Batch Level and Batch Number

Use

You have to manage batches in different plants for many materials. For this reason, batches

must be uniquely identifiable. For this reason, you can use batch numbers in the R/3 system: The

batch number uniquely identifies a batch in the R/3 System.

DeepFreez Pizzas produce their goods in Chicago and Boston. The delivery

warehouses are in Detroit and New York. The salami pizzas from Chicago are

assigned batch numbers and are then transported to New York and Detroit for

delivery. In all three plants, the same batch number is known in conjunction with the

material number.

Artichoke pizzas from Boston are assigned the same batch numbers as the salami

pizzas from Chicago and are also sent to New York and Detroit for delivery. The

same batch number now exists for two different materials, in New York and in

Detroit. However, the batches can still be distinguished by the material number.

Batch level

You use the batch level to specify whether the batch number for a material is unique in 1 plant, or

in all plants:

• Plant level

The batch number is unique in connection with the plant and material.

The batch number is only known in the plant in which it was created If the stock is

transferred to another plant, the batch is unknown in the recipient plant and the system

does not adopt any data. You must create and specify the batch once again in the

recipient plant.

• Material level:

The batch number is unique in all plants in connection with the material.

The same batch number has the same meaning for the material in all plants. It is no

longer possible for one batch number to relate to different batches in two plants. During

stock transfer to another plant, the specification of the batch is known in the destination

plant even if the batch is placed into storage in that plant for the first time.

• Client level:

The batch number is unique for a material in the whole client.

The batch number is only unique at the chosen level.

Changing the batch level

In the standard R/3 System, plant level is set as batch level. If you would like to use another

definition, you need to make the changes in Customizing and convert using a conversion

program (refer to the section on Determining Batch Levels and Activating Status Management in

Customizing for Batch Management).

− While the conversion program is running, you can only post batches at the

old level. You can only post batches at the new level after the conversion

has been completed.

− You cannot change back from a higher level to plant level in the standard

system. However, you can change the batch level from client level back to

material level.

− If you convert from plant level to material level, the material is then to be

handled in batches in all plants, in which it is defined.

Prerequisites

You must specify the following in Customizing for Batch Management:

• Type of batch number assignment

• Batch level

You choose the batch level in Customizing for Batch Management under Specify batch level and

activate status management.