Introduction to Variant Configuration with an example model

Purpose
This guide is supposed to be a short introduction to Variant Configuration with a simple
example. With that guide one should be able to set up a first configuration model. If you
need further information about this topic please have a look at the online help of SAP,
which you can find here: http://help.sap.com.

Variant Configuration  
To get an understanding of what Variant Configuration actually is let's read the
description offered by the SAP Online Help:
"Variant configuration is for manufacturing complex products. The manufacturer is always
having to offer new variants of its products. Often, new variants are created by modifying
existing product designs as you process the order. The important thing is to react quickly
to customers' requirements.
The customer determines the features of the product. A customer buying a car, for
example, can choose the features of the car and combine these features as required.
The product configurator improves information exchange between sales, engineering, and
production. Variant configuration helps the customer or salesperson to put together
specifications for the product and ensure that the product can be produced from these
specifications. It also ensures that production costs do not overstep the mark."
Now that we know what's behind these two words we can start to build an example
model.

Example Model
In order to keep this guide compact this model will be quite simple. Let's assume that we
want to configure a computer. A computer consists of different components which will be
chosen accordingly to the characteristics.
Our characteristics of the computer are:

Characteristic Possible Values

VC_CHR_TYPE -          Office computer
-          Gaming computer
-          Server
-          Laptop

VC_CHR_CPU -          A-CPU

-          I-CPU

VC_CHR_MAIN_MEMORY -          2 GB
-          4 GB
-          8 GB
-          16 GB

VC_CHR_GRAPHIC_CARD -          N-Graphic Card

-          A-Graphic Card
-          Onboard

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 VC_CHR_OTHER_EQUIPMENT -          High-End Sound Card
(multiple values) -          TV Tuner Card
-          Modem

Each characteristic needs exact one entry except VC_CHR_OTHER_EQUIPMENT.

Our computer is a "complex" material and consists of other materials. Therefore we need
a bill of materials. Each component has got only one characteristic:

VC_CHR_Price Numeric Value

The materials are finished products which are not configurable itself.
Bill of materials

Components
VC_MAT_A_CPU
VC_MAT_MEM_2
VC_MAT_MEM_4
VC_MAT_MEM_8
VC_MAT_MEM_16
VC_MAT_GRAPH_N
VC_MAT_GRAPH_A
VC_MAT_GRAPH_O
VC_MAT_EQU_SOU
ND
VC_MAT_EQU_TV
VC_MAT_EQU_MOD
EM

The characteristics of the computer are not independent among each other. Hence, we
define some dependencies. 
Preconditions

Characteristic / Char. -
Precondition Condition
Value
VC_EX_CON1 Other Equipment VC_CHR_TYPE <> 'Server' AND
VC_CHR_TYPE <> 'Laptop'
VC_EX_CON2 8GB + 16GB; A-CPU VC_CHR_TYPE = 'Server'
VC_EX_CON3 N-Graphic Card + A- VC_CHR_TYPE = 'Gaming computer' OR
Graphic Card VC_CHR_TYPE = 'Laptop'
VC_EX_CON4 Onboard VC_CHR_TYPE = 'Server' OR
VC_CHR_TYPE = 'Office computer'

Selection conditions
As it is described above the components of the computer will be chosen by means of the
chosen characteristics. To implement this functionality we need selection conditions. 
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 Material Selection Condition
VC_MAT_A_CPU VC_CHR_CPU = 'A-CPU'
VC_MAT_I_CPU VC_CHR_CPU = 'I-CPU'
VC_MAT_MEM_2 VC_CHR_MAIN_MEMORY = 2
VC_MAT_MEM_4 VC_CHR_MAIN_MEMORY = 4
VC_MAT_MEM_8 VC_CHR_MAIN_MEMORY = 8
VC_MAT_MEM_16 C_CHR_MAIN_MEMORY = 16
VC_MAT_GRAPH_N VC_CHR_GRAPHIC_CARD = 'N-Graphic Card'
VC_MAT_GRAPH_A VC_CHR_GRAPHIC_CARD = 'A-Graphic Card'
VC_MAT_GRAPH_O VC_CHR_GRAPHIC_CARD = 'Onboard'
VC_MAT_EQU_SOUND 'High-End Sound Card' IN VC_CHR_OTHER_EQUIPMENT
VC_MAT_EQU_TV 'TV Tuner Card' IN VC_CHR_OTHER_EQUIPMENT
VC_MAT_EQU_MODEM 'Modem' IN VC_CHR_OTHER_EQUIPMENT

