Handling Unit (HU)

Definition

A handling unit is a physical unit consisting of packaging materials (load carriers/packing

material) and the goods contained on/in it. A handling unit is always a combination of products
and packaging materials. All the information contained in the product items, for example, about
batches, is retained in the handling units and is always available.

For more information, see Packaging Materials.

Handling units can be nested, and you can create a new handling unit from several other
handling units.

A handling unit has a unique, scannable identification number that you can construct according
to industry standards such as EAN 128 or SSCC.

Fig. 1: Example of a Handling Unit

Structure

The object “Handling Unit” contains the following attributes:

 Identification number
 Dimension
 Weight
 Volume
 Status
 Products and quantities
 Packaging material
 Packaging specification

A handling unit consists of a handling unit header and handling unit items. It receives a unique
number that is used for identification purposes.
Handling Unit Header

The header data of a handling unit is divided up as follows:

 Weight/volume/dimension
 General data
 Storage-specific data

For more information about the different detailed information, see Packing at the Work Center.

Status

The handling unit is connected to general status management. This enables you to document the
various physical statuses (such as planned or realized) and other attributes (such as, weighed,
loaded, blocked, or posted for GI) for a handling unit.

If you want to use your own status, you can store a user schema for the packaging material type.

Handling Unit Item

The items of a handling unit can consist of products, auxiliary packaging materials, or other
handling units, which are displayed in an overview. For more information about this overview,
see Packing at the Work Center.

Packaging Materials

Definition

Packaging materials are used to enclose or hold together the packaged goods. You can pack the
packaged goods into or onto the packaging material. The packaging material can be a load
carrier. The most important packaging materials are, for example, crates, boxes, containers, wire
baskets, and pallets.
Use

For each packaging material that you want to use, you must maintain product master data.

The gross weight and the volume that you enter in the product master are particularly important
for packing. If you create a handling unit, the master data for the packaging material is
automatically adopted, and the gross weight and volume become the tare weight and/or tare
volume of the handling unit.

 Note

The tare weight and tare volume refer to the gross weight and volume of the packaging material.
In the case of a container, for example, this is the tare weight of the unloaded container (the total
weight of the container minus any goods and packaging materials packed into it).

Structure

If you choose the Global Data view in the product master record, you can maintain the following
data in the Packing Data screen section (you access product maintenance from the SAP Easy
Access screen. To do this, choose  Extended Warehouse Management Master Data Product
Maintain Product ):

SectionBasic Data: Packing:

 Packing group

 Reference product for similarly packable products

 Standard handling unit type

SectionBasic Data: Packaging Material:

 Packaging material type

 Handling unit type

SectionCapacities

 Maximum allowed weight

 Excess weight tolerance for the handling unit

 Tare weight variable

 Maximum allowed volume

  Excess volume tolerance for the handling unit

 Packaging material is closed packaging

 Maximum level (by volume)

 Maximum allowed capacity for the packaging material

 Excess capacity tolerance for the handling unit

 Maximum packing length of a packaging material

 Maximum allowed packing width for the packaging material

 Maximum packing height of a packaging material

You can find exact details about the function of the individual fields in the field help.

Integration

Packaging materials are a special type of product that can be used for packing or transporting
goods. During packing, you must always enter a packaging material so that the system can create
a handling unit. For more information, see Handling Unit .

Packaging specification

A packaging specification is master data. The packaging specification defines all the necessary
packing levels for a product in order, for example, to put away or transport the product. For a
product, a packaging specification mainly describes in which quantities you can pack the product
into which packaging materials in which sequence.

 In printed form, a packaging specification is a set of instructions for the employee in the
warehouse. More specifically, the work steps that you enter in a packaging specification
are intended as information for the employee. In this way you can, for example, give the
employee exact instructions as to where to place the label on a box, or how a product
should be stacked onto a pallet.

 The system can determine packaging specifications during various processes (see below).
Processes that determine packaging specifications use only parts or specific attributes
from the packaging specification.

Structure
 Header

Attributes such as the name of the packaging specification, user name of the creation
user, status, and so on.

 Contents

A packaging specification contains a product. However, some packaging specifications

contain more than one product, or refer to other packaging specifications.

 Level

You can map various packing levels in a packaging specification. Each level contains a
target quantity, which defines how many times you can pack the previous level into this
level.

