How To Fix /SAPAPO/RET_MESSAGES008 - Start date was set to earliest calendar date

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: /SAPAPO/RET_MESSAGES -

• Message number: 008

• Message text: Start date was set to earliest calendar date

Self-Explanatory Message

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To make things easier, more detailed information is frequently added to describe the issue, how to fix it, and the necessary steps or configuration modifications.

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message /SAPAPO/RET_MESSAGES008 - Start date was set to earliest calendar date ?

  The SAP error message /SAPAPO/RET_MESSAGES008 indicates that the start date for a certain operation or process has been set to the earliest calendar date, which is typically January 1, 1970. This can occur in various scenarios within SAP Advanced Planning and Optimization (APO) when the system is unable to determine a valid start date for a planning operation.
  Cause:
  
  Invalid Date Configuration: The start date may have been set incorrectly in the planning parameters or master data.
  Missing Data: Required data for the planning process (like product availability, demand, or supply) may be missing or not properly configured.
  System Defaults: The system may default to the earliest date if no valid date is provided or if the date is outside the acceptable range.
  Data Transfer Issues: If data is being transferred from another system (like SAP ERP), there may be issues with the data mapping or transfer process.
  
  Solution:
  
  Check Planning Parameters: Review the planning parameters and ensure that the start date is set correctly. Adjust the settings to provide a valid start date.
  Validate Master Data: Ensure that all relevant master data (like product master, location master, etc.) is complete and correctly configured.
  Review Demand and Supply Data: Check if there are any issues with the demand and supply data that could be causing the system to default to the earliest date.
  Adjust Date Settings: If applicable, adjust the date settings in the planning book or the relevant transaction to ensure that a valid date is being used.
  Check for Data Transfer Errors: If the issue arises after a data transfer, review the transfer logs for any errors or warnings that could indicate problems with the data being transferred.
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or patches related to this error message. SAP frequently updates its knowledge base with solutions for common problems.
  Transaction Codes: Use transaction codes like /SAPAPO/SDP94 (for planning book) or /SAPAPO/MC90 (for master data) to review and adjust settings.
  Documentation: Refer to SAP documentation for APO to understand the configuration settings related to planning and scheduling.
  Support: If the issue persists, consider reaching out to SAP support or your internal SAP team for further assistance.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify the root cause of the error and implement a solution to resolve it.