This process enables you to receive products and to store them in your warehouse. The scope item allows different variants of inbound processing, such as an inbound from a supplier, inbound from other storage locations, and inbound from another plant. In this process, products that are delivered with the intent to be stored in the warehouse are received and moved to a storage bin.
The goods coming into the warehouse are received in storage type S910, the goods receipt area waiting to be processed.
Goods that need to be packed or checked can be moved to the storage type S970, the clarification zone.
At the end of the inbound process the goods are moved to the final storage bins in the regular storage types. We differentiate here between three different storage type:
- Bulk Storage: This storage type is divided into columns of single bins where multiple storage units are placed according to size and dimensions.
- Fixed Bin Storage: This storage type is used if you want to put away a product in a fixed storage bin because you pick the product usually from this storage type
- Standard Storage: This is the most common storage type used to store different types of products, for example a high-rack storage
The process starts with an inbound delivery that is relevant for processing in the warehouse. Once the products arrive at the warehouse, the delivery is checked, and the products can be packed into handling units as required. In addition, the warehouse clerk creates, or searches for an appropriate batch for batch-managed material, and assigns it to the inbound delivery items.
Afterward, the goods receipt is posted and warehouse tasks are created to execute the movements in the warehouse. After moving the products to the final bin or the clarification zone (exceptional case), the warehouse tasks are confirmed accordingly.
It is also possible to use packing proposals to optimize the packing process in inbound. Alternatively automatic packing can be carried out.
Using the app Change Inbound Deliveries it is possible to add or change batch information for batch-managed products. You can perform a batch split and create new batches.
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Business Benefits
The following is a list of business benefits:
- Receive products from different sources and store them in your warehouse.
- Control and record movements of products and handling units in the warehouse.
- Map your warehouse complex in the system down to storage bin level.
- Improve visibility and control in warehouse operations.
- Handle exceptions.
Key Process Flow
- Improve visibility and control in warehouse operations:
If the material procured is handled in batches, you can, optionally, create the batch manually, before the inbound process. Batches can, however, also be created automatically by the system during inbound processing.
- Create handling units and print labels (optional):
If the product is managed in handling units (for example, pallets with a unique ID), the handling unit has to be created in the system. Normally, this process step also involves the printing of the handling unit labels required for scanning the handling unit in the warehouse processes.
- Post goods receipt:
After the goods have been received in the warehouse, the goods receipt is posted in warehouse management.
- Create putaway warehouse tasks and print putaway lists:
- The inbound processing in the warehouse is triggered by the creation of an inbound delivery. The original document for the inbound delivery creation could be a purchase order sent to an external supplier/vendor, a customer return order, a stock transfer from another storage location, or an intracompany process (inbound from another plant).
- The creation of the corresponding inbound delivery order in the warehouse leads to a warehouse request that has to be covered by the creation of putaway warehouse tasks assigned to a warehouse order. The warehouse order is carried out by the warehouse worker, who confirms the warehouse tasks. Putaway lists might have to be printed for this process step as well.
- Confirm warehouse tasks:
After the worker has finished the putaway activities, he or she confirms the warehouse tasks carried out.
- Check material in clarification zone (optional):
If required data for the process is missing, for example, a product putaway control indicator, the material is sent to the clarification zone for further checking and processing.
- Create warehouse tasks from clarification zone to final bin and print warehouse task lists (optional):
After checking and correcting the issue, the material can be moved to the final bin by creation of warehouse tasks and optional printout of the warehouse task list (in a paper-driven environment).
- Confirm warehouse tasks (optional):
After the worker has completed the warehouse activities from the clarification zone, he or she confirms these warehouse tasks as well.
For a graphical overview on the business process of the scope item Warehouse Inbound Processing (3BR), refer to the SAP Signavio Process Navigator as described in the lesson Finding Best Practices Documentation via SAP Signavio Process Navigator.
Run a Simulation to Check the System Behavior
You can use the following simulation to work your way through the main process steps about how to run the warehouse inbound process.
Business Roles and SAP Fiori Apps
The following SAP S/4HANA Cloud business roles are used for this scenario:
- Warehouse Clerk (EWM)
- Warehouse Operative (EWM)
The Roles and Apps Used in the Scenario Warehouse Inbound Processing figure shows the roles and SAP Fiori apps involved in the process. Whereas the warehouse clerk is responsible for the main process steps, the warehouse operative carries out and confirms the warehouse activities.