SAP WM/EWM- Process, Functionality, Scope, Benefits, Advantages, Disadvantage-Complete Reference-Part 15 (WM & EWM comparative study in Real time Business Environment for Automating the Warehouse).
Dear Experts/ Consultants,
I have come across many questions from various clients and individuals interested in Warehouse automation on comparison between an WM & EWM.
Why we need to use WM. we can control inventory using IM ? will not be effective ?- this question in use when SAP WM in peak before EWM came into existence. i hope this questions seems an old traditional one but still many small business firms/ clients are looking for it when we recommends them to use.it is quite natural and valid one..because they are investing money on implementing an ERP package/system. we cannot simply tell them to use a particular module or a system which they need more information and justification.
Why SAP introduced EWM when SAP WM already in place ?
Why many people interested to migrate to SAP EWM ?
Why SAP going to withdraw supporting SAP WM in few days and recommending to use SAP EWM ? why funding and doing more R&D, new innovations and enhancement in SAP EWM ?
what is the future of SAP WM ?
currently we are using ECC 5.0- do we need to migrate to ECC 6.0 or to S/4HANA to adopt EWM in our company ?
what specialties in SAP EWM ?
This blog will help is to know -how SAP EWM is more sophisticated than other WMS Software systems. Thanks to SAP for providing this more advanced system in Warehouse platform. SAP is still engaged in doing R&D and involved in optimizing the SAP EWM Package. One important thing S/4HANA supports SAP EWM
Please Refer help.sap.com for SAP EWM Details
SAP Help Portal
—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
Before going to the topic- here is the video link for simple SAP EWM Inbound & Outbound scenario taken you tube. I hope this helps the consultants to understand and give adequate exposure to EWM Screens. in what way it is different from SAP WM..etc
Inbound Scenario in SAP EWM
Outbound Scenario in SAP EWM
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
We have many different Warehouse Management software’s available in the Market-
4sight WM system, AccellosOne WMS, Robcom WMS, TECSYS WMS, Intellitrack RF WMS, Manhattan Associates WMS, Wireless warehouse in a box, Logfire WMS, 3PL Warehouse manager WMS, Fishbowl WMS, Highjump WMS, Foxfire WMS, Epicor WMS, JDS s/w WMS, S2K WMS,Netsuite ERP Warehouse and Fulfillment, Latitude WMS, Slingshot IM -WMS, Trade Gecko WMS, Minerva associated WMS, DATEX 3PL WMS, Reflex WMS, Oracle WMS, Zebra WMS, sterling WMS, Sage Geode WMS, Dematic iQ WMS, Easy WMS, ASC Trac WMS, Swisslog WMS 6, Assist4 WMS, Gold WMS, EXACTA WMS, Cin7 wms, Finale inventory, CoreWarehouse, IQMS WMS, Infor SCM, SKU labs WMS, DistributionPlus WMS, Blue link WMS, Veracore WMS, PowerHouse WMS, Beckared Mastercore WMS.. Windware Inventory control, 3PLlink WMS, LA Software 3PL WMS, Microlistics WMS, Astro WMS….etc.-
and many more..WMS solutions available and each one is specilaized in one particular area or some WMS specialized to the core..
Why i am mentioning here the different S/w in this blog…. because compared to all SAP EWM is more advanced and it is more real time compared to other S/w 9[ so that telling SAP is always No-1 in ERP/ SCM]. if you take this logistics companys..i got info from my friends that each companies using different WMS solutions and now they started migrating to SAP EWM due to the advantages and benefits they looks for. this blog will help the consultants to know the advantage of SAP EWM and in coming blogs we are planning to go deep in to the advanges and benefits and why we need SAP EWM..
Normally when a person is asking for why we need to move to EWM from WM- Answer will come like this
Need to handle huge data volume, performance and process flexibility made a new architecture necessary. Follow on from the Decentralized SAP Warehouse concept enabling 24/7 system round the clock availability …Extend the basic concept of SAP ECC WM, Transfer Orders to enable process flexibility…. To avoid high risk of changing existing architecture of mature application (WM) with thousands of live customers Customer mind shift from Managing Stocks to Controlling Processes. SAP future vision is to continue to expand SAP EWM as a professional WMS solution with new capabilities and refinements.
SAP will still support SAP ECC WMS implementations with ever increasing maintenance costs, but no new enhancements are done to make it a comprehensive WMS system.
SAP EWM supports multiple Industries such automobiles- spare parts, food & beverages, fashion desinging & jewellery industry, footware, telecommunication, manufacturing and discrete industries-iron & steel and many more..here i am mentiong very few.etc..
SAP EWM enables warehouse activities to be executed seamlessly with inbuilt industry best practices. e.g. Catch Weight Management, Cross Docking, Value Added Services. many specialized process- slotting & re-arrangement, consolidation & de-consolidation, Inter-leaving..etc..
SAP EWM gives the capability to handle large volume of transactions with faster times required in Consumer Product industries.
As the market leader in Business Systems Developments SAP brings continuous enhancements to SAP EWM with cutting edge technology to enable business to grow faster. e.g. SAP EWM versions 7.02 eliminates middleware’s to connect with MFS systems, SAP EWM 9.0 eliminates requirement ofmiddleware’s in Voice Picking.
In future SAP SCM – EWM running on SAP HANA will bring the speeds in processing transaction, handling huge volumes of data and capability for predictive analytics.
—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
Below Pictures taken from SAP Website- we can see the details in below link [Thanks to SAP]
SAP Help Portal
—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
Picture shows Complex MFS system in a big Warehouse – Material flow systems- chain of laders like queues when seeing from bird’s eye view..
