Item Category Determination (VOV4)is the system process in SAP SD that automatically assigns an item category to each item in a sales document based on predefined criteria. This category determines how the item will be handled in the sales process.
When working with sales documents in SAP Sales and Distribution, understanding how to determine the item category is crucial. The item category is pivotal as it influences how each item in a sales document is processed. This determination is essential for proper functioning and customization of sales processes in SAP SD. Let’s explore this process step by step.
Components Involved in Item Category Determination
The determination of an item category in a sales document involves three main components:
Step 3: The System’s Determination Process
Based on the combination of the sales document type, Item category group, Item Usage and Higher Level Item Category from the material master, the system automatically determines the appropriate Item category. The Transaction code for Item category Determination in SAP Sd is VOV4.
Let’s take a practical example:
- For a material that falls under the item category group ‘NORM‘, the system will determine different item categories based on the sales document type.
- For an inquiry (IN), it might determine the item category ‘AFN‘, while for a standard order (OR), it would typically determine ‘TAN‘.
Step 1: Identifying the Sales Document Type and Material
Every sales document in SAP SD, such as an inquiry or a standard order, has a specific type. This type, along with the material involved, plays a key role in determining the item category.
- For instance, there’s a sales document type for inquiries and the document type is “IN” and another for standard sales order, the document type is “OR“.
| Type of Processing | Sales Document | Document Type |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-sales | Inquiry | IN |
| Quotation | QT | |
| Free-of-charge delivery | FD | |
| Sales orders | Standard sales order | OR |
| Cash sale | BV | |
| Rush order | SO | |
| Outline agreements | Quantity contract | CQ |
| Maintenance contract | WV | |
| Rental contract | MV | |
| Scheduling agreement | DS | |
| Complaints | Credit memo request | CR |
| Debit memo request | DR | |
| Subsequent delivery, free-of-charge | SD | |
| Returns | RE |
Step 2: Understanding the Item Category Group in the Material Master
In your material master record, an item category group is defined. This group provides additional context for the item category determination. Below are the some of the main Item Category groups in Standard SAP System.
| Item Category Group | Description |
|---|---|
| NORM | Standard Items |
| BANS | Third Party |
| BANC | Individual Purchase Order |
| 0001 | Make to Order |
| ERLA | BOM Header Pricing |
| LUMF | BOM Item Pricing |
| DIEN | Service with Delivery |
| LEIS | Service without Delivery |
| HAWA | Trading Goods |
| VERP | Packaging |
Example:- In the standard SAP System setup, the item category group ‘NORM‘ is usually designated for standard materials that are kept in stock. On the other hand, the group ‘DIEN‘ is typically used for services and non-stock materials.
Step 3: The System’s Determination Process
Based on the combination of the sales document type, Item category group, Item Usage and Higher Level Item Category from the material master, the system automatically determines the appropriate Item category. The Transaction code for Item category Determination in SAP Sd is VOV4.
Let’s take a practical example:
- For a material that falls under the item category group ‘NORM‘, the system will determine different item categories based on the sales document type.
- For an inquiry (IN), it might determine the item category ‘AFN‘, while for a standard order (OR), it would typically determine ‘TAN‘.
- Sales Document Type: Examples include Standard Order (OR), Quotation (QT), etc.
- Item Category Group: Found in the material master, this group helps classify materials.
- Higher-Level Item Category: Used in scenarios where an item is a sub-item.
Step 1: Identifying the Sales Document Type and Material
Every sales document in SAP SD, such as an inquiry or a standard order, has a specific type. This type, along with the material involved, plays a key role in determining the item category.
- For instance, there’s a sales document type for inquiries and the document type is “IN” and another for standard sales order, the document type is “OR“.
| Type of Processing | Sales Document | Document Type |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-sales | Inquiry | IN |
| Quotation | QT | |
| Free-of-charge delivery | FD | |
| Sales orders | Standard sales order | OR |
| Cash sale | BV | |
| Rush order | SO | |
| Outline agreements | Quantity contract | CQ |
| Maintenance contract | WV | |
| Rental contract | MV | |
| Scheduling agreement | DS | |
| Complaints | Credit memo request | CR |
| Debit memo request | DR | |
| Subsequent delivery, free-of-charge | SD | |
| Returns | RE |
Step 2: Understanding the Item Category Group in the Material Master
In your material master record, an item category group is defined. This group provides additional context for the item category determination. Below are the some of the main Item Category groups in Standard SAP System.
| Item Category Group | Description |
|---|---|
| NORM | Standard Items |
| BANS | Third Party |
| BANC | Individual Purchase Order |
| 0001 | Make to Order |
| ERLA | BOM Header Pricing |
| LUMF | BOM Item Pricing |
| DIEN | Service with Delivery |
| LEIS | Service without Delivery |
| HAWA | Trading Goods |
| VERP | Packaging |
Example:- In the standard SAP System setup, the item category group ‘NORM‘ is usually designated for standard materials that are kept in stock. On the other hand, the group ‘DIEN‘ is typically used for services and non-stock materials.
Step 3: The System’s Determination Process
Based on the combination of the sales document type, Item category group, Item Usage and Higher Level Item Category from the material master, the system automatically determines the appropriate Item category. The Transaction code for Item category Determination in SAP Sd is VOV4.
Let’s take a practical example:
- For a material that falls under the item category group ‘NORM‘, the system will determine different item categories based on the sales document type.
- For an inquiry (IN), it might determine the item category ‘AFN‘, while for a standard order (OR), it would typically determine ‘TAN‘.