Daniel,
Text items do not work for where-used. For EC processing, one needs to be able to call up the CS15 where-used for a component and see ALL the drawings that this part shows on. The text solution does not work for this.
The text solution does not address the issue of needing to call out a part as reference in one assembly and issued in another. The part does not change characteristics, it is still the same part, so calling it a “text” item in one assembly distorts the fact that it is the same part in both
assemblies.
We need to understand that a BOM is much more than just a list of physical parts needed to build an assembly. It is a representation of a drawing in SAP so that engineers can use SAP CS15 where-used to link things like process supplies (glue, etc), tooling, reference items, optionally required items, bulk items, etc. These are all items not necessarily issueable to the BOM on a 261 transaction, but are indeed needed in order to make the product.
An SAP BOM has many uses over and above the planning and issuing of component material. It is widely used by factory people, engineering, accounting, purchasing, field service, and other parts of the organization to convey valuable information. To limit it to one narrow aspect of its capability is not taking full advantage of the SAP system power. See below for a pictorial which shows all the competing needs for SAP BOMs.
Regards,
Jim Bathgate
Message was edited by: Jim Bathgate