Outlining Master Data and Configuration

Objective

After completing this lesson, you will be able to understand the master data objects required to run processes in SAP Returnable Packaging Management

Master Data and Configuration

The image is a diagram outlining the relationships and storage locations for returnable packaging in SAP RPM. At the top, there are icons representing a Supplier, a Returnable Packaging Account, and a Production Plant. The Returnable Packaging Account includes details such as Account ID, Description, Account type, Planning attributes, Main relationship, Secondary relationships, and Photo/attachment. Below, the Business Partner in RPM is listed with fields like Number, Name, Address, Role, and Contact details. In the center, there is a section labeled Location Partner: plant code, which shows two storage locations: Storage location inbound and Storage location outbound. The inbound location (PM-GITTERBOXPAL01) is for empties, and the outbound location (PM-GITTERBOXPAL01) is for full containers. Two icons of storage containers are also included.

To manage returnable packaging materials with suppliers, the following master data objects are required:

  • Location Partner: The plant must be maintained in SAP Returnable Packaging Management (SAP RPM) and will be designate as the location partner, representing the plant exchanging packaging with an external partner. It is also required to assign the storage locations to the plant. These storage locations can be used to classify the containers based on their status, such as full or empty.

  • Exchange Partner: For this scenario, the supplier is considered as the exchange partner. The supplier number used in SAP ERP will be assigned to the business partner with the role Vendor.

  • Material Master for Packaging: The packaging material master will be maintained first in SAP ERP and must be managed on quantity basis. SAP standard configuration offers the material types VERP and LEIH. Other material types can be used as long as quantity updating is enabled in customizing. The plant view of the material master must be also maintained in SAP ERP.

Returnable Packaging Account

The returnable packaging account is the central object for managing returnable packaging,where key process attributes are maintained. When managing returnable packaging material with suppliers, the following attributes need to be maintained:

  • The main relationship between location partner (plant code) and exchange partner (vendor).
  • Additional relationships, such as other plants buying from the same vendor and that should be posted to the same account.
  • Planning attributes, such as planning strategy, lot size, reorder quantity, and sales or purchasing contract.
  • The contact data of material planner and partner details.

Business Partner

Exchange partners, such as vendors, customers, or service providers are identified as business partners in SAP Returnable Packaging Management.

The image is a screenshot of the Business Partner Details page from the SAP system. The page displays various tabs including Business Partner Details, Address, Contact Details, Additional Details, and Change Log. The top section contains buttons for editing and viewing planning, posting documents, rentals, and packaging accounts. The primary details show the Business Partner Code, Vendor Code, Customer Code, Business Partner Name, and contact email. The address section includes Street, City (Waldorf), House Number (3), Postal Code (69190), and Country/Region (Germany). Below, the Contact Details section currently shows no items available. The Additional Details section lists various account numbers with associated descriptions and account balances. The account descriptions include RP1, RP30, RP61, RP40, and RP45 with respective balances in physical units (e.g., -10 PC, 4 PC, -1 PC, etc.). Icons for adding or editing details are present within the contact and additional details sections.

Using the Manage Business Partner app, detailed information about any business partner can be displayed. The main business partner attributes displayed are as follows:

  • Customer/Vendor: Every business partner must possess a supplier number, a customer number, or both. These identifiers, whether as a customer or as a vendor, are used to establish the relationship between the respective location and exchange partners.
  • Address: For information purposes only, the address can be printed on the account statement.
  • Contact Details: For information purposes or to send the account statement as a PDF or Excel file to the partner via email.
  • Additional Details: Additional information associated with a business partner.
  • Navigation to Related Data: A list of returnable packaging accounts, planning data, rental data, and posting documents.
  • Create: Business partners can be created using the Excel-upload functionality or using the API BusinessPartner, if the initiation of creation originates from a central master data system.
  • Update: Business partner details can be updated using the Excel-upload functionality or using the API BusinessPartner. The SAP Fiori app Manage Business Partner only allows the maintenance of contact details.
  • Delete: It is possible to delete a business partner from the application using the API BusinessPartner. However, prior to deleting the record, the system performs a verification to ensure that no returnable packaging account exists for that specific business partner.

Returnable Material

Packaging material is defined as material in SAP ERP (SAP S/4HANA or SAP ECC) and SAP RPM. In SAP ERP, packaging materials can be of any material type as long as "Quantity Updating" is activated. In the standard configuration, material types VERP and LEIH are used for packaging materials.

