Outlining the Radio Frequency (RF) Framework

Character-based devices are linked to the system through SAP Console. SAP Console operates on a Windows platform and it interacts with the RF terminals connected to it. This concept is supported by the leading providers of RF terminals.

The system uses ITS Mobile or the SAP GUI for HTML for connecting browser-based devices.

Independent of the manufacturer or the device type, all screen forms use a common format.

The RF framework supports the use of bar codes for identification and verification purposes. SAP currently supports EAN 128 bar code types, but the RF framework supports other types (when customized in the Mobile Data Entry activity).

Using the RF Screen Manager, you can customize the appearance of RF presentation screens. This ensures that they are consistent with the attributes of the presentation devices in use. Although SAP provides a standard menu and menu hierarchy, you can also define your own menus and menu hierarchies for the RF device transactions by using the RF Menu Manager.

The SAP RF framework provides standard RF functionality, which includes the following tasks:

• logon

• Logoff

• Recovery

• Work execution transactions for the following warehouse processes:

  • Picking

  • Putaway

  • Loading

  • Unloading

  • Deconsolidation

  • Packing

  • Physical Inventory

  • Replenishment

In the basic navigation of the RF framework, SAP provides functions that are triggered using function keys. The standard function keys that are pre-configured by SAP are shown in the following table.

The standard function keys can be changed in SAP EWM Mobile Data Entry customizing. Transaction-specific function keys are displayed in the function key line. If more than four function keys/push buttons exist for a screen, ">" is displayed. You can then choose the F5 function key to display the other push buttons.

The standard function keys can also be shown on the screen as buttons for touch screen devices.

The log-on of the SAP EWM transaction /SCWM/RFUI. The log-onfirmed by the system, the main menu is displayed and that user can navigate to the desired transaction. The user either enters each step using the menu or enters the number of the step and confirms by pressing Enter. For example, if a user wants to putaway an incoming HU, the following two choices are available:

• Choose options 03 Inbound Processes, (Enter) ,03 Putaway, (Enter), 01 Putaway By HU (Enter) and finally, enter the HU number.
• Enter the menu path code 331.

If the user is logged on to the RF environment, the resource, the stock on the resource, and the selected warehouse orders can be tracked in the warehouse management monitor.

Usually, the data entry is done by bar code scanning, which includes an automatic Enter. With bar code scanning, the transactions work without any manual input.

Shortcut field: In a case where the warehouse situation differs from the proposed values, the worker presses the shortcut field to enter an exception or to execute function codes (as would happen by pressing a function key).

Exception codes are used to describe non-standard situations in the warehouse. Examples are

• - A product is not in the bin which it is supposed to, or not with enough quantity.
• - Access to a bin is not possible.
• - An HU is damaged.

Exceptions can be entered in desktop transactions or when working with mobile devices. But as the entry in the mobile device happens in real-time (means, while the user is standing in front of the problem), the system reactions can be very different to what can happen when the exception is entered in the desktop transaction (which happens much later).

This makes working with mobile devices in the warehouse so important.

Instead of using a device with a display, it is also possible to use Pick by Voice technology. The graphical representation is replaced by voice commands, a scanner can still be used if required, but this technology has the advantage that the user can work hands-free.

The Pick by Voice transaction uses SAPGUI Dynpros whose fields have speech properties. From these Dynpros, the system generates HTML templates using the ITS HTML template generator, Mobile Device with Speech Input. These HTML templates contain speech-specific tags that are interpreted by the web browsers on the device.

A resource type is a grouping of resources with similar technical or physical qualifications.

The resource type determines the following for its corresponding resources:

• Horizontal and vertical velocity:

  The velocity of a resource can influence the latest starting date (LSD) of a warehouse order.

• Applicability of position management:

  Position management enables an RF device user to validate HUs by their position number, rather than by their HU number. This is particularly useful when the HU number tags are not readily accessible, such as when the HUs are stacked on top of each other.

• Qualifications and preferences (reflected by priority values) regarding bin access types and HU type groups.

A resource group is a grouping of resources for queue assignment purposes. The resource group determines the sequence of allowed queues for its corresponding resources, which can influence which warehouse orders are selected for a resource.

To use system-guided processing, the queues must be assigned to the resource groups in the desired sequence. As the WOs are selected from the queues according to the queue sequences, this represents a prioritization of the WOs for this resource type.

• The RF Framework allows integration of mobile devices and customization of screen layouts. T
• Supported are GUI, character-based, and browser-based devices. Different types of bar codes are supported as well as pick-by-voice entries.
• The RF Framework provides standard functionality for warehouse processes like picking, putaway, and inventory, with navigation using pre-configured function keys.