Duplicate check

Checking SAP data for duplicates

Duplicate check

Multiple master data with the same content (duplicates) are a frequent weak point in master data. Not only do duplicates cause unnecessary effort when creating and maintaining data. They are also a source of errors, for example for incorrect deliveries, incorrect prices and conditions or key figures in evaluations. Duplicates are just as negative for procurement and inventory management. The examples could go on and on.

But what are the causes of duplicates and how can they be avoided? Here are two reasons for the occurrence of duplicates in SAP:

  • Incorrect entry: users may enter data more than once if they do not realize that it already exists.
  • System migration and interfaces: When transferring data from other systems, duplicates can also occur if data is not merged correctly.

Duplicate checking in the APICON Data Master

The Data Master addresses the two causes of duplicates in SAP:

Checking when creating and changing data

The system checks whether there is already a data record with the same or similar content and lists the data found with the duplicate probability. This allows the user to decide whether they actually need to create the data record.

Checking the existing data

Checks the existing database for similarities and therefore potential duplicates. The identified duplicates are also listed here with probability. This is the basis for cleaning up the duplicates found.

While the duplicate check can be carried out interactively during data maintenance, the inventory data check runs in the background.


Checking any SAP data for duplicates

The duplicate check in the Data Master works technically for any data objects in SAP. In order to assess the specific data, check fields are stored and weighted for the respective data object.

Ready-made templates are already available for the following data objects:

  • SAP business partner (SAP Business Partner)
  • SAP material master

The settings for other data objects are made on a project-specific basis.


Integration into data maintenance in the Data Master

The duplicate check within the Data Master offers the advantage that other tools that are part of the Data Master's range of functions (e.g. key figures, task management or data object-specific follow-up operations) can be integrated directly. This means that all the functions required to systematically remove duplicates from master data can be found in a single application.