How To Fix RE189 - Simultaneous entry of a vendor and a customer is not possible

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: RE - Earmarked funds

• Message number: 189

• Message text: Simultaneous entry of a vendor and a customer is not possible

What causes this issue?

Both a vendor and a customer is specified in the earmarked fund. This
is not allowed.

System Response

Further processing is not possible.

How to fix this error?

Enter a vendor or a customer.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message RE189 - Simultaneous entry of a vendor and a customer is not possible ?

  The SAP error message RE189, which states "Simultaneous entry of a vendor and a customer is not possible," typically occurs when you attempt to create or modify a business partner in SAP that is set up as both a vendor and a customer at the same time. This situation is not allowed in SAP because it can lead to confusion in financial transactions and reporting.
  Cause:
  
  Business Partner Configuration: The business partner you are trying to create or modify is already defined as both a vendor and a customer in the system.
  Data Entry Error: You may have inadvertently entered data that suggests the same entity is both a vendor and a customer.
  Master Data Management: The system is designed to prevent the simultaneous creation of a vendor and a customer to maintain data integrity.
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Check Existing Business Partner: 
  
  Go to the Business Partner transaction (BP) and check if the business partner you are trying to create or modify already exists as both a vendor and a customer.
  If it does, you will need to decide whether to keep it as one or the other.
  
  
  
  Modify Business Partner Role:
  
  If you need to change the role of the business partner, you can do so by navigating to the Business Partner transaction (BP) and editing the roles assigned to that partner.
  Remove the role that is not needed (either vendor or customer) and save the changes.
  
  
  
  Create Separate Entries:
  
  If the business partner needs to be both a vendor and a customer, consider creating two separate entries: one for the vendor role and another for the customer role. Ensure that they have different identifiers (e.g., different business partner numbers).
  
  
  
  Consult Documentation: 
  
  Review SAP documentation or consult with your SAP administrator for specific guidelines on managing business partners in your version of SAP.
  
  
  
  Check Configuration Settings:
  
  If you have the necessary permissions, check the configuration settings in the SAP system to ensure that the settings for business partner roles are correctly defined.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any updates or patches related to this error message. Sometimes, specific versions of SAP may have known issues that are documented in SAP Notes.
  User Authorization: Ensure that you have the necessary authorizations to create or modify business partners in the system.
  Training and Documentation: If you are frequently encountering this error, consider additional training on business partner management in SAP to better understand the implications of vendor and customer roles.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the RE189 error and manage your business partners effectively in SAP.