Mapping of enterprise structure

Question

Dear Experts,
             Right now i am doing implementation project in aluminium metal plant.Now we are in the 2nd phase of the project.So i have to map the enterprise structure of the plant.
           There are main 5 departments in the plant GAP,BAKE OVEN,RODDING,POTROOM,CASTING.Here all the departments finished products are interrelated,like GAP finished goods will go to BAKE OVEN. BAKE OVEN finished goods will go to RODDING.RODDING finihed goods will move to POTROOM.POTROOM molten metal will move to CASTHOUSE,and finally metal from CASTHOUSE will go to customers.
         So here how can i map this scenario, like i have to create 5 plants for 5 departments or 5 sections?
Regards,
Prashantha

Answer 1

Greetings Prashantha,
You need to approach this from a functional perspective. Define what is the Plant in SAP. A Plant is a location, which has an address, a language, time zone etc. and for this Plant the maintenance is planned as a whole on some level. Many configurations in PM are done on Plant level. Also, note that the Material Master data is maintained on Plant level.
So taking this all into account, consider whether those elements are different for the 5 Departments you mention? I would venture a guess "no". Your departments will have distinct Functional Location hierarchy branches, distinct Planner Groups, their own Work Centres, perhaps their own Storage Locations, but I assume they will have the same processes, the same Company Code, the same high-level Maintenance Planning Plant, the same Order Types. So it is probably reasonable to use Plant Sections, Planner Groups etc. to differentiate below the Plant level.
But of course, this is dependent on your business and how it is organised.