If you haven't already, please have a look at our previous blog where we explore the core concepts of Product interchangeability. For a comprehensive list of features and highlights, refer Product Interchangeability in SAP S/4HANA
In this blog , we explain the data setup process for Product interchangeability master data using Manage Product Interchangeability fiori application
Manage Product Interchangeability
This fiori application, available with SAP S/4HANA Cloud Private Edition 2025 FPS02, enables master data specialists to maintain Product Interchangeability data for consuming applications such as Advanced Available-to-Promise (aATP), Extended Service Parts Planning (eSPP), and Production Planning and Detailed Scheduling (PP/DS).
Access to the application requires the standard Product Master Specialist role.
Using this application, users can create, maintain, and manage both Supersession Chain Collections and Form-Fit-Function (FFF) Collections. The application is built on the RAP framework and uses OData V4, supporting create, read, update, and delete (CRUD) operations
Collection Overview
The application opens with a standard list report that displays all Product Interchangeability collections available in the system. Separate tabs are provided for Supersession Chains and FFF Classes, allowing users to view and manage each collection type independently.
Key features
- Flexible filtering options to quickly locate specific collections.
- Status management capabilities that allow collections to be marked as Active, Inactive, or Obsolete. Note: Only active collections are considered during planning and order fulfillment processes. Inactive collections are excluded from substitute determination, while obsolete collections indicate data that is no longer relevant
- Mass processing capabilities for status management and collection deletion
Creating Product Interchangeability Data
Users can create either a Supersession Chain Collection or an FFF Class Collection using the Create option. Collection names are user-defined identifiers for Product Interchangeability collections.
Supersession Chain Setup
The application enables users to model sequential product replacement relationships using various substitution types and substitution directions based on business requirements
Collection Information
The General Information section defines the consuming applications for which the collection is relevant. Product Interchangeability currently supports the following consuming applications:
- Advanced Available-to-Promise (aATP)
- Extended Service Parts Planning (eSPP)
- Production Planning and Detailed Scheduling (PP/DS)
The application also supports multilingual descriptions to improve usability and readability
Group Assignment
Collections can be assigned to groups, providing additional control over collection determination in Advanced ATP. Group assignment is mandatory for aATP-relevant collections.
Groups can be reused from the Manage Groups – Product Substitution application
Substitutions
A Supersession Chain collection can contain multiple substitutions with different substitution types.
All maintained substitutions are displayed in a dedicated substitution table.
For one-to-many and many-to-one substitution types, hierarchical visualization helps users understand complex replacement relationships more easily.
Additional substitution details include:
- Lead indicators
- Exit indicators
- Remanufacturing information
- Reasons (Note: Reasons can be maintained using values defined in the Manage Reasons – Product Substitution application)
Substitution Attributes
For each substitution, user can maintain attributes at both global and location-specific level.
Supported attributes include
Valid-from date | The date from when the successor product is valid for the supersession chain |
Valid to | The date until when the successor product is valid in the supersession chain |
Use-up strategy | An indicator that shows how the stock of the old product is handled. |
Use-up date | The date until when the old product can be used. (Relevant for Use-up strategy R) |
Numerator & Denominator | Numeric values that represent the relationship between the number of predecessor products and the number of successor products. Numerator represents the successor while the denominator represents the predecessor |
Percentage | A numeric value that specifies the proportion of the demand history for the predecessor product that is transferred to the successor product. |
Successor product planning date | The date from when the successor product planning starts (Updated by planning service) |
Stock exhaustion date | Date by when the stock of the predecessor is likely to be exhausted (updated by planning service) |
Successor product receipt date | The date when successor product is expected to be received at a location (updated by planning service) |
Note: The above-mentioned attributes can be configured and maintained in accordance with business requirements
The Valid-From Date is mandatory for all substitutions. Multiple location-specific attribute records can be maintained as required.
Note: All substitutions within a Supersession Chain Collection must have the same set of locations (Plant or MRP Area) to ensure consistency
When a collection is saved, the system executes multiple consistency checks to validate the data.
Data Visualization
The application includes a product network graph that provides a graphical representation of the complete supersession chain
Key visualization features include:
- Color-coded substitution types
- Application-specific edge coloring
- Unique Exit indicator icons
- Distinct edge types for active and inactive collections
- Lead product highlighting
- Attribute details available directly from graph edges
- Chain navigation controls
- Product and collection based filtering
- Navigation to connected FFF Class using the Display FFF Collections filter
Conclusion
The Manage Product Interchangeability application provides a comprehensive framework for maintaining Supersession Chain data, enabling organizations to model complex product replacement scenarios while ensuring consistency and visibility across supply chain processes
Know more!
In the next blog, we'll discuss the setup of FFF Class
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