The image is a screenshot from the SAP system showing the Returnable Material details page for a material named Gitterboxpalett - Vendor with the material code PM-GITTERBOXPAL01. There are three tabs at the top: General Details, Plant Details, and Sales Details. The General Details section provides information such as Material Type (VERP), Material Group (L006), Division (0), Gross Weight (15.000 KG), Size/Dimensions (800 x 1200 x 130 cm), Valid From (Nov 22, 2022), Volume (1.700 KG), Weight Unit (KG), and Serially Managed (No). The Plant Details section lists details for two plants (1010 and 2010) with columns for Company Code, Container Re..., Net Weight, Volume, Gross Weight, Storage Location, Serial Number, Minimum Reor..., Material Resou..., Pricing Indicator, Weight Unit, Address, and Standard Price. Addresses are Sindelfingen and Bremen. A selection list is open under Storage Location, showing options 101A, 101V, 101C, and names like Std. ROD (M), Empties SL(M) E, and Empties SL(M) F. The Sales Details section allows selection of a Sales Organization with Standard and a search tool. The top right corner has an option to View Returnable Packaging Accounts.

The main material attributes used in SAP RPM are as follows:

  • General Data: such as material number, description, group, weight and volume, and serial number flag.
  • Plant Data: such as plant code, storage locations, and planning data.

Serial number managed packaging material must be maintained as a such in the SAP ERP. In SAP RPM, the Manage Serial Numbers app can be used to display the list of serialized packaging materials, and to assign or unassign a serial number to a specific returnable account.

  • Create: The material master can be created using the Excel-upload functionality or using the APIs MaterialMasterGeneralData and MaterialMasterPlantData, if the initial creation originates from a central master data system.
  • Update: Material master data can be updated using the Excel-upload functionality or using the APIs MaterialMasterGeneralData and MaterialMasterPlantData.
  • Delete: It is possible to delete material master data from the application using the APIs MaterialMasterPlantData and MaterialMasterGeneralData. However, prior to deleting the record, the system performs a verification to ensure that no returnable packaging account exists for that specific material.

Returnable Packaging Account

Returnable packaging accounts are used to track the exchange of returnable packaging materials between location partners and exchange partners.

A returnable packaging account consists of a main relationship, between the main location partner (plant) and the main exchange partner (customer or vendor), and might include additional partner relationships with other exchange partners or exchange locations. Movements between location partners and exchange partners are posted on the respective relationship. The account balance is the sum of all relationship balances.

The image is a screenshot from the SAP system showing details of a Returnable Packaging Account (RP110). At the top, it displays the account's name, material description (PM-GITTERBOXPAL01), account balance (PC), account status (Active), matching status (Not Relevant), and an image of a gitterbox pallet. Action options like View Posting Documents and Deactivate are available. The General Information section lists Main Details such as Returnable Packaging Account (RP110), Ownership Type (Self-Owned), Company Code (Produktionswerk ROM), Material Description (PM-GITTERBOXPAL01), Ownership (Produktionswerk ROM), and Address (empty). Additional Details include Processor (Meher Saquib), Account Balance (empty), Created By (empty), and Created On (Mar 9, 2023, 10:06:21 AM). Exchange Partner Information indicates Customer/Vendor Material (empty), Replenishment Lead Time (in Days) (empty), and Matching Relevance (No). The Partner Relationships section lists four entries with columns for Exchange Partner, Exchange Partner Code, Location Partner, Location Partner Type, Company Code, Valid From, Valid To, Reimburse Deliveries, and Relationship Balance. Entries include vendors and a customer with codes LSPGMBH001 and POOLSUP001/002, related to the Plant (PRRO), with valid dates and balances in PCs.

In the Manage Returnable Packaging Accounts app, you can perform the following activities:

  • List the returnable accounts with respect to various selection criteria.
  • Create a new returnable account from scratch or as a copy of an existing one.
  • Edit an existing returnable account to maintain planning attributes, add additional information, maintain the relationships, or upload a picture.
  • Check key information, such as:
    • The account balance and stock balance for each relationship.
    • The last planning-run documents created.
    • The contact information of the exchange partner.
  • Navigate to the Manage Posting Documents app.
  • Trigger manual replenishment.

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