Introduction
Partner Functions in SAP MM define the roles that vendors can assume during procurement transactions. These roles are integral to how vendors interact with your business and how procurement and financial processes are handled. By assigning the appropriate partner functions, you can ensure smooth operations in purchasing, invoicing, and goods receipt.
In this tutorial, we’ll walk through the Partner Functions concept in SAP MM, explore how to configure them, and explain their significance in the Vendor Master setup. Additionally, we’ll guide you through customization settings and partner schema assignments in SAP.
Table of Contents
- What Are Partner Functions in SAP MM?
- Common Partner Functions for Vendors
- Customization Settings in SAP MM
- Define Account Groups and Field Selection
- Define Number Ranges for Vendor Master Records
- Partner Determination and Partner Roles
- Partner Settings in Vendor Master Record
- Define Partner Schemas
- Assign Partner Schemas to Account Groups
- Partner Settings in Purchasing Documents
- Define Partner Schemas
- Assign Partner Schemas to Document Types
- Conclusion
1 What Are Partner Functions in SAP MM?
Partner Functions in SAP MM are used to designate the roles that a vendor can play within a procurement transaction. Each role corresponds to a specific task or responsibility in the business process. For example, a vendor may function as the goods supplier, the ordering address, or the invoicing party.
These partner functions are assigned to the Vendor Master Record, and they help SAP determine how business transactions should be handled. The partner roles ensure that the correct processes are triggered for procurement, invoicing, and payment.
2 Common Partner Functions for Vendors
Here are some of the most commonly used partner functions in SAP MM:
| Partner Function Code | Partner Function | Description |
|---|---|---|
| VN | Vendor | The primary role of the vendor in the procurement process. |
| OA | Ordering Address | The partner responsible for placing the order. |
| GS | Goods Supplier | The partner who supplies the goods. |
| PI | Invoicing Party | The partner responsible for presenting the invoice. |
These partner functions help manage the relationship with vendors and define their roles in various stages of the procurement cycle.
3 Customization Settings in SAP MM
Customizing the partner functions and schemas in SAP MM ensures that the correct roles are assigned to vendors at the right stages of the procurement process. Here’s how to configure the necessary settings:
Define Account Groups and Field Selection
To start, you need to define the Account Groups and assign the Field Selection for the Vendor Master record. This ensures that only the relevant fields for the vendor’s roles are displayed.
Path:SPRO -> Logistics General -> Business Partner -> Vendors -> Control -> Define Account Groups and Field Selection (Vendor)
Define Number Ranges for Vendor Master Records
Define number ranges for the Vendor Master records to control how vendors are numbered in the system.
Path:SPRO -> Logistics General -> Business Partner -> Vendors -> Control -> Define Number Ranges for Vendor Master Records and Assignment
4 Partner Determination and Partner Roles
Define Partner Roles
Next, you need to configure Partner Roles, which specify the different roles that a vendor can play in your procurement transactions.
Path:SPRO -> Material Management -> Business Partner -> Partner Determination -> Partner Roles -> Define Partner Roles
Define Permissible Partner Roles per Account Group
Once partner roles are defined, you can specify which roles are permissible or mandatory for each Account Group. This ensures that the right partner roles are assigned based on the account group settings.
Path:SPRO -> Material Management -> Business Partner -> Partner Determination -> Define Permissible Partner Roles per Account Group
5 Partner Settings in Vendor Master Record
Define Partner Schemas
Partner Schemas (also known as Partner Procedures) group together the partner roles assigned to vendors. These schemas are linked to vendor account groups and determine the roles associated with a specific vendor.
Path:SPRO -> Material Management -> Business Partner -> Partner Determination -> Partner Settings in Vendor Master Record -> Define Partner Schemas
Assign Partner Schemas to Account Groups
After defining partner schemas, you can assign them to Account Groups. This assignment ensures that the correct partner roles are applied to each vendor account.
Path:SPRO -> Material Management -> Business Partner -> Partner Determination -> Partner Settings in Vendor Master Record -> Assign Partner Schemas to Account Groups
6 Partner Settings in Purchasing Documents
Define Partner Schemas for Purchasing Documents
Partner schemas can also be assigned to purchasing documents to define the partner roles for specific document types (e.g., purchase orders, contracts).
Path:SPRO -> Material Management -> Business Partner -> Partner Determination -> Partner Settings in Purchasing Documents -> Define Partner Schemas
Assign Partner Schemas to Document Types
Once partner schemas are defined for purchasing documents, you can assign them to specific document types to automate the partner role assignments during document creation.
Path:SPRO -> Material Management -> Business Partner -> Partner Determination -> Partner Settings in Purchasing Documents -> Assign Partner Schemas to Document Types
7 Conclusion
In SAP MM, Partner Functions and Partner Schemas are essential for managing the roles that vendors play in procurement processes. By configuring partner functions, roles, and schemas, businesses can ensure that procurement transactions, such as ordering, invoicing, and payment, are handled efficiently and accurately.
Proper partner function configuration allows you to automate many aspects of vendor management, ensuring that the correct roles and responsibilities are assigned at each step of the procurement process. With this customization, SAP MM enables better tracking and management of vendor relationships, leading to smoother business operations.
For more detailed information, feel free to explore additional SAP MM tutorials and training resources to further enhance your understanding and skills.