How To Fix MW188 - &2 distribution centers maintained for item &1

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: MW - Messages IS-R / Allocation Tables

• Message number: 188

• Message text: &2 distribution centers maintained for item &1

What causes this issue?

In this screen the system displays all distribution centers which are
maintained as a source of supply for the plants in item &V1&.
The item category controls how goods are to be procured and thus
defines which sources of supply (external vendors or distribution
centers) are allowed for the plants in the item.

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

Purchase order placed with distribution center
In this screen the system displays all distribution centers which are
maintained as a source of supply for the plants in item &V1&. You can
maintain the sources (i.e. external vendors) and the delivery dates for
the distribtution center.
Allocation out of warehouse stock
In this sceen the system displays all distribution centers which are
maintained as a source of supply for the plants in item &V1&. Since the
goods are already in the distribution center when the stock split is
created, no external vendor may be entered for the distribution center.
Procurement via a third-party (direct store delivery)
The plants are supplied directly by a vendor. No distribution centers
are maintained for the item.

System Response

No cannot enter any distribution centers in this screen.

How to fix this error?

Enter a source of supply (external vendor) and the delivery date.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message MW188 - &2 distribution centers maintained for item &1 ?

  The SAP error message MW188 indicates that there are multiple distribution centers maintained for a specific material (item) in the system. This error typically arises when trying to perform a transaction that requires a single distribution center, but the system finds more than one distribution center associated with the material.
  Cause:
  The primary cause of this error is that the material in question has been set up with multiple distribution centers in the system, and the transaction being executed requires a specific distribution center to be defined. This can happen in scenarios such as:
  
  Attempting to create or change a sales order, purchase order, or stock transfer where a single distribution center is expected.
  The material master data for the item has been configured with multiple storage locations or distribution centers.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve the MW188 error, you can take the following steps:
  
  
  Check Material Master Data:
  
  Go to the material master record for the item in question (transaction code MM03).
  Check the "Plant Data / Storage" view to see which distribution centers are assigned to the material.
  If necessary, determine if you need to consolidate the distribution centers or if you need to specify one for the transaction.
  
  
  
  Specify a Distribution Center:
  
  If the transaction allows, specify a single distribution center when executing the transaction. This can often be done in the selection screen or input fields of the transaction.
  
  
  
  Review Configuration:
  
  If you are managing multiple distribution centers, ensure that the configuration aligns with your business processes. You may need to adjust the settings in the configuration to ensure that the system behaves as expected.
  
  
  
  Consult Documentation:
  
  Review SAP documentation or help files related to the specific transaction you are trying to execute. This may provide additional insights into how to handle multiple distribution centers.
  
  
  
  Contact Support:
  
  If the issue persists and you are unable to resolve it, consider reaching out to your SAP support team or consulting with an SAP expert who can provide further assistance.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes such as MM03 (Display Material), MM02 (Change Material), and others that may be involved in managing material master data.
  SAP Notes: Check for any SAP Notes related to error MW188 for additional context or patches that may address the issue.
  User Roles and Authorizations: Ensure that you have the necessary authorizations to view and modify material master data, as this can impact your ability to resolve the error.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify the cause of the MW188 error and implement a solution to resolve it.