SAP Digital Manufacturing provides Data Collection features that workers can use to collect information when performing the production process. You can, for example, use the collected information to support the following scenarios:
Monitor the quality of the production process.
Document quality-related or other manufacturing data for individual SFCs that you can analyze if there are deviations and/or warranty claims.
Document the manufacturing process in a regulated environment, such as food production or production of pharmaceutical components.
Provide input data for statistical analysis of the production process, such as statistical process control (SPC.)
The following image shows an example of how you can collect data when performing production:
In our beverage manufacturing company, we produce carbonated beverages through several manufacturing operations and phases, such as mixing components, quality inspection, and bottling. The manufacturing phases require the worker to gather various data points:
During mixing, the worker records the batch number of the consumed sugar, colorant, and carbonated water. In addition, they also note the consumed quantity.
During quality inspection, the system provides a checklist where the worker gathers results from the in-process quality inspection. They can collect numerical results (for example, the pH value), coded values (for example, the color code), or binary values.
During bottling, the system provides a checklist where the worker gathers data about the production process. They can collect the same data types as during quality inspection.
What is the difference between the three scenarios? In the mixing phase, the data are linked to the component being consumed. For example, the batch number of the consumed sugar uniquely identifies the sugar big bag used to produce a specific batch of the carbonated beverage. The SAP Digital Manufacturing system stores this information in the SFCs genealogy record and transmits the component consumption to SAP S/4HANA. SAP S/4HANA generates a batch where-used list for all batch-managed components to ensure batch traceability from raw materials to semifinished goods to the finished good.
On the other hand, during the quality inspection, the data describe the properties of the manufactured batch itself. This information is collected in an in-process inspection lot. SAP Digital Manufacturing serves as a data recording tool, where the worker records the data and the SAP Digital Manufacturing system transmits the quality information to the inspection lot in SAP S/4HANA. From the inspection lot, you can also automatically transfer the data to the batch characteristics.
Note
Alternatively, you can also directly update batch characteristic values when you post goods receipt for finished goods or co-products/by-products of an order. You can enter a single value, multiple values, or extra values for a batch characteristic, depending on the configuration of characteristic master data in ERP. The updated values are synchronized to the integrated ERP system. Refer to the SAP Help Portal for more details.
The bottling example shows an alternative to the in-process inspection lot. Here, the worker collects data about the manufacturing process, for example, average environment temperature during bottling and machine state. However, this information is typically not important for SAP S/4HANA, so it remains in the SAP Digital Manufacturing system as a data collection attached to the manufactured SFC.
Note
From a technical perspective, SAP Digital Manufacturing stores component assembly data (first scenario) in the as-built record (also known as a genealogy record) of the SFC. The assembly process data (the third scenario) is stored in a data collection record at the SFC level, while the inspection information (the second scenario) is directly transferred to the SAP S/4HANA inspection lot.
For more information about recording inspection results using the order POD, consult the SAP Help Portal.