How to load R/3 Plant, Customer, Vendor, all linked in T001W

Question

Hi,
In R/3 we have a Plant PL01. In the initial load of object DNL_PLANT this creates CRM BP #101 with role BBP003.
In R/3 we have a Customer CPL01 (linked to Plant PL01 in R/3 customizing table T001W). In the initial load of object BUPA_MAIN this creates CRM BP #102 CRM000.
In R/3 we have a Vendor VPL01 (linked to Plant PL01 in R/3 customizing table T001W). In the initial load of object VENDOR_MAIN this creates CRM BP #103 with role BBP000.
Question 1: How can we create the R/3 Plant PL01 in CRM as BP #PL01 (i.e. using an external number range)?
Question 2: How can we create the Plant, Customer & Vendor as a single CRM BP #?
Points will be rewarded.
Thanks,
J

Answer 1

Jim,
The problem you face is that CRM is going to download those as three separate partners.
Note 865321 gives a solution on how to load plants into CRM in an external range that you would specify.  This is however for DNL_PLANT.
Your next issue is unless your plant as customer and your plant as a vendor are in separate account groups for each, you won't be able to map these into a single business partner in CRM, unless you do some manipulation.
I guess what you could do on an initial load for those objects is the following:
1.  If the customer or vendor is a plant:
- Remanipulate the BDOC so that it becomes the single "plant business partner", on the ERP side.
2.  For delta's you will need to also do this remanipulation.
3.  If you plan on sending delta changes from CRM back to R/3 then on the CRM side you will need to decide how to distribute the changes from the single business partner back to the customer and vendor partners.
This is definitely possible, but it is going to take some effort and you will need a very seasoned middleware developer to make it happen.  I am guessing a couple of weeks for a experienced middleware guru to complete this.
Good luck,
Stephen