Release Procedure for Purchasing Documents 15.10.

2002

Release Procedure in
Purchasing
Documents
Version 1.00
(7.10.2002)

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Release Procedure for Purchasing Documents 15.10.2002

References...........................................................................................................................3
Introduction........................................................................................................................3
Persistency Layer...............................................................................................................3
Persistency Layer: EBAN.............................................................................................................................3
Persistency Layer: EKKO.............................................................................................................................3
Persistency Layer: ESSR..............................................................................................................................4
Release Strategy Determination.......................................................................................4
Overview.......................................................................................................................................................4
Customizing/Master Data.............................................................................................................................4
Without classification...............................................................................................................................4
With classification....................................................................................................................................4
Communication Structures...........................................................................................................................5
CEBAN.....................................................................................................................................................5
CEKKO.....................................................................................................................................................5
CESSR......................................................................................................................................................5
Programs.......................................................................................................................................................5
Release State and State Transitions.................................................................................5
Customizing Tables......................................................................................................................................6
Release strategy without classification.....................................................................................................6
Release strategy with classification..........................................................................................................6
How the game works....................................................................................................................................6
State Transition: Old Style Transactions......................................................................................................7
State Transition: Enjoy Transactions............................................................................................................7
Integration Aspects............................................................................................................7
Purchasing Documents.................................................................................................................................7
Requisitions..................................................................................................................................................7
Old style transactions ME51 ff.................................................................................................................7
Collective Release....................................................................................................................................7
External requisitions.................................................................................................................................8
MRP generated requisitions......................................................................................................................8
Enjoy transactions ME51Nff, ME54N.....................................................................................................8
User Interface for Enjoy Transactions............................................................................8
Workflow Interface............................................................................................................8
BOR Integration............................................................................................................................................8
Components..................................................................................................................................................9
Event creation...........................................................................................................................................9
Check module...........................................................................................................................................9
Role resolution..........................................................................................................................................9
Customizing .................................................................................................................................................9
Purchasing.................................................................................................................................................9
Workflow System.....................................................................................................................................9

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Release Procedure for Purchasing Documents 15.10.2002

References
A sound online documentation, newly created as of release 4.6C can be found in the SAP info portal.

Introduction
Release procedures in purchasing are used to add a state to the business object, which allows some kind of
monitoring on what can be done with the document. Two different kinds of release strategies have to be
distinguished:
• Release strategy determination without classification. The old style strategy determination known
from R/2 and R/3 Release < 3.X. Used only for requisition item release.
• Release strategy determination with classification. Used in purchasing documents (header level),
requisition item release and requisition overall release and service entry sheets. Also important:
workflow features are only available in this procedure.

The following aspects are covered in this document

• Persistency
• The determination of the release procedures based on information of the business object. Here
only the strategy determination with classification is considered. The old style method is trivial
and not covered here.
• The sequence of release codes which define the release state of an object and thus the allowed
follow-on processes. Release procedures are flexible and can be configured in customizing
• Integration aspects
• User interface
• Workflow interface

Persistency Layer
Release strategy attributes are part of the corresponding business object. Two cases have to be considered,
requisition items and purchasing document headers.

Persistency Layer: EBAN

EBAN-FRGGR Release group. Important for authority checks also. This field is used in the case of
release strategy with classification and is empty for the old style method
EBAN-FRGST Release strategy
EBAN-FRGKZ Release indicator. Monitors follow-on processes
EBAN-FRGZU Release state. Describes which release codes have already released the object
EBAN-FRGRL Relevant for release. Performance indicator. Set to SPACE when object is finally
released or object not relevant for release
EBAN-GSFRG Requisition subject to overall release. Triggered via customizing of the document type.

One important aspect here: in the case of overall release no header information is available in requisitions.
The release information is shared over all items.

Persistency Layer: EKKO

EKKO-FRGGR Release group. Important for authority checks also

EKKO-FRGSX Release strategy
EKKO-FRGKE Release indicator. Monitors follow-on processes
EKKO-FRGZU Release state. Describes which release codes have already released the object
EKKO-FRGRL Relevant for release. Performance indicator. Set to SPACE when object is finally
released or object not relevant for release

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Persistency Layer: ESSR

ESSR-FRGGR Release group. Important for authority checks also

ESSR-FRGSX Release strategy
ESSR-FRGKL Release indicator. Monitors follow-on processes
EKKO-FRGZU Release state. Describes which release codes have already released the object
EKKO-FRGRL Relevant for release. Performance indicator. Set to SPACE when object is finally
released or object not relevant for release
ESSR-F_LOCK Block release of entry sheet

Release Strategy Determination

Here, only the case ‘release strategy with classification’ is considered.

