What happens when a supplier invoice has a quantity deviation that exceeds the upper tolerance limit?

When a supplier invoice has a quantity deviation that exceeds the upper tolerance limit, the system generates a message allowing posting, but the invoice is blocked for payment. This process is part of the validation checks that take place in the procurement cycle within SAP S/4HANA. The upper tolerance limit is established as a control mechanism to ensure that any significant discrepancies between the quantity ordered and the quantity received are flagged for review.

Blocking the invoice for payment while still allowing it to be posted ensures that the necessary checks can be performed to address any discrepancies before the payment is processed. This helps maintain financial control and accuracy within the organization, preventing potential issues with overpayments or inaccuracies in financial reporting.

In contrast, the other options would not adhere to the standard business practices of verifying discrepancies. Automatically approving an invoice without checks would increase the risk of errors. Freezing the invoice could indicate a complete halt in processing, which is not typical behavior within the system. Discarding the invoice outright would eliminate any opportunity for reconciliation, which is essential when discrepancies arise. Thus, the correct option reflects the balance between control and processing efficiency in handling supplier invoice variances.