Skip to Content
Author's profile photo Ingo Woesner

Enhanced Material Search with Creation – Part 3: How to further enhance the Enhanced Material Search capabilities to my business?

Blogs about the Enhanced Material Search:

********************************************************* 
The Enhanced Material Search implemented in ERP Sales Order is now available since SAP ERP Enhancement Package 2, which was globally released in early 2007.

The SAP solution management has learned from our customers and All-in-One partners how important it is to further enhance the Enhanced Material Search, to adapt it to individual customer requirements, for different industry subsegments etc.

To fulfill this demand we have offered a set of new BAdI’s (user exits) and SAP notes. The BAdI’s will be officially documented in Enhancement Package 4, however, most of them are available with Enhancement Package 2+. All BAdI’s and notes are listed in OSS component SD-MD-MM-CS.

Here the list of SAP notes:

General information:
1131615 – Collective note for Enhanced Material Search and Material View

SAP notes about SES and TREX:
1254901 – SES for customer projects on TREX search
1345777 – FAQs Search Engine Service (SES)

Material Search indexation
1131559 – TREX Indexation of BUS1001006 in Enhanced Material Search
1120185 – Language dependent indexing of Materials

Catalog creation and indexation
1127400 – How to index a supplier catalog in the Enh. Material
1136519 – How to enhance the TREX Index WSD_CAT

Material Creation
1161441 – Extension of field set for material creation
1117038 – Enhancement of BAdI BADI_WSD_MATERIAL_STRUCTURE (to influence the material creation process, e.g. to create the dispo view etc.)

Search Criteria
1232682 – BAdI to modify label description of search criteria (e.g. to adapt the labels of fields for customer specific fields in material master “misused” for own purposes, or customer specific fields with multiple purposes depending on business process)

To create customer specific Search Criteria without modification please read the following Enhanced Material Search with Creation – Part 4: How to create new Search Criteria w/o modification.

Start Enhanced Material Search
1229177 – Enhanced Material Search: ENTER starts search instead of F8 (modification!)

Search Result list
1228244 – BAdI to modify result attributes (change/remove/add result attributes from the result grid, e.g. remove purchasing price from the list)
1280951 – Material Search: Display of customer fields in result list
1278108 – Material Search: Display of customer fields in result list

Further individual bug fixes and code corrections are found in OSS component SD-MD-MM-CS.

Where to get info material?
You can find an infokit about the Enhanced Material Search and other Sales Order Enhancements in the Sales Order Enhancement Series: Overview.

Next blogs:

Best regards,

Dr. Ingo Woesner
Product Manager
Application Strategic Innovation – Multichannel
SAP AG

P.S. Blogs about this and other Sales Order Enhancements are collected here:
Sales Order Enhancement Series: Overview

Assigned Tags

      31 Comments
      You must be Logged on to comment or reply to a post.
      Author's profile photo Jens Bisgaard
      Jens Bisgaard
      Hi Ingo

      We have just gone live using this new Search functionality. It works fine but now we have a need to put in new search terms. I can see from this article that this is made available in Ehp5 with BAdI BADI_WSD_SES_ADD_ATTR.
      My question is do we have to wait for Ehp5 to have this functionality or can it be installed on our system which is on Ehp2 ?

      Best regards

      Jens Bisgaard

      Author's profile photo Ingo Woesner
      Ingo Woesner
      Blog Post Author
      Hi Jens,

      I'm sorry, we will offer this BAdI from EhP5, not earlier. In EhP2 you have to do a modification to have it.

      In case you are interested I can try to get you the source code and right place to implement from our developer, who is on vacation this week.

      Please send me an email to ingo.woesner@sap.com.

      Best regards,
      Ingo

      Author's profile photo Rafikul Hussain
      Rafikul Hussain
      Hi,
      Thanks for such a nice blog.Its a blog of knowledge.
      One qustion when EHP5 going to release.Is there any official date announce by SAP
      Author's profile photo Ingo Woesner
      Ingo Woesner
      Blog Post Author
      Hi Rafikul,

      Thank you for your positive feedback.

      Unfortunately I am the wrong person to answer your question officially.

      Please check the release information on http://service.sap.com/erp-upgrade, and the active and coming RampUps on http://service.sap.com/rampup.

