In this step, you define the message types for scheduling agreements.

In the SAP System, the message type denotes different kinds of message (in Purchasing, mainly communications sent to vendors, such as purchase orders, order acknowledgments, and expediters).

To define a message type, you must enter the following:

• Message type

  Alphanumeric key, up to four characters in length, uniquely defining a message type.

• Access sequence

  Key for the access sequence.

• Description

  Text describing the message type.

• Detailed data (only the most important are dealt with here):
• Multiple transmission
Indicator via which you specify whether a message can be outputted to the same partner several times. If you set this indicator, specify under the heading "Change messages" the program and FORM routine with which the change message is generated. In the standard system, these are program FM06AEND and the FORM routine CHANGE_FLAG.
In addition, you must set the "New message determination" indicator in the message schema for the scheduling agreement.
• Transmission medium
Single-character, numeric key defining the type of message processing (e.g. printout, transmission as fax or e-mail).
• Time-spot
Single-character, numeric key defining the point in time at which the message is processed (e.g. immediately a document is saved or with the next selection run).
• Partner role
Partner role defining the recipient.
• Condition access
Indicator specifying that the default for this message is to be generated via the condition technique.
• Access TNADR
Single-character, numeric key defining the conditions upon which the print parameters are determined (see the step Adjust Form for Purchasing Documents).

Note
The values for the transmission medium, time-spot, and partner role entered under the detailed data are automatically adopted as default values when a message record is created for the message type.

Set up fine-tuned control for each message type

For each message type you create, you must specify the operations for which it is to be used.
For example: operations "new output", "output of changes" or "output of expediters".

To do so, choose Fine-Tuned Control: Scheduling Agreement in the Customizing activity.

Recommendation

• To create a new message type, copy a similar, already-existing one and make any necessary changes.
• If you define your own message types, the key should begin with the letters Y or Z, since SAP keeps these name slots free in the standard system supplied.

Activities

1. Check to what extent you can use the message types included in the standard SAP System supplied and to what extent you must change them.
2. Define your message types for scheduling agreements.