Diference between STO and Shipment order?

Question

Hi All ,
There are two plants , one is manufacturing and other is sales .  In sales plant sales order is created and after MRP run Purchase requisition is created(for getting materisl from production plant) . In me59 we convert this Preq to shipment order.
1)Can oyu please tell me whant is diference between STO and shipment order?
2) Can you tell me what is the configuration to avoid creation of shipment order and system will only create the STO from Preq after executing Me59?
Thanks
Rohit Chavan

Answer 1

Hi Chavan,
Starting with "Shipmnt Order" definition => (from SAP Help):
   An order to a transportation service provider to ship goods from a shipper to a single consignee with agreed terms and conditions. The corresponding confirmation from the transportation service provider is also part of the business object.
   You can use this business object to subcontract the transportation of goods from a shipper to a single consignee if you cannot fulfill a shipment request yourself or if you regularly subcontract transportation services.
   You can also use this business object in the process of transportation service provider selection and tendering. The aim of both processes is to assign a suitable transportation service provider (TSP) to a shipment order.
http://help.sap.com/saphelp_tm60/helpdata/en/66/dda98bb6b64c30b925f031bb0a2023/content.htm
STO is just Stock Transport Order => functionality to move stock from one plant to another plant in two steps( inclidung GI in the sending plant and GR in the receiving plant).
Usuall documnt flow in the STO process => PO(UB or NB order type), delivery, GI -> GR (done via migo for example).
I believe that you can avoid cration of the Shipmnt order via correct selection on ME59 screen. Just something what is characteristic for STO and not for Shipmnt Orders.
Best Regadrs,
Tomek.