Difficulty in searching for materials in SAP

The Issue

In SAP, there are numerous ways of searching for a material. This is done by clicking on F4. It is possible to search by Material Type, Old Material Number, by description, Manufacturer Part number, etc. However, Users would like to search based on other Criteria.

The Solution

If SAP extensive searching method is not suitable, I would suggest using Material Classification. With Material Classification, you are able to classify each material by your own searching criterias. For example, you can add Colour, Size, Location, etc.
To do this, follow the steps below.
1) Create the characteristics that you require, e.g. Colour, Size, etc in T-code CT04.
2) Create Class with Class type 001.
3) Assign the characteristics that you created in Step 1 to Class in Step 2.
4) Extend Material Master in MM01 to add Classification View. If you cannot find classification view while extending, you will need to add it in configuration. Go to SPRO --> Logistics General --> Material Master --> Basic Settings --> Material Types --> Define Attributes of Material Type --> Select your material type and double click on it. Then highlight Classification view and save.
5) Go to Change Material, t-code MM02. Select Classification view, then, add the values that is related to that particular material. For example, For a red material, you can add the value "Red" in Colour Characteristics.

Thats it. You're done with Material Characteristics. Now to search by using these "Values", Use the same method as before by clicking on F4 at the Material field. Then choose Search by classification.