Master Data Synchronization

Purpose

Master data synchronization synchronizes master data objects in an SAP system that are similar from a business, but not from a technical, point of view, and in this way allows you to integrate different SAP applications seamlessly in your business processes.

You can use master data synchronization, for example, to set up integration of the SAP Business Partner with the customer master. This allows you to integrate SAP applications that make technical use of the Business Partner in their user interface, and use the customer master as a technical basis in subsequent business processes.

Implementation Considerations

In order to be able to use master data synchronization, you must have defined and activated Synchronization Control as well as Customer/Vendor Integration and/or Material/Service Integration in Customizing of the Cross-Application Components under Master Data Synchronization .

Pay attention to the following note on master data synchronization terminology:

Note Note

The paired terms, customer/debtor and supplier/creditor/vendor, are used with the same meaning in master data synchronization, and one term can be substituted synonymously when the documentation is read.

End of the note.

Integration

Master data synchronization is based in particular on the two master data objects SAP Business Partner and SAP Product , and makes it possible for the following synchronization processes, among others, to be carried out:

  • Synchronization of the business partner with the customer/debtor master

  • Synchronization of the business partner with the supplier/creditor master

  • Synchronization of the product with the material master

  • Synchronization of the product with the service master

For a complete list of all synchronization processes that are defined and active in an SAP system, see the synchronization cockpit under Synchronization Processes .

Master data synchronization replaces the current technical solutions for Customer/Vendor Integration and complements some business processes that are based on integration between the product master and the material or service master ( Material/Service Integration ).

Master data synchronization also has an effect on the archiving processes of the master data objects business partner/customer master /vendor master and product/material master /service master .

For more information on activating/deactivating synchronization processes, see the IMG of the Cross-Application Components under Start of the navigation path Master Data Synchronization Next navigation step Synchronization Control. End of the navigation path

Features

Synchronization Directions

A synchronization process is always defined as a one-way synchronization between a source object type and a target object type, meaning that the synchronization is only ever active in one direction, from the source object type to the target object type. If the data of an object instance of the source object type is changed, the corresponding data in the corresponding object instance of the target object type is changed at the same time. Both synchronization directions must be activated in the SAP system in order to allow the undirected synchronization of two master data object types.

Synchronization Scenarios

There are two synchronization scenarios in master data synchronization:

  • Synchronization from the master data maintenance

    When you create and save new master data, the system carries out initial synchronization with the master data object types for which synchronization processes have been activated in the SAP system, and creates the corresponding master data.

    If you change existing master data that has already been synchronized, the system locks this master data, and all the corresponding master data of the source object type and the target object type during maintenance. When you save the changed master data, the system generally carries out a delta synchronization with the master data object types for which synchronization processes have been activated in the SAP system, and changes the corresponding master data. In some cases, changing existing master data can lead to a delta synchronization having to be carried out.

  • Synchronization using the synchronization cockpit

    You use the synchronization cockpit to prepare, perform and check the initial synchronization of master data objects in an SAP system.

Constraints

Master data synchronization can neither synchronize master data objects across systems, nor can it transfer master data objects from external or legacy systems. You can use the SAP external data transfer to transfer legacy or external data.