The radio frequency (RF) Framework enables integration of mobile devices and provides flexibility to perform adjustments, like defining the layout of the RF screens.
Independent of the manufacturer or the screen size, you can create screen templates and merge them into a "display profile". This display profile is assigned to the device, which is being used by the resource.
With different profiles, device and customer-specific adjustments can be performed. This profile makes the RF framework very flexible regarding device size, device type, and user-dependent requirements. The RF framework enables personalized menus and flexible, user-friendly, personalized screens. Depending on the input (for example, verification data, input data, keystroke, or logon request), the appropriate service is started.
Support for GUI, Character-based, and Browser-based Devices
The RF framework supports both graphical user interface (GUI) and character-based devices, as well as browser-based devices. Devices using the GUI are connected to the SAP System just like any other client-dependent PC. Options can be operated by touch-screens or by using a keyboard.
Character-based devices are linked to the system through SAPConsole. SAPConsole 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.
Screen Format for RF (Device-Independent)
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.
RF Functionality
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
RF Function Keys
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.
| Function | Function Key | Description |
|---|---|---|
| More | F5 | Displays the next pushbuttons in the sequence (in the case of more than four pushbuttons per screen) |
| Clear | F6 | Clears a selected input field, or all input fields |
| Back | F7 | Returns to previous screen or step |
| List | F8 | Displays the list screen (showing possible input values) for a selected field |
| Full Message | F9 | Displays the full message on a separate screen |
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/pushbuttons exist for a screen, ">" is displayed. You can then choose the F5 function key to display the other pushbuttons.
The standard function keys can also be shown on the screen as buttons for touch screen devices.
The log on process begins with the execution of the SAP EWM transaction /SCWM/RFUI. The log on user ID must be a registered SAP system user, to which a resource in SAP EWM master data can be assigned as default.
Using RF After Log On
After the user is confirmed 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).
Exceptions
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.
Pick by Voice
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.
