Output Determination & Management in S4/HANA MM

Output control refers to the processes and functionalities that manage how various business documents (like invoices, purchase orders, and delivery notes) are generated and dispatched. It encompasses the settings for determining which outputs should be created, their formats, and the communication methods used (e.g., print, email, fax).

Output Control is broken into two parts:

1. Output Determination: This is where you setup the rules on what triggers an output (For example, the creation of a purchase order, purchase contract) and who or what should receive it (a printer, an email, a fax, etc.)
2. Output Management: This involves managing how outputs are processed. This could be the layout of the document, the details it contains and the channel through which it is sent out. With S4HANA new output management approach, these configurations are done through BRF+ (Business Rules Framework) rather than the NACE transaction.

Output Control Feature

 

Features	Description
Output Types	Purchase Order, Purchase Contract
Channel	PRINT EMAIL EDI
Dispatching Output	Immediately or scheduled
Email Templates	Predefined email subjects and email body
Multiple Output	Ability to generate multiple outputs for a single document (e.g., print and email simultaneously).
Supported UI Technology	SAP Fiori SAP GUI and SAP GUI for HTML
Supported Forms	Output Forms (gateway interface) Output Forms (DDIC interface) Smart Forms SAP Script

 

Output Determination: ECC vs S/4HANA

Feature	ECC	ECC Example	S/4HANA	S/4HANA Example
Method	Condition technique is used to setup the rules. NACE	Rules are set for a PO to be printed.	BRF + (Business Rule Framework) is used for setup the rules.	A rule is created for a PO to be emailed.
Complexity	Complex; multiple screens and steps required	Multiple steps needed to set up the PO print.	Simplified, intuitive setup through Fiori app	Simply have to set up a rule for PO email
Flexibility	Less Flexible	To change the PO sending method from print to email, the entire setup must be adjusted.	More Flexible	To switch from email to an online shared document, only the rule set in the configuration needs adjustment.
User Interface	More Traditional	User must navigate to NACE for setup	Simpler and modern.	Configured through an intuitive Fiori interface
Channel	Multiple	Print, Fax, Email, EDI, ALE, Special Function	Less than ECC	Print, Email, EDI, XML Fax and Special Function are not supported
Output Type	One Output type per document.	For Vendor X, a ‘PRINT’ output type is set, triggering one print output per PO created.	One Output type per document with different channel	In SAP S/4HANA, you can set up multiple channels, like email and print, for the same output type in a PO for a vendor.
Adaptability	Difficult to modify for new requirements.	In ECC, adding a new output type for purchase orders requires significant manual configuration in NACE.	Easily adjustable to meet changing business needs	In S/4HANA, the company can quickly configure the new purchase order output type in the Output Management app.

 

How Does Output Control Work?

 

Configuring SAP S/4HANA Output Control

1. Manage Application Object Type Activation

Path – SPRO > Cross-Application Components >Output Control> Manage Application Object Type Activation.

2. Define Output Types

1.  

Path – SPRO-> Cross-Application Components-> Output Control-> Define Output Types

3. Define Business Rules for Output Parameter Determination

1.  

Path – SPRO-> Cross-Application Components-> Output Control->Define Business Rules for Output Parameter Determination

4. Assign Output Channels

1.  

Path:  SPRO-> Cross-Application Components-> Output Control-> Define Business Rules for Output Parameter

5. Define Rules for Determination of Master Form Template

1.  

Path:  SPRO->Cross-Application Components-> Output Control-> Define Rules for Determination of Master Form Template

6. Assign Email Templates

Path:  SPRO-> Cross-Application Components-> Output Control-> Assign Email Templates

7. Assign Document Types for Output

1.  

Path:  SPRO -> Cross-Application Components-> Output Control-> Assign Document Types for Output

8. Define Output Settings for Document Types

1.  

Path:  SPRO-> Cross-Application Components-> Output Control-> Define Output Settings for Document Types

 

Output Parameter Determination (BRF + Setup)

1. Assign document type

2. Assign Partner Function Role

1.  

3. Assign Channel

4. Assign Printer Setting

5. Assign Email setting

6. Assign Email Recipient

7. Assign Form Template

8.Assign Output Relevance

1.  

Output Monitoring

Fiori App “Manage Output Items”- This app gives you a central overview of outputs sent via various channels and their status. It lets you view and process multiple outputs at the same time, for example for error analysis and correction.

Key Features

1. Identify single failed outputs
2. Analyze why an output failed
3. Mass process output items
4. Send output items
5. Duplicate completed output items
6. Retry to send output items
7. Set output items to completed

 

Blog By: Gaurav Singh

SSCM-CLOUDBOOK SAP S/4 HANA MM Expert Trainer

Conclusion

Overall, SAP S/4HANA represents a significant evolution in output management, providing enhanced usability, flexibility, and integration compared to SAP ECC. At SCM-Cloudbook, the esteemed SAP education center in Pune, get ready for an exhilarating journey of learning SAP. We take immense pride in our reputation as one of the best in the industry. Our exceptional SAP courses will equip you with the knowledge and skills to excel in this field.

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