      Best regards,
      Ingo

      Author's profile photo Amit Singh
      Amit Singh
      Hi,

      My requirement is like I have to search the data in Business Object BUS1088 through the Enhanced material search option available in VA01/VA02. While debugging i saw that its only searching the data in business object BUS1001006.

      My question is How to extend the enhanced material search functionality to get the desired materials as out when the user enters Charactistic value in Free text field.

      I will be highly greatful if you can guide to the correct link.

      Thanks & Regards,
      Amit Kumar Singh
      Email: amit_1616@hotmail.com

      Author's profile photo Ingo Woesner
      Ingo Woesner
      Blog Post Author
      Hello Mr. Singh,

      the business object BUS1001006 is not exchangeable, and a ot of dependencies are build upon this.

      The only chance I see to include characteristics into the full text search of the Enhanced Material Search is to extend the BUS1001006 with characteristics from the corresponding tables.

      The general procedure of how to add additional fields to BUS1001006 is described in SAP note 1131559.

      The most important SAP notes are described in my blog Enhanced Material Search with Creation - Part 3: How to further enhance the Enhanced Material Search capabilities to my business?

      PLease let me know if this information was helpful.

      Best regards,
      Ingo Woesner

      Author's profile photo Amit Singh
      Amit Singh
      Hi Ingo,

      Thanks for your valuable input and I highly appreciate your quick response.

      I am proceeding with copying the standard class CL_WSD_ERP_SE_BUS1001006 to CL_WSD_ERP_SE_BUS1001006 as per the custom naming standard. I am now proceeding with changing the class as per the SAP note 1131559.

      Actually I need that the text entered in Free text field should be searched in AUSP-ATWRT field and fetch me the all the relevant materials as output.

      I am implementing step 2 i.e 2. Additional search attributes required (customer specific) of the SAP note 1131559.

      I am little stuck in the below section of the note:

      Method GET_ATTRIBUTE_VALUES
      First you have to read table entries in this method. Afterwards you can index attributes of the table (as described in the example for the generic material number)

      Context block:
      SELECT * FROM wlk2 INTO TABLE lt_wlk2
      FOR ALL ENTRIES IN lt_matnr
      WHERE matnr = lt_matnr-matnr.

      SORT lt_wlk2 BY matnr.

      Amit-- I can see same select in the method.

      Insert block (depends on the complexity):
      SELECT * FROM wlk2 INTO TABLE lt_
      FOR ALL ENTRIES IN lt_matnr
      WHERE matnr = lt_matnr-matnr.

      SORT lt_BY matnr.

      Amit--My doubt on the above section is where to write this above block of code in the method or I need to reclace the context block with the above code, I not sure!!

      Please guide if I am on the correct path.

      Thanks & Regards,
      Amit Kumar Singh

      Author's profile photo Former Member
      Former Member
      Hello Amit,

      In the first section of the method you have to read the data from the database. That's mentioned in the first context block. In your case you have to read the data from table AUSP. You have to store the assignments (MATNR, AUSP-ATWRT) in an internal table.
      In a further step you have to index the value of your new table AUSP.

      I updated note 1131559. Now it should be easier to understand how to index additional tables within BUS1001006.

      Regards
      Thomas

      Author's profile photo Amit Singh
      Amit Singh
      Hi Thomas,

      Thanks for the reply.

      While i am trying to open the note 1131559, I am getting the message that "An SP note with the number requested could not be found".

      Please help!

      Thanks & Regards,
      Amit Kumar Singh

      Author's profile photo Amit Singh
      Amit Singh
      Hi Thomas,

      The note is visible now! I will check and will let you know if any issues.

      Thanks a lot!

      Thanks & Regards,
      Amit Kumar Singh

      Author's profile photo Amit Singh
      Amit Singh
      Hi Thomas,

      I have to select the data from AUSP(Characteristic value) table based on ATINN/ATNAM for a free text entered in EMS option in VA01/VA02. To get the ATINN/ATNAM value I have to keep country key(LAND1) into consideration for the Sales Order.

      As per the note I am writing the select statement on AUSP based on LT_MATNR entries, which doesnot have all the required entries. So all the data from AUSP that I need is getting filtered here.

      Could you please suggest me what can I do to achieve the functionality, keeping in mind the performance issues.

      Thanks & Regards,
      Amit Kumar Singh

      Author's profile photo Amit Singh
      Amit Singh
      Hi Thomas,

      Please ignore my earlier post.

