2-1

Features and Benefits of the R/3 System 2Chapter 2

Features and Benefits of theR/3 SystemThis chapter gives you an overview of the benefits of the R/3 System. It first out-lines some features of the R/3 Basis System, and then describes cross-applicationfunctions important to quality management. The chapter subsequently lists themain functions of the QM application component.

Features of the R/3 Basis SystemThe R/3 Basis System provides you with the basic conditions for implementingthe QM application component.

q The R/3 Systems common database ensures that quality data is consistent,even if it originates from other applications or belongs to different organiza-tional units within a company.

q The system automatically stores changes to the master data and transactiondata, for example, changes in inspection plans and inspection results. Thisallows you to track all critical processes.

Fig. 2-1: QM and Supporting Components

q The system administration ensures data safety and security. It also substan-tially reduces maintenance tasks, for example, archiving quality data.

q The authorization for system users can be individually configured if neces-sary. This ensures that users only have access to the processes and informa-tion needed for a particular area of responsibility.

2-2

2 Features and Benefits of the R/3 System

q All components use the standard R/3 System graphical user interface. Thismakes it easier to become familiar with the system, since you can apply theskills already acquired in other components.

q The R/3 System is designed for international use. The user interface is availa-ble in several languages, and the master data can also be maintained in sever-al languages.

q You can easily produce user-defined evaluation lists with the help of logicaldatabases and ABAP Reports.

q Quality scores can be effectively presented using SAP graphic tools. If thesetools are not sufficient for your needs, you can connect external systems, (forexample, Microsoft EXCEL) using open interfaces.

q The SAPscript text processing function allows you to create custom-made shoppapers and quality documents.

Cross-Application Functions of the R/3 System

The QM application component uses a number of cross-application functions forquality management:

q The document management function manages quality documents with respectto validity, version, and status. These documents include technical deliveryterms, quality assurance agreements, or the QM handbook required by theISO 9000 series of standards.

q SAP ArchiveLink stores documents that are linked to the application func-tions in an optical archive. Such documents include quality records, qualitycertificates, customer complaints, and other internal or external original doc-uments in print list, fax, or letter form.

q A central engineering change management function coordinates changes tothe material masters and documents with changes to the bills of material, rout-ings, and inspection plans.

q The Classification System organizes and specifies data objects. You can definehierarchical classification structures for specified object types, assign individ-ual data objects to a class, search for classes using keywords, and assign char-acteristics to these classes. You can use these characteristics to differentiatebetween the individual data objects. The Classification System is used to clearlyorganize master records, such as inspection characteristics and inspectionmethods, and to specify different batches of the same material using inspec-tion results.

q The SAP Business Workflow application component controls complex opera-tional sequences and associated messages. It links information and business-related objects with processes, and places them at the disposal of the involvedpartners for processing. For example, the Business Workflow makes problemnotifications available to the employee responsible for fixing the problem.

q SAPoffice promotes a paper-free office communication system. You exchangemessages in the system and the SAP Business Workflow controls your person-al tasks.

2-3

Features and Benefits of the R/3 System 2

q Components of the Controlling application support the recording, settlement,and analysis of the quality costs.

q The Logistics Information System stores summarized quality data togetherwith other data from the Logistics applications, and provides efficient toolsfor evaluating this data, for example, ABC vendor analyses by quality scores.

Fig. 2-2: The QM Application Component

Cross-Application Functions in the QM Application Component

In the integrated R/3 System, the quality management functions are incorporatedinto other applications, such as Materials Management, Production, Sales & Dis-tribution, and Cost Accounting. This integration of functions prevents interfaceproblems caused by the interaction of applications, and gives the Quality Man-agement component direct access to all critical processes. The exchange of datawith other applications prevents information from being duplicated and storedredundantly. For example, when a goods receipt is posted, the system automati-cally starts a quality inspection and transfers any available information relating tomaterial, vendor, and inspection lot size to the inspection lot data record.

However, automation is not always required or possible. In certain cases, youmay have to make decisions and perform certain tasks. For example, this occurs ifinspection lot decisions have to be made, or if corrective tasks for quality prob-lems have to be completed. The Workflow component integrates the departmentsresponsible and automatically triggers work items that should be processed.