Overview
The release strategy determination is based on the classification system.
• A class type 032 was defined and shipped, which allows a release strategy consisting of a join of
release group and release strategy to be classified.
• The characteristics used here have to be defined with a reference to a table field which is noting
else but a component of the relevant communication structure CEBAN ( requisitions ) or CEKKO
( purchasing documents ).
• Whenever a business object is processed the relevant communication structure is filled (see below)
and the release strategy determination gets called. The link between a characteristic and the
corresponding value of the communication structure component is established and a class search is
executed automatically via function module CLSC_SELECT_OBJECTS.
• The search result is filtered. This is because the classification system handles a search
characteristic value SPACE as a wild card, but our business logic treats space as a valid value.
• The filtered result contains no, one or more than one search result. In the case of a non-unique
result usually a configuration problem exist. In that case we take any of the hits.
• The result of character length 4 is split into release group and release strategy.

Example: Characteristic FRG_EBAN_KNTTP with label ‘Account Assignment Category’ stands for the
account assignment category and points the table field CEBAN-KNTTP. When a requisition is checked for
a release strategy, CEBAN-KNTTP gets filled with the value of component KNTTP of the requisition. The
search is carried out with FRG_EBAN_KNTTP = CEBAN-KNTTP. As a result we obtain GFS1 which is
split into release group GF and release strategy S1.

Note: The object search can be carried out also manually via transaction CL24N. This is very helpful for
trouble shooting purposes.

Customizing/Master Data
Release strategy determination is based on the following customizing/master data tables.

Without classification
• T161I. Account assignment category, material group, plant and value of the item are used for the
strategy determination.

With classification
Customizing tables:
• T161 Document type. In the case of requisitions T161-GSFRG specifies whether overall or item
release has to be carried out.
• T16FG Release groups. Contains a link to the class. Also whether release group is used for overall
or item release. For each of these two categories exactly one class can be specified.
• T16FS Release strategies

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Master data:
• Class as defined in T16FG
• Characteristics, each with the important link to a reference table component.
• Classification data linked to joined release group/release strategie.

Communication Structures

CEBAN
• Requisition item release: Filled in function module ME_REL_STRATEGIE_EBAN, form
CEBAN-AUFBAUEN. Account assignment and then item data are moved into corresponding
fields of the communication structure. The total value of the item is calculated and stored in
CEBAN-GSWRT. A CFC EXIT_SAPLEBND_001 allows a modification of the communication
structure.
• Requisition overall release. All items and accounting lines are transferred to function module
ME_REL_GENERAL_STRATEGY_EBAN. In form CEBAN_AUFBAUEN_GESAMTFRG CEBAN get
filled from the first item. Next for all components, which are defined in the characteristics, a check for
uniqueness is carried out and if so this unique value is stored in the corresponding CEBAN component. For
amount characteristics the first one is taken and the single total amounts are cumulated and stored in
CEBAN-GFWRT. A CFC EXIT_SAPLEBND_004 is used to allow the customer to manipulate the result.

CEKKO
• The communication structure CEKKO is filled outside of the release strategy determination in the
responsible business object. Form STRATEGIE_CEKKO(MM06EF0S_STRATEGIE_CEKKO).
An aggregation over all items is carried out and the total net value is stored in CEKKO-GNETW
in the case of purchase orders. In the case of outline agreements, the header Target value is used if
filled, otherwise the sum of the item target values. Since a note we have a reasonable CFC
EXIT_SAPLEBND_002, which receives nearly all of the relevant information form the business
object.

CESSR
• The communication structure CESSR is filled outside of the release strategy determination in the
responsible business object. Form FILL_CESSR(LMLSRF3K). CESSR is filled from ESSR and
some purchase order header data linked to the entry sheet. CFC EXIT_SAPLEBND_003 is
available to manipulate the data.

Programs

• Function group EBND

• Strategy determination requisition item: Function module ME_REL_STRATEGIE_EBAN. Form
CEBAN_AUFBAUEN to fill CEBAN from item/accounting data. Form STRATEGIE_NEU in
order to execute the object search
• Strategy determination requisition overall release: Function module
ME_REL_GENERAL_STRATEGY_EBAN. Form CEBAN_AUFBAUEN_GESAMT_FRG to
fill CEBAN. Form STRATEGIE_NEU in order to execute the object search.
• Strategy determination purchasing document: Function module ME_REL_STRATEGIE_EKKO.
Form STRATEGIE_CEKKO(MM06EF0S_STRATEGIE_CEKKO) to fill CEKKO from
header/item data. Form STRATEGIE_NEU in order to execute the object search
• Strategy determination service entry sheet: Function module ME_REL_STRATEGIE_ESSR.
Form FILL_CESSR(LMLSRF3K) to fill CESSR from ESSR and EKKO data. Form
STRATEGIE_NEU in order to execute the object search.

