How To Fix MEPO291 - Materials with phantom assembly are not supported for subcontracting.

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: MEPO - New Purchase Order Dialog

• Message number: 291

• Message text: Materials with phantom assembly are not supported for subcontracting.

Self-Explanatory Message

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message MEPO291 - Materials with phantom assembly are not supported for subcontracting. ?

  The SAP error message MEPO291 indicates that there is an issue with the use of phantom assemblies in the context of subcontracting. Phantom assemblies are typically used in production planning to simplify the bill of materials (BOM) by grouping components together, but they are not supported in subcontracting scenarios.
  Cause:
  The error occurs when you attempt to create a subcontracting purchase order or a purchase requisition for a material that is defined as a phantom assembly in the system. Since phantom assemblies are not treated as standalone materials in the context of subcontracting, SAP raises this error to prevent the creation of such documents.
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you can consider the following approaches:
  
  
  Change the Material Type: If the material in question is not intended to be a phantom assembly, you may need to change its material type in the material master data. This can be done by:
  
  Navigating to the material master (transaction code MM02).
  Changing the material type from "Phantom Assembly" to a suitable type that supports subcontracting (e.g., Finished Goods or Raw Materials).
  
  
  
  Use Non-Phantom Components: If the phantom assembly is necessary for your production process, consider breaking it down into its individual components for the purpose of subcontracting. This means creating a subcontracting order for the individual components instead of the phantom assembly.
  
  
  Review BOM Structure: If the phantom assembly is part of a larger BOM, you may need to review the BOM structure and ensure that the components used for subcontracting are not defined as phantom assemblies.
  
  
  Consult with SAP Support: If you believe that the use of phantom assemblies in your specific business process should be supported, consider reaching out to SAP support for guidance or to check if there are any updates or notes regarding this limitation.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Phantom Assembly Definition: A phantom assembly is a grouping of components that are treated as a single unit for planning purposes but are not physically stocked. They are typically used to simplify the BOM and production process.
  Subcontracting in SAP: Subcontracting allows a company to outsource certain production processes to third-party vendors. In SAP, this involves creating purchase orders that specify the components to be provided to the subcontractor.
  Material Master Data: The material master contains all the information related to a material, including its type, which determines how it can be used in various processes within SAP.
  
  By following the above solutions, you should be able to address the MEPO291 error and proceed with your subcontracting processes in SAP.