Purpose

When a customer places an order for a material and requests that the material be
delivered to him on a specific date. This delivery date can only be confirmed after ensuring
the material availability after considering all the inward as well as out ward stock
movements
The availability check shall happen and take into account the respective activities that
must be carried before a delivery can take place
Similarly the procurement department is also to be informed on the quantities which
sales require to be able to deliver against the orders received. This information can trigger
production orders for manufacture.
If sufficient quantities are not available to cover the requirements, purchase orders, can
be created in purchasing on the basis of transfer of requirements planning.

use
The Availability Check and Requirement Transfer help to determine delivery date for a
customer.
These also help in determining whether the goods are ready or to be produced or to be
procured externally
We need to ensure that when availability check fails, i.e., when the requested delivery
date cannot be met from the nearest distribution center, then to check in other centers
if goods delivery is possible from one of these centers.
Another important factor to be taken into account is that some customers might be
preferred customers and if availability check fails, provision should be in place to release
goods already reserved for some customer order

Availability Check Overview

Types of Availability Check
Scope of the Availability Check
Availability Check in Sales Order
Control of Availability Check
There are three types of Availability check
Check on the basis of Available To Promise (ATP) Quantities: The ATP quantity is
calculated from the warehouse stock, the planned inward movements of stock
(production orders, purchase orders, planned orders) and the planned outward
movements of stock (Sales Orders, deliveries, reservations). This type of check
performed dynamically in the transaction. Planned independent requirement are
not taken into account here.
Check against product allocation: Product allocation facilitates period-based
distribution of products for certain customers or regions. This type of check is
useful in a cases, for example, the production is very low, customer requirement is
high
Check against planning: The check against planning is performed against
independent requirements which are usually created for an anonymous market
rather than being customer specific.

Scope of the Availability Check

The following elements can be included in the availability check:
Stock: Safety stock, Stock in transfer, Stock in quality inspection, blocked stock
Inward movement of goods: Purchase orders, Purchase requisitions, Planned
orders, and Production orders
Inward movement of goods: Purchase orders, Purchase requisitions, Planned
orders, and Production orders
Outward movement of goods: Reservations, Dependent reservations and
requirements, sales and delivery requirements

Availability Check Sales Order

When you create an order, the system determines the required material availability date
on the basis of the customers requested delivery date. On this date you must begin
picking, packing and loading the goods. Therefore this is the date of significance for
requirements planning on which the availability check should be checked
The following data is required for determining this date:
Route from the shipping point to the ship to party
Shipping point from which the goods are issued
 Loading group from the material master record
Weight group determined from the order using the order quantity

Control of Availability Check

The control features specific to Sales and Distribution are:
Checking group: It controls whether the system is to create individual or collective
requirements in sales and shipping processing.The checking group can also be used
to deactivate the availability check. It is proposed in the material master record on
the basis of the material type and the plant, and copied into the sales documents
Checking Rule: The use of Checking rule to control the scope of the availability
check for each transaction in sales and distribution. You also specify the check
should including or excluding replenishment lead time
Schedule line category: Schedule line category controls whether an availability
check and transfer of requirements should be carried out in the sales documents
Delivery item category: The delivery item category can be used to control whether
an availability check takes place in deliveries.

Overview

Requirements class - transaction OVZG

Schedule line category - transaction VOV6
Requirements class assignment to requirements type - OVZH
Strategy assignment to material - transaction MM02
Strategy assignment to strategy group - transaction OPPT
Strategy group assignment to MRP group - transaction OPPU / transaction OPPR
Requirements type assignment to transaction - transaction OVZI
Availability check control - transaction OVZJ
Delivery item category - transaction 0VLP

Availability check configuration

Create Requirements class and Activate TOR and Availability Check
If an ATP check should be carried out in sales documents you have to activate the ATP
check in the requirements class (transaction OVZG) and in the schedule line category
(transaction VOV6). The availability check has to be flagged in both transactions. If one of
these flags is not set then the availability check will not be carried out!
The requirements class also controls the transfer of requirements. Transfer of
requirements means that the requirements are passed to MRP and that means that you
have records in table VBBE or VBBS. Transaction MD04 and Co09 are working with these
two tables. So if you do not have a transfer of requirements then the ATP check in a new
.e.g. sales order does not consider already existing sales documents.
As the ATP check transfer of requirements must be activated for the requirements class
and for the schedule line category. Both flags have to be set in order to achieve a transfer
of requirements.

