In SAP S/4HANA, how is the access to essential material data typically controlled?

Access to essential material data in SAP S/4HANA is typically controlled by user roles. This method allows the organization to define specific access permissions based on the roles assigned to users. Roles contain authorizations that determine what actions a user can perform and which material data they can view or modify. By utilizing user roles, companies can implement a structured and secure way to manage access to sensitive material data, ensuring that only authorized personnel can manipulate or see specific information.

In contrast, while organizational units, material groups, and system configurations play significant roles in the overall data management and structure in SAP S/4HANA, they do not directly govern user access to material data. Organizational units represent different segments or departments in a company, material groups serve as classifications for similar materials, and system configurations refer to the setup and parameters of the SAP system. These aspects contribute to the functioning of the system, but it is the user roles that specifically define and enforce access privileges concerning material data.