How To Fix FDM_AR_CUST017 - You cannot use alternative payer and direct payer functions together

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: FDM_AR_CUST - FSCM-DM: Dispute Management Customizing (AR Process Integ.)

• Message number: 017

• Message text: You cannot use alternative payer and direct payer functions together

Self-Explanatory Message

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message FDM_AR_CUST017 - You cannot use alternative payer and direct payer functions together ?

  The SAP error message FDM_AR_CUST017 indicates that there is a conflict in the configuration of the billing process where both alternative payer and direct payer functions are being used simultaneously. This situation is not allowed in SAP, as it can lead to inconsistencies in the billing and payment processes.
  Cause:
  The error typically arises when:
  
  Alternative Payer: This function allows you to specify a different payer for the invoice than the one who is receiving the goods or services.
  Direct Payer: This function is used when the payment is made directly by a third party, which is different from both the customer and the payer.
  
  When both functions are attempted to be used together in a transaction, SAP raises this error because it cannot process the billing correctly with conflicting payer information.
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you can take the following steps:
  
  
  Review Transaction Data: Check the transaction or document that triggered the error. Ensure that you are not trying to set both an alternative payer and a direct payer for the same transaction.
  
  
  Adjust Configuration:
  
  If you need to use an alternative payer, ensure that the direct payer function is not activated for that transaction.
  Conversely, if you need to use a direct payer, ensure that the alternative payer function is not being used.
  
  
  
  Consult Documentation: Review the SAP documentation or configuration guides related to billing and payment processing to understand the correct setup for your business scenario.
  
  
  User Training: Ensure that users involved in the billing process are trained on the correct usage of payer functions to avoid this error in the future.
  
  
  SAP Support: If the issue persists or if you are unsure about the configuration, consider reaching out to SAP support or your internal SAP team for further assistance.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes such as VF01 (Create Billing Document), VF02 (Change Billing Document), and VF03 (Display Billing Document) to troubleshoot the issue.
  Configuration Settings: Check the configuration settings in the SAP system related to billing and payer functions, which can be found in the SPRO (SAP Project Reference Object) under Financial Accounting (FI) settings.
  Documentation: Review SAP Notes and Knowledge Base Articles (KBAs) related to billing and payer functions for additional insights and solutions.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the error and ensure that your billing processes function smoothly without conflicts between alternative and direct payer settings.