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| Owner | |
| Stakeholders |
Issue
Currently Syensqo has multiple SAP systems (WPX, WP1 and PF1) and a single material can be represented in different systems with a different Material Master number.
Recommendation
To balance global standardization with critical business constraints, Syensqo will adopt a hybrid material numbering approach (Option 3):
• All material masters, except those belonging to the Composite Materials GBU (ZDIR: raw, semi-finished, and finished products), will be assigned new material numbers from the global number range as part of the migration to S/4HANA.
• Composite Materials will retain their legacy material numbers to avoid triggering regulatory or customer requalification processes.
• A robust mapping and governance framework will be established to ensure seamless integration and traceability between legacy and new material numbers.
This approach enables the program to advance with standardization for the majority of materials while mitigating significant business risk for qualified Composite Materials.
Background & Context
Currently Syensqo has multiple SAP systems (WPX, WP1 and PF1) and a single material can be represented in different systems with a different Material Master number.
Assumptions
N/A
Constraints
N/A
Impacts
Legacy Data – Master data
All dependent master data ex: BOM's etc.. will be updated with the new material numbers.
Legacy Data – Transactions
Any historical data that is migrated to the new S/4 system will be updated with the new material numbers
Any catalogs (internal / 3rd party hosted on Ariba network) will be updated with the new material numbers
Legacy Data – Interfaces
Mappings to the customer / vendor material numbers will be updated with the new material numbers
Stock Valuation
There might be an impact on the stock valuation when there is de-duplication of materials with different valuations
Downstream systems
Any downstream system using the material master numbers will be updated with the new material numbers or by creating a mapping table with the old and new material numbers
Change Management
Training material will describe how the users can search and find the material using the old material number
Communication
Communication will be sent to customers / vendors / 3rd party system owners using material master number
Business Rules
Material master number will be internally assigned by the system with no intelligence
Options considered
Option 1 – Do not change the legacy material numbers
Materials from the legacy systems are copied into the new S/4 system without de-duplication.
Advantages:
- No impact on legacy data
- No impact on vendors and customers as material numbers don’t change
Disadvantages:
- Significant duplication of material masters
- No global view of material data
- Sub optimal supply chain planning
- Incorrect inventory levels
- Incorrect reporting
Option 2 – Create all valid Material Masters with new number ranges
As a part of this option, the material masters are de-duplicated, and one material master is created per valid material. The material numbers are automatically assigned by the system and are sequential with no intelligence.
- Clean set of de-duplicated material masters
- Optimal supply chain planning
- Correct inventory level across the globe
- Correct reporting
Disadvantages:
- Additional one-time effort for de-duplication
- Additional one-time effort by the downstream system to adopt the new material master numbers or to incorporate a mapping table between old and new numbers
Option 3 – Hybrid Numbering Approach (Composite Materials Exception)
- All materials except those from Composite Materials GBU (ZDIR: raw, semi-finished, finished) are assigned new S/4HANA material numbers from the global number range.
- Composite Materials retain legacy material numbers to avoid triggering requalification.
- Mapping tables and governance are implemented to manage mixed numbering in S/4.
Advantages
- Maintains compliance and avoids costly qualification impacts for Composite Materials.
- Enables global standardization for the majority of materials.
- Reduces overall implementation risk while maintaining project momentum.
Disadvantages
- Increased complexity in data migration (dual numbering strategy).
- Additional effort in interface mapping and reporting structures.
Evaluation
Based on the evaluation of the options, Option 2 is recommended. All Syensqo's materials (finished, semi-finished, raw materials, spares etc.) will be represented by a unique material master number which will be assigned from a new number range. For ease of search, the newly created material number will have the reference to the old material numbers.
| Factor | Option 1 - Do not change the legacy material numbers | Option 2 - Create all valid Material Masters with new number ranges |
|---|---|---|
| Alignment with project charter - Standardization and Simplification |  No standardization and simplification |  Aligns with the standardization and simplification principle |
| Operational Efficiency | No Operational efficiency | Increased operation efficiency e.g. supply chain planning etc.. |
| Reporting | In accurate / fragmented reporting | Accurate global reporting e.g. stock etc.. |
| Change Impact | Low, data must still be migrated | High due to the reasons above mentioned |
| Integration Impact | Low | One time cleansing or mapping activity in downstream systems |
See also
