Transactions

Transactions are application programs that execute business processes in the SAP system. Whenever possible, master data is copied during transaction processing thus avoiding re-entry of data. For example, when executing the transaction, Create Sales Order, the user must enter the Customer Master number; this copy is in all of the relevant customer information. Likewise, once the material master numbers are entered for the items being ordered, then the relevant material data will be copied into the sales order. In addition, when performing each transaction, applicable organizational elements must be entered. For example, by specifying the sales organization information, the appropriate sales group is given credit for the sales activity, and similarly, the designation of the plant/storage location determines product sourcing.

Whenever a transaction is executed in the system, a document is created. That document, a data record of that transaction, contains all of the relevant predefined information from the master data and organizational elements.