What is a client in SAP system?

abap netweaver
n_g picture n_g · Aug 21, 2012 · Viewed 10.8k times · Source

Can someone please explain me what a client in a SAP NetWeaver system using the ABAP stack is and how does it create logical separations within the same installation?

Answer

Christian Trebing picture Christian Trebing · Aug 21, 2012

One SAP system can be used for several independent companies (or subsidiaries of a company). The client is used to separate the data of these companies. Most database tables in an SAP system therefore have the client is a key. This is used e.g. for transactional data, master data and client dependent customizing data. Nevertheless there is also customizing that is valid across all clients (so called cross client customizing.)

In a nutshell: Client is a key field in most database tables to separate data of multiple companies using the same SAP system. Each company has its own client number.

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