What is a Material Flow Controller?

Definition: A Material Flow Controller (MFC) is a central control system within automated intralogistics, responsible for the coordinated, route-optimized, and timely execution of transport orders between storage locations, workstations, and automated conveyor systems. Acting as an interface between the operational control level (e.g., PLC, sensors) and the higher-level warehouse management software (e.g., SAP EWM), the MFC manages the real-time operational control of internal material flows.

The material flow controller processes transport orders generated by the warehouse management system into executable sequences and transmits them, order-specifically, to the respective conveyor components, including:

  • Conveyor systems (e.g., roller conveyors, lifts, transfer cars)
  • Storage and retrieval machines (SRMs)
  • Shuttle systems
  • Robot or picking stations

The MFC applies rule-based logic for route selection, prioritization, congestion avoidance, load balancing, and sequencing, ensuring high utilization and stability of the conveyor infrastructure. In complex material flow systems with a high degree of automation, the material flow controller thus plays a key role in enabling high-performance and trouble-free process execution.

In the SAP environment, material flow control is typically handled via the SAP EWM component SAP MFS (Material Flow System), which allows for native integration into the SAP system architecture.

Material Flow Controller | IGZ