Material Master - Introduction and What Material Types are there?

The material master is the starting point for the rest of the modules.

What Material Types are there?

The material types that you use are configured in Customizing for the Material Master under

Logistics Master Data : Material Master -> Material -> Control data -> Define material type attributes.

The following list shows you the material types contained, for example, in the standard SAP R/3 System, and what their different roles are:

DIEN (services)
Services are procured externally and cannot be stored. A material master record of this material type can always contain purchasing data.

FERT (finished products)
Finished products are produced by the company itself. Since they cannot be ordered by Purchasing, a material master record of this material type does not contain purchasing data.

FHMI (production resources/tools)
Production resources/tools are procured externally and used in the manufacture of products. A material master record of this material type can contain purchasing data, but no sales data. It is managed on a quantity basis. Examples of production resources/tools are apparatus, equipment, and measuring and testing devices.

HALB (semifinished products)
Semifinished products can be procured externally (sub-contracting) as well as manufactured in-house. They are then processed by the company. A material master record of this material type can contain both purchasing and work scheduling data.

HAWA (trading goods)
Trading goods are always procured externally and then sold. A material master record of this material type can contain purchasing and sales data.

HIBE (operating supplies)
Operating supplies are procured externally and required for the manufacture of other products. A material master record of this material type can contain purchasing data but no sales data.

NLAG (non-stock material)
Non-stock material is material that is not held in stock because it is consumed immediately. (Office supplies such as stationary. You need to create purchase order and accounting document for payment but the stock balance is always zero as it is issued out immediately to the various department.)

ROH (raw materials)
Raw materials are always procured externally and then processed. Since raw materials cannot be sold, a material master record of this material type contains no sales data.

UNBW (non-valuated materials)
Non-valuated materials are managed on a quantity basis, but not by value.

VERP (packaging materials)
Packaging materials are used to transport goods and come with the goods free of charge. A material master record of this material type is managed both on a quantity basis and by value.

WETT (competitive products)
Competitive products have their own material master records created from the Basic Data view. The competitor's number, which is stored in the material master record, assigns the material to a particular competitor.

SAP MM Reference Books:
SAP Material Management Interview Questions, Certification and Configuration Books

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