Warehouse Management (based on SAP EWM)

Is your warehouse still dependent on manual labor and paper documentation? Do the warehouse managers often struggle to track inventory accurately? Do order mix-ups occasionally happen and leave customers disappointed?

Are you looking for ways to store, handle, and optimize the management of goods? Thinking, how to minimize errors in operations?

In today's lightning-fast world of e-commerce and omnichannel fulfillment, the warehouses
can’t work in isolation, focusing only on their internal tasks. Today, you need a smart logistics solution that brings everything together. It's all about running your operations seamlessly, speeding up order fulfillment, adapting to changes on the fly, and getting a clear picture of orders and costs across the entire logistics chain.

Meet SAP Extended Warehouse Management – application, offering comprehensive and advanced capabilities to oversee all the primary operations in the facility. It modulates a digital copy of the warehouse, so you can monitor all the processes which are going on. 24/7.

The system provides better traceability and helps warehouses in performing the incoming and outgoing operations better. This solution delivers strong visibility and control oversight to enhance inventory monitoring, cross-docking, distribution operations, and multi channel fulfillment – all in real time with S/4HANA.

It also helps to keep time management, ensuring the items get loaded and dispatched onto the truck not too early, not too late, just at the right moment and delivered on time.

Change traditional stocking warehouse into a flexible multi-channel fulfillment center and maximize efficiency with best-in-class WMS solution by SAP and TeamIdea advisory in process optimization.

1.
Comprehensively orchestrate your warehousing operations. Get a full view into where every product is at any given moment, from its arrival to packing and shipping.
2.
Streamline your incoming operations to improve receiving and dock operations, along with inventory placement (goods receipt, internal routing, management of transport units, handling returns).
3.
Improve warehouse space utilization by applying slotting, rearrangement, replenishment, and stock consolidation features. Use the automated system to optimize how goods are positioned within the facility.
4.
Fine-tune outbound operations to enhance overall customer order fulfillment KPIs and decrease delivery times.
5.
Boost employee engagement by empowering workers to flexibly access and perform the tasks using various mobile devices, such as handheld RF terminals, smartphones, and tablets.

	Traditional Warehouse Management	Management with SAP EWM
Efficiency	Relies heavily on human labor for every aspect of warehouse operations, including receiving, putaway, picking, packing, and delivery. Processes are time-consuming.	Automated warehouse operations: barcode scanning, RFID, conveyor systems, automated guided vehicles, and system-driven workflows. Enhanced efficiency, accuracy, and operational speed.
Visibility	Lacks real-time visibility into inventory levels, location tracking, and order status. Managers may struggle to make informed decisions due to limited data availability.	Real-time visibility into warehouse operations through comprehensive reporting and analytics capabilities. Managers can track inventory levels, monitor order status, and analyze warehouse performance metrics to make data-driven decisions and optimize operations.
Scalability	Suitable for small-scale operations with relatively simple warehouse processes. As operations grow in size or complexity, manual processes become increasingly inefficient and error-prone.	Manages complex warehouse operations with multiple storage types, picking strategies, and value-added services. It can scale to support growing business needs and handle large volumes of inventory and orders efficiently.
Accuracy	Susceptible to human errors such as picking the wrong items, misplacing inventory, or incorrect data entry.	Minimized errors through automated processes, system-directed workflows, and validation checks. Barcode scanning and RFID technologies ensure accurate inventory tracking and order fulfillment.
Integration	Warehouse operates in isolation from other business systems, leading to siloed data and inefficient communication between departments.	Integrates seamlessly with other SAP modules such as Supply Chain Management (SCM), Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Transportation Management (TM), and Customer Relationship Management (CRM), enabling end-to-end visibility and coordination across the supply chain.

Suitable Warehouses

Logistics Centers: to manage high inventory levels and complex distribution networks and benefit from SAP EWM features like inventory management, cross-docking, and order fulfillment.
3PL: to provide logistics services to multiple clients with flexibility, scalability, and customization by enabling SAP EWM's multi-client and multi-warehouse capabilities.
High-Volume Warehouses: to leverage SAP EWM's automation capabilities, such as automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS), conveyor systems, and picking technologies, to improve efficiency and productivity.
Temperature-Controlled Centers: to manage temperature zones, shelf life, and expiration dates for perishable goods and provide required temperature control (e.g. cold storage, pharmaceutical warehouses).
Complex Warehouses with Specialized Processes: Warehouses with specialized processes such as kitting, sequencing, packaging, and value-added services can utilize SAP EWM's capabilities for managing complex workflows, resource optimization, and labor management.
Global Warehouses with Multi-Site Operations Warehouses with operations spread across multiple sites or countries can leverage SAP EWM's global deployment options and support for multi-language, multi-currency, and multi-leg transportation processes.
Regulated Industries: Warehouses that handle high-value goods or goods with specific handling requirements (e.g., high-tech electronics, luxury goods) can utilize SAP EWM's security features, serial number tracking, and advanced inventory control.
High-Value Goods Warehouses: Warehouses that handle high-value goods or goods with specific handling requirements (e.g., high-tech electronics, luxury goods) can utilize SAP EWM's security features, serial number tracking, and advanced inventory control.

Key Users of SAP EWM:

1.
Warehouse Managers: oversee overall warehouse processes, analyze key performance indicators (KPIs), and make data-driven decisions to improve warehouse productivity.
2.
Warehouse Supervisors: assign tasks to warehouse workers, monitor progress, address issues, and ensure that operations run efficiently and smoothly.
3.
Warehouse Workers: receive assignments, locate items, confirm task completion, and update status in real-time
4.
Inventory Managers: receive assignments, locate items, confirm task completion, and update status in real-time.
5.
Logistics Planners: coordinate transportation activities, schedule delivery, and ensure timely shipments of goods.
6.
Quality Inspectors: record inspection results, manage non-conforming materials, and initiate quality-related processes such as returns or rework.
7.
Supply Chain Managers: obtain insights into warehouse operations, monitor inventory movements, and work with other stakeholders to enhance supply chain performance.

Main Advantages of SAP EWM Implementation:

Returns of Investments

The return on investment (ROI) from implementing SAP Extended Warehouse Management (EWM) can vary depending on the level of the business, complexity of warehouse processes, and specific goals of the implementation. Still, some common ROI drivers include:

Increased Operational Efficiency

Lower manual workforce requirements, optimized workflows, and quicker order processing can result in significant time savings and cost reductions.
Improved Productivity

Through process optimization and the utilization of features such as task interleaving and wave management, SAP EWM helps to achieve higher throughput rates, faster order fulfillment times, and higher order accuracy.
Inventory Optimization:

By optimizing inventory levels and reducing stockouts, warehouses improve inventory turnover and reduce carrying costs.
Optimized Resource Utilization

SAP EWM enables businesses to dynamically allocate resources based on workload priorities, skill levels, and availability. This ensures that resources: labor, equipment, and storage space are utilized efficiently.
Cost-saving

The solution helps minimize errors in warehouse operations (picking errors, misplacements, and shipping mistakes) and save costs associated with returns, rework, and customer dissatisfaction.