SAP Material Flow System (SAP MFS)

SAP Material Flow System (SAP MFS) is an integrated functional component within SAP EWM (SAP Extended Warehouse Management). SAP MFS (SAP Material Flow System) is typically used for material flow control in automated warehouse systems (AS/RS for small parts, HBS), and deployed in demanding, highly-automated logistics centres. SAP MFS (SAP Material Flow System) provides comprehensive, performance-optimised control for highly-dynamic, fully-automated shuttle AS/RS systems, sorters and sequencers. The deployment of SAP MFS (SAP Material Flow System) results in a two-tier system architecture (SAP-PLC) with a maximum level of SAP integration and simple interfaces, making external middleware and subsystems, such as warehouse/material flow control system (WCS/MFC) surplus to requirements. This means lower operating costs, greater flexibility and transparency, and maximum protection for your investment.
 

With the real-time-capable SAP Material Flow System (SAP MFS), any type of automated high-bay warehouse system and integrated conveyor system can be controlled and optimised – other IT subsystems (MFCs, etc.) are not required. SAP MFS (SAP Material Flow System) sends movement commands in real-time directly to the PLC controlling the stacker cranes or integrated conveyor systems. Putaway and removal strategies, optimisation (e.g. uniform product distribution, travel-optimised storage bin search, double-deep storage, multiple-deep storage, aisle-changers, etc.) are fully mapped out within SAP MFS (SAP Material Flow System).

AS/RS for small parts (for totes and trays), plus vertical lifter systems and Pick-by-Light systems are controlled directly by SAP MFS (SAP Material Flow System). AS/RS for small parts are often implemented as double-deep storage with multiple load handling gear. The sophisticated IT optimisation strategies required here are comprehensively supported by SAP MFS (SAP Material Flow System). The real-time capabilities of the SAP MFS (SAP Material Flow System) system architecture guarantee rapid response times and optimum system performance.

SAP MFS (SAP Material Flow System) can control a highly-automated shuttle AS/RS for small parts from any manufacturer directly (direct SAP-PLC link). Here, SAP MFS (SAP Material Flow System) has direct control over the individual shuttle cars, as well as the shuttle and tote lifters. The real-time capabilities of SAP MFS (SAP Material Flow System) ensure that nominal system output is indeed achieved by the optimum modelling of putaway and removal strategies in SAP MFS (SAP Material Flow System).

For multiple-deep storage, purpose-built putaway strategies are mapped out in SAP MFS (SAP Material Flow System), so as to minimise the likelihood of goods relocation, for example. For stock picking, handling units near aisles are reserved, and the stock picking strategy also takes pair formation into account where possible. Many projects with double-/multi-deep HBS and AS/RS for small parts have now been successfully implemented with SAP MFS (SAP Material Flow System).

SAP MFS (SAP Material Flow System) defines conveyor travel for pallets, totes, etc. on the automated conveyor lines flexibly as entities called "routes". Complex conveyor system layouts – with multi-level layouts or layouts with buffers, sorting lines, etc. – can be comprehensively mapped out within SAP MFS (SAP Material Flow System). The real-time capability of SAP MFS (SAP Material Flow System) safeguards the communication between SAP and the PLC – even at time-critical decision points – with the kinds of response times necessary to ensure an uninterrupted flow of material. The failure of conveyor system sections triggers the activation of dynamic redirection strategies to ensure the highest possible availability for conveyor functionality.

Automated Guided Vehicle systems (AGVs), monorail overhead conveyors (MOCs) and in-floor conveyor systems (IFCs) are in-house conveyor systems with automatically controlled vehicles whose primary task is material transport. Depending on the manufacturer, SAP MFS (SAP Material Flow System) offers partial to full control and optimisation for such systems. SAP MFS (SAP Material Flow System) sends movement commands directly to the control station or, alternatively, to each individual vehicle/conveyor, processing return messages from these control systems in real time.

The principle of "Goods-to-Person" (formerly: "Goods-to-Man") is based on the dynamic provisioning of product pallets/totes to warehouse personnel. As a rule, automated high-bay warehouse/automated small parts storage is equipped with GtP picking stations, which can be managed with SAP MFS (SAP Material Flow System). GtP is a sound option if large unit quantities of different products need to be consolidated into deliveries. Featuring many configuration options, SAP EWM/MFS (SAP Extended Warehouse Management/Material Flow System) picking functionality offers support for these work centres with efficient, user-friendly dialog screens.

In the field of small parts picking, where efficiency and quality are paramount (zero-defect strategy), Pick-by-Light systems with carton flow racking are typically deployed. Pick-to-Light in particular supports the assignment of picked goods to the target tote or carton. SAP EWM (SAP Extended Warehouse Management) and SAP MFS (SAP Material Flow System) manages the complete flow of information for the processing and forwarding of picking orders, as well as the organisation of material flows and picking (subdivision of pick zones, forwarding of picked goods, target tote assignment, etc.). Single-stage, multi-stage and parallel picking processes are given comprehensive support from SAP EWM (SAP Extended Warehouse Management) and SAP MFS (SAP Material Flow System).

SAP Automation modules