 Element group
 For each level there is exactly one element group. However, you can reuse element
groups in several packaging specifications.

 Elements

Elements consist of a packaging material and/or a work step.

 Step

A text with an identification, which you can use in one or more packaging specifications.

 Packaging material

A product that is defined with a packaging material type in the product master.

Example for a Packaging Specification and Its Structure:

Header: Name: PS1, Status: New

Contents: product A, 1 piece

Level 1: Target quantity one, element group EG1

Element group EG1:

 Element E1: packaging material ‘Small box’, work step ‘Place 1 piece upright in each
box’

 Element E2: additional packaging material ‘Label’, work step ‘Place label on upper left’

Level 2: Target quantity 50, shift quantity 10, element group EG2

Element group EG2:

 Element E3: packaging material ‘Pallet’, work step ‘Place boxes layer by layer onto
pallet’

Integration

The following figure shows which processes use the packaging specification, and using which
components:
In both the Inventory Collaboration Hub (ICH) and in Extended Warehouse Management
(EWM), you can use the same packaging specification for an inbound delivery or an ASN that
you then use for the process Automatic Packing .

Example

Palletization data in EWM

In your warehouse, you put away product A onto pallets for 50 pieces. Create a packaging
specification with a level that contains the main packaging material Pallet and the contents
Product A. For this level, enter the target quantity 50.

In the process ‘Putaway’ for the inbound delivery, the system splits the quantity in the inbound
delivery across multiple warehouse tasks, due to this packaging specification For example, if a
quantity of 100 pieces is delivered, then the system creates two warehouse tasks for 50 pieces.

Functions of the Packaging Specification

The following functions are possible for packaging specifications:

 Create, copy, and activate (see also: Creation of Packaging Specifications)

 Search (see also Packaging Specification Determination)

 Distribute into multiple systems.

Creation of Packaging Specifications

Use

You create a packaging specification to map in the system how you should pack a product.

Prerequisites

You have made the following settings in Customizing:

 Define a Number Range for the Packaging Specification

 Define General Packing Parameters

 Define Group for Packaging Specification

SAP also recommends that you make the (optional) settings under Maintain Structure of the
Packaging Specification and Determination of Packaging Specifications.

For more information, see Customizing for SCM Basis under  Packing Packaging
Specification .

Features

When you access the Maintain Packaging Specification transaction, the overview screen appears
first. This is divided into two parts: the upper screen is used to search for existing packaging
specifications. The lower screen is a list in which you create new packaging specifications, and
can display or change existing packaging specifications.

From the list, you can go to the Create, Change, and Display functions on the detail screen. This
displays the structure of the packaging specification in the left screen area (in other words, the
levels, elements, and the contents). The upper right screen area shows the most important header
data for the packaging specification. The lower right screen area shows the detail data for the
selected sub-object of the packaging specification (in other words, for the level, the element, or
the contents).

Activities
1. On the SAP Easy Access screen, choose  Extended Warehouse Management Master
Data Packaging Specification Maintain Packaging Specification .

2. The overview screen appears. Here you can access existing packaging specifications
using the quick search or the advanced search.

3. To create a new packaging specification, choose Add New Line (symbol ).

4. In the PS Group column, select a packaging specification.

5. Select the packaging specification, then choose Change to access the detail screen.

6. On the detail screen, you can first edit the header attributes for packaging specification,
for example, you can enter a description or define the business key for the packaging
specification (Determination tab page).

7. You can define the structure of a packaging specification in Customizing (see also
Customizing for SCM Basis under  Packing Packaging Specification Maintain
Structure of Packaging Specification Define Level Set ). If you work without level sets,
then you should specify the structure of the specification in the packaging specification.
You create levels and contents in the left screen area using the context menu (right mouse
button).

8. When you create a packaging specification that describes the packing for a product, you
enter the product in the Contents area.

9. For a level, you enter a target quantity and, where required, the minimum and layer
quantity. Note that these quantities refer to the previous levels. Target quantity 10 for
level 2 means, for example, that you should pack level 1 ten times into the main
packaging material for level 2. In other words, 10 boxes onto one pallet.

10. For a level, you can either create the elements manually, or if you are working with a
level set then the elements are proposed by the system.

11. To specify the main packaging material for a level, for example, create an element with
handling unit (HU) relevance Main Packaging Material, and enter the packaging material
in the relevant field.

