IS-Retail PO creation in ME21N

Question

Hi Friends,
I created an article and vendor master. Then I tried to create PO using the above. I got an error stating that " Article not listed in SITE. How to address this error?
And, how  article, vendor, site and Porg relationship is established in SAP retail.
Please help me.
Regards,
Ram

Answer 1

Hi Ram,
A reference site is not a pure template. It is more an organization maintenance level for master data. Behind is hidden a sophisticated copy and reference handling. But we start with the simple things.
As you can see in transaction WSS1, there are two input fields called u2018Reference Site for DCsu2019 and u2018Reference Site for Storesu2019
In these fields we strictly recommend to enter at least a value in DC field and also in the Store field, if you define your reference level globally for store. There exists a deeper level of reference definition for stores on distribution chain level.
But before you can enter here something, check your business and define a clear vision of your master data future. Then create a reference site with the know transactions, give it  nice name and of course a virtual physical address.
Yes, this is correct we are creating a virtual site and not a real one, because in ERP Retail, it is recommended to use these sites as copy references. In the future, the behavior of the reference sites can change. And a very important thing - these sites should not be used as productive sites keeping stocks or have accounting data.
For example, generic articles will be maintained on such reference sites only, because they do not have stock. The article master will be maintained in the logistic views on these reference sites. You can identify this because the site field in the logistic view is empty. That means an empty site field represents the reference store level. (just select a logistic view in article master without an entered site value)
In a following chapter we will see, how a field value on a reference site level will be inherited to depending sites. The assignment will be done automatically. All Sites from type DC will be assigned to the reference DC and all stores to the reference store. Depending on a distribution chain level, you can have additional lower reference store.
In the upper view, you will see also a field called u2018Vendor default datau2019. This is a setting for specialist. In chapter reference handling we will have a deeper look on it. Important to know in a 2 level distribution between vendor to DC and DC to site, the determination of a source of supply will have impact on logistic master data of article master. Depending on this setting, the some logistic parameters will be taken from the vendor level. Changes on vendor data e.g. planned delivery days will change article master data in a mass update run.
e.g generic article will be created virtually on the reference sites, but they cannot have real stock.
regards
Björn