UNSPSC in Material Master

The United Nations Standard Products and Services Code [UNSPSC] is a coding system for goods and services. It enables buyers and sellers to describe goods and services in a common way without referring to any suppliers’ in-house catalogue codes and descriptions.

The UNSPSC framework adopts a four or five level classification, using the labels:

• Segment
• Family
• Class
• Commodity
• Business Function (optional).

UNSPSC Taxonomy

41116201 represents Glucose Monitors

41-Segment

4111-Family

411162-Class

41116201-Commodity

Recommended Approaches for mapping in SAP:

• Custom Table-Field Mapping

Here we would have a maintainable Table which would consist of following:

This table would be mapped to a field identified in the Material Master preferably Ext Material Group.

With the use of F4, the list of selection options would be displayed.

The biggest advantage is easy data maintenance and also changes can be tracked efficiently.

In case of change in nomenclature we can add/edit/delete the table entries and hence regulate the selection screen options.

• Classification in Material Master

Here we are making use of Class Type 001 in the classification of the material master.

001-Material Class

For this purpose we define the following characteristics:

1. UNSPSC Segment

2. UNSPSC Family

3. UNSPSC Class

4. UNSPSC Commodity

5. UNSPSC Business Function (optional).

Here each characteristic corresponds to 1 level of nomenclature.

The values for each segment/family/class/commodity can be defined in the Characteristics.

These characteristics are then linked to a class and in turn the class is mapped to the Material Code.

Conclusion:

Hope this gives you a better idea regarding the UNSPSC nomenclature and introducing the same in the material master.

Please do share if you have a different approach to tackle this scenario.

Together we learn, together we grow.