This blog is useful for the people who are looking to implement Digital signature for Result Recording. At the end of this blog one will be able to successfully implement the concept of Digital signature for result recording.

This digital signature functionality will be activated at Material Master + Plant level.

There  are 5 different options available, by which digital signature can be validated. Please find below the list:

i.   Syst. Signature with Authorization by SAP User ID/Password
ii.  User Signature with Ext. Security Product with Verification
iii. User Signature with Ext. Security Product w/o Verification
iv. Syst. Signature After Check of TOTP Data/SAP User ID
v.  Syst. Signature After Check of External Password/SAP User ID

In this blog, option used is:

i. Syst. Signature with Authorization by SAP User ID/Password.

Configuration Requirement

To activate digital signature for Result Recording following configurations should be in place.

• Signature Method

It is the first configuration required for the process. In this configuration, it is required to select any 1 out of 5 available options to validate digital signature.

Config Path : Quality Management -> Environment -> Central Functions -> Authorization Management -> Define Authorization Groups and Digital Signature -> Signature Method

Define Authorization Group and Digital Signature

Signature Method

Here, change Signature Method to “R Syst. Signature with Authorization by SAP User ID/Password” for Signature Object Type “20 Inspection Lot: Results Recording” & Save.

• Mat. Auth. Group, Insp. Lot Approval, Digital Signature

This node is used to create Material Authorization Group for QM Area to define Digital signature required for the activity.

Config Path : Quality Management -> Environment -> Central Functions -> Authorization Management -> Define Authorization Groups and Digital Signature -> Mat. Auth. Group, Insp. Lot Approval, Digital Signature

Here, there will be pre-defined list of Authorization groups available. One can select required group from the list or can create new one as per the requirement.

Here, Material Authorization Group “000021” is used and no new authorization group is created.

Master Data

Following master data is used in the process:

1. QM View of Material Master (MM01/02/03).
2. Inspection Plan with MIC

• QM View of Material Master

In QM view of Material Master, Material Authorization Group needs to updated in the filed “QM Material Auth.”

• Inspection Plan with MIC

Create an appropriate inspection plan with at least one MIC, as this is mandatory for result recording.

Processing

In real-time environment, this functionality will be available once the required configuration is moved to production system & necessary details are updated in Material Master QM view.

To show the outcomes, here manual inspection lot is created with transaction code QA01. The process of result recording remains same, and the only change here is while saving results. Now, system will ask to provide SAP credentials as digital signature while saving result.

Voilà !

There are couple of things to consider here:

1. Here “Signatory” is SAP login ID.
2. System will not save the results unless and until correct credentials are provided.
3. If incorrect credentials are provided, system will throw the error message for invalid credentials.

Conclusion

By implementing this functionality, organization can omit risk of unauthorized person entering result. This can add an additional level of security for result recording and organization can be sure that only authorized persons are performing result recording.

Note: Any suggestions, modifications, improvements are always welcome.