The requirements class is the controlling factor for the availability check and transfer of
requirements for all sales documents types. The system uses the entries at requirements
class level as a default and brings the data into the sales order.
To activate/deactivate the availability check and transfer of requirements at the
requirement class level, use transaction code OVZG, or follow the menu path IMG Sales
And Distribution Basic Functions Availability Check And Transfer of Requirements
Transfer Of Requirements Define Requirement Classes.
The availability check Avc must be checked.

Requirements class transaction OVZG:

Create Schedule Line Category and Activate TOR and Availability
Check
The schedule line category is used to fine-tune the settings at requirements class level.
When the transfer of requirements is switched on at requirements class level, it can be
switched off at schedule line level. However, you cannot switch on the transfer of
requirements at schedule line level if it is switched off at requirements class level.

Settings for the transfer of requirements specific to schedule lines are only relevant for
sales documentsfor example, the sales order. In the shipping documents, however, the
settings for the requirements class apply.

The transaction code is OVZ8, and the menu path is IMG Sales And Distribution
Basic Functions Availability Check And Transfer Of Requirements Transfer Of
Requirements Define Procedure For Each Schedule Line Category.

You can also activate the availability check and transfer of requirements using the
schedule line category maintenance transaction VOV6:
Define requirement type and assign it to a requirement class
Once the requirements class has been created, you need to define requirements types.
A requirements type is assigned to a single requirements class; however, a requirements
class may be allocated to more than one requirements type. The requirements type is
displayed in the sales order. It is based on the item category and the MRP type of the
material. It is possible to change the requirements type at the time of creating the sales
order.
A requirement type is a four-character key that uniquely identifies a requirement and
helps differentiate requirements from one another. The transaction code is OVZH, and
the menu path is IMG Sales And Distribution Basic Functions Availability Check
And Transfer Of Requirements Transfer Of Requirements Define Requirement
Types.

After defining the requirement type, you should assign it to the requirement class
(Transaction Code OVZH ).

The requirements type determination

Once this assignment has been made proceed to - determination of requirement types
using transaction.
Without a requirements class in the sales or shipping document no ATP check will be
carried out. The system allows the standard search strategy and two alternate search
strategies. This is helpful for the customers who wish to base their requirements
type/class on the sales process (triggered by the item category) rather than being limited
by using only the planning characteristics of the material (= production process).
Menu Path: IMG > Sales and Distribution > Basic Functions > Availability Check and
Transfer of Requirements > Transfer of Requirements > Determination of requirement
types using transaction
Here you assign the requirements type to the relevant item category in the sales order
and MRP type found on the material master record. The MRP type is used in the material
master to determine how a material is plannedfor example, automatic reorder point
planning, manual reorder point planning, forecast-based planning, no planning, etc.
Standard search strategy
The system uses a series of checks to determine the requirements type. The sequence
of checks are called a search strategy.

Step 1:
First, an attempt is made to find a requirements type using the strategy group in the
material master (MRP 3 view).
Strategy group configuration is in the following node: Production > Material
Requirements Planning > Master Data > Independent Requirements Parameters >
Planning Strategy > Define Strategy Group (Tcode OPPT)
Strategy group is assigned to a strategy, which is assigned to requirement type in the node
below.Production > Material Requirements Planning > Master Data > Independent
Requirements Parameters > Planning Strategy > Define Strategy (tcode OPPS)

The requirements type is defaulted from the strategy group in transaction OPPT. The
details of the strategy group can be viewed within transaction OPPS.
Step 2:
If the strategy group has not been maintained in material master, the system will
determine it using the MRP group.
Determine strategy group from MRP group (in material master MRP 1 view)
Production > Material Requirements Planning > MRP Groups > Carry Out Overall
Maintenance of MRP Groups (TCode OPPR).
Continue with step 1

The plant and the MRP group are used to determine the strategy group, which will
determine the requirements type (using the method described above). This configuration
is found within transaction OPPU.
Step 3:
If the MRP group has not been defined, the system uses the material type instead of the
MRP group.
Determine MRP group from material type in the following node.
Production > Material Requirements Planning > MRP Groups > Define MRP Group for Each
Material Type (TCode OMIG)
Continue with step 2

Step 4:
If no requirements type is found here, the system assumes a special rule and attempts to
find a requirements type with the aid of the item category and the MRP type.
The configuration is in the following node:
Sales and Distribution > Basic Functions > Availability Check and Transfer of Requirements
> Transfer of Requirements > Determination Of Requirement Types Using Transaction
(TCode OVZI)

Step 5:
If this is not possible, a last attempt is made to find a requirements type with the item
category only.
From item category and blank MRP type in the following node:
Sales and Distribution > Basic Functions > Availability Check and Transfer of Requirements
> Transfer of Requirements > Determination Of Requirement Types Using Transaction
(TCode OVZI)

Step 6:
Finally, if the system has been unable to determine a requirements type by using the steps
above, the system will leave the field blank in the sales document or declares the
transaction as not relevant for the availability check or transfer of requirements.

Alternate search strategies

Item category and MRP type field Q = 1
The standard search is performed and the entry from OVZI (Item category + MRP type) is
used as the requirements type even if this is not a valid requirements type from the
standard search. It is still possible to enter different requirements types manually, since
more than one valid requirements type is possible because there can be several strategies
within a strategy group.

Item Category and MRP Type with validity check field Q = 2

The standard search is performed and then the requirements type from OVZI (Item
Category + MRP type) is used ONLY if it is valid from the standard search method. If the
entry from OVZI is not valid then the requirements type derived from the standard search
method is used.

Note: The requirements class you will find in table VBEP (transaction SE16). The fields
are BDART and PLART. The fields must be combined to get the actual requirements
class.
Example:
BDART = 04
PLART = 1
Requirements class = 041
The requirements type you will find in the sales order on the tab Procurement or in
table VBAP field BEDAE.

Defining Material Block for other users

IMG> Sales & Distribution> Basic Functions> Availability Check & TOR> Availability
Check> Availability Check with ATP Logic or Against Planning> Define Material Block For
Other Users
Block quantity required can be set if you want several users to be able to process the
material simultaneously in different transactions without blocking each other.
Defining material block for other users the block check box is an indicator that enables
you to block material master records of a particular material during the availability check
and restrict other users from accessing same master record and reserve the material. If
the block is not set, two users can confirm the same material at the same time for two
different orders, not knowing if the stock is available or not. If you select this field, the
material is blocked during the availability check and other users cannot:
a) Make changes in the material master record.
b) Create purchase orders for the material.
C) Create orders for the material
Tick the Block checkbox to block a particular material from being checked for vailability
if it is being checked at the same time by another user. This ensures two sers cannot
confirm the same quantity for the same material at the same time.

Define Checking Groups (OVZ2)

System performs availability check on basis of checking rule and checking group
combination which is assigned in material master.
The checking group determines whether and how the system checks the stock availability
and generates requirements for material planning. The checking group defines what type
of requirements will be passed on i.e. summarized requirements (daily/weekly) or
individual requirements for each sales order.
Checking groups are introduced into the sales order based on the setting in the material
master record.
SAP standard checking groups are 01 summarized requirements and 02 individual
requirements or you can create your own by copying the standard ones.
A checking group must be defined in the material master record in the MRP3 screen in
the availability check field.
Use standard SAP checking group 01 for daily requirements and 02 for individual
requirements. In order to create new group, copy an existing group, change the name
(ensure that the name starts with Z) and description to your preference
IMG> Sales & Distribution> Basic Functions> Availability Check & TOR>Availability Check>
Availability Check with ATP Logic or Against Planning> Define Checking Groups
Checking rule
The checking rule applies to how the availability check is to be carried out at the
transaction level. Note that you must define checking rules for each individual application
such as for production orders for example. In Sales and Distribution, the checking rule is
specified internally within the system and cannot be changed.

The checking rule, in conjunction with the checking group, determines the scope of the
availability check for every business operation; that is, which stocks, receipts and issues
are to be included in the availability check and whether the check is to be carried out with
or without the replenishment lead time.

The checking rule for sales documents is hard coded. This means that sales documents
will be always checked with checking rule 'A'.
If you are working with special stocks then the checking rule is A + special stock
indicator (e.g. AE, AW, etc.).
If you would like to use an own checking rule then you can change it in user exit
EXIT_SAPLATPC_001, enhancement ATP00001.
Exception: In case of rush orders the system uses checking rule B instead of A.

