When you work with subcontracting in SAP Logistics Management, you might wonder: how does the system know whether to wait for an automated carrier response or require manual confirmation/rejection? The answer lies in a simple but crucial piece of business partner data: the BN4L ID.
What Is BN4L?
BN4L stands for Business Network for Logistics — SAP’s cloud-based collaboration platform that connects shippers with carriers. Through BN4L, SAP Logistics Management can send subcontracting requests to carriers and receive their responses — all automatically, without any manual actions.
However, not every carrier is connected to BN4L. Some may use traditional communication channels, such as phone or email, to confirm their transportation orders. SAP Logistics Management must determine which carriers can communicate via BN4L and which require manual handling.
The BN4L ID: Your Carrier’s Digital Fingerprint
The key factor in deciding whether a carrier is connected to BN4L is the BN4L ID (also known as the LBN ID), maintained as an external identifier on the carrier’s business partner data. When a carrier is onboarded to SAP Business Network for Logistics, they receive this unique identifier, which enables electronic communication.
In SAP S/4HANA, this ID is maintained in the business partner master data under the Identification section with the identification type LBN001 (SAP Business Network for Logistics ID).
Subcontracting In SAP Logistics Management
So, in SAP Logistics Management, the BN4L ID is used for subcontracting mode determination and serves as the primary identification for automated communication with carriers via BN4L. To enable this communication, the BN4L integration must be properly configured. This understanding sets the stage for a detailed look at the subcontracting process in LGM.
Subcontracting Mode Determination
The process starts when the Send to Carrier action is triggered for a consignment. SAP Logistics Management checks the carrier’s business partner identification data for the BN4L ID to determine how confirmation should be handled:
If the carrier has a BN4L ID. The system expects an electronic confirmation via SAP Business Network for Logistics, and no manual action is required.If the carrier does not have a BN4L ID. The system expects manual confirmation/rejection after contacting the carrier outside the system.
This BN4L-based mechanism is particularly relevant in the Direct LTL shipping process, where the transportation order is sent for subcontracting after the tendering process
Identifying BN4L Carriers On The UI
In the Manage Consignments app, you can add the Carrier column to your list report view. This indicator shows whether the assigned carrier has a maintained BN4L ID, helping you quickly identify which consignments will receive automated responses and which require manual handling.
Subcontracting Process Flow
For Non-BN4L Carriers (Manual Process)
The consignment Carrier Confirmation Status is set to Confirmation Pending, and the system marks the consignment with Action Required (reason: Open Task) to highlight this manual step.
At the end of the subcontracting process, a manual action must be triggered to update the consignment Carrier Confirmation Status to Confirmed or Rejected.
For BN4L Carriers (Automated Process)
The Carrier Confirmation Status updates to Confirmation Pending, with additional information indicating that the system is waiting for a response from the carrier via SAP Business Network for Logistics.
The consignment Carrier Confirmation Status automatically updates to Confirmed or Rejected based on the carrier response.
Setting Up BN4L Integration In SAP Logistics Management
To enable BN4L subcontracting, the integration must be configured using the following steps:
Maintain the BN4L ID in S/4HANA. Add an identification of type LBN001 to the carrier’s Business Partner master data in SAP S/4HANA. The LBN ID must be retrieved from the SAP Business Network for Logistics and also set on the master data record.Replicate the Business Partners to SAP Logistics Management. Once the carrier data is updated, replicate the Business Partner to SAP Logistics Management using the Business Partner Replication process from the connected S/4 system. Replication can run automatically via a scheduled job or ad-hoc.
Configure the BN4L Connection. Set up the technical connection to BN4L by maintaining the communication system, creating the communication arrangement, and configuring the destination with the correct authentication details. Follow the BN4L Integration Setup guide to ensure successful communication between SAP Logistics Management and BN4L.
Wrapping Up
In SAP Logistics Management, the subcontracting confirmation mode is determined by verifying whether a BN4L ID is assigned to the carrier — its presence enables automated electronic confirmations, while its absence requires manual confirmation/rejection.
This approach makes managing subcontracting confirmations simple and clear:
Single source of truth. The BN4L ID on the carrier master data shows whether a carrier can use BN4L. You don’t need extra flags or settings.Automatic updates. When a carrier connects to BN4L and you replicate their data, their consignments automatically switch to electronic confirmation.Works with all carriers. BN4L carriers get automated confirmations, while carriers not connected to BN4L are handled manually. You can manage both types in the same system without issues.
