How To Fix KE638 - SAP operating concern &2 can only be activated in system &1

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: KE -

• Message number: 638

• Message text: SAP operating concern &2 can only be activated in system &1

What causes this issue?

&V2& is a standard operating concern that was delivered with the system.
It can be activated, but cannot be changed, in system &V1&.

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?

Create your own operating concern.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message KE638 - SAP operating concern &2 can only be activated in system &1 ?

  The SAP error message KE638 indicates that there is an issue with activating an operating concern in the SAP system. Specifically, the message states that the operating concern you are trying to activate can only be activated in a specific system, which is identified by the system ID (&1) in the error message.
  Cause:
  The error typically arises due to one of the following reasons:
  
  Incorrect System Environment: The operating concern you are trying to activate is configured to be used in a different system (e.g., a development or production system) than the one you are currently working in.
  Configuration Issues: The operating concern may not be properly configured or may have dependencies that are not met in the current system.
  Transport Issues: If the operating concern was transported from another system, it may not have been correctly set up in the target system.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve the KE638 error, you can take the following steps:
  
  
  Check System ID: Verify that you are in the correct SAP system where the operating concern is supposed to be activated. If you are in the wrong system, switch to the correct one.
  
  
  Review Configuration: Ensure that the operating concern is properly configured in the system. You can do this by checking the settings in the SAP Controlling (CO) module.
  
  
  Transport Request: If the operating concern was transported from another system, ensure that all necessary transport requests have been successfully imported and that the configuration is complete.
  
  
  Consult Documentation: Review the SAP documentation or notes related to the operating concern to ensure that all prerequisites and configurations are met.
  
  
  Check Authorizations: Ensure that you have the necessary authorizations to activate the operating concern in the system.
  
  
  Contact SAP Support: If the issue persists after checking the above points, consider reaching out to SAP support for further assistance. They may provide specific notes or patches that address the issue.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: You may need to use transaction codes such as OKB9 (to manage operating concerns) or KOB1 (to display CO documents) to investigate further.
  SAP Notes: Search for relevant SAP Notes in the SAP Support Portal that may address this specific error or provide additional troubleshooting steps.
  Documentation: Review the SAP Help Portal for detailed information on operating concerns and their configuration.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify the cause of the KE638 error and implement a solution to activate the operating concern successfully.