Product unitization manages BOM items and routing operations based on factors like material, serial number, model, unit, and variant. Using unitized parameter effectivity, you can manage multiple configurations of an assembly and its production process plan (routing). The possible units can be modeled using the same super BOM and super routing. When a particular unit is to be produced, the super BOM and related super routing are filtered to retrieve the information relevant for that unit only. This information is then assigned to the production order.
When a particular unit is to be produced, the super BOM and related super routing are filtered to retrieve the information relevant for that unit only. This information is then assigned to the production order.
The classical parameter effectivity is used as a foundation for supporting the patterns for product unitization.
Unitization (or model/unit pattern) is built on this classical parameter effectivity function to make use of certain semantic patterns and rules to ensure:
- Accurate incorporation of version-controlled EBOMs into MBOMs
- Compatible match between BOM components and routing operation activities. For example, only assign a component applicable for units 1 to 10 to operation activities which are applicable for these units.
The user interface for specifying parameter effectivity for BOM and routing is simple so that you can enter the effectivity values directly. There is no need to generate an engineering change number (ECN) first. The system automatically assigns the ECN that matches the assigned parameter effectivity, if available. If not, the system creates a new ECN for the applied effectivity.
Parameter Effectivity – Basic Configuration
Parameter effectivity is a pre-existing functionality for managing product configuration. The configuration of the parameters required for effectivity, their descriptions, and effectivity type is done in Customizing (transaction SPRO) under Cross-Application Components → Engineering Change Management → Parameter Effectivity. Note the following:
- SAP pre-delivers some parameters which can be used such as material and serial numbers. You can also create new parameters, if required.
- Create effectivity type using one or more effectivity parameters: An effectivity type with only one numeric "range" parameter could be used for unitization. All other parameters must be single value (type S).
Enable Effectivity Type for Unitization
Once you have enabled product unitization, you select the effectivity type to be used for unitization and its parameters in Customizing (transaction SPRO) under Production → Manufacturing for Production Engineering and Operations → Cross-Applications → Unitized Product → Configure Parameter for Product Unitization. A unitization parameter is a model, variant, or unit for which a component can be used.
Map Unitized Effectivity to Material Type
You can configure multiple effectivity types for unitization. In this case, it is necessary to specify which effectivity type should be used for which material type. You define the additional attributes for the material type in Customizing (transaction SPRO) under Production → Manufacturing for Production Engineering and Operations → Basic Settings → Define Additional Attributes for Material Type.
Unitized and Non-Unitized Materials
Unitized materials are manufactured materials for which the bill of material (BOM) depends on parameter effectivity. In contrast, non-unitized materials are manufactured materials for which the BOM does not depend on parameter effectivity.
The engineering bill of material (EBOM) of a major assembly contains regular purchased or manufactured materials. The BOMs of manufactured materials may or may not depend on parameter effectivity (such as the finished material’s model and unit). Production planning should separate component demands by unit for unitized materials to prevent BOM explosions for incorrect units. Unitized materials require a production order for every unit and must also be serialized, which requires a serial number profile to be specified in the material master.
Unitization Pattern Example 1
| Unit From | Unit To |
|---|---|
| 1 | 10 |
| 15 | 20 |
Unitization Pattern Example 2
| Model | Unit From | Unit To |
|---|---|---|
| A | 1 | 10 |
| B | 1 | 10 |
| B | 20 | 30 |
Model, Variant, Unit
| Model | Variant | Unit From | Unit To |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 01 | 1 | 10 |
| B | 02 | 1 | 10 |
| B | 01 | 1 | 5 |
| B | 01 | 10 | 15 |
Effectivity is determined by a numeric range called "Unit," which applies to specific character values labeled "Model" and "Variant." Here’s a breakdown for clarity:
- Unit: This is a numeric range that defines the effective scope; it is specific to a given combination of model and variant.
- Data Type: Numeric
- Type: O or I
- Model: Represents a type or version of a product, and may include different variants.
- Data Type: Numeric
- Type: S
- Variant: A unique characteristic associated with a specific model. Each variant is distinct within its respective model.
- Data Type: Numeric
- Type: S
Parameter Effectivity in the EBOM to MBOM Handover Process
Parameter effectivity can be maintained for BOM items in the version-controlled BOMs in the Maintain Bill of Materials app. If the header material type is unitized, the parameter effectivity values shall be assigned to all its BOM components.
The effectivity of a BOM item can be changed like any other attribute from the BOM Item Details page.
Hint
VEMP also supports the EBOM to MBOM incorporation and reconciliation using parameter effectivity:
The parameter effectivity for BOM items is transferred from the EBOM to the MBOM during the handover process. It can be modified for MBOM components, if required.
The parameter effectivity is displayed in the tree table in condensed format and in the side panel.
EBOM components can be split and consumed by multiple MBOM assemblies based on quantity and parameter effectivity.
The quantity and effectivity of EBOM components must match the overall quantity and effectivity of all the corresponding MBOM splits. Any mismatches between the EBOM and MBOM item due to quantity and/or effectivity are highlighted on both the EBOM and MBOM component.
The BOM Item Coverage report for any EBOM component can be triggered from the source panel to show the exact inconsistency.
VEMP allows you to allocate MBOM components to routing operations. (The more detailed assignment of components to routing operation activities is done in the Manage Shop Floor Routing app). The system validates the applicability of the operation for the BOM component. The effectivity of the operation must cover the effectivity of the BOM item.
Hint
In VEMP you can trigger creation of a new routing or load an existing one.