      First of all, Thank you for helping me out in the most comprehensive way.

      I am facing another issue now. Please find the detailed explanantion of the issue below:

      I have to select the data from AUSP(Characteristic value) table based on ATINN/ATNAM for a free text entered in EMS option in VA01/VA02. To get the ATINN/ATNAM value I have to keep country key(LAND1) into consideration for the Sales Order. Where can i write this filter criteria as field Land1 value I do not have unless i am into the sales order.

      As per the note I am writing the select statement on AUSP based on LT_MATNR entries. Debugging during indexing through transaction SES_ADMIN shows that I have all the material which are to be considered.

      But When i use the EMH from VA01/VA02, It's not displaying all the materials.

      Could you please suggest me what can I do to achieve the functionality, keeping in mind the performance issues.

      Thanks & Regards,
      Amit Kumar Singh

      Author's profile photo Amit Singh
      Amit Singh
      Hi Thomas,

      I have achieved the functionality with the same steps as in mentioned in OSS note. No issues now!

      Thanks your help!

      Thanks & Regards,
      Amit Kumar Singh

      Author's profile photo Former Member
      Former Member
      Hi Amit,
      It's the same note that you mentioned above. Maybe you have to wait a few minutes before you will see the changes!
      Regards
      Thomas
      Author's profile photo Anand Devi Barnabas
      Anand Devi Barnabas
      Hi Ingo,

      Using EHP2 capabilities we were able to do a Enhanced Material search Using TREX. (Using Standard & Custom fields from MARA). Thanks for your guidance & inputs.

      It would be great if you can guide us on the following :-

      1. Can we modify Enhanced Material search screen? (Meaning can we add new tabs on the standard Enhanced material search screen?)

      If yes ----> are there any enhancement spots which can be used for writing custom logic?
      If No ----> What are the options to be looked at?

      2. If Standard Enhancement spots are available - how can we get them? OSS message, SAP Notes?

      Appreciate your response & help.

      Thanks & Regards,
      Andy

      Author's profile photo Ingo Woesner
      Ingo Woesner
      Blog Post Author
      Hi Andy,

      I am not sure where exactly you would like to add tabs on the EMS screen.

      What you can do is creating new fields for search criteria and add new columns for search result attributes. For both SAP notes are available (see the notes in the body of my blog #3).

      An Enhancement spot WSD_CS_ENH is available, but I am not sure whether it fits your requirements. 

      Implementing any tabs, whereever they will be, most probably requires a modification of the screens.

      Please note that in Enhancement Pack 5 (due for RampUp around July 12, 2010) we will introduce a major update of the Enhanced Material Search functionality. PLease unterstand that I cannot provide you any info about it before the rampup release date. However, tabs can still not be introduced without modification.

      Hope this helps you. Any questions please let me know.

      Best regards,
      Ingo

      Author's profile photo Anand Devi Barnabas
      Anand Devi Barnabas
      Hi Ingo,

      Thanks for your prompt response.

      Currently On EMS Screen, we have 2 tabs namely - material search & catalog search. (Standard EHP2 functionality).

      We are planning to add new tabs next to Material Search & Catalog search icons on EMS screen. Wanted to check the feasibility & enhancements spots (if any)for modifying the standard EMS screen?

      Will also await on EHP5 update.

      Thanks & Regards,
      Andy

      Author's profile photo Ingo Woesner
      Ingo Woesner
      Blog Post Author
      Hi Anand,

      I'm sorry I am not a developer and cannot help you with this technical request. The developer I worked with is indispensable at the moment. There is no BAdI or any kind of user exit to modify the screen.

      So I can only ask you to debug and try it by yourself.

      Sorry and best regards,
      Ingo

      Author's profile photo Anand Devi Barnabas
      Anand Devi Barnabas
      Thanks Ingo.

      Will keep you posted.

      Regards,
      Andy

      Author's profile photo Former Member
      Former Member
      Hi Ingo,

      This is great information you provide in your blog and also in the answers to the questions.

      So I am hopeful to get some advice on my question.
      As far as I can see the search is based on the user's log-on language especially for the material description (MAKTX).  In my situation I would need to search in another than the log-on language, which would be provided by the user.

      As an example the user is logged-in in English, but the search term would be provided in either Spanish or French.  The user should be able to provide the language key together with the search term.

