Process messages are created by process control to report actual data on the execution of a process order. Depending on the event to which it refers, a process message can be created in either of the following ways:

• Automatically in the corresponding PI sheet or process control system
• Automatically in Transaction CO69 – Create Process Messages Automatically
• Manually in Transaction CO57 – Create Process Messages Manually

In all cases, the structure of the process messages must correspond to the predefined message category in Customizing of the SAP R/3 System.

You can use this transaction to specify that process messages are created automatically according to the following criteria:

• In certain time intervals
• When a manufacturing event occurs

In this way, you can make sure, for example, that process messages on an event are created even if the relevant PI sheet is not being maintained.

If a process event is planned or expected, the corresponding message can be requested in a process instruction. In this case, the process operator maintaining the PI sheet or the control system processing the control recipe has to provide the process data to be reported in the message. The message of the requested message category is created automatically.

You create process messages manually:

• In unexpected situations that could not be taken into account in the control recipe (for example, in the case of malfunctions)
• If the process control system cannot provide the required information