12. The attributes Weight, Volume, and Dimensions (tab page) for the level are automatically
determined by the system for the first main packaging material for a level. For this, the
system adopts the attributes for tare and maximum weight (and/or volume, and/or
capacity) and the dimensions from the product master for the packaging material. Choose
HU Check to make the system calculate the attributes Loading and Total Weight (and/or
Volume, and/or Capacity).

13. When you save, you close a packaging specification in the detail area.
 14. Choose Back (F3) to go back to the overview area.

15. In the overview area, you can activate one or more packaging specifications. The
prerequisite for being able to determine the packaging specification in other processes is
activation of the packaging specification. For more information, see Packaging
Specification Determination). If the packaging specification contains all the data and you
can use the packaging specification for the process, then you activate the packaging
specification.

16. The overview area also offers you the functions Copy, New Version, Print Preview, and
Delete.

Packaging Specification Determination

You can use this function to determine a packaging specification using the business
characteristics you have defined. The system uses the condition technique to do this.

From the business characteristics predefined by SAP, you select those that are suitable for your
processes (for example, product and vendor). A set of business characteristics forms a condition
type. You can define different condition types for different processes.

After you have specified a condition type, you can assign a packaging specification to these
business characteristics. This means that you can, for example, specify that for a product P,
vendor A, and process Automatic Packing in the Inbound Delivery, the system finds packaging
specification PS. At the end of this process, handling units are created on the basis of the
packaging specification found.

Integration

The following processes use packaging specification determination:

In SAP Extended Warehouse Management (SAP EWM):

 Automatic packing in the inbound delivery

 Packaging material determination during warehouse order creation

 Packaging material determination in the outbound delivery

 Packaging material determination during deconsolidation

 Packaging material determination when packing in the packing station

o For an outbound delivery

 o For a posting change

o For a stock transfer

 Slotting

 Internal warehouse processes (such as determination of palletization data, determination

of the operative unit of measure)

In Service Parts Planning (SPP):

 ATP Sourcing Rounding Rules

 MM Deployment Rounding Rules

Prerequisites

 You have made the Customizing settings for packaging specification determination.

 In the SAP standard system, Customizing settings for packaging specification

determination have been predefined. However, you can make enhancements in the
customer namespace. For packaging specification determination, you require the
following:

o Condition table

o Access sequence

o Condition Type

o Determination procedure

 You have created a packaging specification, and specified and activated determination
records.

Features

For more information about condition technique, see the CA documentation for message control.
Packaging specification determination runs using the same principles.

Activities

The following describes how to create determination records in the system:

1. On the SAP Easy Access screen, choose  Extended Warehouse Management Master
Data Packaging Specification Maintain Packaging Specification .
 The Packaging Specification Overview screen appears.

2. Select an existing packaging specification or create a new one and switch to change
mode. If you have already activated the selected packaging specification, you must create
a new version of this packaging specification first.

3. On the Determination (Details for PS Header) tab page , enter a condition type or use the
proposed condition type (see Customizing Define Level Set). This screen always displays
all condition records that you have created for the packaging specification.

4. Choose one of the proposed condition tables for which you want to create a condition
record. If you have used the access sequence to assign more than one condition table to
the condition type, perform this activity. You can configure these combinations as you
want using Customizing. Choose OK.

5. Depending on the condition table/key combination you selected, make the mandatory
entries (the current packaging specification number is entered automatically in the
column). If necessary, change the sequence number of the condition record, to change the
sequence of the determination.

If, for example, you selected the key combination Supply Chain Unit/Product, then the
subsequent mandatory entries are the supply chain unit and the product.

If the system shows you condition records for other packaging specifications, then any
condition record that is also displayed has the same key combination as the newly created
record. Check whether there is an overlap of the two keys.

6. Save your condition record.

7. If there are no active packaging specifications, then you activate the packaging
specification.

If there is an active version of the packaging specification, then the condition records
refer to the packaging specification number (regardless of the version), and the system
takes this packaging specification into account during packaging specification
determination.

8. You can use the Condition Maintenance transaction for activated packaging
specifications, to add new condition records, or to change or delete existing records. Here
you can also see an overview of all condition records, without reference to specific
packaging specifications.

Caution
 If the semantic key (in other words, the condition table, all fields of the condition table,
and the condition sequence) are the same within a validity period, this results in an
overlap of two condition records.

