How To Fix COM_PRCAT080 - Ind. "Competitor Product" cannot be changed; products exist for category

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: COM_PRCAT - Product Category

• Message number: 080

• Message text: Ind. "Competitor Product" cannot be changed; products exist for category

What causes this issue?

The <LS>Competitor Products</> indicator can only be changed if no
products have yet been assigned to the category or any lower-level
categories.

System Response

The system issues an error message and will not allow you to continue with this transaction until the error is resolved.

How to fix this error?

Procedure for System Administrators

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message COM_PRCAT080 - Ind. "Competitor Product" cannot be changed; products exist for category ?

  The SAP error message COM_PRCAT080 indicates that you are trying to change a "Competitor Product" in a way that is not allowed because there are existing products associated with the specified category. This error typically arises in the context of managing competitor products within the SAP system, particularly in the SAP Customer Relationship Management (CRM) or SAP Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) modules.
  Cause:
  The error occurs due to the following reasons:
  
  Existing Associations: There are products already linked to the competitor product category you are trying to modify. SAP restricts changes to ensure data integrity and consistency.
  Data Integrity Rules: SAP enforces certain rules to prevent changes that could lead to inconsistencies in the product data structure.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve the error, you can take the following steps:
  
  
  Check Existing Products: Identify the products that are currently associated with the competitor product category. You can do this by navigating to the relevant product category in the SAP system and reviewing the linked products.
  
  
  Remove Associations: If you need to change the competitor product, you may need to first remove or reassign the existing products associated with that category. This can involve:
  
  Deleting the products if they are no longer needed.
  Reassigning them to a different category.
  
  
  
  Modify the Competitor Product: Once there are no products linked to the competitor product category, you should be able to make the desired changes without encountering the error.
  
  
  Consult Documentation: If you are unsure about the process or the implications of removing products, consult the SAP documentation or your organization's SAP support team for guidance.
  
  
  Check User Permissions: Ensure that you have the necessary permissions to make changes to competitor products and their associated categories.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check for any relevant SAP Notes that might provide additional insights or updates regarding this error message.
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with transaction codes related to product management, such as CMM1 (Create Competitor Product) or CMM2 (Change Competitor Product).
  Training and Support: If you frequently encounter issues with product management in SAP, consider seeking additional training or support from your SAP administrator or a consultant.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the COM_PRCAT080 error and successfully manage your competitor products in SAP.