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Ever wondered how critical industries ensure product traceability and quality control? It's all thanks to
Batch Management in SAP S/4HANA!
For pharmaceuticals, F&B, chemicals, and more, a robust Batch Management system isn't just nice-to-have –
it's essential for:
End-to-end traceability for recalls and compliance.
Precise quality management at the batch level.
Optimized inventory with SLED control (FEFO!).
Streamlined processes from production to delivery.
My latest guide dives deep into this critical functionality, covering activation, classification, SLED management,
batch determination, and the all-important Batch Where-Used List for complete transparency.
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Ready to master traceability in S/4HANA? Comment "BATCH" below to get your copy of the guide!
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SAP S/4HANA End-User and Consultant Guide
Batch Management in SAP S/4HANA
This chapter provides a detailed overview of Batch Management functionalities within SAP S/4HANA. Batch
Management is a critical component for industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and food and beverage,
where traceability and quality control are paramount. This guide will cover the entire lifecycle of a batch, from
its creation and classification to its use in various logistics processes.
4.1 Introduction to Batch Management
A batch is a specific quantity of a material that is produced or procured together and shares the same
characteristics. Batch Management allows you to track these quantities throughout the supply chain, ensuring
traceability from raw material receipt to finished product delivery.
Why is Batch Management important?
• Traceability: It provides a complete history of a batch, which is essential for product recalls, compliance
with regulatory requirements (e.g., GMP), and customer inquiries.
• Quality Management: You can manage quality inspection results and the usability status (e.g.,
unrestricted, restricted) at the batch level.
• Inventory Management: It enables precise control over inventory with specific characteristics, such as
different potencies or expiration dates.
• Process Optimization: You can use batch-specific information to optimize production and sales
processes, for example, by using batches with the shortest remaining shelf life first (FEFO - First Expiry,
First Out).
4.2 Activating Batch Management
Before you can use Batch Management for a material, it must be activated. The batch management requirement
indicator in the material master determines whether a material is managed in batches.
How-To: Activate Batch Management for a Material
1. Open the Change Material or Create Material Fiori app.
2. Navigate to the Purchasing or Plant data / stor. 1 view.
3. In the General Plant Parameters section, check the Batch management checkbox.
4. Save the material master record.
Important Considerations:
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• Once Batch Management is activated for a material and stock exists, it cannot be deactivated until all
stock for that material has been removed.
• The level at which batches are managed (e.g., material-specific, plant-specific) is a key configuration
decision.
4.3 Batch Number Assignment
Batch numbers can be assigned either manually by the user (external assignment) or automatically by the system
(internal assignment).
• Internal Assignment: The system assigns a unique number from a predefined number range. This is the
most common and recommended approach to ensure consistency.
• External Assignment: The user enters an alphanumeric batch number during a business process, such
as a goods receipt. This is often used when you need to adopt a supplier's batch number.
4.4 The Batch Master Record
The batch master record contains all the essential data for a batch, including its production date, shelf life
expiration date (SLED), status, and classification data.
How-To: Manage Batch Master Records
The primary Fiori apps for managing batch master records are:
• Create Batch (MSC1N)
• Change Batch (MSC2N)
• Display Batch (MSC3N)
To create a batch master record manually:
1. Open the Create Batch app.
2. Enter the material number, the new batch number (if using external assignment), and the plant.
3. On the Basic data tab, you can enter key dates such as the Date of Manufacture and the Shelf Life
Expiration Date.
4. Navigate to the Classification tab to assign values to the batch's characteristics (see section 4.5).
5. Save the batch master record.
Typically, batch master records are created automatically during the first goods receipt for a new batch.
4.5 Batch Classification
Batch classification allows you to store detailed, specific information about a batch using a system of classes and
characteristics. This is a powerful tool for capturing data like potency, color, or quality inspection results.
Key Concepts:
• Characteristic: A defined property of a batch (e.g., COLOR, POTENCY_PERCENT).
