Plant
A plant is a central organizational unit in SAP logistics, it represents a physical or logical location where goods are produced, stored or distributed. Plants are where materials management, production and much of the supply chain come together.
A plant is subdivided into storage locations, distinct areas holding stock.
- A plant might be a factory, a warehouse, a distribution center or a regional operation.
- The plant links logistics to finance: goods movements in a plant post to the assigned company code.
- Material requirements planning (MRP) runs per plant.
- Watch out: Confusing plant (logistics) with company code (legal).
What a plant is
A plant might be a factory, a warehouse, a distribution center or a regional operation. It is the level at which materials are planned, procured, produced and stored, and it is assigned to a company code so its activities post to the right legal entity.
What happens at plant level
- Material requirements planning (MRP) runs per plant.
- Inventory is managed within a plant (and its storage locations).
- Production and procurement are organised around plants.
- Many material-master views are maintained per plant.
Plant and integration
The plant links logistics to finance: goods movements in a plant post to the assigned company code. It also links to sales (as a delivering plant) and production. This cross-module role makes the plant one of the most-referenced organizational units.
Storage locations within a plant
A plant is subdivided into storage locations, distinct areas holding stock. Together, plant and storage location pinpoint where inventory physically sits.
Common pitfalls
- Confusing plant (logistics) with company code (legal).
- Forgetting plant-specific material views, needed to use a material there.
- Poor plant design that does not match physical operations.