How To Fix SO198 - <&> is being processed by &

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: SO - SAPoffice: message texts

• Message number: 198

• Message text: <&> is being processed by &

What causes this issue?

The object you wish to process is currently locked either by yourself
or by another user.

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

System Response

To avoid inconsistent changes, the system only allows one user to make
changes to an object at a time.

How to fix this error?

You can currently only carry out the desired function in display mode
and make the changes at a later date.
If you are the user locking the object, check whether you are
processing it in another session.
If this is not the case, then the internal system lock was not reset,
for example, after a system crash.
In this case, the lock has to be reset manually.
To do this, select Tools -> Administration -> Monitor -> Lock entries.
If you do not have authorization for this, please contact your system
administrator.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message SO198 - <&> is being processed by & ?

  The SAP error message SO198 indicates that a particular object (often a document or a request) is currently being processed by another user or session. This typically occurs in scenarios where multiple users or processes are trying to access or modify the same object simultaneously, leading to a lock situation.
  Cause:
  
  Concurrent Access: Another user or process is currently working on the same object, which prevents your session from accessing it.
  Lock Mechanism: SAP uses a locking mechanism to ensure data integrity. When one user is editing or processing an object, it is locked for others until the first user completes their action.
  Long-running Processes: If a process takes a long time to complete, it can hold the lock for an extended period, causing delays for other users.
  
  Solution:
  
  Wait and Retry: The simplest solution is to wait for the other user or process to complete its work. After some time, try accessing the object again.
  Identify the Lock: If you need to know who is holding the lock, you can use transaction codes like SM12 (to view lock entries) or SM21 (to check system logs) to identify the user or process that is causing the lock.
  Contact the User: If you identify the user who is holding the lock, you can reach out to them to see if they can complete their task or release the lock.
  Terminate the Process: If necessary and if you have the appropriate permissions, you can terminate the process that is holding the lock using transaction SM66 (global work process overview) or SM50 (local work process overview). However, this should be done with caution as it may lead to data inconsistency.
  Check for Background Jobs: Sometimes, background jobs can also hold locks. You can check transaction SM37 to see if any background jobs are running that might be causing the lock.
  
  Related Information:
  
  Lock Management: Understanding how SAP handles locks can help in troubleshooting. Locks are typically managed at the database level, and SAP provides various tools to monitor and manage locks.
  User Training: Educating users about the importance of releasing locks and not keeping objects open unnecessarily can help reduce the frequency of this error.
  System Performance: If this error occurs frequently, it may indicate performance issues in the system that need to be addressed, such as optimizing long-running processes or improving system resources.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the SO198 error and understand its implications in your SAP environment.