Lesson 3 of 5
Groupings and numbers
7 min
When you create a business partner you choose a grouping. It looks like a small administrative field, but it decides the partner's number and, through CVI, the account group and number of the customer or supplier record behind it. It cannot be changed afterwards.
What a grouping does
Each grouping is assigned to a number range. The number range is either internal, where the system assigns the next free number, or external, where the user enters the number (external ranges may allow alphanumeric values). Companies define groupings for the kinds of partners they want to tell apart: domestic customers, foreign customers, suppliers, one-time partners, employees, intercompany partners.
- Choose groupingFor example "Domestic customers" when creating Great Lakes Fleet Services
- Number rangeThe grouping points to a BP number range, internal or external
- BP numberAssigned by the system or entered by the user, for example 17100001
- Account groupCVI maps the BP grouping to a customer or supplier account group
- Customer / supplier numberSame as the BP number if configured that way, otherwise from the account group's own range
Same number or different numbers?
SAP lets you configure the customer and supplier numbers to be identical to the BP number. It requires matching number ranges set up for it (the customer or supplier range uses external assignment so the BP number can be taken over). Many projects choose identical numbers because it makes support, reporting and interfaces simpler: number 17100001 is the same partner everywhere. But it is a recommendation, not a requirement. Companies with existing customer and vendor numbers that overlap, or with complex legacy numbering, often keep different numbers and live with a mapping.
| Approach | Benefits | Costs | Typical choice when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Identical BP, customer and supplier numbers | One number everywhere; easier support and reporting | Number ranges must be aligned; legacy customer and vendor numbers may clash | New implementations; conversions where legacy numbers do not overlap |
| Different numbers | Keeps legacy customer and vendor numbers unchanged | Users and interfaces must map BP numbers to customer and supplier numbers | Conversions where customer and vendor numbers overlap or are embedded in interfaces |
Grouping as a test variable
Because groupings drive numbers and account groups, they are worth testing explicitly. A new grouping for intercompany customers, for example, should be checked for the right BP number range, the right customer account group, and any downstream effect such as field status (which fields are required or hidden) and reconciliation account defaults. Field status for customers and suppliers can be controlled by account group, which is why the mapping matters.
- Does the new BP get a number from the expected range?Yes → check account group · No → grouping or number range assignment is wrong
- Is the customer or supplier record created with the expected account group?Yes → check numbers · No → CVI grouping-to-account-group mapping is wrong
- Do customer or supplier numbers follow the agreed rule (same or different)?Yes → check field status · No → number range alignment issue
- Are required and hidden fields as specified for this kind of partner?Yes → grouping works · No → field status or account group setup issue
What would you do?
During a mock data load for Contoso, 3,000 suppliers are loaded into the domestic customer grouping by mistake. What is the right way forward?
- The grouping, chosen at creation, determines the BP number range and cannot be changed.
- Number ranges are internal (system assigns) or external (user enters).
- CVI maps BP groupings to customer and supplier account groups.
- Identical BP and customer or supplier numbers are recommended, not mandatory.
- Test groupings for number range, account group and field status.
Check your understanding · not graded
Lesson check
1. What does a BP grouping determine?
2. What is an external number range?
3. Are identical BP and customer numbers mandatory?
4. What links a BP grouping to a customer account group?