Core Processes

Advanced Comments

Business Essentials improves how information is added and communicated in sales and purchase documents by automating the insertion of predefined content.

Process Flow

• When a sales or purchase document is created:
  • The system automatically inserts Advanced Comments based on:
    • Customer or vendor
    • Item or item/customer relationship
• Comments can be added:
  • At header level (e.g., delivery instructions, commercial notes)
  • At line level (e.g., item-specific agreements)
• In parallel:
  • Work Instructions are made available to internal users to guide execution of the order process

Key Outcome

• Ensures consistent external communication
• Provides clear internal guidance during document processing
• Reduces manual entry and risk of missing critical information

Learn more on Advanced Comments.

Enforcement of Customer and Vendor Agreements

Business Essentials introduces controls to ensure that transactions comply with predefined commercial agreements.

Process Flow

• During sales or purchase order entry:
  • The system validates selected items against Customer/Vendor Listings
  • Depending on configuration:
    • Items may be restricted, validated, or monitored
• Users are:
  • Warned or blocked if items do not match the defined agreements

Key Outcome

• Prevents incorrect item selection
• Reinforces contract compliance
• Improves accuracy in commercial transactions

Learn more on Customer Listing.

Handling of Quantitative Variations (Over-Shipments)

Certain industries require flexibility in shipped or received quantities. Business Essentials supports these scenarios through controlled over-processing.

Process Flow

• During shipment or receipt posting:
  • Users can process quantities greater than the ordered quantity
• This is typically applied for:
  • Bulk-managed items (e.g., grains, liquids)
  • Catchweight products (e.g., meat, fish)
• The system ensures:
  • Controlled posting of excess quantities
  • Alignment with real-world logistics constraints

Key Outcome

• Supports real-life operational scenarios
• Avoids manual workarounds
• Maintains data integrity while allowing flexibility

Learn more on Over-Shipment Settings

Document Data Quality and Cleanup

Business Essentials introduces automation to keep documents clean and relevant throughout processing.

Process Flow

• When releasing or processing documents:
  • The system automatically removes zero-quantity lines
• This applies to:
  • Sales documents
  • Purchase documents

Key Outcome

• Improves document readability
• Prevents unnecessary or incorrect postings
• Ensures cleaner transactional data

Learn more on Clean zero quantity lines

Related Features

For additional control over document structure and behavior, see:

• Hide Lines with Zero Quantity — Improves document readability by hiding non-relevant lines without deleting data.
• Default Planning Flexibility — Ensures consistent planning behavior when creating supply documents.

Shortage Monitoring and Tracking

Tracking differences between ordered and delivered quantities is essential for both customer satisfaction and supplier evaluation.

Process Flow

• During order fulfillment or receipt:
  • The system records shortages when quantities are not fully delivered
• Shortages are:
  • Tracked on both sales and purchase sides
  • Used for:
    • Customer service analysis
    • Vendor performance evaluation

Key Outcome

• Provides visibility over fulfillment issues
• Supports performance monitoring and continuous improvement

Learn more on Shortage Management