SAP EWM – SAP Extended Warehouse Management For demanding storage processes
SAP Extended Warehouse Management (SAP EWM) is part of the SAP S/4HANA Suite and the SAP Digital Supply Chain (DSC) product family. SAP EWM supports all processes within the logistics chain, from production to warehousing and transportation.
SAP EWM combines maximum functionality and comprehensive process support for all types of warehouse, making it one of the most powerful standard software systems for warehouse management and warehouse control worldwide.
The main components of SAP EWM are warehouse management and material flow control with SAP Material Flow System (SAP MFS).
SAP EWM provides extensive functions for warehouse processes for which companies previously used special niche applications that could not be integrated.
One example of this is new distribution processes that allow you to significantly reduce your inventory costs while improving service quality.
FAQ: Warehouse management with SAP EWM
SAP Extended Warehouse Management (SAP EWM) is a standardized, modular warehouse management/warehouse control system that supports all intralogistics processes.
As an important component of the SAP S/4 Digital Supply Chain, SAP EWM can be used in conjunction with other SAP modules to organize and optimize processes within the entire logistics chain. This platform can also be used to flexibly design complex, high-performance processes and control highly automated logistics systems via the integrated SAP Material Flow System (SAP MFS).
With SAP EWM, the following external systems are no longer required and can be eliminated:
- Warehouse management systems (WMS)
- Warehouse Management Systems (WMS)
- Warehouse Control Systems (WCS)
- Material flow computers (MFR)
- etc.
All processes are mapped in one system (SAP).
The leading software manufacturer SAP SE has defined the core functions of SAP Extended Warehouse Management (SAP EWM) as follows:
- Storage location management and optimization - optimal storage location of products depending on size and access frequency
- Goods movements - optimized storage capacities and material flows with putaway and stock removal strategies
- Workstation - personalized workstations for individual warehouse activities (packing, deconsolidation, weighing, etc.)
- Inventory - integrated difference monitor with configurable tolerance groups for product/storage bin-related inventories
- Planning and monitoring - on-time goods movements through planning and monitoring of all stock levels
- Radio data link - high quality standard thanks to efficient control of individual work steps via mobile radio terminals
- Warehouse control - integrated interface to downstream technology (e.g. PLC, peripherals, printers, labelers, scales)
- Integration of warehouse and production
- Integration of warehouse and transportation
The difference between SAP Extended Warehouse Management (SAP EWM) and SAP Warehouse Management (SAP WM) lies both in the functional scope and in the SAP system architecture.
While SAP WM is an SAP R/3 module (first published by SAP in the early 1990s), SAP EWM represents the current generation of SAP warehouse management.
SAP EWM is a module that is fully integrated into SAP S/4 ERP. In the SAP "world", the term "SAP S/4 EWM" is also frequently used. Both terms can be used synonymously, i.e. either "SAP S/4 EWM" or simply "SAP EWM" for short.
Smaller and medium-sized companies with manageable processes in the area of warehouse logistics have been well served in recent decades with the scope and performance of SAP WM integrated in SAP ERP. This functionality is still available in the new SAP ERP system (SAP S/4HANA) as SAP Stock Room Management (albeit with limitations). With increased complexity (e.g. multi-level picking), rising throughput requirements, an increasing degree of automation and an international focus, SAP EWM comes into its own.
You can find out more about this topic in our article Converting SAP WM to SAP EWM!
The difference between these two operating modes lies in the system architecture:
In the "embedded" variant, SAP EWM is used as an ERP module together with many other ERP modules in the SAP S/4 ERP system on one and the same system. The same database is also used (with all the advantages and disadvantages).
In the "decentrialized " variant, SAP EWM is operated on a separate ERP machine and only the EWM functionality is used on this ERP system. It is therefore a separate high-performance system (with its own database) that is only used for warehouse logistics.
You can find out more about this topic in our article Converting SAP WM to SAP EWM!
The conversion or migration from SAP ERP (R/3) to SAP S/4 is already underway in many companies ("RISE with SAP").
