How To Fix /SRMSMC/REPLICATION172 - Supplier with identical address data already exists (supplier &1)

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: /SRMSMC/REPLICATION -

• Message number: 172

• Message text: Supplier with identical address data already exists (supplier &1)

Self-Explanatory Message

Since SAP believes that this specific error message is 'self-explanatory,' no more information has been given.The majority of messages in the SAP system have a message text, however this is frequently insufficient to comprehend or resolve the problem.

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.

Unfortunately, there isn't any extra information in this error notice.

What else can you do?

First, use our AnswerBot below to get a possible cause and solution (requires a premium subscription).

Also, review the in-depth Common Questions & Answers listed below; you could discover a solution there or be able to connect with others who have faced similar challenges.

You can also try searching the SAP support portal (support.sap.com) but you need a special user ID to access it. It is possible that an SAP support note exists that provides additional details about the mistake or even steps for fixing it.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message /SRMSMC/REPLICATION172 - Supplier with identical address data already exists (supplier &1) ?

  The SAP error message /SRMSMC/REPLICATION172 indicates that there is an attempt to create or replicate a supplier in the system, but a supplier with identical address data already exists. This is a common issue in systems that manage supplier data, especially when integrating or replicating data from different sources.
  Cause:
  The error occurs due to the following reasons:
  
  Duplicate Supplier Data: The system has detected that the supplier you are trying to create or replicate has the same address details (such as name, address, contact information) as an existing supplier in the database.
  Data Replication Issues: If you are replicating data from another system (like a legacy system or another SAP instance), it may contain duplicates that are not resolved before replication.
  Inconsistent Data Entry: Manual data entry errors can lead to duplicate suppliers being created with similar or identical information.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you can take the following steps:
  
  
  Check Existing Suppliers:
  
  Use transaction codes like BP (Business Partner) or MK03 (Display Vendor) to search for existing suppliers with similar address data.
  Verify if the supplier you are trying to create already exists in the system.
  
  
  
  Modify or Merge Suppliers:
  
  If a duplicate supplier exists, consider merging the data or updating the existing supplier instead of creating a new one.
  If the existing supplier is incorrect or outdated, you may need to update or delete it, depending on your business rules.
  
  
  
  Data Cleansing:
  
  Implement data cleansing processes to identify and resolve duplicates in your supplier data before replication.
  Use tools or scripts to identify similar records based on key fields (like name, address, etc.) and resolve them.
  
  
  
  Review Replication Settings:
  
  If the error occurs during data replication, review the settings and mappings in your replication process to ensure that duplicates are handled appropriately.
  Ensure that the source system does not have duplicates before initiating the replication.
  
  
  
  Consult Documentation:
  
  Refer to SAP documentation or support notes related to supplier management and data replication for additional guidance and best practices.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes such as BP, MK01, MK02, and MK03 for managing business partners and suppliers.
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or patches related to supplier replication and management.
  Data Governance: Consider implementing data governance practices to maintain data quality and prevent duplicates in the future.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the error and ensure that your supplier data is accurate and up-to-date.