How To Fix /AIF/EXT_CONTACT109 - 'Communication' field not unique in &1 - &2; will be merged to contact &3

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: /AIF/EXT_CONTACT -

• Message number: 109

• Message text: 'Communication' field not unique in &1 - &2; will be merged to contact &3

Self-Explanatory Message

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message /AIF/EXT_CONTACT109 - 'Communication' field not unique in &1 - &2; will be merged to contact &3 ?

  The SAP error message /AIF/EXT_CONTACT109 indicates that there is a problem with the uniqueness of the 'Communication' field in the context of external contact data. This error typically arises when the system detects multiple entries with the same communication details (like email addresses or phone numbers) for a contact, which violates the uniqueness constraint expected by the system.
  Cause:
  
  Duplicate Entries: The primary cause of this error is the presence of duplicate communication details (e.g., email addresses, phone numbers) for different contacts in the system.
  Data Import Issues: If you are importing data from an external source, the data might contain duplicates that were not cleaned up before the import.
  Configuration Issues: There may be configuration settings in the SAP system that enforce uniqueness for the 'Communication' field, leading to this error when duplicates are detected.
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Identify Duplicates: 
  
  Use transaction codes like SE16 or SE11 to query the relevant tables (e.g., BUT000, BUT020, etc.) to identify the duplicate entries based on the 'Communication' field.
  You can also use reports or custom queries to find duplicates.
  
  
  
  Merge or Remove Duplicates:
  
  If duplicates are found, decide whether to merge the entries or remove the unnecessary duplicates. This may involve consolidating contact information into a single entry.
  Use the appropriate SAP transaction (like BP for Business Partner) to edit or delete the duplicate entries.
  
  
  
  Data Validation:
  
  Implement data validation checks before importing data into the system to ensure that duplicates are not introduced.
  Consider using tools or scripts to clean the data before import.
  
  
  
  Review Configuration:
  
  Check the configuration settings related to the Business Partner or contact management to ensure that they align with your business requirements regarding uniqueness.
  
  
  
  Consult Documentation:
  
  Review SAP documentation or notes related to the AIF (Application Interface Framework) and the specific error message for any additional insights or recommendations.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check for any relevant SAP Notes that might address this specific error or provide additional troubleshooting steps.
  AIF Documentation: Familiarize yourself with the Application Interface Framework (AIF) documentation for better understanding and handling of interface errors.
  Business Partner Management: Understanding how Business Partner data is managed in SAP can provide insights into preventing such issues in the future.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the error and ensure that your contact data remains unique and compliant with SAP's requirements.