Situation before EWM Implementation in a Warehouse and using legacy Non-SAP WMS system. here is one quick example. how SAP EWM sophisticates the process in Warehouse and how it handles huge devices and load in day to day activities…
After SAP EWM implementation/Migration- Considered better than SAP WM
but truth would we many. this blog will throw light on the necessity of migrating from SAP WM to EWM. Really client needs to migrate to SAP EWM ? will it be cost effective ? without that client wont be able to continue their business ? what is attracting people to move ? like bees moving towards honey ? prime most thing why IT consulting people moving to EWM and suggesting their client to use SAP EWM ? we have n- number of questions in mind …
With ever increasing focus on Supply Chain Execution Performance, many organizations are going ahead implementing stronger and comprehensive warehouse management solutions. Efficient warehouse operations, process granularity and enhanced integration with supply chain are becoming more and more important. In this context let’s discuss how SAP Warehouse Management solutions would help customers to address their needs.
SAP Warehouse Management (WM) has been part of SAP ERP solution since long broadly covering processes of goods receipt, goods issue, internal transfers and physical inventory. As part of ERP, WM provides seamless integration with other ERP components like Inventory Management, Sales and Distribution and Production Planning.
SAP Extended Warehouse Management (EWM) is the newest Warehouse Management solution from SAP and the functionalities covered go beyond four walls of the warehouse. In addition to the processes covered in WM, EWM supports major supply chain integration elements like – Cross Docking, Deconsolidation, Value Added Services, Slotting and Re-arrangement etc.
Organizations can follow different approaches to take a decision on solution they would like to implement. Those with no WM solution in place may conduct an objective assessment to see whether SAP WM solution would fit ,if yes what all needs to go in to the solution – Barcode readers, RF based hand held devices, Voice enabled operations etc. Organizations need to be cautious in choosing to implement WM solution in smaller /low volume facilities to reduce the risk of overkill. In an SAP environment it is possible to selectively implement either SAP WM or just Inventory Management in a single landscape.
Organizations that are already running SAP WM solution may like to enhance the solution to address needs like increased process coverage, granularity in processes, performance management etc. In this context SAP EWM would be a strong contender with capability to handle all major processes required to run an extended and distribution intensive supply chain. Depending on process requirements, current and planned solution landscape EWM can be deployed in different ways in relation to core ERP solution.
Before and After implementing SAP EWM in COKE, FORD, Caterpillar etc- the core business Team and the business users and IT Team – Stake holders- worked in the analysis part and they identified the Pros and cons of SAP EWM adoption in their company. we cannot justify it in one single day..it will take a year of time to identify the benefits but putaways and picking speed is much more optimized and material movements are well tracked and it is more appreciated. We can say EWM will best fit for spare parts management and so especially auto-industry will get more benefit of SAP EWM Implementation.
New Organizations need to objectively analyze criteria given below to take the critical decision on whether they need a WM solution and if yes which of the SAP solutions would be a better fit – SAP WM or SAP EWM?,Key criteria for such a decision are:
this is where global giants planning to migrate to SAP EWM- Coke, Ford, Caterpillar, Nestle..etc..
– Number of facilities, Number of materials handled in each of the facilities,How many movements per day? How many of them are automated? Average inventory carried, Nature of operations – Manufacturing, Distribution, Retail etc.., What is average number of people working in these warehouses? What is the average number of material handling equipments used? Is there a seasonal demand variation for the materials? How WM operations integrated with extended supply chain.
‘WM and EWM – When and Where” here I have tried to provide inputs on key decision parameters like transaction volumes, nature of operations etc.
Number of facilities
Both WM and EWM can cater to multiple facilities, In a typical SAP landscape WM and EWM can co-exist under the same plant which would allow customers to use WM for smaller warehouses and EWM for larger/high volume warehouses.
Number of materials handled in each facility
There are no hard numbers recommended to decide going for WM or EWM. Number of materials stored invariably impact number of transactions thus helping you decide on the solution.
How many movements per day?
EWM provides process granularity in great detail hence suitable for warehouses where speed (turn around time), efficiency are the key and need mechanism to measure execution efficiency to be cost effective and operationally competitive.
How many activities are automated?
Large volume transactions are typically automated, an efficient warehouse need to have the following key process steps automated.
Placement and Picking strategies
Determination of interim processes and their execution
Determining final destination bin
Interfacing with external systems like conveyors, ASRS (Automated storage and retrieval system)
Both WM and EWM do well in this area.
Average inventory carried
Higher the inventory turns, higher is the need to focus on execution efficiency. Inventory visibility is addressed in both the products, in addition EWM provides transactional granularity to track material movements accurately and in optimally broken down transactions.
Nature of Operations – Manufacturing, Distribution, Retail etc
Typically WM caters to the needs of manufacturing operations like receive goods, store and issue. When processes are automated and heavily integrated with external systems like vendors, transporters and material handing systems, EWM is the best choice. What is the average number of people working in warehouses?
EWM provides comprehensive labor management functionality to monitor and improve labor utilization
What is the average number of material handling equipments used?
EWM provides functionalities to monitor and improve equipment and other resource utilization
Is there a seasonal demand variation for the materials?
EWM provides processes to handle seasonal demand variation (Slotting and Re-arrangement) and adapt to them seamlessly.
How WM operations integrated with extended supply chain.
EWM has standard process integration and adopters to work with ERP, CRM and APO. End to End logistics processed have been factored in well in EWM from an integration perspective.
Contents above are indicative only and are based on my experience working with customers making a WM product/solution decision. Both WM and EWM are fantastic products which can work well in any supply chain – decision would be specific to a customer and depend on solution needs, cost and implementation parameters.
The SAP ERP warehouse management system remains a viable alternative for many warehouses. The introduction of the SAP Extended Warehouse Management System does not mean that it replaces the SAP WM system. It just means that there is now an additional alternative for those warehouses that require the functionality provided by EWM.
We need to analyzed the advantages of SAP EWM based on the business Process it provides – Please find below for the list of the process it supports.