If at least one condition record exists and it would not result in an overlap with condition
records that already have active packaging specifications, then you can activate a
packaging specification.

If at least one condition record for the active packaging specification contains an error (in
other words, will not be included in the determination), or if no condition record exists
for this packaging specification, a yellow traffic light is displayed in the packaging
specification overview.

Distribution of Packaging Specifications

Use

If you want to use packaging specifications in multiple supply chain management (SCM)
systems, you must distribute these packaging specifications to the other systems so that you are
able to work with the same master data in all systems.

Prerequisites

You have distributed the products and locations in all systems involved.

Features

You can distribute the packaging specifications to different SCM systems by qRFC.

Activities

In the distributing system, set up an RFC ABAP connection to them target system.

To do this, on the SAP Easy Access screen choose  Tools ALE ALE Administration
Runtime Settings Maintain RFC Destinations . For more information, see Setting the RFC
Destination.

1. In the distributing system, register a logical destination for the RFC ABAP connection in
the qRFC Monitor. For more information, see qRFC Monitor.

1. To do this, on the SAP Easy Access screen choose  Advanced Planning and
Optimization APO Administration Integration Monitor QRFC Monitor
(Outbound Queues) .

2. Enter the client and choose Execute.

 3. Choose  Goto QOUT – Scheduler .

4. Choose  Edit Registration .

5. Enter the RFC ABAP connection in the Destination field and copy the other
proposed values.

2. In the distributing system, enter the RFC ABAP connection in Customizing for
distributing the packaging specification.

For more information, see Customizing for SCM Basis under  Packing Packaging
Specification Define RFC Connection for Packaging Specification Distribution .

3. In the distributing system, set the distribution indicator for the packaging specification
groups for which you want to distribute packaging specifications to Source System.

For more information, see Customizing for SCM Basis under  Packing Packaging
Specification Define Group for Packaging Specifications .

4. In the target system, set the distribution indicator for the packaging specification groups
for which you want to receive packaging specifications from other SCM systems to
Target System.

For more information, see Customizing for SCM Basis under  Packing Packaging
Specification Define Group for Packaging Specifications .

5. If you do not want to work with only the distributed packaging specification in the target
system, rather also with packaging specifications that you create in the target system,
then you have to configure disjunctive number ranges to the number ranges in the source
system in Customizing for the target system.

The packaging specifications in the target system then receive different numbers and
therefore cannot cause any conflicts with the distributed (or about to be distributed)
packaging specifications.

1. In the target system, create disjunctive number ranges for packaging

specifications, work steps and element groups.

For more information, see the Customizing for SCM Basis under  Packing
Packaging Specification Define Number Range for Packaging Specification .

2. Enter the new number ranges for work steps and element groups.

For more information, see Customizing for SCM Basis under  Packing
Packaging Specification Define General Packaging Specification Parameters .
 3. Create a new packaging specification group, assign the new number range for
packaging specifications to this packaging specification group, and set the
distribution indicator to Local.

For more information, see the Customizing for SCM Basis under  Packing
Packaging Specification Define Group for Packaging Specifications .

Unique Identification of Handling Units

Use

Since a handling unit (HU) is a physical unit consisting of packaging materials (load
carriers/packing material) and the goods contained on/in it, each HU must be uniquely
identifiable. You can do this by assigning an identification number. Within a client, this
uniqueness can be ensured using a number range object. Across systems, unique identification is
only possible by assigning an SSCC18. For more information, see SSCC Number Assignment
According to EAN128.

Prerequisites

Ensure that you have made the following Customizing settings:

1. To configure the type of number assignment, choose the Customizing activity Assign
Number Range Intervals to Packaging Material Types.

2. To configure number assignment of the HU identification using a number range interval,

choose the Customizing activity Maintain Number Range Intervals for HU Identification.

3. If you want to ensure unique identification across systems, choose the Customizing
activities in the section SSCC Number Assignment According to EAN128.

For more information, see Customizing for Extended Warehouse Management under  Cross-
Process Settings Handling Units External Identification .

Example

If you want to edit or display a HU, you can only select the HU if this identification exists only
once. If you permit multiple assignment of the same HU identification, then the system cannot
find the HU you require, which means, for example, that scanner-supported processing is not
possible.

