About the effect for batch level conversion from material to plant level

Question

Dears,
Now  we use batch management at material level in our system, now we want to change to batch level from material level to plant level, what effects or risks it will bring during the process of conversion?
Thanks a lot
Zhongkai

Answer 1

Hi
check the following SAP help link it is very helpful:
http://help.sap.com/saphelp_40b/helpdata/es/d2/1d4b6e5733d1118b3f0060b03ca329/content.htm
at the link you can find the following
Specify batch level and activate status management
In this IMG activity, you specify the following:
the level at which batch numbers are unique
whether batch status management is active in the client
the plants in which batch status management is active
the initial status of new batches
Batch level
Batch numbers can be unique at the following levels:
at plant level
at material level
at client level for a material
If you choose plant level, the batch number is unique in conjunction with the respective material and the plant. If you choose material level, the batch number is unique together with the material. At client level, the batch number is unique in the whole client.
To change the batch level, you have to start a conversion program. This program first checks whether conversion is possible and outputs an error log containing all batch numbers that occur more than once at the new level. Now you need to manually transfer these batch records to numbers within Inventory Management using a transfer posting 'material to material'.
If you change the level from plant level to a higher level, it is possible that batches with the same batch numbers in different plants are actually identical. In this case, all you have to do is remove stocks (including previous period stocks) so that all batches with the same batch numbers, except one, can be reorganized.
When you convert from plant level to material level, the material is then to be handled in batches in all plants in which it is defined.
Standard settings
In the standard R/3 System, batches are unique at plant level.
Activities
To change the batch level, proceed as follows:
      1. Choose the level at which you want your batches to be unique.
      2. Save the new settings and choose Back.
      3. Select function Batch level -> Conversion.
      4. If necessary, carry out the conversion in test mode first.
Further notes
Note that you cannot reset conversion from plant level to a higher level in the standard.
If you create a client by copying an existing client, initially, there are no settings in the target client at batch level. The system makes the settings in the target client only when you have carried out an activity (maintaining master data or posting a goods movement, for example).
SETTINGS BEFORE/AFTER CLIENT COPY:
Source client Target client
Client level Material level
Material level Material level
Plant level Plant level
Batch status management
Batch status management is an additional function provided by the standard R/3 System.
Standard settings
Batch status management is not active in the standard R/3 system.
Activities
To activate batch status management, proceed as follows:
      1. Choose Batch status management active.
      2. Save the new setting and choose Back.
      3. Choose Batch status management -> conversion.
      4. If necessary, carry out the conversion in test mode first.
Further notes
Batch status management is linked to the batch level. At material and at plant level, the status management settings are valid within the client, that is for all plants. However, if you have defined batches to be unique at plant level, you have to select the plants in which status management is to be active using function Plants with status management.
If you activate status management, all existing batches are assigned status 'unrestricted'. If you deactivate status management, the systems transfers all restricted batches to unrestricted stock within conversion. Restricted stock only exists if status management is active.
If you create a client by copying an existing client, status management is automatically activated if batches exist in the target client, independent of the settings in the source client. If no batches exist in the target client, it is not activated. In this case, you have to activate or deactivate status management manually, if required.
Plants with batch status management
Activities
To select the plants in which status management is to be active, proceed as follows:
      1. Set characteristic Batch status management for those plants in which batch status management is to be active.
      2. Save your settings and choose function Back.
      3. Choose function Batch status management -> conversion
      4. If necessary, carry out the conversion in test mode first.
Initial status of a new batch
Using this function, you can specify for each material type which initial status new batches are to be assigned. However, if you use a quality management system, this specifies the status of the batches.
Hope it will help
Best Regards