Difference One of the main differences between the SAP WM system and the SAP EWM system is that functionally, the WM system in more .inward. focused. In general, there is very little functionality that provides a link to external processes such as transportation cross-docking, contract packaging and transportation, AS/RS, MFS, PLCs, SCADA, DCS and level sensors…
Prime most thing is stock visibility feature of SAP EWM is good than the SAP WM system. here Question will come SAP WM will also show the Stock visibility then why we are calling SAP EWM is more visible. because in SAP EWM we can able to track the stock and material movements in an optimized way than a SAP WM can do. we can track @ different level and stages during putaway and picking- This is very appreciated feature introduced in EWM by SAP.
I like to see transaction wise -business process-features of SAP EWM. please find below..
in SAP EWM transaction starts with /SCWM- this is one another difference from ECC WM.
EWM transactions are lengthier
Yard Management
/SCWM/LS01 – Create Storage Bin
/SCWM/YM_DOOR_BIN – Assign Warehouse Door to Yard Bin
/SCWM/YM_CHKPT_BIN – Assign Checkpoint to Yard Bin and SCU
Task & Resource Management
Value added services
Value-Added Services (VAS)
VAS in Goods Receipt Process
/SCWM/VAS_I
VAS in Goods Issue Process /SCWM/VAS_O
VAS for Kit Creation on Stock /SCWM/VAS_KTS
VAS for Reverse Kitting /SCWM/VAS_KTR
VAS for Internal Warehouse Operations /SCWM/VAS_INT VAS
Serial number support
Multiple wave strategies
Wave Management
Maintain Conditions for Determining Wave Templates
/SCWM/WDGCM
Maintain Wave Templates /SCWM/WAVETMP
Maintain Waves /SCWM/WAVE
Advanced cycle counting,
Counting triggered by various criteria
Physical Inventory
Create Physical Inventory Document
/SCWM/PI_CREATE
Process Physical Inventory Document /SCWM/PI_PROCESS
Enter Count Results /SCWM/PI_COUNT
Create Phys. Inventory Count in List /SCWM/PI_COUNTLIST
Difference Analyzer /SCWM/DIFF_ANALYZER
Consolidation/deconsolidation of materials
Scrapping requests
Customer returns
Contract packager
Warehouse optimization
Monitoring
DESCRIPTION TRANSACTION
Warehouse Management Monitor /SCWM/MON
Goods Receipt Workload /SCWM/GRWORK
Monitor Correction Deliveries /SCWM/CORR
List of Hazardous Substances for Fire Department /SCWM/ILHS
Reporting
List of Changes
/SCTM/CHNG_DOC
Shipment Monitor /SCTM/SHP_MON
Freight Document Monitor /SCTM/FRD_MON
Display Application Log /SCTM/APPLOG
Consistency check /SCTM/INCON_REP
Warehouse Cockpit
Warehouse Cockpit
/SCWM/EGF
Process Chart Template /SCWM/EGF_CHART
Graphical Warehouse Layout
Display Graphical Warehouse Layout /SCWM/GWL
Slotting/ Re-arrangement
Slotting
Slot Products for Warehouse
SCWM/SLOT
Activate Plan Values /SCWM/SLOTACT
Simulate Slotting /SCWM/SLOTOCC
Condition Maintenance for Slotting /SCWM/GCMC
Rearrangement (/SCWM/REAR)
Rearrangement (Background)
/SCWM/REAR_BATCH
Analyze Stock Situation /SCWM/WM_ANA
Schedule Replenishment /SCWM/REPL
Make Posting Change for Product /SCWM/POST
Warehouse order
Outbound Delivery
Maintain Outbound Delivery Request
/SCWM/ODR
Maintain Outbound Delivery Order /SCWM/PRDO
Maintain Outbound Delivery /SCWM/FD
Load /SCWM/LOAD
Pickup /SCWM/SGI
Post Goods Issue in PSA /SCWM/DLV_GIPSA
Posting Change
Maintain Posting Change Request
/SCWM/IM_DR
Maintain Posting Change /SCWM/IM_PC
Route optimization
Route Determination
/SAPAPO/TPK – Define General Transportation Cost Profile
/SCTM/RG_BASIC – General Settings for Route Determination
/SCTM/DEPCAL – Assign Calendar to Supply Chain Unit
/SAPAPO/LOC3 – Location
/SAPAPO/SCC_TL1 – Transportation Lane
/SCTM/ROUTE – Maintain Route
/SCTM/ROUTES_DELETE – Delete Routes
/SCTM/ZONE – Maintain Zones for Routes
/SCTM/ZONES_DELETE – Delete Zones
/SCTM/TSPP – Carrier Profile for Routing Guide
/SCTM/RGINT – Simulate Route Determination
Kitting
Rules-based rebalancing
Flexible warehouse modeling
Warehouse-Specific Data
/SCWM/BW11 – Setup of Storage Bins
/SCWM/BW12 – Setup of Warehouse Tasks
/SCWM/BW13 – Setup of Warehouse Orders
/SCWM/BW14 – Setup of Value-Added Services
RSA3 – Display Setup Table (Extractor Checker)
/SCWM/BW10 – Execute Update
RSA7 – Maintain BI Delta Queue
Measurement Services
/SCWM/TLR_WIZARD – Tailored Measurement Service with Wizard
/SCWM/CLC_WIZARD – Calculated Measurement Service with Wizard
/SCWM/MS_TLR_A – Define Tailored Measurement Service
/SCWM/MS_CLC_A – Define Calculated Measurement Service
/SCWM/EGF_OBJECT – Define Measurement Services in the Warehouse Cockpit
/SCWM/EGF_COCKPIT – Configure Measurement Services in the Warehouse Cockpit
Emergency replenishment
Picker-directed replenishment
Transportation cross-docking
Other EWM functions
Periodic Processing
Delete Completeness Data Sets
/SCWM/PI_COMPL_DEL
Upload Storage Bins and Count Data /SCWM/PI_UPLOAD
Download Storage Bins and Count Dat /SCWM/PI_DOWNLOAD
Stock Comparison ERP /SCWM/ERP_STOCKCHECK
Adjust Serial Numbers at Warehouse-Number Level /SCWM/SER_CON_CHECK
