Difference between Delivery Document and Shipment Document in SAP SD

In SAP SD, a delivery document is created to represent the physical goods being sent to a customer, while a shipment document is generated to record the actual shipment of those goods.

Key differences between the two documents include:

1. A delivery document is created before the goods are physically shipped, whereas a shipment document is generated after the goods have been shipped.
2. The delivery document is used to confirm the quantities and types of items being sent, while the shipment document serves as a record of the actual shipment process.
3. Delivery documents are often linked to sales orders, while shipment documents are associated with outbound deliveries.
4. Delivery documents are often used for billing purposes, while shipment documents are more focused on logistics and tracking of the goods.

Understanding the distinction between delivery and shipment documents is essential for a smooth order fulfillment process in SAP SD.