SAP SD MODULE

[Former Member]

Hello Seniors,

I have good experience in Corporate Marketing and Retail Sales. I have joined a ERP SD course with CMC.

Please guide me with the basics.

Best Regards

Supratim Dutta

[Former Member]

Hii Suprateem,

At the outset I would like to appreciate you for choosing a career in SAP. Welcome to SAP World. Please find the very basics you need to know about SAP.

1) What is SAP?

SAP AG is the largest European software enterprise with head quarters in Walldorf, Germany.

SAP was founded in 1972 by five former IBM engineers in Mannheim.

The names of the five former IBM engineers are

1. Dietmar Hopp

2. Hasso Plattner

3. Klaus Tschira

4. Claus Wellenreuther

5. Hans-Werner Hector

The acronym for SAP is Systems, Applications and Products in data processing.

Henning Kagermann became the CEO of SAP in 2003.

SAP is the third largest software company in the world. It ranks after Microsoft, IBM in terms of market

capitalization.

SAP is the largest business application and ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) software provider.

There are over 100.800 SAP installations at more than 28,000 companies. SAP Products are used by over 12

million people in more than 120 countries.

The main product (Recent Product) of SAP is MySAP ERP. The predecessor of MySAP ERP is SAP R/3.

Other major products of SAP are-

 Advanced Planner and Optimizer (APO). Now it is renamed to SCM (Supply Chain Management).

 Business Information Warehouse (BW)

 Customer Relationship Management (CRM)

 Supplier Relationship Management (SRM)

 Human Resource Management Systems (HRMS)

 Product Lifecycle Management (PLM)

 Exchange Infrastructure (XI)

 Enterprise Portal (EP)

 SAP Knowledge Warehouse (KW)

The official website for SAP is sap.com

===================

2) Types of Projects:

We can divide the SAP projects into three categories. They are

1) SAP Implementation Projects

2) SAP Support Projects

3) SAP Migration Projects

1) SAP Implementation Projects

In this type of projects, Customers are moving towards SAP software. Previously they might be using some

other software.

2) SAP Support Projects

Once SAP project is implemented, it should be supported by the consultants in day-to-day business. In

Support projects, the support team helps the customer in day-to-day business.

3) SAP Migration Projects

As we see, SAP is continuously upgrading the R/3 software. Customers are moving from the older versions

to new versions. When the customer decides to new version, it is called SAP Migration Projects.

Now-a-days many customers are migrating from older versions like 4.5 or 4.6b, 4.6c to ECC 5.0 or ECC 6.0

versions.

==================

3) What is ERP?

ERP stands for Enterprise Resource Planning.

Enterprise Resource Planning systems integrate all data and processes of an organization into unified

system.

The key feature of an ERP system is it uses a single or unified database to store data for the various system

modules.

Various Modules which comes under ERP are listed below:

1. Manufacturing

2. Supply Chain

3. Financials

4. CRM

5. Human Resources

6. Warehouse management

What are the advantages and disadvantages of ERP system?

Major Advantages of ERP:

Various modules are well integrated in ERP system.

If there is no ERP, we may need to develop many software applications that do not talk each other and do not

effectively interface. But in ERP the problem is solved by integrating all the modules of the business.

ERP provides advanced security features compared to other software applications. These security features

protects data both from insider crime and outsider crime.

Major Disadvantages of ERP:

Re engineering of business process to fit the “industry standard” prescribed by the ERP system may lead to

a loss of competitive advantage.

ERP systems can be very expensive to install.

What ERP products are there in the Market?

 SAP R/3 from SAP

 MySAP from SAP

 Oracle e-business suite from Oracle

 Peoplesoft from Oracle

 JDEdwards Enterprise One from Oracle

-= BaaN from Infor(Infor has acquired it from SSA Global)

About SAP:

SAP stands for Systems Applications and Products in data processing.

SAP is the fourth largest software company in the world. It ranks after Microsoft, IBM and Oracle.

SAP Head quarters are in Walldorf, Germany. SAP was founded in 1972 by five former IBM engineers.

SAP released SAP R/2 version initially. The architecture of R/2 system is Mainframe architecture.

Later SAP R/3 is released which is different from R/2 architecture. R stands for Real time. 3 stands for 3 tier

architecture.

There are over 100,800 installations at more than 28,000 companies. SAP products are used by 12 million

people in more than 120 countries.

