1 Product Configuration with SAP

27

1.1 Generation Change: From SAP ERP to SAP S/4HANA

28

1.1.1 Comparing SAP ERP and SAP S/4HANA

28

1.1.2 The SAP Fiori User Interface

30

1.1.3 SAP HANA or SAP S/4HANA?

30

1.1.4 Modes of Operation

31

1.1.5 The Digital Core

31

1.1.6 Simplification

32

1.2 Generation Change: From LO-VC to AVC

32

1.2.1 SAP S/4HANA: The Simplification List in LO-VC

33

1.2.2 AVC in SAP S/4HANA Cloud

34

1.3 Which SAP Configurators Are Available?

39

1.3.1 Internet Pricing and Configurator

39

1.3.2 Solution Sales Configurator

39

1.3.3 SAP CPQ

40

1.3.4 SAP Advanced Variant Configuration and Pricing Microservices

40

1.4 Product Configuration with AVC in an End-to-End Process

41

1.5 Managing Product Diversity

47

1.6 Manufacturing Scenarios for Configurable Products

50

1.7 Summary

52

2 The Path from LO-VC to AVC in SAP S/4HANA

53

2.1 AVC and LO-VC: An Either-Or?

53

2.2 Ways of Transformation

57

2.3 Basic Principles of the Transformation

58

2.4 Transition Workspaces

60

2.5 Transition Workbench

62

2.5.1 Structure of the Transition Workbench

62

2.5.2 Analysis of the LO-VC Model

63

2.5.3 Creating the AVC Model

65

2.5.4 Transforming a Constraint: An Example

66

2.6 Comparing the Results

67

2.7 Transferring the Material Variants

70

2.8 An Exemplary Approach to Switching from VC to AVC (Greenfield versus Brownfield)

72

2.8.1 Why Switch to AVC?

72

2.8.2 Brownfield versus Greenfield

73

2.8.3 Step 1: Scoping

73

2.8.4 Step 2: Planning

74

2.8.5 Step 3: Implementation

75

2.8.6 Step 4: Testing

75

2.8.7 Step 5: Go-Live

76

2.8.8 Step 6: Hypercare

76

2.9 Summary

76

3 Creating Your First Configurable Material

79

3.1 Basic Principles

80

3.2 A First Example

82

3.3 The Configurable Material Master

84

3.4 Variant Classes, Characteristics, and Configuration Profiles

86

3.5 The Valuation Interface of the Extended Variant Configuration

90

3.6 Object Dependencies for Planning and Production

94

3.7 Configuration and Prices

97

3.8 Summary

100

4 Master Data in the Modeling Context

101

4.1 Variant Configuration Modeling Environment

101

4.2 AVC Simulation Environment

110

4.3 Tools from the Classification System

119

4.3.1 Characteristic Maintenance

119

4.3.2 Class Maintenance

129

4.3.3 Classification

133

4.3.4 Search and Evaluation Options in the Classification System

139

4.4 Material Master, Bill of Materials, and Routing of the Configurable Material

145

4.4.1 Material Master of the Configurable Material

145

4.4.2 Super Bill of Materials of the Configurable Material

154

4.4.3 Super Routing for the Configurable Material

157

4.4.4 Production Versions

159

4.5 Configuration Profile and Configuration Scenarios

162

4.5.1 Overview of a Configuration Profile

162

4.5.2 Configuration Profiles in Detail

166

4.5.3 Configuration Scenarios at a Glance

170

4.5.4 Planned/Production Order without BOM Explosion Scenario

171

4.5.5 Planned/Production Order with BOM Explosion Scenario

174

4.5.6 Sales Order (SET) Scenario

177

4.5.7 Order BOM Scenario: The Engineer-to-Order Process

181

4.5.8 Order BOM Scenario: Order Bill of Materials and Order Routing

191

4.6 Characteristic Groups as User Interface Design

197

4.7 Summary

202

5 Object Dependencies

203

5.1 Basic Principles

203

5.1.1 Types and Assignment of Object Dependencies

204

5.1.2 Procedural and Declarative Character of Object Dependencies

209

5.1.3 Local and Global Object Dependencies

209

5.1.4 Status of Object Dependencies

215

5.1.5 Processing Mode of Object Dependencies

216

5.1.6 Object Dependencies in Classification and Variant Configuration

217

5.1.7 Execution Sequence of Object Dependencies

218

5.1.8 Basic Rules of the Syntax

221

5.1.9 Syntax Elements

224

5.2 Variant Tables

228

5.2.1 Creating a Table Structure

228

5.2.2 Linking a Variant Table to a Database Table or to a Custom Business Object

230

5.2.3 Contents of a Variant Table

232

5.2.4 Accessing a Variant Table

234

5.2.5 Variant Tables for Value Restrictions via Constraints