Check Product for Complete Counting /SCWM/PI_COMPL_CHECK
Post Differences to ERP System /SCWM/WM_ADJUST
Print Physical Inventory Count Document /SCWM/PRPI_DOC
Determine and Set Prices from ERP /SCWM/VALUATION_SET
Create Physical Inventory Document /SCWM/PI_DOC_CREATE
Create Physical Inventory Document (Cycle Counting) /SCWM/PI_CC_CREATE
Labor management `
Labor Management
Planning
Planning and Simulation
/SCWM/PL
Load Planning and Simulation Results /SCWM/PL_LOAD
Resource Management
Maintain Resource Group
/SCWM/RGRP
Maintain Queue Sequence for Resource Group /SCWM/QSEQ
Maintain Resource /SCWM/RSRC
Maintain Execution Priorities /SCWM/EXECPR
Maintain Users /SCWM/USER
Activate Resource Execution Control for Storage Groups /SCWM/REC_ACTIVATE
Maintain Queue Type Sequence /SCWM/QTSQ
Deactivate Messages to Resources /SCWM/RSCMSG_DEACT
RFID enablement
RFID
/SCWM/RFID_RFC – Determine RFC Connection for SAP AII Communication
/SCWM/RFID_POST – Disallow RFID Goods Movements
/SCWM/RFID_RSRC – Encode RFID Transponder for Resource
/SCWM/RFID_CTPRINT – Enhance Print Condition Tables for RFID Printer
Goods receipt optimization
Some few SAP EWM Transaction helps to monitor day today Warehouse process efficienty compared to other WMS softwares
Inbound Delivery
Maintain Inbound Delivery Notification
/SCWM/IDN
Maintain Inbound Delivery /SCWM/PRDI
GR Preparation – External Procurement /SCWM/GRPE
GR Preparation – Production /SCWM/GRPI
Physical Goods Receipt /SCWM/GR
Update Priority Points /SCWM/PRIOP_UPDATE
Unload /SCWM/UNLOAD
Merchandise Distribution: Maintain Quantity Adjustment (Flow-Through) /SCWM/MEDI_AQTY
Batch management
Manual creation of outbound deliveries in EWM
Material Flow System (MFS)
Material Flow System (MFS)
/SCWM/MFS_CP – Maintain Communication Points
/SCWM/MFS_PLC – Maintain Programmable Logic Controller
/SCWM/MFS_CCH – Maintain Communication Channel
/SCWM/MFS_GEN_APPDAT – Generate Application Data
/SCWM/MFS_DEL_LOG – Delete Telegram Log
/SCWM/MFS_GEN_PLCOBJ – Generate PLC Objects from EWM Objects
/SCWM/MFS_OBJMAP – Map EWM Objects to PLC Objects
/SCWM/MFS_RSRC – Maintain MFS Resource
/SCWM/MFS_APPSRV – Maintain Application Server Group for MFS Processes
Support for the IS-Retail article master
In SAP WM if we need to connect to external system such as warehouse material handling equipments it is very difficult to include an interface – we need to go for WCS- warehouse control units/IDOC’s/ RFC’s.. but again the difficulty still remains there and not simplified. it is much more complex.. emaple when working with AS/RS system you can feel the difficulty and this functionalities are coming by default in SAP WM… whereas in SAP EWM we can able to connect the external system easily -[that is very important advantage of SAP EWM over SAP WM]. as already told MFS, AS/RS,POD, coursels, sensors, DCS, PLC’s, SCADA, level, temperature, Pressure, Flow sensors and meter readings everything can be connected. what a great advantage SAP brings for industrial automation and ERP field. Great thanks to SAP again.
Advanced system and optimization
Execution
/SCWM/TO_CONF
Confirm Warehouse Task
/SCWM/RWOCR Manually Assemble Warehouse Tasks
/SCWM/DCONS Deconsolidation in Goods Receipt
/SCWM/QINSP Quality Inspection and Count
/SCWM/RFUI Log On to RF Environment
/SCWM/PACK Packing – General
/SCWM/VASEXEC Create Confirmation for VAS
/SCWM/CANCPICK Cancel Picking
/SCWM/ADGI Post Unplanned Goods Issue
Warehouse Cockpit
Warehouse Cockpit
/SCWM/EGF
Process Chart Template /SCWM/EGF_CHART
Graphical Warehouse Layout
Display Graphical Warehouse Layout /SCWM/GWL
If due to performance considerations, EWM can be run in its own server environmentB
SAP recommends that EWM not run in the same server as a planning application such as the APO Demand planning and Production Planning/Detail Scheduling.
EWM does require integration with an ERP system for master and transaction data.
ERP Integration
Determine and Set Prices from ERP
/SCWM/VALUATION_SET
Synchronize ERP/EWMSettings for Documentation Batches /SCWM/DBATCHSYNC
Administration of Account Assignment Data /SCWM/ACC_IMP_ERP
Map Production Supply Area (PSA) /SCWM/PSAMAP
Replicate Production Supply Area (PSA) /SCWM/PSA_REPLICATE
Migration from LE-WM
Warehouse Product Migration
/SCWM/MIG_PRODUCT
Storage Bin Migration /SCWM/MIG_BIN
Stock Migration /SCWM/MIG_STOCK
Physical Inventory Completeness Migration /SCWM/MIG_PI_COMPL
Map Storage Unit Type to Packaging Material /SCWM/MIG_MAP_SUT
Map Warehouse Management UoM to Packaging Material /SCWM/MIG_MAP_ALTUOM
We can see one by one in my SAP EWM Blogs. I hope this blog is more useful to for new Consultants. Thanks for providing continuous Support from the forum experts.
Regards,
G.V.Shivakkumar
Please refer my earlier blog post in the given link.
shivakkumar Geetha venkatesan | SAP People
Okumaya devam et...
Dear Experts/ Consultants,
I have come across many questions from various clients and individuals interested in Warehouse automation on comparison between an WM & EWM.
