The previous blog explored the master data setup of supersession chains . In addition to Supersession Chains, Product Interchangeability supports Form-Fit-Function (FFF) Class, which group products that are fully interchangeable. This blog explains how to create and maintain FFF Class master data
Maintenance of FFF Class
Users can create FFF Collections to group products that are identical in form, fit, and function and can therefore be used interchangeably.
Collection General Information
The General Information section defines the consuming applications relevant for the FFF Collection.
FFF Classes support:
- Advanced Available-to-Promise (aATP)
- Extended Service Parts Planning (eSPP)
Note: FFF Class is not relevant for PP/DS
Group Assignment
Like Supersession Chains, FFF Collections can be assigned to groups to support Advanced ATP determination.
Groups are mandatory for aATP-relevant collections and can be reused from the Manage Groups – Product Substitution application
FFF Class Products
Fully interchangeable products are maintained in the FFF Components section.
Each FFF Class contains a designated Lead Product
FFF Subsets
An FFF Subset represents a location-specific subset of products derived from the global FFF Class.
Subsets are identified by unique names within a collection and support demand consolidation for service parts planning scenarios. Each subset requires a lead product.
Multiple subsets can exist within a single FFF Collection, enabling organizations to model location-specific planning requirements while maintaining a common FFF structure.
Note: No two subsets within the same collection can have the same location
Data Visualization
FFF Collections can be visualized using the product network graph feature, where all products belonging to the same FFF Class are displayed as a connected group of interchangeable products.
Key visualization features include:
- Application-specific edge coloring
- Lead product highlighting
- Product and collection based filtering
- Navigation to connected Supersession Chains using the Display SSC Collections filter
- Distinct edge types for active and inactive collections
Conclusion
FFF Class provides a powerful mechanism for modelling fully interchangeable products, supporting both ATP and service parts planning scenarios. Combined with Supersession Chains, they form a comprehensive Product Interchangeability framework capable of supporting a wide range of supply chain requirements
For a comprehensive list of features and highlights, refer Product Interchangeability in SAP S/4HANA
Source link
