SRM and MDM for material master in SRM contracts for multiple R/3

Question

Dear all,
my question is:
We are implementing SRM 4.0 in classic scenario with multiple R/3 back-end and we want to set-up Global Outline Agreements in SRM in a multi-backend environment where the Material Master are not harmonized.
We heard that MDM and COntent Integraton can be a solution.
Then detailled question is:
Can we have 2 material numbers (e.g. ABC and XYZ) in 2 different R/3 systems refering the same product.
Have the mapping done in MDM (Content Integrator?) to a third material number:123
Replicating the material master 123 to SRM from MDM(?)
Create global Outline Agreements in SRM for Material Master 123.
Distribute the GOA as Outline Agreement to R/3 system 1 with the translation to ABC and to R/3 system 2 with the translation XYZ, all of that during the distribution step (or another).
Have the call-offs quantities correct on 123 in SRM and BW?
IF yes, how is it working, do you have some documentation discribing the scenario and the config steps to do?
Thanks in avance

Answer 1

Hello RD,
That's a good question.
You are on the right way. MDM is the tool for you.
But..
Content Integrator (CI) was first developped for Shell, to address the need of cross-referencing of material/supplier/category IDs, for:
- reporting purpose (actual Spend Analysis)
- mapping purpose (send of XML PO)
CI was later "fusionned" into the new MDM (1.0) solution.
So now, you can not order CI without MDM (even if some SRM slides still present CI).
But mapping API where developped for all inboud/outbound interfaces in SRM, for materials only (good luck for you).
You will find everywhere this piece of code:
  Call ECI
    CALL FUNCTION 'BBP_PRODUCT_MAP'
      TABLES
        it_input          = lt_mapping_in
        et_output         = lt_mapping_out
      EXCEPTIONS
        logsys_not_found  = 1
        driver_not_found  = 2
        product_not_found = 3
        internal_error    = 4
        OTHERS            = 5.
So it is ok, you have the mapping call, but I don't know if all the rest of the process was really "finalized" (call of API mapping in CI, via XI). I personnaly never used it, but I assume it should work.
I my opinion your process is supported by SAP:
- Extract materials from both R/3 and consolidate them as a single product in MDM.
- Distribute this product into SRM.
- Maintain contracts on those products.
- Distribute them to R/3 (The ECI call is also used during contract distribution).
- Call offs corrects in SRM and BW
For MDM documentation, look at netweaver area of service.sap.com.
For MDM/SRM integration, look at SRM 4.0 spend analysis:
https://websmp206.sap-ag.de/~sapdownload/011000358700004424262004E/GlobalSpendOverview.ppt
For SRM contract distribution, call-offs, BW, look at SRM in details in service.sap.com/srm/SRM4.0:
https://websmp206.sap-ag.de/~sapdownload/011000358700001966382004E/contracten.ppt
For SRM5.0, see online help on help.sap.com.
Rgds
Christophe