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Material Master Views in SAP: The Ultimate Guide

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Introduction of Material Master

The material master is a central repository of all the information related to materials in the
SAP system. It is the backbone of many operations, such as buying and managing inventories.
It is the basis for many tasks, including buying, managing inventories, planning production, and making sales. Keeping the material master up to date makes sure that everything runs well and that decisions are made quickly.

Each material master is organized into multiple views, with each view catering to specific
functions or departments, such as accounting, warehouse management, or sales. This guide
provides an in-depth understanding of these views and their role in SAP.

List of Material Master Views

SAP Material Master includes various views that store data based on the material type and
functional requirements. Here are the key views:

Basic Views
Classification View
Sales Organisation Data 1 and 2
Sales General/Plant View
MRP Views (1-4)
Plant Data/Storage Views
Warehouse Management Views
Quality Management View
Accounting Views (1 and 2)
Costing Views (1 and 2)
Purchasing View
Foreign Trade Views
Text Views (Sales, Purchasing)
Additional Data

Each view contains fields specific to its purpose, ensuring that all departments have access
to the information they need.

Detailed Explanation of Key Views

Basic Views

Basic views contain general information about the material.

Material Description: Defines the name or type of material (e.g., LCD TV 40″). It canbe maintained in multiple languages.
Base Unit of Measure (UOM): Specifies the unit in which the material’s stock is managed (e.g., PCS for pieces).
Division: Groups materials into categories like finished goods or services.
Weight and Dimensions: Gross weight, net weight, and unit of weight for shipping
and inventory purposes.

Material group, product hierarchy, and EAN/UPC codes for barcoding and warehouse
management.

Classification View

This view enables material categorization using class types and characteristics.

Use Case: Categorize materials based on properties like size or color (e.g., black TVsor 40-inch screens).
Process: Assign classes to the material and populate characteristic values forsearching and reporting.

Sales Organization Data 1 and 2

These views store sales-related data at the organizational level.Enables materials to be sold through specific sales organizations and distribution channels.

Delivery Unit: Defines the smallest unit for delivery (e.g., 1 pallet = 12 pieces).
Tax Indicator: Specifies tax applicability for internal and external sales.
Product Hierarchy: Groups products for sales analysis.

Account Assignment Group: Links materials to accounting requirements in FI/CO modules.

MRP Views (1-4)

The MRP views manage material planning data for procurement and production.

MRP 1

Planning Type: Specifies how materials are planned (e.g., PD for default MRP).
ABC Indicator: Prioritizes materials for stock availability based on importance.

MRP 2:

Procurement Type: Indicates whether the material is procured internally,externally, or both.
Production Storage Location: Designates the storage area for goods issued or received.

MRP 3:

Strategy Group: Defines planning strategies like make-to-order or make-to-stock.
Consumption Mode: Controls how sales orders consume planned requirements.

MRP 4:

Discontinued Indicator: Flags materials no longer in production.
Storage Location MRP Indicator: Determines if a storage location’s stock is relevant for planning.

Quality Management View

This view handles quality inspection settings for materials.

Inspection Setup: Activates quality inspections for goods receipt or production.
Post to Inspection Stock: Ensures materials undergo inspection before being available for use.
QM Control Key: Defines inspection conditions like blocking invoices until approval.

Accounting Views (1 and 2)

Accounting views determine how materials are valuated and priced.

Valuation Class: Groups materials for accounting purposes (e.g., finished goods vs. trading goods).
Price Control: Indicates pricing method (e.g., S for standard or V for moving average).
Standard Price: Fixed cost per unit used in financial calculations.

Warehouse Management Views

These views are crucial for managing materials in SAP Warehouse Management (WM).

Stock Placement Strategy: Determines where materials are stored upon receipt.
Stock Removal Strategy: Specifies the order of storage areas for picking.
Palletization Data: Details packaging and storage unit types.

Importance of Accurate Maintenance

Accurate maintenance of material master views offers the following benefits:

The Importance of Accurate Maintenance: Accurately maintaining material master views provides significant benefits.
Operational Efficiency: Prevents delays in procurement, production, or sales due to missing or incorrect data.
Regulatory Compliance: Ensures adherence to tax laws, audit requirements, and quality standards.
Cost Savings: Reduces overstocking or stockouts through accurate planning and inventory management.
Data Consistency: Eliminates errors caused by inconsistent or outdated information across modules.

Best Practices for Managing Material Master Data

Centralized Data Governance: Implement processes for consistent data entry and updates.
Regular Data Audits: Periodically review material master data for accuracy and relevance.
Training: Educate employees on the importance of material master data and how to maintain it.
Automation: Use SAP tools like Data Services for mass updates and cleansing.
Version Control: Track changes to material master views for accountability.

Conclusion

Material master views in SAP form the foundation of effective business processes. By
understanding and maintaining these views accurately, organizations can ensure smooth
operations, improve decision-making, and achieve greater efficiency across all functional
areas.

Whether it’s managing procurement, enabling sales, or optimizing warehouse operations,
the material master is a critical component of SAP’s integrated ecosystem. Regular review
and updates are essential to keep the data relevant and operational.

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