Why we need to use WM. we can control inventory using IM ? will not be effective ?- this question in use when SAP WM in peak before EWM came into existence. i hope this questions seems an old traditional one but still many small business firms/ clients are looking for it when we recommends them to use.it is quite natural and valid one..because they are investing money on implementing an ERP package/system. we cannot simply tell them to use a particular module or a system which they need more information and justification.
Why SAP introduced EWM when SAP WM already in place ?
Why many people interested to migrate to SAP EWM ?
Why SAP going to withdraw supporting SAP WM in few days and recommending to use SAP EWM ? why funding and doing more R&D, new innovations and enhancement in SAP EWM ?
what is the future of SAP WM ?
currently we are using ECC 5.0- do we need to migrate to ECC 6.0 or to S/4HANA to adopt EWM in our company ?
what specialties in SAP EWM ?
This blog will help is to know -how SAP EWM is more sophisticated than other WMS Software systems. Thanks to SAP for providing this more advanced system in Warehouse platform. SAP is still engaged in doing R&D and involved in optimizing the SAP EWM Package. One important thing S/4HANA supports SAP EWM
Please Refer help.sap.com for SAP EWM Details
SAP Help Portal
—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
Before going to the topic- here is the video link for simple SAP EWM Inbound & Outbound scenario taken you tube. I hope this helps the consultants to understand and give adequate exposure to EWM Screens. in what way it is different from SAP WM..etc
Inbound Scenario in SAP EWM
Outbound Scenario in SAP EWM
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
We have many different Warehouse Management software’s available in the Market-
4sight WM system, AccellosOne WMS, Robcom WMS, TECSYS WMS, Intellitrack RF WMS, Manhattan Associates WMS, Wireless warehouse in a box, Logfire WMS, 3PL Warehouse manager WMS, Fishbowl WMS, Highjump WMS, Foxfire WMS, Epicor WMS, JDS s/w WMS, S2K WMS,Netsuite ERP Warehouse and Fulfillment, Latitude WMS, Slingshot IM -WMS, Trade Gecko WMS, Minerva associated WMS, DATEX 3PL WMS, Reflex WMS, Oracle WMS, Zebra WMS, sterling WMS, Sage Geode WMS, Dematic iQ WMS, Easy WMS, ASC Trac WMS, Swisslog WMS 6, Assist4 WMS, Gold WMS, EXACTA WMS, Cin7 wms, Finale inventory, CoreWarehouse, IQMS WMS, Infor SCM, SKU labs WMS, DistributionPlus WMS, Blue link WMS, Veracore WMS, PowerHouse WMS, Beckared Mastercore WMS.. Windware Inventory control, 3PLlink WMS, LA Software 3PL WMS, Microlistics WMS, Astro WMS….etc.-
and many more..WMS solutions available and each one is specilaized in one particular area or some WMS specialized to the core..
Why i am mentioning here the different S/w in this blog…. because compared to all SAP EWM is more advanced and it is more real time compared to other S/w 9[ so that telling SAP is always No-1 in ERP/ SCM]. if you take this logistics companys..i got info from my friends that each companies using different WMS solutions and now they started migrating to SAP EWM due to the advantages and benefits they looks for. this blog will help the consultants to know the advantage of SAP EWM and in coming blogs we are planning to go deep in to the advanges and benefits and why we need SAP EWM..
Normally when a person is asking for why we need to move to EWM from WM- Answer will come like this
Need to handle huge data volume, performance and process flexibility made a new architecture necessary. Follow on from the Decentralized SAP Warehouse concept enabling 24/7 system round the clock availability …Extend the basic concept of SAP ECC WM, Transfer Orders to enable process flexibility…. To avoid high risk of changing existing architecture of mature application (WM) with thousands of live customers Customer mind shift from Managing Stocks to Controlling Processes. SAP future vision is to continue to expand SAP EWM as a professional WMS solution with new capabilities and refinements.
SAP will still support SAP ECC WMS implementations with ever increasing maintenance costs, but no new enhancements are done to make it a comprehensive WMS system.
SAP EWM supports multiple Industries such automobiles- spare parts, food & beverages, fashion desinging & jewellery industry, footware, telecommunication, manufacturing and discrete industries-iron & steel and many more..here i am mentiong very few.etc..
SAP EWM enables warehouse activities to be executed seamlessly with inbuilt industry best practices. e.g. Catch Weight Management, Cross Docking, Value Added Services. many specialized process- slotting & re-arrangement, consolidation & de-consolidation, Inter-leaving..etc..
SAP EWM gives the capability to handle large volume of transactions with faster times required in Consumer Product industries.
As the market leader in Business Systems Developments SAP brings continuous enhancements to SAP EWM with cutting edge technology to enable business to grow faster. e.g. SAP EWM versions 7.02 eliminates middleware’s to connect with MFS systems, SAP EWM 9.0 eliminates requirement ofmiddleware’s in Voice Picking.
In future SAP SCM – EWM running on SAP HANA will bring the speeds in processing transaction, handling huge volumes of data and capability for predictive analytics.
—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
Below Pictures taken from SAP Website- we can see the details in below link [Thanks to SAP]
SAP Help Portal
—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
Picture shows Complex MFS system in a big Warehouse – Material flow systems- chain of laders like queues when seeing from bird’s eye view..
Situation before EWM Implementation in a Warehouse and using legacy Non-SAP WMS system. here is one quick example. how SAP EWM sophisticates the process in Warehouse and how it handles huge devices and load in day to day activities…
After SAP EWM implementation/Migration- Considered better than SAP WM
- because interfaces and adapters not available in-built in SAP WM and difficult to connect to automated intelligent devices. whereas in EWM we have in-built solution for connecting field devices and automated controls devices- such as PLCs, SCADA, DCS..flow, level,temperature, pressure sensors in industries. which will interact directly with SAP EWM.