These migration projects also include the conversion from SAP Warehouse Management (SAP WM) to SAP Extended Warehouse Management (SAP EWM). And that is also important. Because time is of the essence! Support for SAP WM as a component of SAP ERP 6.0, which is also being phased out, will be discontinued at the end of 2027. As a result, the system can only be used in a rudimentary way, if at all (Stock Room Management).
SAP SE has positioned SAP EWM as its strategic successor, a future-proof system that can also be used to map further growth and new business models. You can find out more about SAP S/4HANA stock room management and the limited use of SAP WM beyond 2027 in this article.
In the run-up to an SAP Extended Warehouse Management (SAP EWM) project, we recommend targeted training for logistics key users and in-house SAP module administrators. Among other things, you will learn what functional scope SAP EWM offers and which core processes are covered. You will also receive relevant information about the integration of master data and transaction data with the ERP system and can get a first impression of SAP EWM user screens (e.g. SAP EWM Warehouse Management Monitor).
SAP offers a comprehensive range of training courses on SAP EWM and related SAP modules. IGZ can help you with appropriate recommendations for suitable training courses and is also an SAP Education Partner for carrying out SAP EWM training courses directly as a project partner.
The implementation of SAP Extended Warehouse Management (SAP EWM) for sophisticated warehouse processes requires an experienced project partner. Any risks can be minimized through a methodically secured approach. For example, deployment analyses prior to an SAP software implementation, including integration of the control and system technology, have proven their worth. Emulation tools tailored to SAP EWM in conjunction with virtual test runs (including mass tests) also ensure planning reliability during the test phase.
Key advantages of SAP EWM
Improved warehouse management:
SAP EWM offers a comprehensive range of warehouse management functions to help companies manage their inventory efficiently, including putaway, stock removal, inventory management, stock transfer and physical inventory.
Real-time transparency:
SAP EWM provides real-time visibility into inventory levels, movements and activities. This enables companies to make informed decisions and react quickly to changes in demand or operating conditions.
Support for complex warehouse structures:
SAP EWM provides support for various warehouse structures, including multi-level warehouses, high-bay warehouses, automated warehouses and cross-docking facilities. This enables companies to flexibly adapt their warehouse infrastructure to their requirements.
Scalability and flexibility:
SAP EWM is scalable and can be adapted to a company's changing requirements and growth. This enables companies to keep pace with the increasing complexity and size of their warehouse operations.
Optimization of warehouse processes:
By automating and optimizing warehouse processes, companies can increase efficiency, shorten throughput times and reduce the error rate. This leads to better utilization of warehouse capacity and improved customer satisfaction.
Integration with other SAP solutions:
As part of the SAP ecosystem, SAP EWM integrates seamlessly with other SAP modules such as SAP ERP, SAP S/4HANA, SAP SCM, etc. This integration enables a smooth flow of information between different business areas and improves data consistency and accuracy.
Compliance with legal requirements and industry standards:
SAP EWM supports compliance with legal requirements and industry standards for warehouse management, which is particularly important when companies operate in regulated industries or operate internationally.
Mobility and ease of use:
Mobile applications allow warehouse employees to perform their tasks directly on site, improving the efficiency and accuracy of warehouse processes. The SAP EWM user interface is intuitive and user-friendly, which reduces training time for new employees.
Extract from SAP EWM projects
Over 600 globally active (family) companies and groups from all over Europe place their trust in IGZ.
As a professional partner, we attach great importance to a trusting partnership at eye level. You can rely on our commitment and our many years of expertise in the field of SAP EWM.
IGZ Success Stories – Download now!
From Dowel Quality to Logistics Excellence
The fischer Group of Companies, in collaboration with SAP engineers from IGZ, has migrated its logistics at the main site in Tumlingen to SAP EWM and SAP TM. This migration was carried out using a Big Bang approach, successfully completed over a single weekend.
By implementing SAP EWM and SAP TM, fischer not only enhances efficiency but also increases flexibility while guaranteeing a 99 percent same-day processing rate. This transition lays the foundation for future innovations and expansions of logistics processes.
