Convert sales orders to deliveries based on a release date

Question

We are needing a way to control the launch date of a material in SAP.  We want to be able to enter the order, but do not want the orders to drop until a specific launch date.  For example, we may be entering orders for 2012 product in January but do not want them to drop until November 1st.  We want the ATP to be confirmed for November 1st.  We have had many ideas including the ones below.  I am not a big fan of using blocks because they have to be added and removed manually.  Have any of you experts ran across this issue before, and do you have any suggestions.  Is it as simple as using the requested delivery date on the order.
1. Use the Distribution chain specific material status located in the material master, Sales 1 view.
2. Use the Exclusion (Listing/Exclusion) functionality with a validity date. This one will prevent the use of the material up to a specified date. No manual maintenance is required after setting it up. Once the specified end date is reached, the exclusion no longer applies.
3. Create a new Schedule Line Category for these materials with an automatic delivery block. This won't prevent the material to be entered into the order, but it will be blocked for delivery. When time comes, mass maintenance at sales orders having this specific SLC changed to the standard one, and re-ATP.
4. Set up a new Checking Group for Availability Check, similar to 02, but not taking into account the replenishment lead time (RLT), so the material won't be available until it is released and procured. This won't prevent the material to be entered into the order, but it won't be available for delivery.
Thanks,
Mark

Answer 1

I suggest to go with option 3, schedule line category with delivery block to tie with an item category. When the sales order is created, the user can select the item category, so the relevant schedule line will be automatically populated with delivery block. When there is a release, the item categories of the line items can be changed to regular item category, thereby the quantities will be confirmed. Of course as an one item settings, the item category and schedule line categories needs to be configured at the backend.
Regards,