The PO Confirmation Control Key in SAP: A Deep Dive Explained Simply

ERP SAP ==> SAP Material Managment

Imagine you're a procurement specialist juggling dozens of POs. Now imagine not knowing *when* goods will arrive. That’s where the Confirmation Control Key steps in — acting like a smart GPS signal for your incoming deliveries.

What Is a PO Confirmation Control Key?

At its core, the Confirmation Control Key is a setting in SAP used within the Confirmations tab of a Purchase Order (PO) item. It tells the system what kind of delivery confirmations are expected from the vendor — such as:
  • Order Acknowledgment
  • Shipping Notification
  • Inbound Delivery
  • GR (Goods Receipt) relevance
This setup ensures better tracking, planning, and inventory management. It basically answers the question: “Do we need a heads-up from the vendor before they ship, and should we rely on it to process goods receipt?”

Why Use It? Real-World Scenario

Let’s say you’re ordering expensive turbine parts from an overseas vendor with a 12-week lead time. You don’t want to guess the arrival date. Instead, by setting a confirmation control key, you:
  • Request a shipping notice or inbound delivery in advance
  • Get the ETA into your availability check
  • Prevent premature GR postings (no more “we thought it arrived” situations)
This gives better visibility, tighter inventory control, and cleaner MIGO transactions.

How It Works Behind the Scenes (SAP Behavior)

Once a confirmation control key is set:
  • GR posting in MIGO is blocked until confirmation (like inbound delivery) is received.
  • MIGO will only allow GR for the quantity that’s been confirmed.
  • It prevents guessing or misposting of received goods.
In other words, it adds a layer of validation between the PO and warehouse operations.

Where and How to Set It Up

SAP Configuration Path:

SPRO -> Materials Management -> Purchasing -> Confirmations -> Setup Confirmation Control
OR use TCode: OMGZ Here’s what you can do there:
  • Define custom confirmation control keys
  • Assign different confirmation categories (like order acknowledgment, shipping notification)
  • Set relevance to GR or planning

Assigning It to a Vendor:

Once created, assign it in vendor master:
  • TCode: MK01 / MK02 -> Purchasing View
  • From there, it auto-populates into the PO when you create it.

Do You Always Need to Fill This?

Short answer: No. But…

In Normal POs:

It’s common to use confirmation control keys when:
  • The material is critical or expensive
  • Lead times are long
  • You're working with EDI/IDoc-based processes
If you don’t use it, the PO can still go through, but you’ll lose the system-enforced visibility. GR will be based on faith rather than confirmed shipping data.

In STOs (Stock Transport Orders):

Usually not used, but:
  • If filled, inbound delivery becomes mandatory
  • Without it, GR can be done manually
  • With it, VL31N (Inbound Delivery) must be used or configured IDoc will automate it
So if you're just moving stock between plants, it's overkill unless you need tight shipping control.

What Happens If You Try to Change It Later?

Here’s a common pain point:
You realize later you need to change the confirmation control key in ME23N, but there's already a partial GR. SAP says nope — once a GR exists, the confirmation key becomes locked.

Your Options?

  1. Reverse the GR, change the confirmation key, then post the GR again.
  2. Short-close the existing line, and create a new line item with the updated confirmation key.
SAP protects data integrity by freezing the key once logistics movements are recorded.

EDI & IDoc Integration

When integrated with EDI (Electronic Data Interchange):
  • Vendors can send confirmation data automatically
  • System creates inbound deliveries or shipping notifications
  • Whole process becomes hands-free and audit-ready
This is a best practice for large-scale, recurring procurement processes.

Summary: When to Use Confirmation Control Keys

Situation Use Confirmation Control? Why?
Critical or long-lead materials Yes Ensures accurate delivery planning
Internal stock transfers (STOs) Usually No Manual GR is faster unless inbound delivery is used
EDI/automated vendor communications Yes Enables auto-updates and tight control
Routine office supplies No Too much overhead for low-value items

Pro Tips

  • Always test your confirmation control in sandbox before rolling out
  • Use custom confirmation keys for specific vendors or material types
  • Train your GR and planning teams on how MIGO behaves when confirmations are active
  • Document every inbound delivery step to avoid GR posting issues

Final Thoughts

The Confirmation Control Key isn’t just an SAP checkbox — it’s a visibility lever. When used strategically, it improves planning, reduces surprises, and enhances vendor accountability. Think of it as your way to say: "If it’s not confirmed, it’s not received." 

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