Cross Docking

General Process In cross-docking, goods are moved directly from the receiving area to the shipping area in just one warehouse
Descriptions movement. No storage or picking steps are performed in between.

There are two basic types of cross-docking, both of which are supported in SAP EWM:

 Planned Cross-Docking (CD):

 Opportunistic Cross-Docking (CD):

Step by Step Cross-docking is a logistics process that involves receiving goods and immediately moving them to shipping
Process Description without putting them away in storage. This process is typically used for high-demand items or when inventory
turnover is fast.

1. Prerequisites

 Ensure that your system is set up for Cross-Docking (you may need to configure settings for cross-
docking, such as creating cross-docking rules).
 You should have goods receipts (GR) already registered in the system, or incoming goods from a vendor
that will be cross-docked.

2. Goods Receipt (GR) Posting

 Step: A goods receipt is posted in SAP EWM for the inbound delivery.
 System Action: The system registers that the goods have arrived at the warehouse, but they are not
stored in the warehouse storage locations.

3. Cross-Docking Assignment (Linking GR with Shipping)

 Step: The system identifies cross-docking opportunities based on pre-defined rules (for example, the
product needs to be immediately transferred to shipping).
 Action: In the SAP EWM system, the inbound delivery is analyzed to see if there is an existing sales order
or a shipping request that matches the goods. If such a match exists, cross-docking is triggered.
 System Action: The inbound delivery is associated with a shipping order, and the goods are ready to be
moved from the receiving area to the shipping area.

4. Stock Assignment (Stock Type Determination)

 Step: The stock is moved to the appropriate cross-docking area in the warehouse (such as a dedicated
staging area).
 System Action: The system assigns the stock to the appropriate storage type or staging area. This is
often a temporary area where the goods are kept before being transferred to the shipping department.
5. Goods Movement

 Step: The warehouse worker moves the goods from the receiving area to the shipping area without
storing them in a bin location.
 System Action: The system updates the inventory to reflect the movement of goods from receiving to
the shipping staging area.

6. Shipping Process

 Step: The shipping department prepares the goods for shipment according to the sales order or
outbound delivery.
 System Action: The system generates a pick request for the goods in the cross-docking area and marks
them as ready for shipment.

7. Completion of Shipment

 Step: Once the goods are picked and packed for shipment, the shipping department sends the goods
out, and the outbound delivery is completed.
 System Action: The SAP EWM system updates the outbound delivery status, and the inventory levels are
adjusted to reflect the goods being shipped.

8. Inventory Update

 Step: Final inventory updates are made to reflect the removal of goods from the warehouse.
 System Action: The inventory is updated in real time, reflecting the goods’ movement from the
receiving area to the shipping area and then to the outbound shipment.

Key Configurations for Cross-Docking in SAP EWM:

1. Cross-Docking Rules: You need to configure rules to identify when and how goods should be cross-
docked, including determining the storage types, triggers, and handling units.
2. Storage Locations: Defining storage locations for receiving, cross-docking, and shipping areas.
3. Movement Types: Set up appropriate movement types to handle goods movement between different
stages of the cross-docking process.
4. Resource Management: Ensure that resources (such as warehouse workers) are available and can be
assigned to tasks like moving goods from receiving to shipping.
Deliverables # Step RF Desktop Back- Non Remarks
ground MVP
action
1 System
Goods receipt (Inbound updates Cross docking starts with
X No
delivery creation) goods goods receipt in EWM.
receipt
2 Background
Quality inspection (if Inspection is optional based
X X inspection Yes
applicable) on quality control settings.
check
3 Update
Identification of cross- EWM system identifies goods
X X inventory in No
docking stock for cross-docking.
EWM
4 Verify
availability Critical for transferring goods
Creation of transfer order
X X of cross- No directly from receiving to
for cross-docking
docking shipping.
stock
5 Update Cross-docking confirmed in
Cross-docking confirmation
X inventory in No the system and stock is
(stock movement)
EWM moved.
6 Generate
Creates outbound delivery for
Create outbound delivery outbound
X No the goods ready for
(for shipping) delivery
shipment.
documents
7 System
Picking and packing of Picking and packing happen
updates
goods from cross-docking X No in the cross-docking area
stock
area without storage.
location
8 Update
Goods issue for outbound Marks the goods as shipped
X stock in No
shipment in EWM and reduces stock.
EWM
9 Generate
Shipping confirmation and Confirms the shipment and
X shipping No
dispatch prepares documents.
documents