Scope of check: Control of Availability Check

IMG> Sales & Distribution> Basic Functions> Availability Check & TOR> Availability Check>
Availability Check with ATP Logic or Against Planning>Carry Out Control For Availability
Check
We indicate what stock in hand, which inward and outward stock movements should be
taken into consideration while carrying out availability check.
The control group specifies in combination with the checking rule the scope of availability
check.
Defining Procedure for Each Schedule Line Category

Determining the Procedure for Each Delivery Item Category

IMG> Sales & Distribution> Basic Functions> Availability Check & TOR> Availability
Check> Availability Check with ATP Logic or Against Planning>Determine Procedure For
Each Delivery Item Category
Here we have the option for switching off availability check. This option is used for
return items.
Defining the default setting ( Automatic ATP check)
IMG> Sales & Distribution> Basic Functions> Availability Check & TOR> Availability
Check> Availability Check with ATP Logic or Against Planning> Define Default Settings
Transaction OVZJ:
Here we define default setting for each sales area. You can control which result of the
ATP check should be taken over in case of an automatic ATP check.
Following options are available:

One-time delivery on the requested delivery date

When the requested delivery date can be kept then the system will take over that
result. In case of only a partial quantity is available then the system will take over that.
If the requested delivery date cannot be met as you have nothing available or only on a
later date available then the confirmed quantity is set to 0.

Complete delivery
The system checks whether the whole quantity can be delivered together. If the system
can confirm the whole requested quantity on a later date then this result will be taken
over. If the system determines that complete delivery cannot be made at a later date,
no date will be proposed.

Delivery proposal

The system accepts partial deliveries on different dates.

This setting is especially important where the ATP check is carried out in the background
as e.g. during the rescheduling, Idoc or Bapi processing.

Settings for Shipping

For deliveries you have to check the settings for the item category in transaction 0VLP.
Here the availability check has to be activated.

In addition to that also the ATP check has to be activated in the requirements class. The
requirement class of a delivery you can find in table LIPS (transaction SE16) field
BEDAR_LF.
If you are using batch split items then please consider that it is possible to have a
different item category for the batch item than for the main item. In this case you have
to check the settings for the batch item category as well.
The checking rule for deliveries is hard coded to B. The checking rule can be changed
via the same user exit as for the sales orders.

Master data setups for availability check

SAP Menu> Sales & Distribution> Master Data> Products> Material> Trading Goods>
MM01 Create
A checking group must be defined in the Availability Check field in the MRP 3 screen
of the material master.

Plant must be assign with sales order

A plant must be determined in the sales order for the line item. It can either be proposed
from the customer material info or customer master or material master or can be
proposed manually in the document.
SAP Menu -> Logistics -> Sales & Distribution -> Sales ->Order -> VA01 -Create
Carryout availability check in sales order
In the sales menu you select Environment -> Availability Overview to display availability
status for a material with reference to the plant and checking rule
To check the availability over follow menu path Logistics ->Materials Management ->
Environment -> Stock -> Availability Overview (CO09)
An advantage of this availability overview will show sales order quantity, sales order
number, an line item number, and requirement class for each schedule line for which
demand is created
During order creation, availability check can be carried out by clicking on the button as
shown in the screenshot. We can also display item availability as shown in the screen shot.
On the Availability Control screen, we can choose between the following delivery
proposals:
1. One-time delivery on the requested delivery date
2. Complete delivery
3. Delivery proposal: In this section, the system checks whether and for which dates
partial deliveries can be made.
On the Availability Overview screen, we can view:
1. Availability Checking Group and Checking Rule.
2. Scope of Check
3. Quantity available and simulated requirements and the number of storage
location

In the delivery document, we can go to the availability overview screen by using the path:
Environment Availability. The availability overview screen is shown as the second
screenshot in the previous slide.
Availability of a material can be displayed as below:
Stock for a material by storage location and plant :
SAP Menu -> Logistics -> Materials Management ->Environment -> Stock-> MMBE
Stock Overview

To check Stock Availability for a material by plant

SAP Menu -> Logistics -> Materials Management ->Environment -> Stock-> MB53 Stock
of Material by Plant