The Global Location Number (GLN), which is also called the International Location Number (ILN), uniquely identifies a physical, functional, or legal entity. Suchentities must be identified:
In EDI messages
When transport information about logistics units is transferred
For printing bar codes that are to contain location information
The data for the organizational unit is replaced by the GLN. You can standardize the GLN for business partners.
The GLN can be coded in EAN/UCC-128 symbols and attached as part of a bar code:
At a physical location (ship-from location, warehouse, and so on)
In addition to the Serial Shipping Container Code (SSCC) in a logistics unit to identify the parties involved in the delivery process.
A GLN is always linked to an address such as postal address, physical location, IP address, or e-mail address.
Unlike global coordinates, you create GLNs according to your needs. The GLN is defined by the company and is therefore only relevant within the company. You can assign the GLN to your plants.
You can also assign a GLN to each container in your warehouse, and you must identify them uniquely.
The GLN uses the EAN/UCC-13 structure, as shown in the figure below:
GLNs can be used in the following processes:
Sales orders
Purchase orders
Shipping notifications
Invoices
The GLNs that are assigned to the SAP objects are stored in the GLN table .
Examples of entities that are identified by a GLN are:
Plant
Customer
Vendor
Sales organization