Release State and State Transitions

Allowed state transitions ( prerequisites of a release code are fulfilled ) and the action to be carried out
when a release code releases an object can be configured in customizing. Such a state transition changes
the FRGZU field of the business object. FRGZU is a 8 character field, each character stands for a certain

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release code as defined in customizing. The assignment of a release indicator as a function of the release
state FRGZU is also highly configurable and defined in customizing.

Customizing Tables

Release strategy without classification

• T161I as described above.
• T161E Release code and Description
• T161S Release indicator
• T161G Assignment to release indicator
• T161F Prerequisites

Release strategy with classification

• T16FG, T16FS as described above.

• T16FH description of the release group
• T16FT description of the release strategy
• T16FC Release code
• T16FD Description of the release code
• T16FV Prerequisites and actions
• T16FK Assignment to release indicator
• T16FB (purchasing documents), T161S(Purchase requisitions), T16FL(Service Entry sheet) is the
release indicator
• T161U(requisition), T16FE(purchasing document), T16FM(service entry sheet) are the
descriptions of the release indicator

How the game works

Basically the state engine for the release strategy with or without classification are the same, only the
customizing layer differs. Therefore the discussion can be restricted to the case with classification.

• Given a release strategy T16FS, a set of release codes are defined there in fields FRGC1 through
FRGC8 ( blocked, non-orthogonal database representation ). The code in FRGC1 becomes the
logical number 1, the code in FRGC8 the logical number 8. These logical numbers are used from
now on.

• Prerequisites/Actions for each group/strategy/code combination are defined in Table T16FV.

Again we have a blocked structure with fields FRGA1 through FRGA8 with the same logical
numbering as above. Each field FRGA? Can have three values:
1. ‘ ‘: the logical number is not in use
2. ‘X’: when the release code of the current line releases, a ‘X’ is written into the release state
FRGZU of the business object at the corresponding logical position of the string
3. ‘+’: the logical code of that position is the prerequisite of the release code of the line.

• The assignment to a release indicator is done via Table T16FK. Given a release state FRGZU and
group/strategy of a business object: find an entry in T16FK which corresponds to the release state.
The result is the desired release indicator.

With this very simple ( and very ugly ) pattern a very flexible release strategy determination can be carried
out. The drawbacks of the game are obvious and causes customer complains from time to time:

• changes in customizing are fatal.

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• Old strategy: prerequisites and all possible assignments to release states have to be maintained
manually. Very error-prone.

State Transition: Old Style Transactions

Releasing in old style transactions is carried out via function modules ME_REL_SET and
ME_REL_RESET in the case of release strategy with classification. In the case of strategy without
classifications the functions modules are ME_SET_RELEASE and ME_RESET_RELEASE – genious
naming convention!

State Transition: Enjoy Transactions

Since the above function modules couldn’t be extended to support a separation between business logic and
presentation, a new function group has been made which contains all information on the release strategy
configuration: MEREL. This strategy engine consists of public interfaces
IF_RELEASE_STRATEGY_MANAGER_MM and IF_RELEASE_STRATEGY_MM and provides all
information/services on a given strategy. Above interfaces are implemented as local classes in MEREL. As
of release 4.7 this function group is also able to set or reset a release via method PROPAGATE_STATE
and therefore the new Enjoy transactions ME29N and ME54N were possible.

Integration Aspects

Purchasing Documents
• The release strategy determination takes place during the check. Form PRUEFEN calls form
STRATEGIE_ERMITTELN(MM06EF0S_STRATEGIE_ERMITTELN) where the
communication structure is build and function module ME_REL_STRATEGIE_EKKO is called.
A modification of the messages have to be carried out after that (i.e. no output when release is
active).
• The release process is carried out via ME28, ME35K, ME35L, ME45. form
FRG_SET(FM06LFFR_FRG_SET) and FRG_RESET(FM06LFFR_FRG_RESET). Update takes
place in form FRG_UPDATE_FB(FM06LFFR_FRG_UPDATE_FB). Technically function
modules are used for that which are placed in function group EINI. When posting the documents,
the check/update runs via pruefen/buchen of module pool SAPMM06E. Therefore one single
update module is used for purchasing documents.
• Enjoy Transactions. Exactly as above. The interface to the release view is
IF_RELEASABLE_MM which is implemented on header level in class
CL_PO_HEADER_HANDLE_MM. As of release 4.7 this interface is also able to release Pos vio
interface methods INITIATE_RELEASE. Also rejection of the document is possible via method
REJECT.

Requisitions
Generally much more complicated since several programs exist and two release methods ( item and overall
release) have to be supported.

Old style transactions ME51 ff

• Item release strategy is determined in module FRGST on the detail screen. The leading accounting
line is determined and passed together with the item to function module
ME_REL_STRATEGY_REQUISITION which calls ME_REL_STRATEGIE_EBAN.
• Overall release determination gets called at the beginning of for BUCHEN.
• Set/Reset release (ME54) is done via forms OKCODE_SETF/OKCODE_DELF.for both, item and
overall release.

Collective Release
• Form UCOMM_BUFR sets the release and updates the requisition in a special branch of form
AENDERN_BANFS.

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External requisitions
• Function group EBNE.
• Release strategy determination for item release in form GET_STRATEGY(LEBNEF0I). See note
322250. This is done when an item is processed via ME_REQUISITION_EXT
• Overall release via form GESAMTFREIGABE(LEBNEF0I). See note 111599. This is done
during final checks via function module ME_CREATE_REQUISITION_EXT.

MRP generated requisitions

• Release strategy determination is done via function module
ME_REL_STRATEY_REQUISITION (item or overall) when MRP generates EBAN records or
when a planned order is converted to a requisition. Form ERMITTELN_FRGST(LM61PF40)
(planned order) or ERMITTELN_FRGST(LM61UF4R) (MRP run).

Enjoy transactions ME51Nff, ME54N

• Item release in rule LCL_R_REALEASE(LMEREQF60) via ME_REL_STRATEGIE_EBAN
• Overall Release in rule LCL_R_HD_RELEASE(LMEREQF61) via
ME_REL_GENERAL_STRATEGY_REQUISITION.
• Connection to view: interface IF_RELEASABLE_MM is implemented for both objects,
requisition header (overall release, class LCL_REQ_HEADER and item (item release), class
LCL_REQ_ITEM. As of release 4.7 an single release/reset release is possible. Same technique as
for the PO header.

User Interface for Enjoy Transactions

The business logic for release strategies and the logic needed for state transitions is located in function
group MEREL, as described above. The view is places in function group MERELVI. Thechnically this
view inherites from class CL_MODEL_CONTROL_VIEW_MM which is able to any model an some UI
control components ( a GRID control is used to display the release codes). The model of that view is, of
course, a object which implements interface IF_RELEASABLE_MM. So PO headers, req headers and req
items can be treated in exactly the same way.

Workflow Interface

BOR Integration
Events have to be defined on the level of the relevant BOR Object. BUS2105, for example stands for the
purchase requisition header ( used for overall release) BU2014 is the RFQ etc. The following events are
relevant for the release procedure system

released Released purchase requisition

reset Not used
releaseStepCreated Requisition release step generated
significantlyChanged Requisition changed significantly
rejection_start Requisition rejected
rejection_stop Cancel rejection
Rejected Release of purchase requisition refused. Old style
event which is no longer used by Enjoy
Transactions.

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Components

Event creation
Events are created in the update module of the relevant business object. The following function modules
are used for that

ME_REL_EVENT_EBAN Events for business object BUS2009, requisition

item. Old style transactions
ME_REL_EVENT_GENERAL_EBAN Events for business object BUS2105, overall
release. Old style transactions
ME_REL_EVENT_EKKO Events for business object purchasing documents
MEREL_PREPARE_WFC_EBAN Enjoy transactions: Requisition header and item
MEREL_POST_WFC Update Module general WF Events

Check module
Terminating events for workflow instances have to be filtered because the workflow instance itself does not
contain the release code, just the object key. The function module for that is
ME_REL_CHECK_EVENT_PARAM

Role resolution
Role resolution is done via standard role which uses function module ME_REL_GET_RESPONSIBLE.

Customizing

Purchasing
T16FC Release code. Field FRGWF monitors whether a
standard role resolution has to be carried out ( via
Table T16FW) or a user defined resolution via exit
in function module
ME_REL_GET_RESPONSIBLE has to be used
T16FW Role resolution table for standard resolution

Workflow System
Event Linkage SWE2 Connection Workflow and Events
Instance Linkage SWE3 Configuration workflow instances against events.
The check function module descrived above is very,
very important here
Workflow Templates Make sure a proper user assignment to the workflow
is correctly defined. Or make the workflow a
general task
Workflow components Make sure that all relevant components have a
proper user assignment. Or make the general.