How to transfer the model into the SAP System?

First of all we need to define the characteristics. This can be done with the help of
transaction CT04.
After you're done with that you should create a new class which contains all previously
created characteristics. You have to consider one important fact: The class should be
created with a class type which is intended for Variant Configuration (SAP
Standard: Class type 300).
The corresponding transaction is: CL02

If you have done it correctly then you should have something like this:

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Now you should apply the preconditions to the characteristics and its values. 
Bill of materials - Materials
In order to create a bill of materials we need - of course - materials. These materials can
be assigned to a class. As described above this class has got only one characteristic:
VC_CHR_PRICE. Moreover the class doesn't have to be of type 300 because the materials
are - in our case - not configurable. If you have created this class we can create each
material with transaction: MM01.Here you must specify the industry sector and the
material type of the material. In our simple example it's enough to classify the material
and to set a plant. Hence, we have to select the Classification and e.g. Purchasing View.

Specify the plant in which the material is used.

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Enter the material description and the base unit of measure.

Then classify and valuate the material.

After that you can go on to the Purchasing view which is shown below:

5
Enter the description, the base unit of measure and a material group. Repeat this step for
all components of our computer.
Bill of Materials - The computer material
Now we created all components of the computer, but something is still missing - the
computer itself. So we have to make a new material for our computer. This is the
configurable material. You should either select "Configurable Mat" as material type in the
start screen or you have to select it in the basic data in order to sign this material as
configurable.

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Select the Purchasing and Classification view here as well, assign a plant, write a
description and classify the material with our computer class.
Bill of materials
Now we have all things done to create the bill of materials. The
transaction CS01 supports us by this task. Here you have to enter the name of the
material which is supposed to have a BOM. Moreover the plant and the BOM Usage fields
are required.

After that you get the following screen:

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After you entered all components the bill of material is nearly complete. You may have
wondered about the selection conditions we defined in our model earlier. Now it's time to
apply them to each position in our bill of material. To do so, select the component and
then choose the dependency assignment or editor via menu.

If you choose to use the editor then you create only a local dependency. The assignment
functionality is for global dependencies. (see SAP Online Help - Variant Configuration for
more detailed information). If you want to use global dependencies you need to create the
dependencies in transaction cu01 first.

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After we assigned all dependencies the bill of materials is completed.
Now we have to create a configuration profile with the help of transaction: CU41. First
you're asked to choose the configurable object to which you want to assign the profile.

Then you have to enter the name of the - in this case - material. After that you'll get the
following dialog:

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In the displayed list you can add some configuration profiles, while the priority of each
profile depends on the position. (The lower the number the higher the priority). Besides the
name of the profile you have to choose the class type of this configuration. In this case we
have to choose class type 300 - the SAP standard class type for configurable classes. 
With double-clicking on the profile name you'll get to the configuration screen of the
profile. Besides the basic data which are self-explanatory you can set some other
properties.
For example you can choose the process which is indented for this material. Each process
is explained in the F4-help. The next option - BOM explosion - indicates how the bill of
material is exploded in the sales order. If you choose "Sing-Level" or "Multi-Level" you
have to set the application of the material and you are free to apply a filter.

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Now all the settings were made and we can test the configuration.
Test of the configuration
You can simulate your configuration with the transaction CU50.