SSCC Number Assignment According to EAN128

Use
Because of global networking between manufacturers, transportation service providers, dealers,
and consumers, communication between the instances involved in the supply chain is becoming
more important. The basis of efficient processing is a common numbering standard, which is
defined by international standardization organizations (UCC, EAN International).

The UCC/EAN128 and one of its subcomponents, the Serialized Shipping Container Code
(SSCC)/Number of the Shipping Unit (NSU), is defined as a part of these standards, and can be
used to identify the handling units transported. This means that within the supply chain, the
UCC/EAN128 and the SSCC can be used to transmit data about the handling unit from instance
to instance, for example, via EDI with EDIFACT or EANCOM standards.

You can uniquely assign SSCCs when you create handling units. SSCCs are used to identify and
track handling units.

You can collate the SSCC and other parts of the UCC/EAN128 into a valid bar code chain, or
extract them from a bar code chain. The system generates the SSCC using a separate number
range object.

Integration

EAN128 numbering is integrated into the packing functions.

Prerequisites

Before you can work with the EAN128 functions, you must request the basic number ILN2 (ILN
= international location number) from either the UCC or EAN International.

Features

When constructing handling units, you can use the packaging material to control that the system
automatically assigns an SSCC/NSU. The number range used for this is determined by the
system using the warehouse number. For more information, see Customizing for Extended
Warehouse Management under  Cross-Process Settings Handling Units External
Identification SSCC Number Assignment According to EAN128 Maintain SSCC Generation
for Each Warehouse Number .

You can also assign the SSCC/NSU can be assigned externally, and can be checked against an
external number range, which the system finds using the same logic.

At the same levels, you can enter the basis number for ILN2 that you require to generate the
SSCC.

Packing at the Work Center

 
Using packing in the work center, you can pack products into handling units (HU), and HUs into
other HUs. For packing, there are various restriction options (filters) available for selection on
the initial screen, for example, storage bin, HU, or delivery, which enable each user to optimize
their worklist.

On the left side of the work center screen, for example, you can use simple Drag&Drop to repack
entire HUs, or to pack products into other HUs.

The upper right screen area consists of tab pages that you can mainly use without a mouse. This
transaction is particularly aimed at those users who physically pack products at work centers in
the warehouse. The system supports entries using the keyboard or a scanner (where the necessary
information is available as a bar code).

You can also transmit the exact weight to the SAP system, using scales connected to the system,
or you can print HU documents.

Prerequisites

Ensure that you have made the required settings for packing in the work center, in Customizing
and the SAP menu. For example, in the SAP menu you need to specify which storage bin is
assigned to a work center. In Customizing, you specify which functions are executed at the
relevant work center. The display for the different work centers is configurable. For example, in
Customizing you can decide which of the available tab pages should be displayed for the user in
the relevant work center. For more information, see Customizing for Extended Warehouse
Management under  Master Data Work Center Define Work Center Layout and Define
Work Center.

Features

Packing in the work center offers you the following range of functions:

 Scanning of:

o HU Identification

o Product

o Warehouse Task

o Storage Section

 Creation of HUs

 Repacking of HUs

 Repacking of products
  Post Differences

 Changing HUs

 Deconsolidation of HUs

 Exclusion of products from packing

You can configure packing in the work center in such a way that the system copies over
frequently required data as default values for packing. In the Control area, you can make the
following settings:

 Standard storage bin

 Standard exception code

 Propose Destination HU indicator

 Propose Packaging Material indicator

 External number assignment on/off

The display is divided into the left and right screen areas. You use the left screen area mainly for
navigation, and for quick repacking of HUs and products (only using the mouse). In the right
screen area, you can request various detailed information about the individual entries.

The left screen area groups the display according to the following objects:

 Storage section

 Storage bin

 HUs

 Storage section

 Open warehouse task

Detailed Information

In the right screen area, you can edit or request the following detailed information for the
individual objects.

