Introduction
Watch the following video to learn about the Complementary Procurement Functions Solution Process in S/4HANA Cloud.
The Complimentary Procurement Functions solution process covers using complementary functions in sourcing and procurement. By enabling a lightweight process, it allows the user to procure operating supplies as well as batch- and serial-number-managed materials.
The processes can be summarized in three main steps: purchase order creation, posting of a goods receipt, and invoice creation.

The solution process focuses on the main process steps but can be enhanced by additional optional steps, such as:
- using material requirements planning and purchase requisitions, which is described in the content of the Procurement of Direct Materials solution process.
- using confirmations, which is described in the content of Direct Procurement with Inbound Delivery solution process.
Operating supplies are externally procured materials used to manufacture products and comprise auxiliary and expendable supplies.
The procurement of batch-managed materials enables the user to work with homogeneous partial quantities of material. This can be leveraged, for example, to meet legal requirements, to track defects, or to ensure procedural requirements throughout the production process. In alignment with the batch process, you can also procure serial-number-managed materials.
Some materials are marked with serial numbers. A serial number is used to identify a single unit of a product. Using serial numbers makes it possible to track a single piece of material and offer special services to customers. For example, it is frequently only possible to procure clearly assignable spare parts for technical equipment by specifying the serial number.