Common SAP Acronyms: Quick Reference

Acronyms can mean different things across SAP modules and projects. This guide covers common meanings.

Business processes and documents

Acronym	Meaning	Plain-language explanation
PR	Purchase Requisition	Internal request to buy goods or services.
PO	Purchase Order	Formal order sent to a supplier.
GR	Goods Receipt	Recording goods received into the system.
GI	Goods Issue	Recording goods leaving stock, for example for production or delivery.
IR	Invoice Receipt	Recording a supplier invoice.
TR	Transfer Requirement	A request or instruction to move stock within warehouse processes.
HU	Handling Unit	A packed unit, such as a pallet or carton, tracked as one unit.
BOM	Bill of Materials	List of components needed to make a product.
PROD	Production	Often used as shorthand for production or the production environment; confirm the meaning in context.

Project and testing

Acronym	Meaning	Plain-language explanation
DEV	Development	Environment where changes are built or configured.
FS	Functional Specification	Describes what a solution should do from a business or functional perspective.
TS	Technical Specification	Describes how a technical solution will be built.
UT	Unit Testing	Tests an individual configuration item, development, or process step.
SIT	System Integration Testing	Tests processes across modules or connected systems.
UAT	User Acceptance Testing	Business users check that the solution meets their needs.
FUT	Project-specific; sometimes Functional Unit Testing	Not a universally standardized SAP acronym. Check the project glossary before using it.
Regression Testing	—	Checks that existing processes still work after a change.
E2E	End-to-End	Tests a complete process from start to finish.
OAT	Operational Acceptance Testing	Checks readiness for operations and support.
Cutover	—	Activities to move from the old solution to the new one.
Hypercare	—	Extra support immediately after go-live.

SAP functional and technical terms

Acronym	Meaning	Plain-language explanation
BP	Business Partner	Central record for parties such as customers and suppliers.
BAdI	Business Add-In	SAP enhancement option for adding custom logic.
BAPI	Business Application Programming Interface	Standard SAP interface for business operations and data.
ALV	ABAP List Viewer	SAP tool for displaying and working with reports and lists.
RFC	Remote Function Call	Technology for communication between SAP systems or programs.
ABAP	Advanced Business Application Programming	Programming language used in SAP applications.
T-code	Transaction Code	Shortcut to an SAP transaction or function.

SAP technology and data migration

Acronym	Meaning	Plain-language explanation
BTP	Business Technology Platform	SAP platform for integration, extensions, data, and application development.
CDS	Core Data Services	SAP data modeling technology.
CPI	Cloud Integration	SAP integration service; commonly associated with SAP Integration Suite.
LTMC	Legacy Transfer Migration Cockpit	Older SAP migration cockpit transaction; availability and use depend on the SAP release.
DMC	Data Migration Cockpit	Tools and applications for migrating data to SAP.
LSMW	Legacy System Migration Workbench	Legacy tool for data migration; use in newer SAP environments may be limited.

Data and integration

Acronym	Meaning	Plain-language explanation
XML	Extensible Markup Language	Text format for structuring and exchanging data.
API	Application Programming Interface	A way for applications or systems to communicate.
OData	Open Data Protocol	Protocol commonly used to expose and consume SAP services.
ETL	Extract, Transform, Load	Process for moving and reshaping data between systems.

SAP modules and business processes

Acronym	Meaning	Plain-language explanation
MM	Materials Management	Procurement and inventory processes.
SD	Sales and Distribution	Sales, delivery, and billing processes.
FI	Financial Accounting	External financial accounting and reporting.
CO	Controlling	Internal cost and management accounting.
PP	Production Planning	Production planning and execution.
QM	Quality Management	Quality planning, inspection, and control.
PM	Plant Maintenance	Maintenance of equipment and assets.
WM	Warehouse Management	Warehouse operations and stock movements.
EWM	Extended Warehouse Management	Advanced warehouse processes.
TM	Transportation Management	Transport planning and execution.
MDG	Master Data Governance	Managing and governing master data.

Common end-to-end processes

Acronym	Meaning	Plain-language explanation
P2P	Procure-to-Pay	From purchasing goods or services to paying the supplier.
O2C	Order-to-Cash	From receiving a customer order to collecting payment.
R2R	Record-to-Report	From recording transactions to producing financial reports.

Typical testing and deployment flow:
Build → Unit Testing → SIT → UAT → Regression Testing → Cutover → Go-Live → Hypercare

Some terms—especially FUT, PROD, TR, and tool names—can vary by project or SAP release. Confirm them in your project glossary or with the relevant SAP team.