 Storage Bin

o Storage bin product (if unpacked products are present in the storage bin)
 o Storage bin information (warehouse number, section, storage type)

 HU

o Capacity (weight, volume, and dimensions)

o Detail data 1 (internal warehouse data, such as warehouse process and process
step, deconsolidation group, and so on)

o Detail data 2 (status, assignment to deliveries, alternative HU identification)

o Contents (list of the packed products and additional packaging materials

contained in the HU)

o Possible destination HUs (for example, for open warehouse tasks)

o Open warehouse tasks (lists all warehouse tasks that exist for a HU)

o Confirmed warehouse tasks

 Product

o Product data

o Possible destination HUs

o Open warehouse tasks

o Confirmed warehouse tasks

o Texts

o Quality inspections

 Warehouse Task

o Possible destination HUs

 Note

Note that you edit and/or assign additional packaging materials in the Product
area.

Functions for Objects

In addition, you can execute the following functions from the right screen area:

 HUs

o Weigh

o Close

o Putback

o Print

o Delete

o Empty

o Aggregate

 Product

o Repack

o Post Differences

 Warehouse Task

o Repack

o Post Differences

Activities

Since you can assign various work center categories to the work centers in Customizing, you also
have the option of calling up the various work centers separately in the menu. The corresponding
input help is then restricted, depending on the work center, to the data you have configured in
Customizing. For more information, see the Customizing activity Define Work Center.

1. To access the various types of work center, choose one of the following menu paths:

1. On the SAP Easy Access screen, choose  Extended Warehouse Management

Execution Packing - General

2. On the SAP Easy Access screen, choose  Extended Warehouse Management

Execution Deconsolidation in Goods Receipt
 2. Enter the relevant warehouse number, and use the input help to select the work center you
require, if you have not assigned a work center to your terminal.

 Note

You can assign a work center to your terminal in the system, so that during packing, the
system automatically fills in the correct warehouse number and your work center. To do
this, On the SAP Easy Access screen choose  Extended Warehouse Management
Master Data Work Center Define Master Data Attributes , and assign your terminal to
the work center. You can also assign any scales that are connected to your work center.

Packing Using Drag and Drop

In the area on the left, you can pack or unpack products in HUs, or pack HUs in other HUs as
follows:

 If you want to repack products in other HUs, select the product and drag it into another
HU.

 If you want to unpack products from other HUs, select the product and drag it to the
storage bin.

 If you want to pack an HU in another HU, select an HU and drag it into another HU.

Packing Partial Quantities Using Drag and Drop

1. If you want to repack just one partial quantity of a product, double click a higher-level
node (HU or storage bin) in the area on the left.

2. Choose the tab page Contentsin the area on the lower right.

All the product items of the HU or storage bin are now visible.

3. Enter the quantity that you want to repack in the Partial Quantity field and choose Enter.

4. Drag the item from the area on the right into the target HU or target storage bin in which
you want to repack these partial quantities.

1. To do this, click any cell in this row that is not ready for input.

2. Then use drag and drop to drag this cell to the target area (destination HU or
destination storage bin).

Automatic Packing in the Inbound Delivery

 
Your vendor sends you inbound deliveries that do not contain any packing information about
handling units (HUs). You can specify that the system automatically packs any unpacked
delivery items. The packed goods can then be included in process-oriented storage control (see
Storage Control).

Prerequisites

You have met the following prerequisites:

 You have created and activated a packaging specification (see Packaging Specification
and Creation of Packaging Specifications).

 You have configured determination for the packaging specification for your business
characteristics (for example, vendor and product) (see Packaging Specification
Determination).

 You have configured the determination procedure for automatic packing. For more
information, see Customizing for Extended Warehouse Management under  Goods
Receipt Process Inbound Delivery Define Document Types for Inbound Delivery
Process .

Note: If you have selected the No Automatic Packing checkbox in Customizing for
Extended Warehouse Management under  Goods Receipt Process Inbound Delivery
Define Document Types for Inbound Delivery Process , the system does not perform
automatic packing when it creates an inbound delivery. It does not perform automatic
packing either if you configure no determination procedure for automatic packing.

Process

1. An inbound delivery arrives in Extended Warehouse Management through the ERP

interface.

2. The system simultaneously creates the HUs, where the vendor has sent you the HU data.
Moreover, at this time, the system calls packaging specification determination for the
unpacked items, using the determination procedure you have defined.

3. If the system finds a packaging specification, it creates HUs according to the packaging
specification. When creating packaging specifications, you should ensure that the HU
Check function does not display any errors in the log. The system can only perform
automatic packing successfully if the packaging specification contains all HU-relevant
data (in particular, packaging material, target quantity, and product).

