Free limit (overall limit vs free limit)

Question

Hello,
I would have a question regarding item category D (service) in Purchase Order.
For such items, a tab "Limits" is displayed, In this tab, there is a field "Overall limit" but also a nested tab called "Other limit" with a field "Limit" (corresponds to free limit in the help)
Help gives me this message :
Overall limit --> Maximum value that the total of all unplanned services (or the value of the material) covered by this document item may not exceed.
Free limit --> Maximum value which an unplanned service may not exceed.
I don't understand the difference between those 2 fields. When I use ML81N, I can not create an item whose the value exceed one of this field.
Example given :
Overall limit = 5000u20AC
Free limit = 1000u20AC
In ML81N, if I create a SES with gross price = 1001u20AC, I get message No limit for unplanned services amounting to 2.501,00 exists
Other example :
Overall limit = 5000u20AC
Free limit = 10000u20AC
In ML81N, if I create a SES with gross price = 5001u20AC, I get message No overall limit of          5.001,00 for unplanned services exists
So I am blocked as soon as 1 of the limit in reached.
Does anyone could explain the difference between those 2 fields?
Thanks for your help,
Patrick

Answer 1

Please refer to the Online documentation: Material Management -> External Services Management -> Procurement of Services: Processes -> Accelerated and Simplified Processes -> Use of Value Limits (for Unplanned Services) Inside this documentation, it is stated that there is a variety of limits (combinations) to be used:- - Overall limit only - Overall limit and limit on services covered by contract item(s) - Overall limit, limit on services covered by contract item(s), - and other limit - Overall limit and other limit - Overall limit on services from model specifications or standard service catalog - Expected value The expected value is used in the update of the PO item value and this is the value used in the release strategy. Here is the f1 help: Expected value - ESUH-COMMITMENT Value that the unplanned services (or the materials) covered by this item are not expected to exceed. Use If you are working with the release (approval) procedure for purchasing documents, this value serves as the basis for a release strategy applied to this document. If you tick 'No limit',you don't need to enter 'Overall limit',but must enter 'Expected value'.Because 'Expected value' will affect the release strategy. Please read the note 440601 connected to this. Concerning the variability of actual cost of a purchase order, expected value means that the unplanned services (or materials) covered by this item are not EXPECTED to exceed. It is not mandatory that it has the same value like total limit value. Expected value can exceed, it is used for comparison with total limit value in cost control. Expected value can also be combined with unlimited total limit in a purchasing document