The SAP SD Real time Business Process for Commercial Business is a comprehensive workflow that automates each stage of the sales and distribution cycle—from customer order placement through invoicing and payment. This process is essential for companies managing large volumes of sales, as it streamlines order validation, delivery, billing, and coordination with third-party logistics providers. Customers place orders through a front-end portal, and the data flows seamlessly into SAP via middleware, generating IDOCs that create sales orders, apply delivery blocks, and trigger order acknowledgments. Each step is designed to reduce manual input, eliminate errors, and enhance overall operational efficiency.

For users new to SAP SD or those seeking to expand their knowledge of these real-time processes, TutorialKart.com offers an invaluable library of resources. TutorialKart’s step-by-step tutorials break down complex SAP SD functions, from middleware setup and IDOC configuration to billing and goods issue automation. By providing practical examples and clear instructions.

Business Process 1 : Commercial Business Process

During commercial Business Process, the Business has provided provision to the customer to Access the Front-End Customer service portal – java application for which customers can punch Purchase Order (Sales Orders) by entering required fields like Material, Quantity, PO number etc. Once the Order is placed by the customer through Portal, the orders details will get Interfaced to SAP System Via Middleware Tool See Burger.

As and when the file reaches to the SAP System it will convert into an EDI IDOC with message type ORDERS and Sales order will be created Automatically.

Once the Order is getting created through and IDOC, system will automatically apply the Delivery Block at the Sales order Header Level. Then Customer Service Team use to Validate the Sales Order and release the Delivery Block, if the data is correct and Order Acknowledgement message output ORDRSP IDOC will be created to the customer through EDI functionality, this is to update the status of the Order to the Customer.

Subsequently the order will get picked up by the Batch Job and the Delivery will be created automatically in the Background. During Delivery Creation, a delivery notification DESADV IDOC will get generated from the Delivery Output type, which will integrate the Data to Third Party Logistic Services Via middleware SEEBURGER.

As soon as the Third-Party logistics receives the picking list Notification they will Acknowledge and Pack the materials from the Warehouse and Starts Loading and other Logistical Activities, in order to Deliver the Goods to the Customer.

As soon as the Goods have Dispatched from the Warehouse by the third-party Logistical Service, they will send Data back to SAP system and the data file would then converted as an IDOC and process the IDOC to SAP System with message type WHSCOM PGI message.

The IDOC should contain the Batch Detail, Product, Delivery number, Quantity etc. Once the IDOC has successfully processed to the SAP System, PGI will get successfully completed Automatically and the status of the Goods movement will get updated as completed means “C”.

Once PGI has been completed for a delivery, the Billing Batch Job will be Picking the Delivery Document and create Invoice automatically.

At the time of Invoice Creation, EDI Output ZSWO will get processed and IDOC generates with message type INVOIC to integrate the Invoice details to customer directly. Once customer receives the INVOCIE, he will make the payment.

SAP SD Real time Business Process – Interview Questions

Here are some possible interview questions about this SAP SD process, along with answers to help explain each step:

1 How is a sales order created automatically in SAP, and what triggers this process?

  • Answer: When an order file reaches the SAP system through the middleware (like SEEBURGER), it’s converted into an EDI IDOC with the message type ORDERS. This IDOC automatically triggers the creation of a sales order in SAP, provided that all necessary data is included in the IDOC.

2 What role does the Delivery Block play in this process, and when is it applied?

  • Answer: A Delivery Block is automatically applied to the sales order at the header level as soon as it’s created. This block prevents further processing of the order until the Customer Service team validates it. The team checks the accuracy of the data and releases the delivery block if everything is correct.

3 How does the system inform the customer about their order status?

  • Answer: Once the Customer Service team releases the delivery block, an Order Acknowledgement IDOC (ORDRSP) is generated and sent back to the customer. This ORDRSP IDOC communicates that the order is confirmed and ready for the next steps.

4 What happens after the delivery block is released, and how is delivery created automatically?

  • Answer: After the delivery block is released, a batch job automatically picks up the validated sales order and creates a delivery document in the background. During this delivery creation, a DESADV IDOC (Delivery Notification) is generated, which is sent to third-party logistics providers to begin preparation for shipping.

5 How does SAP communicate with third-party logistics providers (3PL), and what information is sent?

  • Answer: SAP communicates with 3PL through the DESADV IDOC generated from the delivery document. This IDOC, sent via SEEBURGER, includes information such as the delivery number, product details, and quantity. The 3PL then uses this data to pick, pack, and prepare the order for dispatch.

6 What is the purpose of the WHSCOM IDOC, and when is it processed?

  • Answer: The WHSCOM IDOC is processed when the 3PL dispatches the goods from the warehouse. This IDOC is sent back to SAP with key details like batch information, product details, and delivery numbers. Once SAP receives this WHSCOM IDOC, the Post Goods Issue (PGI) is completed automatically, marking the goods as dispatched in the system.

7 Describe the automatic billing process that takes place after PGI is completed.

  • Answer: After PGI, a billing batch job picks up the delivery document and creates an invoice automatically. This invoice creation generates an INVOIC IDOC (with output type ZSWO), which is sent to the customer through EDI. The INVOIC IDOC ensures the customer has all necessary billing details for payment processing.

8 What is the significance of IDOCs in the SAP SD commercial business process?

  • Answer: IDOCs (Intermediate Documents) enable seamless data transfer between SAP and external systems, such as customer portals and third-party logistics providers. In this process, IDOCs like ORDERS, ORDRSP, DESADV, WHSCOM, and INVOIC ensure that data flows smoothly, minimizing manual intervention and improving real-time communication at each stage, from order creation to invoicing.

These questions and answers cover the main components of the process, ensuring candidates understand each part of the workflow, the role of IDOCs, and the purpose of automation in commercial transactions in SAP SD.