      What approach would you recommend on using?  The index for the languages has already been built.
      Thanks and best regards,

      Josef

      Author's profile photo Ingo Woesner
      Ingo Woesner
      Blog Post Author
      Hi Josef,

      I'm glad you like my blogs.

      The approach you are asking for depends on the enhancement package. From Enhancement Package 5 the BAdI BADI_WSD_SEARCH_QUERY (of enhancement spot WSD_CS_ENH2) is available to modify the search request. By using this BAdI you can modify the search language.

      In the EhPs 2 to 4 I am afraid you have to modify the search request.

      Hope this helps.

      Best regards,
      Ingo

      Author's profile photo Ingo Woesner
      Ingo Woesner
      Blog Post Author
      Hi Josef,

      my former answer recommending the BAdI is not correct, at least not for the search engine "Search Engine Service". With the Enterprise Search the BAdI might be applicable, but I have to investigate further if necessary.

      In case you are using the Enhanced Material Search (any release) with the search engine service there is simple user parameter to control the search language. See SAP note  1509509. However, this note is only applicable when using the search engine service.

      In case you are using the Enterprise Search (Embedded Search), please come back to me and I will do a further analysis.

      Best regards,
      Ingo

      Author's profile photo Former Member
      Former Member
      Ingo,

      Thank you very much for your quick response.

      We are using 7.01 EhP 4 (cannot wait for EhP 5 to be installed) with TREX.
      Once note 1509509 is applied, what would be the preferred method of getting the the user input (added the language to WSD_MS_INPUT_FIELDS) into the parameter?
      Hope you have any idea how I can get this working.

      Regards,
      Josef

      Author's profile photo Ingo Woesner
      Ingo Woesner
      Blog Post Author
      Hi Josef,

      you only have to implement SAP note 1509509, and set the corresponding user parameter under system > own data > parameters. That should be it.

      Regards,
      Ingo

      Author's profile photo Former Member
      Former Member
      Ingo,

      Thanks for your reply. I guess I was not clear enough. The language could change for every 'Enhanced Material Search'. So how do I get the language from the search screen into the parameter instead of the query?

      Regards,
      Josef

      Author's profile photo Ingo Woesner
      Ingo Woesner
      Blog Post Author
      Hi Josef,

      now I understand. I discussed it with development, but there is no BAdI or other simple option to do it. I'm afraid you have to modify here.

      I try to check with development how this could be done the best way and will reply here.

      Best regards,
      Ingo

      Author's profile photo Ingo Woesner
      Ingo Woesner
      Blog Post Author
      Hi Josef,

      can you please send me your email address? Then I can share the (long) answer from development how to realize your requirement (by modification though).

      Thanks,
      Ingo

      Author's profile photo Warren Nash
      Warren Nash

      Good effort Ingo.

      Author's profile photo Ingo Woesner
      Ingo Woesner
      Blog Post Author

      Thank you Warren!

      I am still actively promoting these SD Enhancements here in SCN. I have supervised their development some years ago, but I am still actively promoting it.

      With these enhancements you can realize a wonderful end-to-end process in SD Order, starting with

      - entering the SD order and start a full-text customer search

      - search for materials using the Enhanced Material Search (even in MM Order!)

      - check material details in the Material View

      - negotiate prices using the Simplified Price Maintenance

      And after implementing Enhanced Material Search and Material View you can offer these features in the "Material Info" transaction to people working outside an order context.

      I am now in a whole different department rolling out the new E-Business solution SAP Web Channel Experience Management, but I still love "my" Sales Order Enhancements 😉

      Enjoy using the SD Enhancements!

      Ingo

      Author's profile photo Former Member
      Former Member

      Hi Ingo,

      We already golive with Enhanced Material Search in EHP7. How to add button for export or download to spreadsheet of list displayed result?

      Best Regards,

      Nurvi

      Author's profile photo Ingo Woesner
      Ingo Woesner
      Blog Post Author

      Hi Nurvi,

      there is no out of thebox option for exporting search results, so you have to built i t in ABAP.

      Use the BAdIs for the Search results to read, extract and

      • Search Result list 1228244 – BAdI to modify result attributes (change/remove/add result attributes from the result grid, e.g. remove purchasing price from the list)

      • 1280951 - Material Search: Display of customer fields in result list

      • 1278108 - Material Search: Display of customer fields in result list

      • Further individual bug fixes and code corrections are found in OSS component LO-GEN-EMF.