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• Class: A grouping of related characteristics. You assign a class of a specific class type (e.g., 023 for
batches) to your batch-managed materials.
How-To: Classify a Batch
1. During the creation or changing of a batch master record (Create Batch or Change Batch app), go to the
Classification tab.
2. The characteristics assigned to the material's batch class will be displayed.
3. Enter the specific values for each characteristic for that particular batch.
4. Save the changes.
This classification data can then be used in the batch determination process to find batches with specific
attributes.
4.6 Shelf Life Expiration Date (SLED) Management
For perishable materials, SAP S/4HANA can automatically calculate and monitor the SLED.
How it works:
1. In the material master (Plant data / stor. 1 view), you define the Total shelf life in days.
2. When a goods receipt is posted, the system calculates the SLED by adding the total shelf life to the date
of manufacture entered during the transaction.
3. The system will issue warnings or errors if you try to issue a batch that has passed its SLED.
4.7 Batch Status Management
The batch status controls whether a batch can be used in inventory movements. The two primary statuses are:
• Unrestricted: The batch is available for all processes.
• Restricted: The batch is not available for most goods issues (e.g., for sale or production) but can be
moved between storage locations or posted for quality inspection.
The status is maintained in the batch master record and can be changed at any time using the Change Batch app.
4.8 Batch Determination (Batch Search Strategy)
Batch determination is a powerful function that allows the system to automatically search for and propose
suitable batches during goods issue processes (e.g., for a production order or a sales delivery).
The search strategy is configured based on selection criteria (e.g., find batches with a specific
POTENCY_PERCENT) and sort rules (e.g., sort the found batches by SLED in ascending order - FIFO/FEFO).
4.9 Batch Where-Used List
The batch where-used list is the central tool for ensuring end-to-end traceability. It allows you to track a batch's
journey through the supply chain.
How-To: Run a Batch Where-Used List
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1. Open the Batch Where-Used List Fiori app (or transaction BMBC).
2. Enter the material, batch, and plant.
3. Select the direction of the analysis:
o Top-down analysis: Shows where a batch was used (e.g., which finished products it went into).
o Bottom-up analysis: Shows the origin of a batch (e.g., which raw material batches were used
to produce it).
4. Execute the report to see a detailed list of all goods movements, production orders, and deliveries
related to the batch.
4.10 Customizing Points (SPRO/CBC)
For consultants, the key configuration settings for Batch Management are located in the SAP Reference IMG
(SPRO) under Logistics - General > Batch Management. Important areas include:
• Specify Batch Level and Activate Status Management: Define whether batches are unique at the
material, plant, or client level.
• Batch Number Assignment: Configure internal and external number ranges.
• Shelf Life Expiration Date (SLED): Configure SLED checks at the plant and movement type level.
• Batch Determination and Batch Check: Define the strategies for batch searches during logistics
processes.
• Batch Where-Used List: Configure the data sources for the where-used list.
4.11 Practical Exercises
Exercise 1: Create and Classify a Batch
1. Ensure that Batch Management is active for one of your materials.
2. Use the Create Batch app to manually create a new batch for this material.
3. Enter a Date of Manufacture. If the material has a total shelf life defined, verify that the SLED is
calculated correctly.
4. Go to the Classification tab and enter values for the batch's characteristics.
5. Save the new batch.
Exercise 2: Perform a Goods Receipt for a Batch
1. Create a purchase order for your batch-managed material.
2. Post a goods receipt for this purchase order using the Post Goods Receipt for Purchasing Document
app.
3. During the goods receipt process, the system will prompt you to enter a batch number. Enter a new
number (or let the system assign one internally).
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4. The system may also prompt you to enter the date of manufacture.
5. Post the goods receipt and check the stock overview to confirm that the material is now in stock with
the new batch number.
Exercise 3: Trace a Batch with the Where-Used List
1. Issue the batch you created in the previous exercise to a cost center or a production order.
2. Open the Batch Where-Used List app.
3. Enter the material and batch number.
4. Perform a top-down analysis to see the goods issue document you just created.
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