Success Story free of charge
From Dowel Quality to Logistics Excellence
Europe's most modern tool logistics with SAP EWM/MFS and SAP TM
Over 200 million euros have been invested in the newly built LogisticCity - the largest investment in the over one hundred year history of Hoffmann SE. The high-performance tool logistics facility with adjoining TechnologyCenter is the Hoffmann Group's global central warehouse.
It is located on a 21.5-hectare site and has a record-breaking floor space of around 100,000 square meters - the equivalent of around 13 soccer pitches. At the heart of the central logistics hub is a shuttle warehouse with around 560,000 storage spaces. Up to 40,000 shipments can be dispatched daily with maximum delivery quality.
Success Story free of charge
Most modern tool logistics in europe
Innovative intralogistics with AI and robotics
SAP IT, control and automated warehouse technology from a single source: IGZ, as the SAP EWM general contractor with overall responsibility, literally met this requirement and the associated demand for interface and risk minimization "in time, in budget, in quality" when building the new logistics center for BHS Global Logistics.
The new logistics center at the Weiherhammer site combines production supply and spare parts distribution for BHS Corrugated under one roof. At the same time, the platform opens up a wide range of options for implementing new business models based on a company-wide SAP EWM and SAP TM strategy.
Success Story free of charge
Innovative intralogistics with AI and robotics
Global SAP EWM rollout "on track" at Belimo
A global market leader is setting the course for its logistics IT: Belimo Automation AG is rolling out SAP EWM as a global platform to all logistics locations with the SAP engineers from IGZ. A dedicated template serves as the basis, which was used for the first time in the new service and logistics center in Großröhrsdorf near Dresden.
The template takes into account the functional requirements of other locations so that it can be successively rolled out internationally together with IGZ and independently. A great success: the SAP EWM rollouts are running exactly to the month according to the original schedule. On top of this, another location was even able to go live.
Success Story free of charge
Global SAP EWM rollout “on track” at Belimo
Top performance every second with SAP EWM
Logistics Next Level: Since mid-2022, the bilstein group has been shipping car and commercial vehicle parts all over the world from its new logistics center in Gelsenkirchen. Behind this is a huge, highly automated intralogistics machinery on a floor area of 45,000m2, intelligently managed and controlled by SAP standard software.
IGZ acted as the SAP EWM general contractor for the intralogistics, took over the logistics planning, consistently implemented the entire mechanical and control technology as well as SAP EWM, and supports the system with an on-site service team even after the project has been completed.
Success Story free of charge
Top performance every second with SAP EWM
Retrofit, expansion and SAP EWM from a single source
In order to adapt the Regional Distribution Center Oberhausen (ROCD), the largest DC in the Hilti logistics network, to future market requirements, the tool manufacturer has invested in an extensive retrofit and expansion project. The logistics processes were made future-proof and adaptable and the plant technology was expanded in terms of capacity.
The warehouse IT was also sustainably modernized with the introduction of SAP EWM. Hilti implemented all measures with the experience and know-how of IGZ as SAP EWM general contractor.
Success Story free of charge
Retrofit, expansion and SAP EWM from a single source
On course for success with automation and SAP EWM
In Triptis, Thuringia, polymer specialist REHAU has added two automated warehouses to its intralogistics system. But that's not all: the automation highlight of the material flow are autonomous transport robots controlled by SAP EWM/MFS.
They are also part of the scope of services provided by the general contractor IGZ, which implemented the control technology including direct control of the automated warehouses and transport robots with SAP EWM/MFS as a coherent overall solution in addition to the mechanical systems. The project was successfully completed in 2021.
Success Story free of charge
On the road to success with automation and SAP EWM
Next Level Optimization
In the summer of 2016, MULTIVAC opened its new Logistics Center at the company headquarters in Wolfertschwenden (Allgäu) after a construction phase of around one and a half years. It is part of a new logistics concept, and thanks to its state-of-the-art storage technology it meets the increasing requirements of a globally active machine manufacturer.
