MRP Live in SAP S/4HANA – A Deep Dive

MRP Live in SAP MM


With the introduction of SAP S/4HANA, MRP Live revolutionizes the classic MRP (Material Requirements Planning) process by leveraging the HANA in-memory database for high-speed, real-time planning. This post explains what MRP Live is, how it works, how it differs from classic MRP, and why it’s critical in modern supply chains.

🔍 What is MRP Live?

MRP Live (MD01N) is SAP’s next-generation material planning tool designed for speed and efficiency. It uses the power of the HANA database to:

  • Read and process data directly in-memory

  • Eliminate intermediate data storage

  • Plan large volumes of materials in parallel

  • Support real-time planning scenarios

Key T-code:

  • MD01N – MRP Live execution

🧠 How MRP Live Works

MRP Live performs planning in HANA layer, unlike classic MRP (MD01/MD02), which runs in the application layer. It processes:

  • In-house production

  • External procurement

  • Subcontracting

  • Stock transfer scenarios

💡 It uses MATDOC instead of classic inventory tables (MKPF/MSEG), improving read performance.

🚀 Key Features of MRP Live

Feature

Description

⚡ Speed

Executes in-memory; thousands of materials planned in seconds

🔁 Parallelization

Uses multi-threading to process multiple materials simultaneously

🧮 In-memory Calculations

No need to fetch intermediate data to application layer

📘 Reuse of Classic MRP logic

For unsupported scenarios, it auto-switches to classic logic

📊 Integration

Fully integrated with PP, MM, and Inventory

🟢 Real-time updates

Inventory, reservation, stock, and demand data used as-is


🔄 Classic MRP vs MRP Live

Aspect

Classic MRP (MD01)

MRP Live (MD01N)

Execution Layer

Application Layer

HANA DB (In-memory)

Speed

Slower

Much faster

Planning Scope

Sequential

Parallel (multi-threaded)

Data Tables

MARC, MDVM, MSEG, etc.

MATDOC, PP planning tables

UI

SAP GUI

Fiori/GUI/Background

BAdIs

Custom enhancements possible

Limited, but exists (e.g. BAdI_PPH_MRP)

Real-time Simulation

Not possible

Possible in Fiori apps

⚙️ Configuration Steps

Step 1: Activate MRP Live (Optional Default)

SPRO → Production → Material Requirements Planning → General Parameters for MRP → Activate MRP Live

Set MRP Live as default for planning run.

Step 2: MRP Parameters (Plant-specific)

  • Define planning horizons

  • Assign MRP controllers

  • Maintain special procurement types

Step 3: Fiori Launchpad App (Optional)

Use the “Schedule MRP Runs” or “Monitor Material Coverage” Fiori apps for real-time views.

✅ Supported and Unsupported Features

✅ Supported in MRP Live

  • Procurement proposals (planned orders, PReqs, POs)

  • External procurement

  • In-house production

  • Subcontracting

  • Collective orders

  • Batch management

❌ Not Fully Supported (Triggers Classic Logic)

  • Long-term planning

  • Planning with assembly scrap

  • Planning for configurable materials with complex logic

  • Multi-level pegging

  • Planning with custom enhancements

📊 Performance Comparison Example

Criteria

Classic MRP

MRP Live

10,000 materials

~ 4 hours

< 5 mins

Live data refresh

No

Yes

Parallel processing

No

Yes

🌐 Integration with Other Modules

Module

Integration Scope

MM

Stock, Purchase Requisitions, Source List

PP

BOMs, Routings, Planned Orders

SD

Sales Orders, Availability Check

WM/EWM

Stock placements, ATP quantities

FI/CO

Cost estimates, overhead calculations

🖥️ Fiori Apps for MRP Live

App Name

Description

Schedule MRP Runs

Schedule MD01N jobs

Monitor Material Coverage

Dynamic view of shortages

Manage Material Coverage

Interactive exception monitoring

MRP Cockpit (advanced)

Material availability in dashboard format

🧩 Enhancement Options

MRP Live supports enhancements using the BAdI:

  • BAdI PPH_MRP_SOURCING_BADI => SOS_DET_ADJUST allows you to change the MRP element type of a material receipt to be created by MRP Live.
This means that if you want MRP Live to create planned orders instead of purchase requisitions for externally procured materials, you can implement this specific BAdI.

It's important to note that by default, MRP Live always creates delivery schedule lines for externally procured material with valid delivery schedules and purchase requisitions for all other externally procured material. The BAdI provides a way to deviate from this standard behavior

📝 Best Practices

  1. Use MRP Live for high-volume, routine planning.

  2. Ensure master data completeness (MRP area, MRP controller, procurement type, etc.)

  3. Use “simulation mode” before running MRP Live in production.

  4. Combine with Advanced ATP (aATP) in S/4HANA for real-time fulfillment logic.

  5. Use Fiori apps for monitoring exceptions and MRP results.

🧠 Conclusion

MRP Live represents a massive leap in efficiency and accuracy for materials planning in SAP S/4HANA. It harnesses the power of HANA to deliver lightning-fast, in-memory calculations that support real-time business decisions and reduce planning cycles from hours to minutes.

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