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Enter the Name of the material and the plant and press F8. After that you can configure
the material by means of the characteristics.

Then you can see the result bill of materials by clicking the marked button.

As a result we receive a bill of material according to the characteristics entered.

Tcode Description Module
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 CF01 Create Production Resource/Tool PP-BD-PRT

CF23 PRT: Use of pc. of equipment in orders PP-BD-PRT

CF25 PRT: PRT Master Usage in PM Order PP-BD-PRT

CF26 PRT: Material Usage in PM Orders PP-BD-PRT

CF27 PRT: Document Usage in PM Orders PP-BD-PRT

CF28 PRT: Equipment Usage in PM Order PP-BD-PRT

CFCP PRT: Copy C-Tables PP-BD-PRT

CFNA Maintain PRT number range: FHM_CRFH PP-BD-PRT

OP65 Formula Parameters PP-BD-PRT

OP70 Maintain PRT Control Key PP-BD-PRT

OP73 PRT Authorization Group PP-BD-PRT

OP74 Maintain PRT Group Key PP-BD-PRT

CF22 PRT: Use of document in orders PP-BD-PRT

CF21 PRT: Use of material in orders PP-BD-PRT

CF02 Change Production Resource/Tool PP-BD-PRT

CF03 Display Production Resources/Tools PP-BD-PRT

CF10 PRT: Use of PRT master in production order PP-BD-PRT

CF11 PRT: Use of material in production order PP-BD-PRT

CF12 PRT: Use of document in production order PP-BD-PRT

CF13 PRT: Use of equipment in production order PP-BD-PRT

CF15 PRT: Use of PRT master in network PP-BD-PRT

CF16 PRT: Use of material in network PP-BD-PRT

CF17 PRT: Use of document in network PP-BD-PRT

CF18 PRT: Use of piece of equipment in network PP-BD-PRT

CF20 PRT: Use of PRT master in orders PP-BD-PRT

OP80 Maintain PRT Status PP-BD-PRT

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 Variant Configuration Material Variants : Creation,Usage in Sales order for replacing
Configurable Material Part 1

Material Variants
 

In industries when we deal with Configurable material, many of times we come across a configuration which is
asked every now and then by many customer.

Also business don’t want to wait for customer to enter order and then start its production , instead there is a
need to have something similar to Make to Stock for this configuration to  bring lead time down and maintain
some stock of this fast moving configuration.

To address all of these and many other requirements, there is a standard option available in SAP to create
“Material Variant”.

 This document will be useful for beginners in VC area to understand the concept of Material Variant and how it
can be setup using standard SAP. Also we will discuss how when you configure a material in sales order (VA01)
or Configuration Simulation CU50, you can check whether a material variant already exists that has the same
characteristic values and it will manually or automatically replace the configurable material in sales order. You
can display existing material variants on the characteristic value assignment screen. However, the configurable
material is not automatically replaced by the variant.

 By definition from SAP Help,

 Material Variants (1)

 A material variant is a material that can be kept in stock and that arises from an individual configuration of a
configurable product.

The material master record of a material variant is linked to the configurable material and configured using the
characteristics of the configurable material. This variant of the configurable material can then be manufactured
and kept in stock.

 You have a Configurable Product “BIKE” which has 3 attribute on which it can be configured, which become
Characteristics of this configurable material.

