How To Fix GEOCODING020 - Geocoding: Address not unique - system assumed address

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: GEOCODING - All Geocoding Messages

• Message number: 020

• Message text: Geocoding: Address not unique - system assumed address

What causes this issue?

An address was geo-coded in the background, that is, the respective
longitude and latitude data was determined by the system. However, the
address was not unique (for example, if you entered Frankfurt, this
could refer to Frankfurt-on-Main in the Western part of Germany, or
Frankfurt-on-Oder in the Eastern part. Therefore, the system had to
make a decision or an assumption (usually the most probable option -
for example, based upon the size of the cities).
The system did not modify the address data during this process.

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?

Check the address entered and, if required, set a new geo-coding for
this address (in dialog mode). Correct the address.

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 GEOCODING020 - Geocoding: Address not unique - system assumed address ?

  The SAP error message GEOCODING020 indicates that the geocoding process has encountered an address that is not unique. This means that the system found multiple possible matches for the address provided, and as a result, it has assumed a default or generic address instead of a specific one.
  Cause:
  
  Ambiguous Address: The address provided may be incomplete or ambiguous, leading to multiple potential matches in the geocoding database.
  Data Quality Issues: There may be inconsistencies or errors in the address data, such as misspellings, incorrect formatting, or missing components (like postal codes).
  Geocoding Database Limitations: The geocoding service being used may not have sufficient data to accurately resolve the address to a unique location.
  
  Solution:
  
  Verify Address Accuracy: Check the address for any errors or missing components. Ensure that it is complete and formatted correctly.
  Use More Specific Information: If possible, provide additional details such as postal codes, city names, or landmarks to help narrow down the search.
  Consult Geocoding Documentation: Review the documentation for the geocoding service being used to understand how it handles ambiguous addresses and what additional parameters can be provided.
  Update Geocoding Database: If you have control over the geocoding database, consider updating it with more accurate or comprehensive address data.
  Test with Different Addresses: Try geocoding other addresses to see if the issue is isolated to a specific address or if it is a broader problem with the geocoding service.
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or patches related to geocoding errors.
  Geocoding Services: Understand the geocoding service being used (e.g., Google Maps API, SAP's own geocoding service) and its limitations.
  Address Validation Tools: Consider implementing address validation tools to ensure that addresses are standardized and validated before geocoding.
  Error Handling: Implement error handling in your application to manage cases where geocoding fails or returns ambiguous results.
  
  By addressing the underlying causes and following the suggested solutions, you can reduce the occurrence of the GEOCODING020 error and improve the accuracy of geocoding in your SAP system.