Number Assignment
Use
A unique number is assigned to each business partner master record. You can use this number to access the master record, or to refer to the business partner when processing business transactions.
Features
The number for a business partner master record can be assigned in one of the following ways:
You assign the number. In this case, you define a number range that allows for alphanumerical number assignment. The system checks whether the number you enter is unique and within the number range defined by the account group.
The system assigns a consecutive number automatically from a number range defined by the account group.
The account group determines whether external or internal number assignment is allowed for a business partner master record. For account groups 0001 to 0005, for example, only internal number assignment is allowed in the standard R/3 System.
Number Range
A number range can be valid for more than one account group.
You can use the number range to assign different numbers to a head office and subsidiaries.
In the standard R/3 System, the account groups for the following customer partner functions are in the same number range so the numbers for these customer master records are assigned consecutively:
Integration
A customer's number is unique for all sales areas and company codes. A vendor's number is unique for all purchasing organizations and company codes.
You first create a master record for your business partner in one sales area. You then create a second master record for the same business partner in another sales area. In this case, the system identifies the business partner number and does not display the existing general data from the first master record for maintenance. You can use the change and display functions to access the general data.
Prerequisites
In Customizing you define the number ranges that are to be available. You do this in the following activities: