Learning about the SAP EWM Solution

Objective

After completing this lesson, you will be able to identify the basic concept and scope of SAP Extended Warehouse Management (EWM) and the key features and functions of SAP EWM across inbound, internal, and outbound processes.

Introduction to SAP EWM

A diagram with key functionalities of warehouse management: Inbound Processing, Storage & Operations, and Outbound Operations​.

SAP Extended Warehouse Management (EWM) is an advanced warehouse management application designed to support highly complex and high-volume warehouse operations. It provides real-time control over inbound, outbound, and internal warehouse processes. While SAP’s traditional Warehouse Management (WM) solution has been effective for standard scenarios, SAP EWM expands on those capabilities to offer:

  • Greater Flexibility: Highly configurable rules and strategies to meet diverse industry and operational requirements.
  • Real-Time Visibility: Tight integration with other SAP modules, such as SAP ERP Central Component (ECC), SAP S/4HANA, SAP Transportation Management (TM), SAP Quality Management (QM), and Digital Manufacturing, along with automation equipment.
  • Advanced Automation Support: Enables sophisticated material flow control and seamless integration with automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS) and conveyor systems.
  • Comprehensive Tracking: Monitors stocks at a detailed handling-unit level and manages complex packaging hierarchies.

Key Functional Areas and Processes

SAP Extended Warehouse Management combines Inbound Processing, Storage and Operations, Outbound Processing, and Analytics across the entire solution.

Goods Receipt Process

SAP Extended Warehouse Management (EWM) documentation focused on Goods Receipt.​

Inbound processing includes functionalities to support the Goods Receipt process with functions such as Unload, Deconsolidation, and Final Putaway.

Divider Line
SAP Extended Warehouse Management (EWM) documentation focused on Shipping and Receiving.​

As part of the Shipping & Receiving functionalities comprised within SAP EWM, it allows you to manage Transportation Units and Vehicles.

Transportation Unit Processing is used to plan and manage inbound transport activities (such as incoming trucks, ships, or containers).

Divider Line
SAP Extended Warehouse Management (EWM) documentation focused on Putaway Strategies.​

SAP EWM supports different putaway strategies and can automate complex Goods Receipt processes, including multi-step receipt, deconsolidation and routing.

In the links below, you can get access to SAP EWM application help for Goods Receipt and view supported putaway strategies:

- Goods Receipt in SAP EWM

- Putaway Strategies

Divider Line
SAP Extended Warehouse Management (EWM) documentation focused on Storage Control.​

In complex warehouses, Goods Receipt may require planning and executing multiple steps, such as Unloading, Repacking, and Deconsolidation. Through this link,you can access the SAP EWM application help for Storage Control.

Storage & Operations

SAP Extended Warehouse Management (EWM) documentation focused on Physical Inventory.​​

Physical Inventory is used to plan and execute the counting of warehouse stock to maintain inventory accuracy. Different counting procedures are supported by SAP EWM. Through this link, you can find the SAP EWM Help portal for the Physical Inventory process.

Divider Line
SAP Extended Warehouse Management (EWM) documentation focused on Slotting & ABC Analysis.​

Slotting is used to automatically determine the best putaway strategy for warehouse products based on certain criteria. ABC analysis is used to categorize products based on their demand. The SAP Help Portal explains in more detail how you can implement and use the slotting functionality and how to perform the ABC categorization.

Replenishment & Rearrangement

SAP Extended Warehouse Management (EWM) documentation focused on Replenishment Control & Rearrangement.​

The replenishment process is used to fill up a picking area according to the demand for products in the respective fixed bins. SAP EWM offers three replenishment types: automatic, planned, and order-based. To learn more, check the SAP EWM Help Portal.

Rearrangement is used to optimize the location of existing products in the warehouse by moving stock such as fast-moving items to the relevant optimal storage bins.

Kit-to-Stock

SAP Extended Warehouse Management (EWM) documentation focused on Kit to Stock.​

Kit-to-Stock creates kits from warehouse components, which are then available for picking and shipment. It offers a streamlined kit creation process that is documented in the warehouse. Reverse kitting is used to split kits up into their components.

Outbound Operations

SAP Extended Warehouse Management (EWM) documentation focused on Goods Issue.​

Outbound processing includes functionalities to support picking, staging, loading, and Goods Issue products from the warehouse.

Outbound Planning (Routes, Waves and Bin Planning)

SAP Extended Warehouse Management (EWM) documentation focused on Wave Management, Cartonization Planning and Stock Removal.​

SAP EWM has a comprehensive set of functionalities to plan outbound activities:

  • Wave Managementhelps to combine outbound demand and picking process planning at the right time for deliveries that need to be picked together.
  • Cartonization Planninghelps to optimize the packaging to be consumed for picked and shipped products.

Different picking strategies can be set up to influence the picking bin determinationbased on the operation requirements.