Major Products of SAP are:

1. MySAP ERP

2. SAP R/3

3. Advanced Planner and Optimizer (APO)

4. Business Information Warehouse (BW)

5. Customer Relationship Management (CRM)

6. Supply Chain Management (SCM)

7. Supplier Relationship Management (SRM)

8. Human Resource Management Systems (HRMS)

9. Product Life Cycle Management (PLM)

10. Exchange Infrastructure (XI)

11. Enterprise Portal (EP)

12. SAP knowledge Warehouse (SAP-KW)

13. SAP NetWeaver

====================

4) Architecture of SAP R/3:

SAP R/3 is a client server model, using 3-tiered architecture.

The three layers are

1) Presentation Layer

2) Application Layer

3) Database layer

1) Presentation Layer

Presentation Layer provides means of:

Input, allowing the users to manipulate the system

Output, allowing the system to produce the results of user’s manipulation

SAP is having Graphical User interface (SAP GUI). The SAP GUI is installed on

Individual machines which acts as presentation layer.

2) Application Layer

In this layer business logic is executed. The application layer can be installed on one

machine, or it can be distributed among more than one system.

3) Database Layer

The database layer holds the data. SAP supports any relational database. SAP does not

provides any database. But it supports any RDBMS. The database layer must be

installed on one machine or system.

Major databases which are being used in SAP implementations are Oracle, DB2.

SAP R/3 is written using its own programming language ABAP. Kernel is written using C language.

What is ABAP?

ABAP stands for Advanced Business Application Programming. ABAP is a fourth generation language. (4GL).

=======================

5) Types of Consultants:

The most common question being asked in interviews is ' What are your roles and responsibilities?'.

Before answering the above question, let me explain the difference between Functional consultant and

Technical consultant.

Roles and responsibilities differ from functional consultant to Technical consultant.

Functional Consultant:

• Functional consultants are responsible for designing the SAP implementation solution based on the

requirements of your company.

• Functional consultants are business process experts.

• Functional consultants normally use their process knowledge to calculate the impact of the SAP

implementation on the company's processes.

• Functional consultants are thus concerned with SAP functions and processes that will generate the data

and output for business.

• Functional consultants interact with end users of the company to gather requirements and based on the

requirements they customize the SAP implementation.

Technical Consultant:

• Technical consultants are experts in information technology.

• Technical consultants normally assist in configuration of the SAP R3 installation. In many SAP

implementations, technical consultants help in designing interfaces and customizations in R3. Finally, the

SAP R3 technical consultants would be responsible for migration of data from the legacy system to the new

SAP ERP implementation.

• Here i will discuss major roles and responsibilities of a technical consultant:

1) Designing technical specification by looking at the functinal specification you have recieved.

Usually senior developers having 3 years or more than 3 years of experience involves in preparing technical

specifications.

2) Developing objects using ABAP workbench tools. That may be a report program or an on-line program or a

custom table.

Remember the development work starts after the technical specification is approved by your team leader.

3) Preparing the Unit test case document.

In unit test case document, we document the results and test cases performed on the developed object.

4) Peer Review

if you are a senior developer you can perform peer review. I.e review the code written by your peers.

5) Working on Problem Tickets

If you are working in a support project, you should solve the tickets assigned to you. Tickets are nothing but

the problems occured in production environment.

The above mentioned are the major roles and responsibilities for a technical consultant.

===========================

6) System Landscape:

The system landscape contains all systems that were installed. The customer can choose any landscape

according to the requirements.

If the customer is very big, one can implement four system landscapes. Mid size customers can go for two

system landscape.

Now we will see different system landscapes:

Four System Landscape:

In this landscape, we will find four systems,

1) development system

2) test system

3) pre-production system

4) production system

In development system, we find three clients

100

140

180

100 can be used as configuration client. 140 can be used for development. 180 can be used for testing

purpose in development system.

The Test system contains two clients

010

040

010 can be used for testing, where as 040can be used for training purposes.

The pre-production system is the one which behaves exactly as production system. It contains data similar to

production system. We can test with similar production data.

Production system contains one client where the end users will be working with real time data supporting day

to day business.

Hope the content is helpful to you.

Please reward me the points if you find it useful.

Regards,

Jay

[Former Member]

You can get the best help & increase your knowledge tremendously by refering the site as under (menupath also mentioned):

Link: http://help.sap.com/

Path: SAP Best Practices --> Baseline Packages --> Based on SAP ECC 5.00 --> Select Country: for eg, Localized for India --> Technical Information --> Building Blocks --> Select Country for eg, India --> List of Basic Configuration & scenarios will be listed.

