Configuring an Item Category

Item categories are defined in Customizing. Navigate to SAP Customizing Implementation Guide → Service → Transactions → Basic Settings → Define Item Categories.

When defining an item category, a service item object type is assigned (the Object Type field). This defines the business context for the item category. An example is service item object type Service Material Item (BUS2000146), which is assigned to item category SRVM (Service Part).

Besides the object type, the Status Object Type field needs to be filled. It specifies with which status object type the status object of a business transaction item should be created. If this field is left empty, status object type COI (CRM Order Item) is used for the item.

Item categories are also assigned to specific business transaction categories (such as Sales (BUS2000115) and Service Order/Quot. (BUS2000116)) with specific configuration settings per category. An example is configuring whether an item is relevant for pricing, which is set for business transaction category Sales (BUS2000115). Another example is configuring whether an item is relevant for costing, which is set for business transaction category Service Order/Quot. (BUS2000116).

Another example of a setting on business transaction category level for an item category is shown. The previous figure shows item category SRQS (Sales Item) for business transaction category Sales (BUS2000115). Entry 2 Is a Quotation in the field Relevance for Quotation can be used to indicate that the item category represents a service order quotation item. If all item categories used for a certain transaction type are configured this way, the transaction type represents a service order quotation instead of, for example, a service order. This would mean that this transaction type is available for selection in the SAP Fiori app Create Service Order Quotation.

Similar to what was discussed for a transaction type, various profiles and procedures can also be assigned at item level. An example is a text determination procedure, containing available text types at item level. Another example is an organization data profile, which controls the automatic determination of organizational units in the transaction at item level.

Besides profiles and procedures, other specific configuration fields are available in the definition of an item category. An example is the Structure Scope field, which specifies that if an item consists of a product with a structure, this structure should be exploded automatically in the business transaction as a main item with one or more sub-items.

Hierarchical relationships between items can also be defined in a service document (for example, a service order) by assigning one or more sub-items to a higher-level item. Examples would be a service part that is required to execute a certain service, or a complex service consisting of several individual services.

The item category of a sub-item depends on the item category of the higher-level item to which it is assigned.

It is possible to perform and simulate credit checks for service orders and their items. The credit check and the credit check simulation are based on the check rules that have been defined for the payers (business partners) who are assigned to the service order items.

Credit checks are performed automatically when the service order is saved with the status Released. The result of the credit check is displayed in the credit status for the service order items and the service order.

If all service order items pass the credit check, you can proceed with the service order. A commitment that corresponds to the checked gross value is passed to the credit exposure in Credit Management. If the credit check fails for the service order items, you must release the items manually in Credit Management.

The credit check is performed for sales items that have been added to a service order. If the sales item passes the credit check, the system creates a sales order and updates the credit exposure that is used for sales orders. If the credit check fails for the sales item, the system does not create a sales order and you first need to approve the sales item in Credit Management.

The credit check simulation allows you to see the possible credit check result before saving the service order with the status Released. You can simulate a credit check for items with any status except Completed.

The result of the simulation does not change the credit status that is displayed for the service order and its related items. It does not change the credit exposure or block further processing of the service order.

You can perform the credit check or the credit check simulation if the business partner that has been entered in the service order items as the payer, has the Credit Management role (UKM000) assigned.

You set up Credit Management in Customizing through Financial Supply Chain Management → Credit Management → Integration with Accounts Receivable Accounting and Sales and Distribution → Integration with Service.

 Perform the following configuration activities to set up Credit Management:

• Deactivate SAP Credit Management
• Define Credit Control Area
• Define Credit Segment
• Assign Credit Control Area and Credit Segment
• Assign Sales Area to Credit Control Area

 Perform the following configuration activities to activate Credit Management for service orders and service order items:

• Activate Credit Management in Service Transactions (can also be done from within the transaction type)
• Activate Credit Check on Items (can also be done from within the item category)

You can check whether the credit exposure categories that are provided as default values meet your business requirements. You can make your own settings using the following: Financial Supply Chain Management → Credit Management → Credit Risk Monitoring → Credit Exposure Update → Define Liability Categories.