Understanding Applications and Features

Objective

After completing this lesson, you will be able to create and configure tools using the Manage Tools app with proper status and logging settings.

App: Manage Tools

Purpose: Create, maintain, and monitor tool master data and usage information.

Key Features:

Tool creation and status management
Usage tracking with total used time and count
Schedule tab for viewing tool assignments
Integration with ERP systems for PRT synchronization

Main Functions

Tool Creation and Configuration

Enables local creation of new tools or synchronization of PRT Material/Equipment from SAP ERP
Supports configuration of tool properties such as status, serial number, storage location
Provides options for logging methods (manual or automatic)

Tool Monitoring and Tracking

Displays tool usage data including total used time and count
Provides Tracking tab for monitoring tool usage logging
Provides Schedule tab for tool scheduling information

Tool Creation Process

Prerequisites

Access to the Manage Tools App
Appropriate user permissions for tool creation
Available master data

Step 1: App Access and Initialization

Navigate to the Manage Tools app.
Select Create option in the Manage Tools app.
System displays tool creation form.

Step 2: Tool Type and Reference Selection

Select tool type (Equipment or Material).
Equipment Tools: Created either within Manage Tools App (SAP Digital Manufacturing without ERP integration = Local Version) or automatically when Equipment PRTs (Production Resources/Tools) are transferred from SAP ERP systems with Equipment Category "P" for "Production resources/tools".
Material Tools: Can be manually created in the Manage Tools app after Material PRTs are downloaded
Specify referenced material or equipment
Enter or generate tool number
Select Equipment (not required), if Asset is set up
Add optional tool description

Manage Tools: New Tool Popup The New Tool popup: Equipment is selected.

Step 3: Advanced Configuration

Configure status, serial number, storage location, and vendor.

Tool statuses include:

Enabled: Available for scheduling and use.
Productive: Currently loaded and in use on a resource.
Disabled: Not available for production use.

Enter vendor and vendor model information.
Select logging method (manual or automatic by usage count/time).
Add custom data if required.

Tool Configuration Options

Parameter	Description	Required/Optional
Tool Type	Equipment or Material	Required
Referenced Material/Equipment	Base master data reference	Required
Tool Number	Unique tool identification	Required for Material
Description	Tool description	Optional
Status	Enabled/Disabled/Engineering/ Productive	Required
Serial Number	Physical tool serial number	Optional
Storage Location	Current storage location	Optional
Vendor Information	Vendor and model	Optional
Logging Method	Manual/Automatic	Required

Manage Tools: Advanced Configurations

Step 4: Validation and Save

Click Save to set the new tool.
System validates inputs and creates tool record.
Confirmation of successful tool creation.

Tool Setup Example:

Screenshot of the Manage Tools screen, showing sample items.

Common Issues and Solutions

Issue	Cause	Solution
Tool doesn't appear in Schedule Tools	Tool status not set to Enabled	Check and set status to "Enabled" in Manage Tools App and Reselect
Logging data not available	Logging method not configured	Activate logging method in tool configuration

App: Schedule Tools

Purpose

Use this app to schedule or allocate available production tools to work centers and resources for a specific day or calendar week. The allocated production tools are displayed in the Dispatching and Monitoring app within the corresponding work centers and resources.

When you create a tool in the Manage Tools app, ensure that the status of the tool is set as Enabled. The tool appears in the Schedule Tools app only if the status is set as Enabled.

Main Functions

You can display the tools assignments up to two weeks from the date of creation. You can view the tools allocation done by other production supervisors but you cannot change the allocations done by others.
You can view and download the tools assignment report for the selected date range using Tools Report. The report includes details such as tools, order, operation, start and end dates, duration of the assignment, work centers and resources assigned. You can sort the report based on tools and orders.

Scheduling Procedure

Prerequisites

The tools were created using the Manage Tools app. Production orders and operations exist. Work Centers are available in DM
The role Production_Supervisor has the view and edit authorizations for the Schedule Tools app.

Step 1: Open the Schedule Tools app

You see the list of available tools for the next two weeks from the date of creation displays.
(If no Tools are displayed, check if Tool Status is set to Enabled, reselect again)

Step 2: Enter a Tool ID

If you have one or go to the calendar view and choose the start and end dates to view the tools that were created during that period.
Choose Go.
The list of tools along with current allocations displays.

Step 3: Select a tool

Step 4: Time period

Choose a day to assign the work center or resource to the tool.

Step 5: Assignment

Choose to assign a work center or a Resource using the Assign option. You can also assign the same work center or resource to the adjacent dates by dragging the current assignment.
Save your changes.

The current assignments are saved and will appear in the Dispatching and Monitoring app for the corresponding work center or resource.

App: Manage Tool Assignment

Purpose: Manage and track specific tool assignments to resources, orders and operations

The Manage Tool Assignment app is designed to provide transparency and control over tool assignments to resources, production orders, and operations within SAP Digital Manufacturing.

From a process perspective, it is important to critically assess whether assignments are actively created and maintained within this app, or whether the app primarily serves as a monitoring and adjustment interface for assignments originating from master data, routings, or external integration (for example, ERP-driven order requirements).

In many implementations, the app is predominantly used as a transparency and exception-handling tool rather than as the primary mechanism for operational tool planning. The actual assignment logic is often defined in routing master data or derived automatically during order dispatching

Key Features:

Detailed assignment tracking and modification
Assignment history and audit trail
Integration with production order requirements

Main Functions

Tool Assignment to Resources

Enables direct assignment of available production tools to specific resources/ operations
Considers resource capacities and tool availability
Supports both manual and automated assignment processes

Assignment Monitoring and Management

Provides comprehensive visibility over current tool assignments
Enables modification of existing assignments based on production requirements
Provides historical assignment data for analysis and compliance

Process Steps

Configuration Requirements

Tools must be in "Enabled" status for assignment
Resources must be active and available
User permissions for tool assignment functions required
Integration with production orders and routing information

Step 1: Select target resource for tool assignment.

Step 2: Select Assign Order and choose Order from Order list to link resource to order operation.

Manage Tool Assignment: Assign Order

The Manage Tool Assignment screen with the Assign Order link highlighted.

Step 3: Select a tool. The Assign Tool screen showing the available tools.

Step 4: Click Assign.

Step 5: See Details.

The Manage Tool Assignments screen, showing assigned orders and tools.

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