Planning Using MRP Live

Objective

After completing this lesson, you will be able to start a planning run using MRP Live

Planning Options

Watch as Julia introduces and compares MRP Live with classic MRP in SAP S/4HANA.

SAP S/4HANA offers MRP Live, an optimized MRP run for SAP HANA. It efficiently processes material receipts and requirements, calculates shortages, and generates planned orders and purchase requisitions within a single database procedure, significantly reducing data transfer and boosting performance. Additionally, MRP Live provides a flexible planning scope, allowing you to plan a set of materials with all components, materials for specific planners, or one material across all plants.

However, MRP Live has some limitations compared to classic MRP. While it is faster, it does not support all existing business processes. For instance, some lot-sizing procedures, like optimum lot-sizing, and forecast-based planning (MRP type VV) are not supported.

Note

Current restrictions of MRP Live on HANA are detailed in SAP Note 1914010.

These limitations are one reason why classic MRP continues to be supported in SAP S/4HANA alongside MRP Live.

To leverage the enhanced user experience, performance, and flexibility of MRP Live, you can start the planning run using MRP Live. The system automatically determines if a material can be planned with MRP Live on HANA or if it requires classic MRP.

Note

During the planning run, materials are sequenced based on low-level codes.

The low-level code represents the lowest level at which a material appears in any BOM. It determines the sequence in which materials are planned. The system first plans all materials with level 0, followed by materials with level 1, and continues in this manner.

For the first low-level code (0), the system initially plans materials using MRP Live. In the next step, it processes materials that cannot be planned with MRP Live or encountered errors using classic MRP. This sequence is repeated for each subsequent low-level code.

MRP Live aims to simplify the planning process by minimizing the number of options and decisions needed during the run, compared to classic MRP.

MRP Live systematically creates delivery schedule lines for externally procured materials with valid scheduling agreements and generates purchase requisitions for all other externally procured materials. Planned orders are not created for externally procured materials.

Also, MRP Live no longer creates MRP Lists. In classic MRP, MRP Lists were snapshots of the planning situation taken during the MRP run, which could quickly become outdated. Instead of relying on static MRP Lists, planners can use the Monitor Stock/Requirements List (MD04) app to access up-to-date information. This list provides a current view of the material supply and demand situation, ensuring planners have the most accurate data.

MRP Live Execution

To initiate MRP Live, you can follow these steps:

Back-End System
Choose the transaction MD01N on the SAP Easy Access screen
SAP Fiori Launchpad
Open the app Schedule MRP Runs

Planning Scope

MRP Live offers a flexible planning scope, allowing you to select the materials you want to include in an MRP run. You can enhance this selection using the following indicators:

Changed BOM Components:
This indicator allows you to plan BOM components in addition to the materials selected in the Planning Scope section. The system plans these components if their dependent requirements have changed during the current planning run, while unchanged components are ignored.
All Order BOM Components:
With this indicator, you can plan all order BOM components alongside the materials selected in the Planning Scope section, regardless of whether their requirements have changed.
Stock Transfer Material:
This indicator affects pre-selected materials with a special procurement type for stock transfer. It enables you to plan these materials not only in the plants specified in the Planning Scope section but also in their supplying plants.

Control Parameters

The figure, MRP Live - Control Parameters, illustrates the available control parameters for MRP Live.

Using the MRP Live control parameters, you define how the preselected materials should be planned.

By selecting the Regenerative Planning parameter, you force the system to plan all preselected materials even if there were no changes since the last planning run.

The Planning Mode specifies how non-fixed procurement proposals from the last planning run are handled in the next planning run. Fixed procurement proposals remain unchanged.

Note

The Scheduling indicator only affects planned orders.

The following interactive demo shows how to schedule MRP runs.

DemoStart Demo

Note

When scheduling a planning run, we've seen that we can define the scope of the planning run (one or more plants, one or more materials, one or more MRP controllers, and so on).

For this defined scope, the system checks in the background whether each material to be planned is contained in the so-called planning file.

The planning file contains a list of all materials that are relevant to the planning run.

As soon as a material master record is created with MRP data and a valid MRP type, this material is automatically included in the planning file. Then, as soon as a planning-relevant activity occurs for this material (for example, a goods movement or the creation of a new purchase order), an indicator is automatically updated in the planning file to indicate that the material is relevant for a new planning run.

Checking the planning file is actually the first step in the planning run.

Individual Planning

With the Manage Material Coverage (F02510) app, you can display and analyze coverage issues for a selection of materials. For each material you select, you can view a stock/requirements list that includes material shortage information. You can also take actions directly from the app, such as starting an MRP run for the selected material.

Note

This app is the successor to the Manage Material Coverage (F0251) app. It features an enhanced look-and-feel, along with improvements such as the ability to select multiple materials and additional navigation options in the material overview table and quickviews. However, it does not yet fully cover all aspects of the Manage Material Coverage (F0251) app. For additional details, please visit the SAP Help Portal: SAP S/4HANA > Material Requirements Planning (PP-MRP) > Fiori Apps in PP-MRP > Feature Comparison Documentation > Feature Comparison for Managing Material Coverage.

To use this app as an alternative for navigation, you can enable direct navigation from the Monitor Material Coverage apps. A switch is available in the user-specific app settings in the user actions menu of the Monitor Material Coverage apps.

With the Monitor Material Coverage - Net and Individual Segments app, you can oversee all materials within a selected area of responsibility. This app provides material coverage information, enabling you to promptly address material shortage issues and prevent disruptions to production or customer demand fulfillment. You can directly navigate from this app to the Manage Material Coverage (F0251) or Manage Material Coverage (F0251A) app to view detailed information about selected materials and explore various solutions, such as starting an MRP run.

In the following interactive demo, you'll learn how an MRP controller can use the Monitor Material Coverage app to monitor the stock/requirements situation of selected materials and start a planning run for these materials.

You'll learn how to view and analyze the results of the planning run based on your knowledge of net requirements calculation, scheduling, source determination, and so on.

DemoStart Demo

Note

When you start an MRP-relevant app for the first time, you must specify your area of responsibility by selecting the appropriate combinations of plants and MRP controllers for which you are responsible.

You can also use the My Area of Responsibility - MRP Controller app to assign the MRP controllers and plants for which you are responsible.

Based on these settings, the MRP-relevant apps display only those items that belong to materials for which you are in charge.

You can change the assignment of MRP controllers and plants at any time.

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