Question: SD masters,

I've noticed that after change in customer master data (like street, name, etc.) this data is also changes in existing sales order for this customer, even if those sales orders are completed.

Any idea why ? SAP should have created new address record and keep also the previous one... surprising ...

Any suggestions how to avoid this issue ?

Thanks,

Shai E.

Answer:
Please ignore, issue resolved

Answer:
Thanks you to Shai for the following explanation!

SAP maintains addresses in table ADRC by address number (ADRNR).
Each customer master (KNA1-KUNNR) has single unique ADRNR created automatically by the system (number range 1XX…XXX).
During creation of sales order the business partners, which includes the customer' are maintained in VBPA. SAP stores there the customer actual address number, or in other words, a pointer.
If you change the customer address and VD02, then it'll reflect all sales order which refer to that ADRNR, even completed sales order.
If you change the customer address within the sales order (VA02), the system creates temporary ADRNR per sales order (number range 9XX…XXX) and do not influence the customer ADRNR.
I expected SAP to maintain address number with validity dates but such simply doesn't exist.

Therefore:
1. Update customer master address (VD02) only in cases where the customer address has actually changed.

2. Otherwise, update the address in the sales order business partner.

3. Consider using ship-to parties as required.

Developing & integrating address number with validity dates is simply not worthwhile. If you persist, consider SAP OSS – there's a relative note.