Based on the layout and automated storage retrieval systems in your warehouse, goods do not travel directly from the source storage location to the destination location. Instead, they move through an intermediate location, such as an identification point or pick point that is defined using layout-oriented storage control.
Layout-oriented storage control can only be used with handling units.
Example of Layout-Oriented Storage Control
A layout-oriented putaway scenario is illustrated in the following figure:
In this example, a product pallet is to be moved from storage bin A to storage bin Z. But Z can not be accessed directly from A. Using the layout oriented storage control, the system determines that an interim move is relevant for a warehouse task.
The warehouse task from A to Z is created in an inactive state ("Waiting"). Based on layout-orient storage control, SAP EWM creates an additional task to move the HU to the bin B first. When this task is confirmed, the source bin of the inactive WT is changed from A to B.
As it is still not possible to move directly from B to Z, based on layout-oriented storage control, an additional warehouse task is created to move from B to C. When this task is confirmed, the original warehouse task is changed again, now the source storage bin is C. As a direct movement from C to Z is possible, the WT is also activated and can be processed.
Configuration Settings
Based on the physical layout of your warehouse, you define the layout-oriented storage control processes as part of configuration settings. You define intermediate locations (storage bins) to avoid directly moving products from a source location to a destination location during stock putaway or picking.
Identification points and Pick points are special roles for storage types. Their use is controlled by layout-oriented storage control.
To configure layout-oriented storage control, in Customizing for SCM Extended Warehouse Management, choose Extended Warehouse Management → Cross-Process Settings → Warehouse Task → Define Layout-Oriented Storage Process Control.
Fields for Layout-Oriented Storage Control
Maintain the following fields for layout-oriented storage control:
Maintain the source or destination storage type settings to control whether the storage control is applicable while receiving or issuing the goods, and whether the product movement is executed through an identification or pick point.
Select the Whole HUindicator if you want to differentiate between moving a complete handling unit, an empty handling unit, or a partial handling unit withdrawal.
Select HU type group to specify that a specific HU type, for example wire baskets or boxes, should always be moved through some specific intermediate storage type.
Select the Intermediate Storage Type to specify the stock movement through an intermediate location, for example an identification or pick point.
Optionally select an Intermediate Storage Section and/or an Intermediate Storage Bin to specify in more detail to where the product should be moved. If the intermediate storage section or bin is not defined, the defined putaway strategies are used to find the necessary data.
Define the Warehouse Process Type to create the warehouse task for the intermediate storage location, and to specify which activities should be performed during warehouse task processing.
If the intermediate storage type is an identification point, the system does not use the warehouse process type.