Picking Optimization, Packing, Staging and Load Management

SAP Extended Warehouse Management (EWM) documentation focused on Storage Control and Packing.​

In daily operations, picked products often require packing. Additionally, steps such as staging and loading are crucial in the outbound process to effectively execute the goods issue from the warehouse.

Cross-Topics

Analytics

SAP Extended Warehouse Management (EWM) documentation focused on Monitoring and Analytics.​

The Warehouse Monitoris an essential tool for keeping warehouse managers continuously informed about the current state of the warehouse. It enables them to take appropriate actions based on this information.

Additionally, the warehouse management monitor includes alert monitoring capabilities, which notify warehouse managers of actual and potential issues within the warehouse and provide exception handling tools.

Labor Management

SAP Extended Warehouse Management (EWM) documentation focused on Labor Management.​

Labor Management provides you with a series of functions that help you plan labor times and resources in your warehouse more effectively, thereby making your warehouse more productive.

Cross-Docking

SAP Extended Warehouse Management (EWM) documentation focused on Cross-Docking.​

Cross-Docking is a process where incoming products are transferred from Goods Receipt directly to Goods Issue area without putaway occurring in between. There are different types of cross-docking supported by SAP EWM. To learn more about this functionality, visit the SAP EWM Help Portal.

Native Technologies

SAP Extended Warehouse Management (EWM) documentation focused on Native Technologies Integration (Radio Frequency, RFID, Pick by Voice, Material Flow System)​.

SAP EWM integrates seamlessly with various native technologies, including:

  • The Radio Frequency Framework, which facilitates mobile-driven operations within SAP EWM. This framework is compatible with a wide range of mobile devices, such as handheld terminals equipped with integrated barcode scanners.
  • Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology in SAP EWM enables contactless identification, control, and tracking of packaged products and handling units through the use of RFID labels embedded with RFID tags.
  • The Pick by Voice functionality in SAP Extended Warehouse Management (SAP EWM) supports voice-based picking and internal warehouse movements.
  • The Material Flow System (MFS), which allows the connection of an automated warehouse to SAP Extended Warehouse Management (SAP EWM) without necessitating an additional warehouse control unit.

Implementation Tools

SAP Extended Warehouse Management (EWM) documentation focused on Migration Guides.​

Standard tools are available to migrate data from an LE-WM system to SAP Extended Warehouse Management (SAP EWM). Access Migration from LE-WM for more details. Additionally, the SAP S/4HANA Migration Cockpit can be used to migrate data from Business Suite versions (7.0 or higher) to SAP EWM in S/4HANA (1909 or higher).

User Experience

Examples of Fiori Applications in SAP EWM, such as Pack Outbound Deliveries, Physical Inventory and Warehouse Product Master Maintenance​

SAP knows the importance of having a simplified user experience, and for that reason, SAP Fiori applications have been introduced and improved over the past few years. For the full list of available applications for SAP EWM, you can use the Fiori Library app.

Screen Personas for Mobile RF Devices in Extended Warehouse Management in SAP S/4HANA

Integration of SAP Screen Personas for Mobile RF Devices in SAP Extended Warehouse Management​

With the introduction of SAP GUI for HTML for browser-based radio frequency (RF) devices in SAP S/4HANA 2021, it is possible to modernize the appearance and functionality of RF screens. This update allows for an SAP Fiori-like design without requiring the use of ITS mobile. For further information, please refer to this "How-To Guide".

Analytics and Monitoring with SAP EWM

Example of Tools in SAP EWM to monitor, control, measure, and optimize warehouse processes such as KPI Dashboards, CDS Views and Warehouse Monitor.​

SAP EWM offers comprehensive tools to monitor, control, measure, and optimize warehouse processes. Key features include:

KPI Dashboard

This application provides an overview of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) pertinent to warehouse operations. For example, it displays the total number of open warehouse tasks scheduled for processing on the current date.

CDS Views

Core Data Services (CDS) views can be used to configure reports and KPIs tailored to specific requirements.

Warehouse Monitor

The warehouse monitor is an essential tool that keeps warehouse managers informed about the current status of the warehouse. It empowers managers to take appropriate actions based on real-time data.

Conclusion

In summary, SAP Extended Warehouse Management (EWM) delivers end-to-end warehouse process support— from inbound receipt and putaway to outbound picking and loading—while integrating seamlessly with SAP Transportation Management (TM) and S/4HANA.

Its advanced functionalities include automation for high-volume operations, real-time visibility via detailed stock tracking, and configurable labor management.

Enhanced monitoring tools, such as the Warehouse Monitor, KPI Dashboards, and embedded analytics, provide critical insights for operational optimization. Lastly, the user experience is continually improved through SAP Fiori applications and RF device enhancements, ensuring both efficiency and flexibility across all warehouse processes.

Log in to track your progress & complete quizzes