How to Configure the Partner Relation Window in iDempiere
The Partner Relation window in iDempiere links a business partner to a related “proxy” partner for invoicing, payment, or shipping purposes. In retail, it is used when a head office, franchise owner, or third-party agent handles billing or receiving on behalf of a store or vendor. This relation directly affects which address appears on invoices, shipments, and payment remittances, reducing manual address corrections during document processing.
Process Flow
Business Rules
- Active relation records are the only ones available for document processing.
- The Related Partner acts as a proxy for invoicing, payment, or shipping tasks.
- Ship Address determines the delivery address used on shipment documents.
- Invoice Address routes generated invoices to the related partner’s address.
- Pay-From marks the related partner as the source of incoming payments.
- Remit-To Address directs outgoing vendor payments to the related partner’s address.
- A single Business Partner can have multiple relation records for different purposes.
- Related Partner Location is mandatory and defines the exact address used.
Prerequisites
- Business Partner configured (the primary customer or vendor).
- Related Business Partner configured (the proxy, such as head office or agent).
- Business Partner Location/Address set up for both partners.
- Organization configured (e.g., Chennai Store).
Navigation
Menu → Business Partner → Partner Relation
Configuration Steps
Step 1: Create a New Partner Relation Record
Click New (+), select the Organization, enter a descriptive Name, add a Description, and confirm the Active checkbox is enabled.
| Field | Sample Value | Description |
| Name | NANOTECH – Head Office Billing | Identifies the purpose of the relation |
| Description | Head office receives invoices and payments for Chennai branch | Notes the business reason |
| Active | Checked | Makes the relation available for transactions |
Step 2: Assign the Business Partner
Select the Business Partner from the lookup. Optionally set Partner Location to limit the relation to one specific address.
| Field | Sample Value | Description |
| Business Partner | NANOTECH EQUIPMENT PVT LTD | Primary partner the relation applies to |
| Partner Location | (blank) | Applies to all locations when left empty |
Step 3: Configure the Proxy / Related Partner
Expand the Proxy section, select the Related Partner, then choose the Related Partner Location that should be used.
| Field | Sample Value | Description |
| Related Partner | Micheal | Proxy partner handling billing or payment |
| Related Partner Location | Home Address | Address used for the proxy role |
Step 4: Enable Applicable Address Roles
Check only the roles that apply to the scenario: Ship Address, Invoice Address, Pay-From, and Remit-To Address. Save the record.
| Field | Sample Value | Description |
| Ship Address | Unchecked | Not used for delivery in this relation |
| Invoice Address | Checked | Invoices route to the related partner |
| Pay-From | Checked | Related partner is treated as payment source |
| Remit-To Address | Checked | Vendor payments route to related partner address |
Common Issues and Resolutions
| Issue | Cause | Resolution |
| Related Partner not found in lookup | Business Partner record inactive or missing | Verify the partner exists and is marked Active |
| Invoice still prints original address | Invoice Address checkbox not enabled | Enable Invoice Address on the relation record |
| Payment run ignores proxy partner | Pay-From checkbox not enabled | Enable Pay-From and reprocess the payment |
| Relation not applied to transactions | Active checkbox unchecked | Reactivate the relation record |
| Vendor payment sent to wrong address | Remit-To enabled on incorrect relation | Review and correct address role assignment |
Next Steps
- Configure the Business Partner window for both primary and related partners.
- Set up Business Partner Location/Address records for accurate routing.
- Review Invoice and Payment processing to confirm the proxy address is applied.
- Configure Payment Terms if the relation affects payment scheduling.