2-4

2 Features and Benefits of the R/3 System

The QM application component fulfills the following tasks:

q Materials Management

m Manages quality information for materials, vendors and manufacturers

m Releases vendors and manufacturers; Monitors their QM systems

m Manages the release status of delivery relationships, for example model orseries deliveries

m Evaluates vendors on the basis of quality using quality scores from audits,goods receipt inspections, and problem notifications

m Dispatches quality documents (quality agreements, technical deliveryterms) when requests for quotations and purchase orders are received

m Requests quality certificates and monitors their receipt

m Triggers source inspections to be carried out at the vendors premises before the vendor is due to make a delivery

m Triggers inspections for goods movements, for example, goods receipt

m Blocks payments until inspection lots are accepted

m Manages the inventory of goods during the inspection and takes the goodsbeing inspected into account for materials planning purposes

m Transfers inspection results to batch characteristic values

m Carries out batch determination using characteristic values from qualityinspections

m Monitors the shelf-life of batches and the deadline for recurring inspec-tions

m Manages problems using quality notifications and processes complaintsagainst the vendor

q Production

m Integrates inspection planning and work scheduling

m Handles inspection characteristics and setup characteristics for operations

m Manages quality inspections for manufacturing orders

m Handles in-process inspections during production at freely defined inspec-tion points

m Triggers final inspection upon goods receipt from production

m Manages partial lots of a material during production that differ in qualityand assigns partial lots to batches

m Confirms quality and quantity information for manufacturing orders

m Monitors production quality with the help of control charts and determinesprocess capability scores

m Manages problems in production using quality notifications and by proc-essing corrective tasks

2-5

Features and Benefits of the R/3 System 2

q Sales & Distribution

m Manages customer-related quality information

m Triggers an inspection at shipping when the delivery is created

m Creates quality certificates with the delivery

m Manages problems in sales & distribution with the help of quality notifica-tions and by processing customer complaints

q Controlling

m Settles appraisal and nonconformity costs

Fig. 2-3: Functions of the QM Component

Internal Functions of the QM Application Component

Internal functions of the QM application component do not directly interact withthe data or processes of other applications. The QM component fulfills the follow-ing functions:

q Quality Planning

m Manages master data for quality planning

m Supports inspection planning

2-6

2 Features and Benefits of the R/3 System

q Quality Inspection

m Processes inspection lots, selects inspection plans, calculates samples, andprints shop papers for sampling and inspection

m Provides inspection results in the form of characteristic values, defect data,and texts

m Handles the usage decision, inventory postings, and follow-up actions

m Links to SAP Business Workflow

q Quality Control

m Allows sample determination on the basis of the quality level, dynamicmodification by inspection lot or by inspection characteristic, and skip lotand ship to stock procedures

m Determines quality scores for inspection lots

m Provides statistical process control, quality control charts, and process ca-pability indices

m Provides the QM Information System with inspection lot quality scores,inspection results, and quality notifications

m Supports flexible reporting with the help of user-defined reports

q Quality Certificates for an inspection lot, batch, or delivery item

m Allows user-defined layouts for certificate profiles

m Automatically determines the profile and the transport medium (for ex-ample, printer or fax) corresponding to the material and certificate recipient

m Controls the creation, dispatch, and archiving of certificates

q Quality notifications relating to internal and external problems

m Records the nature of the problem and the problem analysis

m Processes corrective tasks and monitors the response time, as well as linksthe person responsible for carrying out the tasks using the Workflow

m Stores original documents using SAP ArchiveLink

q Test equipment management

m Supports calibration planning for test equipment that is to be inspected

m Controls calibration inspections of test equipment

m Makes the usage decision and triggers follow-up actions

2-7

Features and Benefits of the R/3 System 2

Which traditional functions of quality management does the QM applica-tion component fulfill?

The QM component supports:

q Quality planning

q Quality assurance using quality inspections and quality certificates

q Quality control

q Problem management

q Test equipment management

With which Logistics applications are the functions of the QM applicationcomponent closely linked?

The QM component is integrated in the master data and processes for:

q Materials Management (procurement, storage)

q Production (work scheduling, production control)

q Sales & Distribution (delivery, creation of quality certificates)

What advantages does the integration in the R/3 System provide?

q It makes the efficient R/3 Basis System and the cross-applicationfunctions available for the purposes of quality management.

q The QM functions directly affect the logistic processes.

q The person responsible for carrying out tasks is linked online to theprocesses using SAP Business Workflow.