SAP-Batch Management in Sales and DistributionWhat is a batch?

A batch in the Materials Management system is defined as a subset or partial quantity of a material that is
managed separately from other subsets of the same material. Each batch is identified not only by its
material identification but also by a separate batch number. Typical examples of batches include different
production lots (such as paints, dyes, wallpapers, and pharmaceutical products), delivery lots, or quality
grades of a material.

When is batch handling used?

In the logistics process, from procurement to sales, it is sometimes necessary for you to specify batches
for individual business transactions. For goods receipt transactions, you can manually specify a batch
number or you can use the internal number assignment function. For stock removals from WM, the
system searches for stock with the batches specified in the sales order or delivery.
Logistics-wide batch handling is possible in the following core areas:

Batch definition

Batch status management

Batch determination

How do you distinguish between various batches in WM?

The essential features in Warehouse Management include the following:
1. There are two statuses in batch status management: unrestricted and restricted. The status is
stored centrally in the batch and is classified as a characteristic of the batch. The system then
uses this status during batch determination.
When you process transfer orders, you should avoid transmitting batches with the status
restricted during certain movements. This is determined by the entries in the movement type
table.
2. A universal solution covering the whole of logistics was created for the batch determination
complex whereby different areas use a central batch determination module. This module is
divided into several sub-functions. The following steps are of importance to WM:
o

Strategy
If a "batch neutral" quantity is requested when you create a transfer order to remove
stock from storage, a "search pattern" in the movement type or in the warehouse number
record specifies whether the batch determination is carried out or not. Based on the
determination pattern, the system determines access sequences which, in turn, are
linked to a search sequence. The system then selects a valid strategy for the batch
determination.

Selection
Via the classification system, the system finds batches according to predefined search
criteria. Examples of possible criteria include shelf life and batch status.

Sorting
The system sorts any batches found according to certain criteria (for example, shelf life
expiration date or the production date) and sends them to the program that creates the
transfer orders. Here, the system processes the selected batches based on the stock
removal strategies.

To make the settings mentioned above, see Logistics - General Batch Management Batch status
management Activate batch status checking in Warehouse Management in the Enterprise IMG
documentation.

Batch Determination
You can use batch determination in the following applications:

Application

Function / Document

Inventory Management (IM)

Goods movements

Warehouse Management (WM)

Transfer order

Production Planning (PP)

Run schedule header & Production order

Production Planning (PP-PI)

Process order

Sales and Distribution - Sales

Sales order

Sales and Distribution - Shipping

Delivery

Active Ingredient Processing : Active ingredient processing is integrated into the batch determination process in WM. For this process,
the conversion factors for the individual batches are taken into consideration.
When you create transfer orders, the system displays the active ingredient unit of measure, however, it
does not become the alternative unit of measure since this would not be appropriate for working in the

warehouse. Therefore, you cannot use the active ingredient unit of measure for confirming transfer orders
nor for taking inventory.

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