- secondly you can see the path of travel/material movements is much more simplified and users wont face any difficulty in tracking or during putaway/picking time.
but truth would we many. this blog will throw light on the necessity of migrating from SAP WM to EWM. Really client needs to migrate to SAP EWM ? will it be cost effective ? without that client wont be able to continue their business ? what is attracting people to move ? like bees moving towards honey ? prime most thing why IT consulting people moving to EWM and suggesting their client to use SAP EWM ? we have n- number of questions in mind …
With ever increasing focus on Supply Chain Execution Performance, many organizations are going ahead implementing stronger and comprehensive warehouse management solutions. Efficient warehouse operations, process granularity and enhanced integration with supply chain are becoming more and more important. In this context let’s discuss how SAP Warehouse Management solutions would help customers to address their needs.
SAP Warehouse Management (WM) has been part of SAP ERP solution since long broadly covering processes of goods receipt, goods issue, internal transfers and physical inventory. As part of ERP, WM provides seamless integration with other ERP components like Inventory Management, Sales and Distribution and Production Planning.
SAP Extended Warehouse Management (EWM) is the newest Warehouse Management solution from SAP and the functionalities covered go beyond four walls of the warehouse. In addition to the processes covered in WM, EWM supports major supply chain integration elements like – Cross Docking, Deconsolidation, Value Added Services, Slotting and Re-arrangement etc.
Organizations can follow different approaches to take a decision on solution they would like to implement. Those with no WM solution in place may conduct an objective assessment to see whether SAP WM solution would fit ,if yes what all needs to go in to the solution – Barcode readers, RF based hand held devices, Voice enabled operations etc. Organizations need to be cautious in choosing to implement WM solution in smaller /low volume facilities to reduce the risk of overkill. In an SAP environment it is possible to selectively implement either SAP WM or just Inventory Management in a single landscape.
Organizations that are already running SAP WM solution may like to enhance the solution to address needs like increased process coverage, granularity in processes, performance management etc. In this context SAP EWM would be a strong contender with capability to handle all major processes required to run an extended and distribution intensive supply chain. Depending on process requirements, current and planned solution landscape EWM can be deployed in different ways in relation to core ERP solution.
Before and After implementing SAP EWM in COKE, FORD, Caterpillar etc- the core business Team and the business users and IT Team – Stake holders- worked in the analysis part and they identified the Pros and cons of SAP EWM adoption in their company. we cannot justify it in one single day..it will take a year of time to identify the benefits but putaways and picking speed is much more optimized and material movements are well tracked and it is more appreciated. We can say EWM will best fit for spare parts management and so especially auto-industry will get more benefit of SAP EWM Implementation.
New Organizations need to objectively analyze criteria given below to take the critical decision on whether they need a WM solution and if yes which of the SAP solutions would be a better fit – SAP WM or SAP EWM?,Key criteria for such a decision are:
this is where global giants planning to migrate to SAP EWM- Coke, Ford, Caterpillar, Nestle..etc..
– Number of facilities, Number of materials handled in each of the facilities,How many movements per day? How many of them are automated? Average inventory carried, Nature of operations – Manufacturing, Distribution, Retail etc.., What is average number of people working in these warehouses? What is the average number of material handling equipments used? Is there a seasonal demand variation for the materials? How WM operations integrated with extended supply chain.
‘WM and EWM – When and Where” here I have tried to provide inputs on key decision parameters like transaction volumes, nature of operations etc.
Number of facilities
Both WM and EWM can cater to multiple facilities, In a typical SAP landscape WM and EWM can co-exist under the same plant which would allow customers to use WM for smaller warehouses and EWM for larger/high volume warehouses.
Number of materials handled in each facility
There are no hard numbers recommended to decide going for WM or EWM. Number of materials stored invariably impact number of transactions thus helping you decide on the solution.
How many movements per day?
EWM provides process granularity in great detail hence suitable for warehouses where speed (turn around time), efficiency are the key and need mechanism to measure execution efficiency to be cost effective and operationally competitive.
How many activities are automated?
Large volume transactions are typically automated, an efficient warehouse need to have the following key process steps automated.
Placement and Picking strategies
Determination of interim processes and their execution
Determining final destination bin
Interfacing with external systems like conveyors, ASRS (Automated storage and retrieval system)
Both WM and EWM do well in this area.
Average inventory carried
Higher the inventory turns, higher is the need to focus on execution efficiency. Inventory visibility is addressed in both the products, in addition EWM provides transactional granularity to track material movements accurately and in optimally broken down transactions.
Nature of Operations – Manufacturing, Distribution, Retail etc
Typically WM caters to the needs of manufacturing operations like receive goods, store and issue. When processes are automated and heavily integrated with external systems like vendors, transporters and material handing systems, EWM is the best choice. What is the average number of people working in warehouses?
EWM provides comprehensive labor management functionality to monitor and improve labor utilization
What is the average number of material handling equipments used?
EWM provides functionalities to monitor and improve equipment and other resource utilization
Is there a seasonal demand variation for the materials?
EWM provides processes to handle seasonal demand variation (Slotting and Re-arrangement) and adapt to them seamlessly.
How WM operations integrated with extended supply chain.
EWM has standard process integration and adopters to work with ERP, CRM and APO. End to End logistics processed have been factored in well in EWM from an integration perspective.
Contents above are indicative only and are based on my experience working with customers making a WM product/solution decision. Both WM and EWM are fantastic products which can work well in any supply chain – decision would be specific to a customer and depend on solution needs, cost and implementation parameters.
The SAP ERP warehouse management system remains a viable alternative for many warehouses. The introduction of the SAP Extended Warehouse Management System does not mean that it replaces the SAP WM system. It just means that there is now an additional alternative for those warehouses that require the functionality provided by EWM.
We need to analyzed the advantages of SAP EWM based on the business Process it provides – Please find below for the list of the process it supports.
