Question:
Hello, I have some confusion about sample management. I know there is a field called storage location in the sample. Can you tell me what's mean about that?
Now I meet a critical problem in QM. I just want to transfer the sample to another location . But this is impossible in normal inspection because SAP don't have the function. Can you tell me whether sample management can meet my requirement? For details, I received the goods 1000 pcs in the location 0001, and I should draw 30 pcs to inspect according to the inspection plan. Now I want to transfer the 30 pcs to another location 0002. Can I complete it?
Answer:
Hi,
see what the SAP documentation says about the field:
When a sample is automatically created as a result of a goods movement,
the system suggests the storage location for the inventory posting as
the storage location for the physical sample.
To change the storage location, use transaction Change physical sample
This change is only used for documentation purposes and does not affect
the inventory management function.
I think that makes it clear and shows that there is only poor integration. If case you want a 'hard' psting to a different storage location, you must apply a stock transfer to post the 30 pieces to a different SL. There is no inventory management of pyhsical samples and from my knowledge also not planned.
What is the intention having the 30 pieces in a different SL. Are the still useable/saleable, will they be returned after inspection?
You should also check OSS note 489392 and 521914 regarding the sample quantity to be reduced for the quantity posting when performing the UD with open longterm characteristics. SAP introduced witgh the following patches an extension which reduced the quantity as described above:
SAPKH46C29 for 4.6C
SAPKH46B38 for 4.6B
SAPKH45B50 for 4.5B
SAPKH40B72 for 4.0B
From what SAP did, you may see what and where to change something, but keep in mind that this would be a modification. Any other solution, e.g. userexits, would require a more detailed analysis and background information.
Maybe you can bring some light on that to understand the process.
Regards
QM-Dude
Answer:
Might you consider using reserves for your samples? In configuration you can specify the storage location for reserves as 0002. This then can't be changed by your users. They are trained to post the sample qty then to the reserves and the remaining lot quantity to wherever you want it to normally go.
Craig
Answer:
Thanks both of you.
I just believe the sample SL. is only for reserve after inspection. Now in order to take inspection, I need draw the sample from the inspection lot. And after I inspected, I will return it to the lot. How can I complete it in the system?
In another words, the inspection lot is 100 pcs in the location 0001, I will take the sample which quantity is 13 pcs into location 0002. How?
Answer:
Hi,
I am afraid there is no standard way. You may be capable to change the storage location of the sample by applying the following user exit:
QPRS0005
_________________________________________________
You can use this enhancement to create additional data for the physical
sample during automatic generation.
In the function module EXIT_SAPLQPRS_008, inspection lot data exists in
the I_QALS structure, data for the physical-sample drawing in the I_QPRN
structure, and data for the sample master record in the I_QPRS
structure.
Only fields for the Include CI_QPRS can be changed. For this reason
re-create the structure in the dictionary and add the required fields to
the structure.
The data is saved automatically when you save the sample master record.
Sample quantities are not inventory relevant. If you want to track the samples according to the storage location as stored in table QPRS, you go the way described above and use the QM transactions to track the samples.
You must apply another userexit or a UD follow-up to change the storage loaction again.
Sorry, I don't see the benefit doing so. What is the business case?
Regards
QM-Dude
Answer:
O, It seems a problem to SAP.
In our company , the inspector must be responsible for the quantity of the sample. Because they will take the sample out of the warehouse, so our stock keeper cann't take responsibility for them.
If we didn't implement sample management, how can we arrive that?
Answer:
Hi,
it's nopt a problem but a missing integration...
Anyhow, still I have problems understanding your issue. You perform a goods receipt, the quantity goes to QI stock (?) and the samples will be calculated. Stock including samples are controlled by QA. Where is the problem? When the quantity goes to unrestricted stock directly, but some samples are in the QA department, the quantity shown by e.g. MMBE is not fully available because of the missing samples. So I would apply QI stock to indicate that the quantity is QM controlled. With UD the stock will be released (or not...).
Also, what means resposnible for you? What should the system do for you/your company? Arem't we talking about an organizational issue here? Are the samples valuable/precious?
In case you work without QI stock you may (...) apply an userexit to start a transfer posting of the sample quantity from SLoc A to Sloc B. Otherwise use the transfer of QI stock applying QAC2. All that can be done manually or with some programming automatically. But from my knowledge, SAP does not provide such a split of GR into several Sloc's by standard.
Sample Management is the right choice for those inspections with variable inspection scope = sample quantity, and where you need mixed samples, and when a reserve sample is required, or you get materials in different packages and you want to control the number of samples to be inspected by package type and/or inspection quantity beside some other aspects.
The usage of samples provides you an own object identifying the sample itself with details not available without sample management. A scenario where we apply sample management is the inspection of e.g. 5 out of 10 bags received with GR from procurement. We inspect each second bag. If they are OK, we skip the rest. If one is bad, we sample the rest of them and inspect bag by bag. The idenification of each bag can be stored in the sample master record. Otherwise you have no information what has been sampled before and what needs to be sampled (at least no information in your system, maybe on paper or you make use of fields not intended to be used for that).
So maybe you can still add some more details.
Regards
QM-Dude
Answer:
I think I see where this going. You want to show the sample qty in one Storage location, (being the lab) and the remaining qty in the general storage location but both in QI stock. When inspection is complete, then all materials should go back to unrestricted in the general storage location.
Again, like QM dude I can only imagine a business with high value material needing somthing like this. For instance, maybe a mint pulling coins out for inspection and then returning them for distribuition.
Still, I'm not convinced that you really want to include this in SAP. it really can't still guarantee the security and you can tell from the sample qty's anyway what the lab person should be accountable for.
Craig
Answer:
O, Hello craig.
I do want to show the sample qty in one Storage location, and the remaining qty in the general storage location but both in QI stock.
We didn't have sample management. How to do ?
Answer:
Hi,
we understand your issue. From my knowledge this is not possible with SAP standard.
QM-Dude
Answer:
It's pity!!!
I think SAP should enhance the function.