Packing During Warehouse Task Confirmation

Purpose
Packing during warehouse task confirmation offers you a transaction that supports you during
warehouse task confirmation, in processes that use printed documents. During picking, you can
assign product warehouse tasks and handling unit warehouse tasks to pick-handling units. You
can divide a product warehouse task between several pick-handling units. The system can assign
the pick-handling unit identification, or you can do this manually.

Process

1. Create a new entry for the pick-handling unit in the system.

2. Enter a default packaging material.

3. If required, enter a handling unit identification.

4. Create a handling unit.

5. During confirmation of the warehouse task, assign the pick-handling unit as the
destination handling unit.

Results

The product or handling unit is included in the pick-handling unit.

Examples

A warehouse order contains 20 product warehouse tasks, and 4 pick-handling units proposed by
the system. The picker identifies 4 boxes as pick-handling units. The picker performs picking
and notes down the pick-handling unit into which he or she places each product. When you enter
data in the foreground, you assign the proposed pick-handling units to the appropriate warehouse
tasks during confirmation (for more information, see the input help).

Deconsolidation Using Radio Frequency

Use

You are able to execute deconsolidation using a Radio Frequency (RF) presentation device.

Prerequisites

You are logged on to the RF environment. For more information, see Logon.

Features

 Logging on to a work center

 For most of the transactions within the main menu for deconsolidation you need to log on
to a certain work center to get proposals for several input fields.

 Creating multiple handling units (HUs)

The creation of multiple empty putaway HUs can be used as preparation for
deconsolidation.

 Creating a single HU

The creation of a single empty putaway HU can be used as preparation for

deconsolidation.

 Deconsolidating HUs

Deconsolidation is the repacking/sorting of items from the deconsolidation HU into

several putaway HUs. Repacking is based on transfer order (TO) confirmation. After the
TOs have been confirmed, a new TO is created that is then used for putaway. Sorting
occurs by the consolidation group which is copied from the activity area of the final
putaway bin to the product TO.

 Deconsolidating HUs manually

Deconsolidation can also take place without you logging on to a work center. In this case,
the system does not propose a putaway HU. Instead, you have to enter the putaway HU
manually. The system still checks if the destination HU is valid for the selected TO.

 HU overview

The HU overview screen provides an overview of the deconsolidation HU that you want
to deconsolidate, for example, the number of open TOs, weight, and volume.

 Creating a single HU manually

You can create a putaway HU without logging on to a work center. In this case, the
system does not propose a packaging material or a bin. The creation of a single empty
putaway HU can be used as preparation for deconsolidation.

 Changing HUs

In this RF transaction, you can close a putaway HU, delete an empty HU, convert a
deconsolidation HU into a putaway HU, and condense a deconsolidation HU. Whenever
a putaway HU becomes full, you have to close the HU in order for it to be ready for the
next process step such as putaway. If you have created a HU in the system that you no
longer need, you can delete it. To deconsolidate nested HUs, you have to condense them
first.
Packing Using Radio Frequency

Use

You are able to execute packing using a Radio Frequency (RF) presentation device.

Prerequisites

You have logged on to the RF environment.

For more information, see Logon.

Features

 Pack Station Logon

For most of the transactions within the main menu for packing, you need to log on to a
work center type that is specified as your packing station. Especially if you work with the
functions Automatically repack HU or Automatically repack HU item, the system will
consider all handling units (HUs) located at the packing station to propose destination
HUs.

 Shipping HU Creation

The creation of a single empty HU can be used as preparation for packing.

 Automatic Repacking of HU

Packing HUs means consolidating several pick HUs into a destination HU. The system
proposes the destination HU based on the consolidation group for a scanned pick HU. If
all repacked HUs contain the same consolidation group, the destination HU is also
assigned to that consolidation group.

 Automatic Repacking of HU Items

Packing HU items means deconsolidating several pick HU items into destination HUs.
The system proposes the destination HU based on the consolidation group of the pick TO
that belongs to the scanned HU item. If all repacked HU items contain the same
consolidation group, the destination HU is also assigned to that consolidation group.

 Shipping HU Creation Without Logon to Packing Station

You can also create a new HU without logging on to a packing station. In this case, the
system does not propose a packaging material or a bin. The creation of a single empty
shipping HU can be used as preparation for repacking HU items or HUs.
  Manual Repacking of HU

You can also repack HUs without logging on to a packing station. In this case, the system
does not propose a destination HU. Instead, you have to enter the destination HU
manually. The system still validates the consolidation group of the destination HU
against the consolidation group of the pick HU.