234

5.2.6 Variant Tables for Deriving Values via Procedures

236

5.2.7 Variant Tables in Conditions

238

5.3 Object Dependencies for Interactive Configuration (High-Level Configuration)

240

5.3.1 Use Constraints

240

5.3.2 Exclusive Syntax for Constraints in Detail

242

5.3.3 Constraints in the Trace

250

5.3.4 Procedures

253

5.3.5 Exclusive Syntax for Procedures in Detail

256

5.3.6 Procedures in the Trace

258

5.3.7 Facet Changes with Preconditions and Selection Conditions

259

5.3.8 AVC: Business Add-Ins

263

5.3.9 Principles of AVC Modeling for Good Performance

268

5.3.10 Constraints and the Multiple Use of Classes

270

5.4 Object Dependencies for a Bill of Materials and Routing (Low-Level Configuration)

271

5.4.1 Selection Conditions in a Bill of Materials and Routing

271

5.4.2 Class Nodes in Bills of Materials

274

5.4.3 Procedures in Bills of Materials and Routings

278

5.5 Summary

281

6 Pricing

283

6.1 Pricing in Sales

283

6.1.1 Step 1: Reference Characteristic with Reference to Structure SDCOM-VKOND

284

6.1.2 Step 2: Determine the Condition Type and Create a Variant Condition

286

6.1.3 Step 3: Check the Costing Sheet

288

6.1.4 Step 4: Assign Variant Conditions

288

6.1.5 Checking the Result of Our Modeling Steps

291

6.2 Pricing on the Basis of Sales Order Costing

295

6.3 Pricing in Purchasing

296

6.3.1 Step 1: Check the Costing Sheet

302

6.3.2 Step 2: Determine the Condition Type and Create Variant Conditions

302

6.3.3 Step 3: Assign the Reference Characteristic

305

6.3.4 Step 4: Assign Variant Conditions

305

6.4 Microservice for Pricing on SAP Business Technology Platform

306

6.4.1 How the Pricing Service Works

307

6.4.2 Administration

309

6.4.3 Extensibility

310

6.5 Summary

311

7 Material Variants

313

7.1 Material Master

314

7.2 Bill of Materials

319

7.3 Routing

323

7.4 Pricing

328

7.5 Variant Matching

328

7.6 Summary

336

8 Integrating Variant Configuration in Platforms via Knowledge Bases and Runtime Versions

339

8.1 Architecture

339

8.2 Master Data for Configuration Integration: Knowledge Bases and Runtime Versions

342

8.2.1 Replicating Master Data from SAP ERP and SAP S/4HANA Systems

342

8.2.2 The Delta List in Relation to the Use of Microservices and LO-VC

343

8.2.3 Differences between Configuration Models and Knowledge Bases in the Delta List

345

8.2.4 Selecting the Knowledge Base at Runtime

345

8.3 Tips for Generating Knowledge Base Runtime Versions

346

8.3.1 Objects of the Knowledge Base

346

8.3.2 Generating New Runtime Versions

347

8.3.3 Regenerating Existing Runtime Versions

348

8.3.4 Configuration with Runtime Versions during Changes to the Product Model

350

8.3.5 The Suitability of a Product Model for Generating Knowledge Bases and Runtime Versions

352

8.3.6 The Compatibility of the Product Model

353

8.3.7 Changes for the Application of Configuration Models in Sales and Distribution

353

8.3.8 Tips for Creating Runtime Versions

353

8.3.9 Recommendations for Naming Conventions

354

8.4 Instructions for (Re)generating Runtime Versions

365

8.4.1 When Do New Runtime Versions Need to Be Created?

366

8.4.2 When Do Existing Runtime Versions Need to Be Regenerated?

367

8.4.3 Runtime Versions in Connection with Change Numbers

367

8.4.4 How Often Should You (Re)generate Runtime Versions?

368

8.4.5 Innovations in the Use of AVC

370

8.4.6 Filtering Unneeded Runtime Versions

372

8.5 Using the Configuration Microservice in SAP BTP

373

8.5.1 Calling the Configuration Service

373

8.5.2 Administration

374

8.5.3 Extensibility

375

8.6 Variant Configuration in SAP Commerce Cloud

375

8.7 Integrated Variant Configuration in SAP CPQ

379

8.7.1 SAP CPQ as a Leading System

379

8.7.2 SAP CPQ as an Add-On for Integrated SAP ERP or SAP S/4HANA Variant Configuration

380

8.8 Summary

386

9 New Integration Aspects for Variant Configuration

387

9.1 Master Data Distribution with Product Data Replication

387

9.1.1 Challenges and Opportunities

389

9.1.2 Setting Up and Customizing Product Data Replication

