As I have mentioned at times I plan to write about issues that SAP end users have asked me about. Something that has come up on several occasions is how to setup and use alternate units of measure on the material master. This question comes up quite a bit when the client &/or end user is new to SAP. Granted most the time the end users are not directly asking about alternate units. But sometimes the solution is using alternate units of measure.

Side Note: If you are a consultant or business analyst, please keep in mind it is our job to come up with solutions. The business should bring you issues &/or new functionality requests but the business should not bring you a solution to implement. Most SAP business users do not have the in depth knowledge of SAP that would allow them to create the best solution. Usually their solution is based on the small piece of SAP they know. This limited knowledge does not allow for the best possible solution.

See end of document for quick overview of using “Unit of Measure Groups”.

Once an alternate unit of measure is setup for a material master it can be used in any unit of measure field in SAP, i.e. other unit of measure fields on material master, purchase order, info records, BOM, production orders, etc.

The alternate unit of measure is maintained in material master via transaction MM02 – Change Material Master. While my goal is that anyone could use the following information to successfully maintain alternate units of measure this is not a step by step instruction manual and will require a solid understanding of transaction MM02 / Material Masters.

A person maintaining the alternate unit of measure should be familiar with using transaction MM02 and should be able to get to the basic view of material master on their own. If not please contact someone who is familiar with MM02 to help you with setting up an alternate unit of measure.

On Basic View of material master select the “Additional Data” icon, see below screen shot.

Select the “Units of measure” tab. Then enter the alternate units with conversion factors.

Depending on your screen resolution you may only be able to see 2 lines. In this case you will need to scroll down for new line or to see other units.   Some monitors will show multiple lines. For this

This screen shot shows 1st & 2nd entry. Make entry on second line. The first line will always be setup with the base unit of measure.   In this scenario FT is the alternate unit of measure and DR is the base unit of measure. In the below screen shot you will see 499 FT = 1 DR.

This screen shot shows the 2nd and 3rd entry. The second alternate unit of measure being setup is ROL. In the below screen shot you will see 1 ROL = 1 DR.

Once alternate units of measure are entered save the material master.

Again once setup the alternate units of measure can be used in any unit of measure field in SAP, with the only exception being the base unit of measure field on the material master.

“Unit of Measure Groups”

You may have noticed the field “Unit of Measure Groups” on the unit of measure tab. In configuration you can setup groups of units of measure to be used in material masters with the same alternate units of measure. This keeps you from having to setup the same alternate units of measure over and over on different material masters.

Configuration Menu Path: Logistic – General > Material Master > Settings for Key Fields > Define Units of Measure Groups

If you have question on this or any other PortSAP Consulting blog please feel free to contact us at Blog@PortSAP.com.  Or if you are looking for Top Quality SAP Consultants please feel free to contact us.

The author, Ray Hornbrook, has over 16 years of SAP functional and technical experience.  Ray started his career in SAP as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) for a SAP implementation in 1998 and is now a senior level SAP Consultant.  Since Ray has worked both sides of SAP, business end user and IT professional, he is able to communicate effectively with both IT and Business team members.  Having a background as an SAP business end user has helped Ray greatly in his consulting career to better communicate with the business members of the team.  As well as helping bridge gaps in communication between the IT and Business team members.

To find out more about Ray Hornbrook please check out his LinkedIn profile by clicking HERE.

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