Select the required basic configuration / scenario. These will consist of overview, configuration guide, business process, master data &so on ...........

Regards,

Rajesh Banka

Reward points if helpful.

[Former Member]

hi supratim,

welocme to sdn,

just read this documentation to get idea on sd module,

SD Configuration:

Enterprise Structure:

1. Maintaining Sales Organization

Sales Organization is an organizational unit responsible for the sale of certain products or services.

IMG -> Enterprise Structure -> Definition -> Sales and Distribution -> Define, copy, delete, check Sales organization

2. Assigning Sales Organization to Company Code

This assignment ensures all the sales made through this Sales Organization are accounted for in the assigned Company Code (Company Code is created by FI Consultant).

IMG -> Enterprise Structure -> Assignment -> Sales and Distribution -> Assign Sales Organziation to Company Code

3. Maintaining Distribution Channel

Distribution Channel is the way, in which Products or Services reach Customers.

IMG -> Enterprise Structure -> Definition -> Sales and Distribution -> Define, copy, delete, check distribution channel

4. Assigning Distribution Channel to Sales Organization

This assignment ensures, a Sales Organization can supply Materials to Customers through this Distribution Channel.

IMG -> Enterprise Structure -> Assignment -> Sales and Distribution > Assign distribution channel to sales organization

5. Maintaining Division

Division is a way of grouping materials, products, or services.

IMG -> Enterprise Structure -> Definition -> Logistics - General -> Define, copy, delete, check division

6. Assigning Division to Sales Organization

IMG -> Enterprise Structure -> Assignment -> Sales and Distribution -> Assign division to sales organization

7. Setting up Sales Area

All the sales are made from a particular sales Area. For creating a Sales Order Sales Area is compulsory.

IMG ->Enterprise Structure -> Assignment -> Sales and Distribution -> Set up sales area

8. Assigning Sales Organization- Distribution Channel- Plant

Plant is created ny MM Consultant.

IMG -> Enterprise Structure -> Assignment -> Sales and Distribution -> Assign sales organization - distribution channel - plant

9. Define Shipping Points

Shipping Point is the Organizational element, which is responsible for shipping the Materials to the Customers.

IMG -> Enterprise Structure -> Definition -> Logistics Execution -> Define, copy, delete, check shipping point

10 Assigning Shipping Point to Plant

This assignment ensures that goods from different Plant can be dispatched from different Shipping Points.

IMG -> Enterprise Structure -> Assignment -> Logistics Execution -> Assign shipping point to plant

Note: Ensure to do the undermentioned configuration also though it is not in Customizing node of Enterprise Structure.

11. Defining Common Distribution Channels for Master Data

Use

The purpose of this activity is to define distribution channels which have common master data..

Procedure

Access the activity using one of the following navigation options:

IMG Menu -> Sales and Distribution -> Master Data -> Define Common Distribution Channels

Transaction Code: VOR1

12. Defining Common Divisions for Master DataUse

The purpose of this activity is to define distribution channels which have common master data..

Procedure

Access the activity using one of the following navigation options:

IMG Menu -> Sales and Distribution -> Master Data -> Define Common Division

Transaction Code: VOR2

Pricing Procedure

In SD, Pricing Procedure is determined based on Sales Area (Sales Organization + Distribution Centre + Division) + Customer Pricing Procedure + Document Pricing Procedure. Sales Area is determined in Sales Order Header Level. Customer Pricing Procedure is determined from Customer Master. Document Pricing Procedure is determined from Sales Document Type / Billing Type (if configured). Once the pricing procedure is determined, Condition records are fetched. If appropriate condition records are found, the price is determined. If Mandatory pricing condition is missing, system will through an error message.

In SD, the steps to configure Pricing procedure are as under:

Step 1:

Condition table: If existing condition table meets the requirement, we need not create a new condition table. Considering the requirement for new condition table, the configuration will be done in spro as follows: IMG --> Sales & Distribution --> Basic Function --> Pricing Control --> Condition Table (select the required fields combination, which will store condition record).

Step 2:

Access Sequence: If existing access sequence meets the requirement, we need not create a new access sequence. Considering the requirement for new sequence, the configuration will be done in spro as follows: IMG --> Sales & Distribution --> Basic Function --> Pricing Control --> Access Sequence (Access sequence is made up of Accesses (Tables) & the order of priority in which it is to be accessed. Here we assign the condition table to access sequence.