These characteristics will have possible values associated

COLOUR

o   Red
o   Blue
o   Black
o   Green
o   Golden
o   Silver
o   Orange
o   Purple
o   Yellow
o   Dark Red
 

ENGINE TYPE
 

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o   200 CC
o   400 CC
o   600 CC
o   800 CC
o   1000 CC
o   1200 CC
o   1400 CC
o   1500 CC
o   1600 CC
o   1800 CC
 

EXHAUST
 

o   S- EXHAUST 1
o   S- EXHAUST 2
o   S- EXHAUST 3
o   S- EXHAUST 4
o   S- EXHAUST 5
o   S- EXHAUST 6
o   S- EXHAUST 7
o   S- EXHAUST 8
o   S- EXHAUST 9
o   S- EXHAUST 10
 

You created configurable material with all Basic settings required for “Variant Configuration”

(3)
 For these settings, reference can be taken from document created by Philipp Kuster on SAP SDN (2)

 With topic, Introduction to Variant Configuration with an example model. SAP ERP Sales and Distribution (SAP
SD)

 Below are the steps to create a Material Variant”, Create a new material, BIKE – BLACK – 1000

 Transaction: MM01

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  (3)

 Select views

  (3)

 Complete the material creation process by filling out necessary details and mandatory fields.

 To manufacture the material variant in-house, you must maintain the variant at plant level, so that BOMs,
routings, and so on can be determined. Cross-plant variants can be used in Purchasing, but are not supported in
Sales.

 To set up the material variant specific to a plant, in MRP 3 View, in field “Configurable Material ( MARC-STDPD)
“ in put the configurable material number.

 Press enter; you will get a message to “Configure the material.

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  (3)

 Press   to configure this variant, you will get a pop-up

  (3)

 Come out of the screen using, complete the process of creation of material following all required view and
mandatory fields.

 In the basic data, you can link the material variant to a configurable material. This configuration applies to all
plants.

 Now the Material Variant is created, and need to be linked with BOM and Routings of Configurable Material.

 Transaction: CS40

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  (3)

 Press enter

  (3)

Save the assignment.

 Assign Routing

 Transaction: CA02

(3)  Open a routing of configurable material

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  (3)

 Use the material assignment option

 Enter Group counter, Material and plant

  (3)

 Save the routing.

 Now the material Variant is ready to be used.

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  If the strategy group associated is relevant for “Make to stock: production, you can plan the independent
requirement, have MRP run, generate plan order, convert it to production order and confirm to generate stock of
this material variants.
Make to Stock Production for Variants (1)
Variants can be planned on the finished product level using any make-to-stock strategy, such as Planning with Final
Assembly (40) or Net Requirements Planning (10)
Make to Order Production for Variants (1)
Variants can be planned on the finished product level using any make-to-order strategy, such as Planning w/o Final
Assembly (50) or Planning with a Planning Material (60)
Replacement of Configurable material with material Variant in Sales order.

You can define the settings for variant matching in the configuration profile of a configurable material and on the
characteristic value assignment screen.

I. In the configuration profile, choose Settings,  and on the characteristic value assignment screen
choose View —Settings. CU41

   (3)

Prerequisites (1)
You define the settings for variant matching in Customizing for Sales and Distribution, where you maintain item
categories.
Configuration of Sales and Distribution -> Sales -> Sales Document -> Sales Document Item -> Define Item Categories.

(3)

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  Activate variant matching for an item category, by put a tick as shown above
 Define Material variant action to decide how the system reacts if it finds a material variant:
 The system automatically replaces the configurable material with the material variant.
 You see a message telling you that a material variant with the same configuration exists.

If the material variant is not available, you can:

 Receive an automatic message with a list of the material variant stock situation. You can then decide
whether to replace the material variant.
 Decide that you do not want to replace the variant.

Create Sales order

 Transaction VA01:

  (3)

Input configurable material as required material

(3)

 Configure the configurable material in the sales order.

 On the value assignment screen, you can check whether material variants match the configuration of the
material

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  (3)

Material Variant matching the values will listed on lower part of screen.
 

(3)

(3)

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  (3)

 Once you have configured the material, leave the configuration editor.  

 Depending on the settings in Customizing, either the material is replaced by the material variant immediately,
or you see a message telling you that a suitable material variant has been found.  

Save the sales order.

Individual or collective requirements can be generated for the material variant. Pricing also applies to the material
variant, unless you define the configurable material as the pricing material for the material variant.
 

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