Difference One of the main differences between the SAP WM system and the SAP EWM system is that functionally, the WM system in more .inward. focused. In general, there is very little functionality that provides a link to external processes such as transportation cross-docking, contract packaging and transportation, AS/RS, MFS, PLCs, SCADA, DCS and level sensors…
Prime most thing is stock visibility feature of SAP EWM is good than the SAP WM system. here Question will come SAP WM will also show the Stock visibility then why we are calling SAP EWM is more visible. because in SAP EWM we can able to track the stock and material movements in an optimized way than a SAP WM can do. we can track @ different level and stages during putaway and picking- This is very appreciated feature introduced in EWM by SAP.
I like to see transaction wise -business process-features of SAP EWM. please find below..
in SAP EWM transaction starts with /SCWM- this is one another difference from ECC WM.
EWM transactions are lengthier
Yard Management
/SCWM/LS01 – Create Storage Bin
/SCWM/YM_DOOR_BIN – Assign Warehouse Door to Yard Bin
/SCWM/YM_CHKPT_BIN – Assign Checkpoint to Yard Bin and SCU
Task & Resource Management
Value added services
Value-Added Services (VAS)
VAS in Goods Receipt Process
/SCWM/VAS_I
VAS in Goods Issue Process /SCWM/VAS_O
VAS for Kit Creation on Stock /SCWM/VAS_KTS
VAS for Reverse Kitting /SCWM/VAS_KTR
VAS for Internal Warehouse Operations /SCWM/VAS_INT VAS
Serial number support
Multiple wave strategies
Wave Management
Maintain Conditions for Determining Wave Templates
/SCWM/WDGCM
Maintain Wave Templates /SCWM/WAVETMP
Maintain Waves /SCWM/WAVE
Advanced cycle counting,
Counting triggered by various criteria
Physical Inventory
Create Physical Inventory Document
/SCWM/PI_CREATE
Process Physical Inventory Document /SCWM/PI_PROCESS
Enter Count Results /SCWM/PI_COUNT
Create Phys. Inventory Count in List /SCWM/PI_COUNTLIST
Difference Analyzer /SCWM/DIFF_ANALYZER
Consolidation/deconsolidation of materials
Scrapping requests
Customer returns
Contract packager
Warehouse optimization
Monitoring
DESCRIPTION TRANSACTION
Warehouse Management Monitor /SCWM/MON
Goods Receipt Workload /SCWM/GRWORK
Monitor Correction Deliveries /SCWM/CORR
List of Hazardous Substances for Fire Department /SCWM/ILHS
Reporting
List of Changes
/SCTM/CHNG_DOC
Shipment Monitor /SCTM/SHP_MON
Freight Document Monitor /SCTM/FRD_MON
Display Application Log /SCTM/APPLOG
Consistency check /SCTM/INCON_REP
Warehouse Cockpit
Warehouse Cockpit
/SCWM/EGF
Process Chart Template /SCWM/EGF_CHART
Graphical Warehouse Layout
Display Graphical Warehouse Layout /SCWM/GWL
Slotting/ Re-arrangement
Slotting
Slot Products for Warehouse
SCWM/SLOT
Activate Plan Values /SCWM/SLOTACT
Simulate Slotting /SCWM/SLOTOCC
Condition Maintenance for Slotting /SCWM/GCMC
Rearrangement (/SCWM/REAR)
Rearrangement (Background)
/SCWM/REAR_BATCH
Analyze Stock Situation /SCWM/WM_ANA
Schedule Replenishment /SCWM/REPL
Make Posting Change for Product /SCWM/POST
Warehouse order
Outbound Delivery
Maintain Outbound Delivery Request
/SCWM/ODR
Maintain Outbound Delivery Order /SCWM/PRDO
Maintain Outbound Delivery /SCWM/FD
Load /SCWM/LOAD
Pickup /SCWM/SGI
Post Goods Issue in PSA /SCWM/DLV_GIPSA
Posting Change
Maintain Posting Change Request
/SCWM/IM_DR
Maintain Posting Change /SCWM/IM_PC
Route optimization
Route Determination
/SAPAPO/TPK – Define General Transportation Cost Profile
/SCTM/RG_BASIC – General Settings for Route Determination
/SCTM/DEPCAL – Assign Calendar to Supply Chain Unit
/SAPAPO/LOC3 – Location
/SAPAPO/SCC_TL1 – Transportation Lane
/SCTM/ROUTE – Maintain Route
/SCTM/ROUTES_DELETE – Delete Routes
/SCTM/ZONE – Maintain Zones for Routes
/SCTM/ZONES_DELETE – Delete Zones
/SCTM/TSPP – Carrier Profile for Routing Guide
/SCTM/RGINT – Simulate Route Determination
Kitting
Rules-based rebalancing
Flexible warehouse modeling
Warehouse-Specific Data
/SCWM/BW11 – Setup of Storage Bins
/SCWM/BW12 – Setup of Warehouse Tasks
/SCWM/BW13 – Setup of Warehouse Orders
/SCWM/BW14 – Setup of Value-Added Services
RSA3 – Display Setup Table (Extractor Checker)
/SCWM/BW10 – Execute Update
RSA7 – Maintain BI Delta Queue
Measurement Services
/SCWM/TLR_WIZARD – Tailored Measurement Service with Wizard
/SCWM/CLC_WIZARD – Calculated Measurement Service with Wizard
/SCWM/MS_TLR_A – Define Tailored Measurement Service
/SCWM/MS_CLC_A – Define Calculated Measurement Service
/SCWM/EGF_OBJECT – Define Measurement Services in the Warehouse Cockpit
/SCWM/EGF_COCKPIT – Configure Measurement Services in the Warehouse Cockpit
Emergency replenishment
Picker-directed replenishment
Transportation cross-docking
Other EWM functions
Periodic Processing
Delete Completeness Data Sets
/SCWM/PI_COMPL_DEL
Upload Storage Bins and Count Data /SCWM/PI_UPLOAD
Download Storage Bins and Count Dat /SCWM/PI_DOWNLOAD
Stock Comparison ERP /SCWM/ERP_STOCKCHECK