392

9.1.3 Additional System Preparation for Product Data Replication

402

9.1.4 Replication Workbench: Objects and Terminology

404

9.1.5 Creating a Configuration Definition and Folder

405

9.1.6 Creating and Exploding the Baseline

407

9.1.7 From Distribution Order to Distribution Unit and Distribution Packet

411

9.1.8 Sending the UPS Packet

411

9.1.9 Posting the Packet

413

9.1.10 Correction Packets

414

9.1.11 Replicating Condition Records

418

9.1.12 Product Data Replication Add-On for Routings

419

9.1.13 Troubleshooting and Tips and Tricks

420

9.2 SAP Variant Configuration with SAP Teamcenter

424

9.2.1 The Strategic Partnership between SAP and Siemens

425

9.2.2 The Next Generation of SAP Teamcenter Integration

426

9.2.3 Current Status and Outlook for End-to-End Variant Configuration

427

9.2.4 A Real-Life Example: Consistent Variant Configuration of a Configurable Valve

428

9.3 Requirements Management and Documentation in Modeling: SAP Enterprise Product Development

432

9.4 Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence for Configurable Products

437

9.4.1 Data Acquisition and Preparation

443

9.4.2 Creating Models/Scenarios and Training

444

9.4.3 Using Machine Learning Models

444

9.4.4 Machine Learning in the Industry Cloud

445

9.5 Integrating AVC with SAP Workflow Management

447

9.6 Two-Tier Scenario: Cross-System Procurement of Configured Products

453

9.7 Summary

456

10 Solutions from SAP Partners

457

10.1 3D Configuration

457

10.1.1 Terminology

458

10.1.2 Functions of a 3D Configuration Integrated into the SAP System

460

10.1.3 3D Configuration, Augmented Reality, and Virtual Reality

461

10.1.4 Real-Life Example: TRILUX GmbH & Co. KG

462

10.1.5 3D Engine

467

10.2 Artificial Intelligence-Optimized Processing of Customer Requests

470

10.2.1 Basic Principles and General Conditions

470

10.2.2 Preliminary Considerations

474

10.2.3 Examples

477

10.3 Variant Table Contents on SAP Business Technology Platform

482

10.3.1 System Architecture

482

10.3.2 The Simple Variant Table Maintenance Application from networker, solutions

483

10.4 Variant Configuration with Machine Learning

492

10.4.1 Machine Learning and Complex Formulas: Bread Baking Example

493

10.4.2 Using Machine Learning in Real Life: “Folder Gluer” Packaging Machine Example

500

10.5 Hybrid System Configuration, End-to-End Automation, and API-Based Integration with SAP Solutions

503

10.5.1 Integrated Variant Configuration with SAP Solutions and External Software Systems

504

10.5.2 Consistent User Experience with Heterogeneous Configuration Engines in Parallel Operation

505

10.5.3 Multilevel Hybrid System Configuration and Orchestration of Heterogeneous Knowledge Bases

507

10.5.4 Service-Oriented Architectures, SAP-Compatible APIs, and Complex Multilevel Data Structures

509

10.5.5 System-Neutral Configuration IDs and Configuration Lifecycle Management

510

10.5.6 End-to-End Digitization and Automation Using Workflow Management and Integration

512

10.6 Summary

513

11 Case Study: Transformation from LO-VC to AVC

519

11.1 AVC Preliminary Study

519

11.1.1 Data Model Analysis

520

11.1.2 Analysis of PFUNCTIONs

520

11.1.3 Identifying Risks and Challenges

521

11.1.4 Estimated Work Involved

522

11.2 Best Practice Transformation: A Real-Life Example

526

11.2.1 Scoping

526

11.2.2 Planning

527

11.2.3 Implementation

529

11.2.4 Testing

531

11.2.5 Go-Live

531

11.2.6 Hypercare

532

11.3 Summary

532

12 SAP Variant Configuration Communities

533

12.1 Configuration Working Group

533

12.1.1 Objective and Tasks

535

12.1.2 History

536

12.1.3 Organizational Structure

538

12.1.4 CWG Conferences

539

12.1.5 CWG Portal

541

12.1.6 CWG Sandbox Systems

542

12.2 The DSAG Variant Configuration Working Group

543

12.2.1 Interview with the DSAG Variant Configuration Working Group

544

12.3 SAP AVC Customer Co-Innovation Council

546

12.4 Summary

547

The Authors

549

Authors

549

Contributors

550

Foreword Authors

557