALB).
- Material Description: Brief text describing the material.
The material master is a fundamental data object in SAP, ensuring seamless operations and data consistency across departments. By understanding and maintaining this master data effectively, businesses can achieve better coordination, accuracy, and efficiency in their production and logistics processes.