Adjust Serial Numbers at Warehouse-Number Level /SCWM/SER_CON_CHECK
Check Product for Complete Counting /SCWM/PI_COMPL_CHECK
Post Differences to ERP System /SCWM/WM_ADJUST
Print Physical Inventory Count Document /SCWM/PRPI_DOC
Determine and Set Prices from ERP /SCWM/VALUATION_SET
Create Physical Inventory Document /SCWM/PI_DOC_CREATE
Create Physical Inventory Document (Cycle Counting) /SCWM/PI_CC_CREATE
Labor management `
Labor Management
Planning
Planning and Simulation
/SCWM/PL
Load Planning and Simulation Results /SCWM/PL_LOAD
Resource Management
Maintain Resource Group
/SCWM/RGRP
Maintain Queue Sequence for Resource Group /SCWM/QSEQ
Maintain Resource /SCWM/RSRC
Maintain Execution Priorities /SCWM/EXECPR
Maintain Users /SCWM/USER
Activate Resource Execution Control for Storage Groups /SCWM/REC_ACTIVATE
Maintain Queue Type Sequence /SCWM/QTSQ
Deactivate Messages to Resources /SCWM/RSCMSG_DEACT
RFID enablement
RFID
/SCWM/RFID_RFC – Determine RFC Connection for SAP AII Communication
/SCWM/RFID_POST – Disallow RFID Goods Movements
/SCWM/RFID_RSRC – Encode RFID Transponder for Resource
/SCWM/RFID_CTPRINT – Enhance Print Condition Tables for RFID Printer
Goods receipt optimization
Some few SAP EWM Transaction helps to monitor day today Warehouse process efficienty compared to other WMS softwares
Inbound Delivery
Maintain Inbound Delivery Notification
/SCWM/IDN
Maintain Inbound Delivery /SCWM/PRDI
GR Preparation – External Procurement /SCWM/GRPE
GR Preparation – Production /SCWM/GRPI
Physical Goods Receipt /SCWM/GR
Update Priority Points /SCWM/PRIOP_UPDATE
Unload /SCWM/UNLOAD
Merchandise Distribution: Maintain Quantity Adjustment (Flow-Through) /SCWM/MEDI_AQTY
Batch management
Manual creation of outbound deliveries in EWM
Material Flow System (MFS)
Material Flow System (MFS)
/SCWM/MFS_CP – Maintain Communication Points
/SCWM/MFS_PLC – Maintain Programmable Logic Controller
/SCWM/MFS_CCH – Maintain Communication Channel
/SCWM/MFS_GEN_APPDAT – Generate Application Data
/SCWM/MFS_DEL_LOG – Delete Telegram Log
/SCWM/MFS_GEN_PLCOBJ – Generate PLC Objects from EWM Objects
/SCWM/MFS_OBJMAP – Map EWM Objects to PLC Objects
/SCWM/MFS_RSRC – Maintain MFS Resource
/SCWM/MFS_APPSRV – Maintain Application Server Group for MFS Processes
Support for the IS-Retail article master
In SAP WM if we need to connect to external system such as warehouse material handling equipments it is very difficult to include an interface – we need to go for WCS- warehouse control units/IDOC’s/ RFC’s.. but again the difficulty still remains there and not simplified. it is much more complex.. emaple when working with AS/RS system you can feel the difficulty and this functionalities are coming by default in SAP WM… whereas in SAP EWM we can able to connect the external system easily -[that is very important advantage of SAP EWM over SAP WM]. as already told MFS, AS/RS,POD, coursels, sensors, DCS, PLC’s, SCADA, level, temperature, Pressure, Flow sensors and meter readings everything can be connected. what a great advantage SAP brings for industrial automation and ERP field. Great thanks to SAP again.
Advanced system and optimization
Execution
/SCWM/TO_CONF
Confirm Warehouse Task
/SCWM/RWOCR Manually Assemble Warehouse Tasks
/SCWM/DCONS Deconsolidation in Goods Receipt
/SCWM/QINSP Quality Inspection and Count
/SCWM/RFUI Log On to RF Environment
/SCWM/PACK Packing – General
/SCWM/VASEXEC Create Confirmation for VAS
/SCWM/CANCPICK Cancel Picking
/SCWM/ADGI Post Unplanned Goods Issue
Warehouse Cockpit
Warehouse Cockpit
/SCWM/EGF
Process Chart Template /SCWM/EGF_CHART
Graphical Warehouse Layout
Display Graphical Warehouse Layout /SCWM/GWL
If due to performance considerations, EWM can be run in its own server environmentB
SAP recommends that EWM not run in the same server as a planning application such as the APO Demand planning and Production Planning/Detail Scheduling.
EWM does require integration with an ERP system for master and transaction data.
ERP Integration
Determine and Set Prices from ERP
/SCWM/VALUATION_SET
Synchronize ERP/EWMSettings for Documentation Batches /SCWM/DBATCHSYNC
Administration of Account Assignment Data /SCWM/ACC_IMP_ERP
Map Production Supply Area (PSA) /SCWM/PSAMAP
Replicate Production Supply Area (PSA) /SCWM/PSA_REPLICATE
Migration from LE-WM
Warehouse Product Migration
/SCWM/MIG_PRODUCT
Storage Bin Migration /SCWM/MIG_BIN
Stock Migration /SCWM/MIG_STOCK
Physical Inventory Completeness Migration /SCWM/MIG_PI_COMPL
Map Storage Unit Type to Packaging Material /SCWM/MIG_MAP_SUT
Map Warehouse Management UoM to Packaging Material /SCWM/MIG_MAP_ALTUOM
We can see one by one in my SAP EWM Blogs. I hope this blog is more useful to for new Consultants. Thanks for providing continuous Support from the forum experts.
Regards,
G.V.Shivakkumar
Please refer my earlier blog post in the given link.
shivakkumar Geetha venkatesan | SAP People
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