Service Management - Configuring the Serial Number Profile

[michael_piehl]

After my last post, I realized that I have never gone in depth on the serial number profile.  In my opinion, this is one of the most important pieces of service management.  Without this, service management loses much of it's power.  The serial number profile controls what should be serialized, what can be serialized and how the system should react to those serial numbers.  So with that being said, let's get into the fun part :smile:

Because serial numbers are part of multiple different modules, you should be aware that this configuration path is just one way to get to the serial number profile configuration.  Select the Define Serial Number Profiles.

Like always, I suggest making your own profile, I'm going to show you the Z002 profile that I created.  You'll notice on this first screen there are several fields that control the functions.  First is the description, no need to go further about that.  The next is ExistReq.  If you check this, it means that you must first create the equipment record before it can be used.  if you don't check this box, the system will generate the equipment record automatically.  The Cat is for the equipment category that will be generated.  The last field is for the StkChk (or stock check). 

You'll see that you have a few options of how the stock can be checked.  If it's blank, the serial number is not validated in inventory, if it's 1, it warns you, if it's 2, then it's required that the serial number be used for inventory and be checked before movements can occur.

Now, onto the details of the serial number profile.

You'll notice that there only 3 fields that control this very powerful piece of configuration.  First is the procedure.

Here is the complete list of procedures that you can assign to your serial number profile.  If any of these are included in the profile then it means that serials either can or must be entered for the transaction.  You'll notice there are a lot options.  Be sure to include each of these procedures that you want to include serial numbers.

The remaining 2 fields control how the procedure behaves.

The usage determines if it's none, optional, obligatory or automatic.  this field is pretty self explanatory, but that doesn't make it any less powerful.

Finally the last field:

this last value determines if it's just a serial number record (01) or if it's an equipment record (02).  I'm a fan of the equipment record because it contains additional views.  You never know when you might need the info...  I'll be doing a post on my personal blog explaining the difference in the near future.

The last piece is to assign this profile to a material number (sales and Distribution: Plant Data).  Once that happens, all the transactions will start to behave based on this profile.

If you're interested in great tips and tricks on SAP service management, variant configuration or production planning, check out my blog at: http://paperstreetenterprises.com/blog/

There is also a link to some SAP Easy Buttons 😃

Thanks for reading,

Mike

CTO - JaveLLin Solutions, LLC