Customer Material Info Record
The Customer-Material Info Record (CMIR) in SAP SD serves as a bridge between the customer and the material. The material number maintained in the customer system is mapped to our company’s SAP system. The plant is determined based on the information records. It contains specific information that is relevant when a particular customer orders a particular material. This record allows businesses to personalize sales processes by storing data such as the customer's material number, specific delivery preferences, and pricing.
“Leverage Customer-Material Info Records to streamline order processing, reduce errors, and deliver personalized experiences to your customers. Start mapping customer-specific data today to drive accuracy and efficiency in your sales cycle.”
Why is CMIR Important?
1. Customer-Specific Material Mapping
Customers often use their own material numbers, which may differ from your internal material codes. CMIR allows you to map their material numbers to your materials, ensuring seamless communication and avoiding confusion.
2. Personalized Sales Order Processing
CMIR enables auto-population of customer preferences during order creation, such as: Customer-specific material description and Delivery tolerances. Shipping instructions This saves time for sales users and reduces manual errors.
3. Improved Order Accuracy
By capturing critical customer-specific data, CMIR helps in: Avoiding incorrect deliveries and ensuring exact product identification. Complying with packaging or labeling requirements.
Key Data in CMIR?
When you maintain a CMIR, the following information can be stored:
Customer’s material number and Description of material from customer's point of view.
Delivery tolerances and Partial delivery indicators.
Shipping instructions and Customer-specific text.
Configuration
While the CMIR itself doesn't require extensive configuration, understanding where and how to maintain it is crucial. Here's a breakdown:
Step 1: Accessing CMIR Maintenance:
You can access the CMIR maintenance screen using the transaction codes Create (VD51), Change (VD52), and Display (VD53).
You can also navigate through the SAP menu: “Logistics -> Sales and Distribution -> Master Data -> Products -> Customer-Material Info.”
Step 2: Creating a New CMIR:
Enter the Customer Number and your Material Number.
Click the "Create" button.
You'll then be able to enter the Customer Material Number, Customer Material Description, and other relevant data on the subsequent tabs.
Step 3: Understanding the Tabs:
General Data: This is where you input the customer's material number and description.
Shipping: Here, you can maintain plant, delivery priority, and minimum delivery quantity.
Partial Delivery: This tab allows you to enter the partial delivery item and tolerance details.
Step 4: Key Fields and Their Importance:
Customer Material Number: This is the core link. Ensure accuracy to avoid order entry errors.
Customer Material Description: Helps your internal teams understand what the customer is referring to.
Sales Unit: If a customer consistently orders in a different unit than your base unit (e.g., they order in "boxes" while your base unit is "pieces"), specifying it here ensures correct quantity conversions during order entry.
Delivery Unit: Similar to the sales unit, but specific to delivery.
How to Create a Customer-Material Info Record?
T-code: Create (VD51), Change (VD52), and Display (VD53).
Steps:
Go to T-code VD51.
Enter: Customer number, Sales Organization, and Distribution Channel.
Enter the Material number and customer material number.
Maintain other fields like: Description, Delivery tolerances, Partial delivery allowed, Customer-specific texts, and plant.
Save.
Usage of CMIR in Sales Orders
When you create a Sales Order (VA01), the system will:
Automatically populate the customer’s material number if a CMIR exists
Apply delivery instructions or tolerances defined in CMIR
Show customer-specific material descriptions and simplify order entry and reduce errors.
Examples: Bringing the CMIR to Life
Let's look at some practical examples of how the CMIR can be used:
Scenario 1: Different Material Numbers: As mentioned earlier, MI Tech Solutions orders your "High-Performance Laptop - Model V1" as "GPT H1." By creating a CMIR, when a sales order comes in with "GPT H1," SAP automatically identifies it as your internal material.
Scenario 2: Customer-Specific Descriptions: Another customer might refer to your standard "All-Purpose Cleaning Solution - 1 Liter Bottle" as simply "The Green Cleaner." Maintaining this in the CMIR helps your internal teams understand their orders quickly.
Scenario 3: Varying Order Units: If a customer always orders a specific cable in "Reels" of 50 meters, while your internal unit is "meters," you can store "Reel" as the sales unit in the CMIR. When they order 1 "Reel," the system automatically converts it to 50 meters in the sales order.
Scenario 4: Special Packaging Instructions: For a fragile item, a specific customer might require extra bubble wrap. You can add a text note in the CMIR that will appear on the sales order, reminding the warehouse team of this special requirement.
Benefits: Why Embrace the CMIR?
Implementing and maintaining CMIRs offers numerous advantages:
Reduced Errors: Eliminates manual translation of material numbers, minimizing data entry mistakes.
Increased Efficiency: Speeds up order entry as the system automatically recognizes customer materials.
Improved Customer Satisfaction: Ensures accurate order fulfilment and reflects an understanding of the customer's terminology.
Enhanced Communication: Provides a common language between your company and your customers regarding products.
Streamlined Reporting: Facilitates analysis of sales data based on customer-specific material numbers.
Best Practices
Always check if a CMIR already exists using VD53 before creating a new one.
Use CMIRs consistently for high-volume or long-term customers.
Maintain clear descriptions and ensure texts are updated regularly.
Coordinate with sales teams to update preferences in CMIR proactively.
Conclusion
The Customer-Material Info Record (CMIR) in SAP SD is a simple but powerful tool to enhance customer satisfaction, streamline order processing, and reduce manual errors. By leveraging CMIR, companies can create a more customer-focused and efficient sales process.
“Start using CMIR to transform your sales process into a customer-centric, efficient, and error-free operation. Empower your business with smarter data handling and stronger customer relationships.”
