Imagine seamlessly evaluating supplier performance, maintaining consistent pricing, and streamlining procurement operations—all while centralizing critical data in one accessible location.
Enter SAP Purchase Info Record (PIR) — the digital key that unlocks continuous advantages for organizations striving to optimize their procurement processes and enhance the accuracy of their material master record across teams.
The SAP Purchase Info Record enables buyers to keep track of:
- Vendors who have offered or supplied a specific material for customers
- Materials that have been offered or supplied by a specific vendor
- The material number used by the vendor for each material
- The material group assigned by the vendor to each material
In this article, we’ll discuss the key components and capabilities of SAP PIR, how it empowers businesses to gain a competitive edge in the complex procurement landscape, and where our team of expert SAP consultants can come in to help.
What is PIR in SAP?
SAP PIR, or the Purchasing Info Record, is a source of critical information for purchasing a specific material from a vendor, including data for pricing conditions, units for under and over-delivery, availability period, and planned delivery time for a specific material or product.
Procurement Types in the SAP Purchasing Info Record
Here’s a closer look at the main procurement types in the SAP PIR platform:
1) Standard Info Record
The standard info record contains information related to standard purchase orders and can be created for materials and services both with and without master records. This is the most basic purchasing info record in the SAP PIR solution.
2) Pipeline Info Record
The pipeline info record contains all the information related to the vendor commodities supplied through either pipes or pipelines. For example, a company that manages the supply of water or oil through a pipeline would leverage the pipeline record to track usage and withdrawal metrics.
This record also contains the vendor’s price for the use of such commodities by the purchasing organization, allowing users to keep track of price differentials for using or withdrawing material from each source over time.
3) Subcontracting Info Record
The subcontractor info record contains information related to subcontracting orders, including vendor and subcontracting prices.
For example, if a company subcontracted the assembly of a product to an external source, their subcontractor info record would include all relevant information for the assembly of the product and the product itself, like vendor’s price, subcontractor’s price, and raw material price.
4) Consignment Info Record
The consignment info record contains all the information related to materials that vendors keep available at their own cost, allowing companies to maintain prices for different validity periods over time.
This record also includes critical information associated with the vendor’s price for withdrawals from consignment stock by the buyer to ensure purchase records for any particular material are accurate and up-to-date.
Main Advantages of Purchase Info Records for SAP Users
Here are five main advantages of the SAP Purchasing Info Record for business users:
Supplier Performance Evaluation:
The SAP Purchase Info Record allows organizations to maintain detailed information about their suppliers, including pricing, lead times, quality ratings, and delivery performance. This enables effective supplier evaluation and selection, helping businesses make more informed procurement decisions.
Price Consistency:
A PIR table in SAP helps maintain consistent pricing agreements with suppliers. Storing negotiated prices and conditions ensures purchasing transactions adhere to agreed-upon terms, reducing pricing discrepancies and potential disputes.
Efficient Procurement:
With SAP PIR, procurement teams can quickly access supplier-specific information, such as order quantities, delivery schedules, and payment terms. This streamlines the procurement process, reduces manual efforts, and enhances purchasing efficiency.
Inventory Management:
The PIR solution aids in managing inventory levels by providing insights into supplier lead times and delivery schedules. Organizations can use this information to optimize stock levels, reduce carrying costs, and minimize the risk of stockouts.
Data Centralization:
SAP PIR centralizes procurement data within the ERP system, making it easily accessible to relevant stakeholders. This centralized repository ensures data consistency and eliminates the need for redundant data entry, improving data accuracy and reducing errors.
How Can We Help?
Whether you need help implementing the SAP Purchase Info Record for the first time, additional support providing the info record note for each order unit, or just an extra hand getting started on your SAP journey, Surety Systems is here to help.
Our senior-level, US-based SAP consultant team has the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to handle all your most important SAP projects. Wherever your project needs lie, we’ve got you covered!
Getting Started with Us
Interested in learning how SAP PIR can improve overall data management across your material master record or where our specifically tailored SAP consulting services can fit in your organization?
Contact us today!