When you work with subcontracting in SAP Logistics Management, you might wonder: how does the system know whether to wait for an automated carrier response or require manual confirmation/rejection? The answer lies in a simple but crucial piece of business partner data: the BN4L ID.What Is BN4L?BN4L stands for Business Network for Logistics — SAP’s cloud-based collaboration platform that connects shippers with carriers. Through BN4L, SAP Logistics Management can send subcontracting requests to carriers and receive their responses — all automatically, without any manual actions.However, not every carrier is connected to BN4L. Some may use traditional communication channels, such as phone or email, to confirm their transportation orders. SAP Logistics Management must determine which carriers can communicate via BN4L and which require manual handling.The BN4L ID: Your Carrier’s Digital FingerprintThe key factor in deciding whether a carrier is connected to BN4L is the BN4L ID (also known as the LBN ID), maintained as an external identifier on the carrier’s business partner data. When a carrier is onboarded to SAP Business Network for Logistics, they receive this unique identifier, which enables electronic communication.In SAP S/4HANA, this ID is maintained in the business partner master data under the Identification section with the identification type LBN001 (SAP Business Network for Logistics ID).Subcontracting In SAP Logistics ManagementSo, in SAP Logistics Management, the BN4L ID is used for subcontracting mode determination and serves as the primary identification for automated communication with carriers via BN4L. To enable this communication, the BN4L integration must be properly configured. This understanding sets the stage for a detailed look at the subcontracting process in LGM.Subcontracting Mode DeterminationThe process starts when the Send to Carrier action is triggered for a consignment. SAP Logistics Management checks the carrier’s business partner identification data for the BN4L ID to determine how confirmation should be handled:If the carrier has a BN4L ID. The system expects an electronic confirmation via SAP Business Network for Logistics, and no manual action is required.If the carrier does not have a BN4L ID. The system expects manual confirmation/rejection after contacting the carrier outside the system.This BN4L-based mechanism is particularly relevant in the Direct LTL shipping process, where the transportation order is sent for subcontracting after the tendering processIdentifying BN4L Carriers On The UIIn the Manage Consignments app, you can add the Carrier column to your list report view. This indicator shows whether the assigned carrier has a maintained BN4L ID, helping you quickly identify which consignments will receive automated responses and which require manual handling.Subcontracting Process FlowFor Non-BN4L Carriers (Manual Process)The consignment Carrier Confirmation Status is set to Confirmation Pending, and the system marks the consignment with Action Required (reason: Open Task) to highlight this manual step.At the end of the subcontracting process, a manual action must be triggered to update the consignment Carrier Confirmation Status to Confirmed or Rejected.For BN4L Carriers (Automated Process)The Carrier Confirmation Status updates to Confirmation Pending, with additional information indicating that the system is waiting for a response from the carrier via SAP Business Network for Logistics.The consignment Carrier Confirmation Status automatically updates to Confirmed or Rejected based on the carrier response.Setting Up BN4L Integration In SAP Logistics ManagementTo enable BN4L subcontracting, the integration must be configured using the following steps:Maintain the BN4L ID in S/4HANA. Add an identification of type LBN001 to the carrier’s Business Partner master data in SAP S/4HANA. The LBN ID must be retrieved from the SAP Business Network for Logistics and also set on the master data record.Replicate the Business Partners to SAP Logistics Management. Once the carrier data is updated, replicate the Business Partner to SAP Logistics Management using the Business Partner Replication process from the connected S/4 system. Replication can run automatically via a scheduled job or ad-hoc.Configure the BN4L Connection. Set up the technical connection to BN4L by maintaining the communication system, creating the communication arrangement, and configuring the destination with the correct authentication details. Follow the BN4L Integration Setup guide to ensure successful communication between SAP Logistics Management and BN4L.Wrapping UpIn SAP Logistics Management, the subcontracting confirmation mode is determined by verifying whether a BN4L ID is assigned to the carrier — its presence enables automated electronic confirmations, while its absence requires manual confirmation/rejection.This approach makes managing subcontracting confirmations simple and clear:Single source of truth. The BN4L ID on the carrier master data shows whether a carrier can use BN4L. You don’t need extra flags or settings.Automatic updates. When a carrier connects to BN4L and you replicate their data, their consignments automatically switch to electronic confirmation.Works with all carriers. BN4L carriers get automated confirmations, while carriers not connected to BN4L are handled manually. You can manage both types in the same system without issues. Read More Technology Blog Posts by SAP articles
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