This video provides an introduction to SAP Extended Warehouse Management (EWM), focusing
on the basic concepts and the physical structure and flow of activities within a modern
warehouse.
Here is an explanation of the core knowledge and concepts from the video:
1. Core Concept: SAP Extended Warehouse Management (EWM)
* Definition [01:22]: EWM (Extended Warehouse Management) is an SAP tool used to manage
the physical flow and storage of goods within a warehouse. It is considered an Enterprise
Resource Planning (ERP) tool [15:52].
* Purpose [05:00]: EWM's primary function is to direct the user on where exactly to place and
find stock. By scanning a product, the system automatically determines the correct storage
location based on the product's characteristics (e.g., temperature, size, frozen food, or highly
valuable goods) [14:00].
* EWM vs. WM [25:45]: EWM is the successor to the older SAP Warehouse Management (WM)
module. EWM was developed to address the major gaps and customizations that businesses
performed in the older WM system.
* Market Position [33:12]: SAP has set a target for companies using older WM systems to
migrate to EWM (or S/4HANA) by 2030.
2. SAP System Architecture and Deployment
EWM can be deployed in two primary system environments:
| Environment | Description |
|---|---|
| Embedded System | EWM and the main ERP system (S/4HANA) run on the same box or
same server instance. This means one system login and a single database for all processes
[28:43]. |
| Decentralized System | EWM and the ERP system (S/4HANA or ECC) run on separate boxes
or different servers/clients. This requires two different systems and logins [29:02]. |
| Industry Preference | Approximately 95% of companies currently choose a decentralized setup
due to better performance and the ability to manage EWM as a separate, dedicated system
[30:32]. |
3. Key Concepts in SAP/EWM
| Concept | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Configuration | Using the system's ready-made and standard settings and functionalities, which
perfectly meet the client's needs [18:11]. |
| Customization | Modifying the standard system functionality by developing new screens or
reports (often involving developers) because the client's business processes are not met by the
standard software [19:57]. |
| Independent Module | EWM can be learned and implemented on its own. Unlike some other
modules (like MM or SD), it does not require prior knowledge in other SAP areas [01:31:31]. |
4. Warehouse Structure and Physical Components
The video illustrates the physical layout of a modern warehouse:
* Doors [59:41]: The main access points where vehicles (TUs - Transportation Units) are
assigned.
* Goods Receipt (GR) Doors: Used for unloading incoming stock from the vendor [01:08:43].
* Goods Issue (GI) Doors: Used for loading finished shipments to be sent to the customer
[01:08:43].
* Staging Area [01:11:17]: A dedicated large space where products are temporarily held.
* GR Staging: Where goods are placed immediately after unloading from the vehicle, but
before they are moved to their final storage location.
* GI Staging: Where goods are placed immediately after picking/packing, waiting to be loaded
onto a vehicle for shipment.
* Storage Types [01:17:06]: The final, long-term storage locations in the warehouse,
differentiated by how the goods are stored.
* Bulk Storage: Typically for large quantities, pallets, or high-value items [01:17:25].
* Loose/Bin Storage: Typically for small items or low-value products [01:18:43].
* Work Center [01:32:29]: An area dedicated to a specific type of work, such as packing,
unpacking, labeling, or quality checks. If space is limited, the staging area can double as a work
center [01:45:00].
* Production Area (Optional) [01:34:46]: Some warehouses include a dedicated area where raw
materials are consumed (Consumption) and finished goods are created (Preparation) (e.g.,
assembling car parts, or filling water bottles) [01:39:14].
5. Warehouse Activities Flow
The daily process of goods movement:
* Goods Receipt (GR): Receiving materials from a vendor, which are unloaded at the GR Door
and staged in the GR Staging Area [01:12:11].
* Putaway: Moving the received goods from the GR Staging Area to their final location in the
designated Storage Type [01:16:49].
* Replenishment [49:30]: Moving stock from a bulk storage area (like a go-down) to a smaller,
more accessible Replenishment Area (like a supermarket shelf) to ensure stock is always
available for quick picking and to prevent a loss of business [42:04].
* Picking: Taking the required finished goods from the storage locations to fulfill a customer
order [53:02].
* Packing/Labeling: The picked goods are taken to the Work Center to be packed into shipment
containers and labeled before delivery [01:32:04].
* Goods Issue (GI): The packed goods are moved to the GI Staging Area and then loaded onto
a vehicle at the GI Door for shipment to the customer [01:43:15].
Transaction Codes (T-Codes)
The video is a foundational introduction and did not mention any specific SAP EWM transaction
codes.
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