Both production supply and spare parts logistics are located under one roof. End-to-end system integration was achieved through the introduction of SAP EWM. With this new building, the packaging specialist has laid the foundation for further expanding logistics as part of a continuous improvement process.
Success Story free of charge
Next level optimization
SAP EWM Discover + Prepare
Getting to know and trying out SAP EWM is now very easy. With our preconfigured system - your personal "playground" - your key users and employees can experience SAP Extended Warehouse Management (SAP EWM) for themselves.
We introduce you to the SAP EWM standard software functionalities and processes with a preconfigured cloud system and our knowledge transfer training program.
Together with our methodological solution modules, you can get started with deployment analysis, design and implementation. Depending on your requirements, for "waterfall", agile or semi-agile methodology.
We also provide professional introductory training tailored to your requirements (various introductory packages). And if you are already one step ahead, we will be happy to set up a prototype directly on your own system ("sandbox").
Your advantages: Training on the prefabricated, modular system landscape significantly reduces your familiarization effort and thus saves costs.
Automatic small parts warehouses (ASPW) are an ideal and efficient solution for storing small-volume goods in containers, cartons or on trays in a space-saving manner. Using intelligent replenishment strategies, they can then be provided dynamically and quickly – for picking, for example.
Storage and retrieval are handled by stacker cranes (SC) or shuttles. ASPW can be used across all sectors and are suitable as spare parts, picking or buffer storage in logistics and distribution centres.
Automatic small parts warehouses (ASPW) are an ideal and efficient solution for storing small-volume goods in containers, cartons or on trays in a space-saving manner. Using intelligent replenishment strategies, they can then be provided dynamically and quickly – for picking, for example.
Storage and retrieval are handled by stacker cranes (SC) or shuttles. ASPW can be used across all sectors and are suitable as spare parts, picking or buffer storage in logistics and distribution centres.
- System architecture (embedded, decentralized)
- Organizational elements
- master data
- Communication with subsystems
- Posting through a GR process from the delivery system in SAP ERP to the GR posting
- Posting through a GI process from the delivery system in SAP ERP to the GI posting
- Shaft processing
- Posting a production supply from the production order to the production supply area
- Goods receipt of the produced goods
- Mapping of replenishment processes (e.g. with Kanban)
- Internal stock transfer
- Inventory processes
- Standard dialogs
- Customization options
- Queue control with RF
- Prioritization of orders
- Paperless picking
- Monitoring
- Outlook EWM MFS (material flow)
Automatic small parts warehouses (ASPW) are an ideal and efficient solution for storing small-volume goods in containers, cartons or on trays in a space-saving manner. Using intelligent replenishment strategies, they can then be provided dynamically and quickly – for picking, for example.
Storage and retrieval are handled by stacker cranes (SC) or shuttles. ASPW can be used across all sectors and are suitable as spare parts, picking or buffer storage in logistics and distribution centres.
SAP S/4HANA: What is it?
SAP S/4HANA is the latest ERP generation from SAP and the successor to the previous, decades-old SAP core product SAP ERP R/3. SAP S/4HANA is not a further development or release of the existing SAP Business Suite, but an entirely new product with its own powerful database: SAP HANA.
The new SAP HANA in-memory database technology enables the use of large volumes of data (big data). The SAP S/4HANA ERP solution is therefore able to map both transactions and analyses in real time in one system, accelerate processes and significantly reduce storage requirements at the same time.
Time is running out!
SAP R/3 ERP support ends on December 31, 2027 (including all logistics modules such as WM, LE-TRA, XSI, SD as well as production modules such as PP, PP/PI etc.). The introduction of the new SAP S4/HANA platform is therefore the starting signal for all companies that are still using "old" SAP R/3 modules to make the necessary switch to SAP S/4.
IGZ advises you on your individual migration path and provides you with helpful tools, e.g. for test automation (e.g. Automated Rapid Validation) , to enable and ensure a secure migration. Migration cockpits are also part of the IGZ service portfolio.