Step 3:

Condition Type: If existing condition type meets the requirement, we need not create a new condition type. Considering the requirement for new condition type, the configuration will be done in spro as follows: IMG --> Sales & Distribution --> Basic Function --> Pricing Control --> Condition Type. It is always recommended to copy an existing similar condition type & make the neccessary changes. Here we assign Access sequence to Condition type.

Step 4:

a. Pricing Procedure: It is recommended to copy a similar pricing procedure & make the neccesary changes in new pricing procedure. Pricing Procedure is a set of condition type & arranged in the sequence in which it has to perform the calculation. Considering the requirement for new Pricing Procedure, the configuration will be done in spro as follows: IMG --> Sales & Distribution --> Basic Function --> Pricing Control --> Pricing Procedure --> Maintain Pricing Procedure.

b. Pricing Procedure: After maintaining the pricing procedure the next step will be determination of pricing procedure. Configuration for determining pricing procedure in SPRO is as follows: IMG --> Sales & Distribution --> Basic Function --> Pricing Control --> Pricing Procedure --> Determine Pricing Procedure.

5. Condition record: Condition record is a master data, which is required to be maintained by Core team / person responsible from the client. During new implementation, the condition records can be uploaded using tools like SCAT, LSMW, etc.

Normal Sales Order Cycle:-

Step 1: Sales Document Type

IMG > Sales and Distribution > Sales > Sales Documents >

Sales Document Header:

1. Sales Document Type:The sales document types represent the different business transactions, such as Inquiry, Quotation, Sales Order, etc. To create new sales order type, always copy as with reference to similar sales order. If possible use standard sales order.

2. Define Number Ranges For Sales Documents: Maintain number range with discussion with core team.

3. Assign Sales Area To Sales Document Types:

A. Combine sales organizations / Combine distribution channels / Combine divisions: Ensure to maintain these, else Sales Order creation will give error.

B. Assign sales order types permitted for sales areas: Assign only required Sales Order Types to required Sales Area. This will minimize selection of Sales Order Type as per sales area.

Sales Document Item:

1. Define Item Categories: If possible use Standard Item Category. Incase if required to create new, copy as from standard & maintain New.

2. Assign Item Categories: If possible, use standard. Formula for deriving item category: Sales Document Type + Item Category Group + Usage + Higher Level Item Category = Item Category

Schedule Line:

1. Define Schedule Line Categories: If possible use Standard Schedule Lines. Incase if required to create new, copy as from standard & maintain New.

2. Assign Schedule Line Categories: If possible, use standard. Formula for deriving Schedule Line: Item Category + MRP Type / No MRP Type.

Step 2:

IMG > Logistic Execution > Shipping > Deliveries >

1. Define Delivery Types: If possible use Standard Delivery Type. Incase if required to create new, copy as from standard & maintain New.

2. Define Item Categories for Deliveries: If possible use Standard Item Categories for Delivery Type. Incase if required to create new, copy as from standard & maintain New.

3. Define Number Ranges for Deliveries: Ensure to maintain number range.

Step 3:

IMG > Sales and Distribution > Billing >

1. Define Billing Types: If possible use Standard Billing Type. Incase if required to create new, copy as from standard & maintain New.

2. Define Number Range For Billing Documents: Ensure to maintain number range.

3. Maintain Copying Control For Billing Documents: Maintain relevant copy controls such as Sales Order to Billing, Deliver to Billing, etc.

The configuration differs from scenario to scenario & requirement of the client.

reward points if helpful,

regards,

seshu.

[Former Member]

Hi Seshu,

Thanks a Ton for the update.

Will expect similar more from you friend.

Best Regards

Supratim

[Former Member]

hi supratim,

reward points if helpful my answer to u.

regards,

seshu.

[Former Member]

Hi Dutta,

welcome to SAP WORLD, For basics you need to goto institute and gain good basic knowledge and keep a track on sdn.sap.com, with in 4 months you will be stong on subject...

ALL THE BEST...

Ramki

[Former Member]

hai,

sap is a erp package , as a consultant you should be able to map the buisness

process of a particular module to the limits of sap.always buiness process should

be top most in our mind,how it happens,how itis dealt in real life & how it is to be mapped in SAP, is what exactly as a consultant u should be knowing.

always keep track of SDN FORUMS as expert opinions can be sought and u can come across various real time scenarios.

ALL THE BEST FOR YOUR COURSE.

HAPPY LEARNING.

regards

sriram.