 Manual Repacking of HU Item

You can also repack HU items without logging on to a packing station. In this case, the
system does not propose a destination HU. Instead, the user scans the destination HU.
The system still validates that the consolidation group of the HU item matches the one of
the destination HU

 HU Maintenance

You can use HU maintenance to check and/or change the weight and volume of a HU, for
example.

 Manual Repacking of all HU Items

You can repack all line items for product in one step by selecting and scanning the source
HU and the destination HU. You can create a new destination HU during the process, for
example, to merge and move pick HUs from one shipping HU to another shipping HU.

Printing Handling Unit Documents

Use

SAP Extended Warehouse Management (SAP EWM) can use this function to automatically print
lists or labels according to your Customizing settings, when you work with handling units (HUs).
The documents can contain information about the contents, destination, owner, and data
necessary for further processing of the HU.

You can use this function in the warehouse management monitor on the user interface for HUs to
manually perform or repeat printing for a HU.

Integration

 Printing of HU documents is based on SAPscript texts and SAP Smart Forms as form
templates.
 SAP EWM uses the Post Processing Framework (PPF) for message control.
 Additionally, SAP EWM uses the condition technique in the schedule condition for the
PPF to determine the printer, the form type, and the spool parameters.
 Note: For more information about the structure and Customizing for the PPF, see the
SAP Library under  SAP NetWeaver Components SAP Web Application Server Basis
Services/Communication Interface (BC-SRV) SAP Communication: Configuration
(BC-SRV) Business Workplace and Services (BC-SRV-OFC) Generic Business Tools
for Application Developers (BC-SRV-GBT) Post Processing Framework (BC-SRV-
GBT) .

Prerequisites

You have made the Customizing settings for the PPF.

 You have defined the PPF action definitions with the relevant processing types.

In Customizing for the PPF action definition, you have defined the following data:

o Processing time
o Scheduling
o Determination technique
o Rule type
o Action merging
 You have defined the PPF conditions for the defined PPF action definitions.

You have made the Customizing settings for the condition technique.

o You have defined condition tables.

In Customizing, you have defined your condition tables from the field catalog,
which SAP delivers. You have selected fields from the field catalog as key fields.
These fields represent the condition under which the condition technique finds the
condition record. If a data record transferred by SAP EWM matches your key
fields, then condition technique finds the matching condition record.

 In Customizing, you have defined condition types, and therefore the access sequence to
the condition tables to search.
 In Customizing, you have assigned your condition types to the relevant condition
schemas.

The condition schema specifies the conditions that you permit for determining data (such
as printer, form type) and specifies the sequence (access sequence) in which condition
technique is to consider them.

 In Customizing, you have assigned the condition schema to the application object
(warehouse process type, packaging material type, work center).
 In Customizing, you have defined the condition maintenance group.
 You need the condition maintenance group to create condition records. The condition
maintenance group specifies the condition tables and therefore the key fields.

 You have defined the logical conditions that you want to use in the condition records.
 You have defined warehouse-number-specific print settings (in particular the spool
parameters).

Features

For printing HU documents, the following action definitions are supported in the PPF in the
application /SCWM/WME in the action profile /SCWM/HU.

You have created these action definitions for each form type. This enables you to simultaneously
print several different documents, for example, printing an HU content note and printing HU
labels.

An SAP Smart Form is available for each action definition. The system only supports printing of
Smart Forms. The following table gives you an overview of the action definitions and their
corresponding Smart Form forms. You specify the assignment between action definition and
Smart Form form in the created condition records.

Action Definition Description SmartForm form

HU_CONTENT Print HU contents document with serial numbers /SCWM/HU_CONTENT
HU_EXPRESS /SCWM/HU_EXPRESS
HU_HAZARD Print hazardous goods label /SCWM/HU_HAZARD
HU_LABEL Print HU label /SCWM/HU_LABEL
HU_SHPLABEL Print shipping label /SCWM/HU_SHPLABEL
HU_TO Print HU warehouse tasks /SCWM/HU_TO
HU_SERIAL Print HU serial number label /SCWM/HU_SERIAL

When you save HUs or confirm a warehouse task, the system calls the PPF and starts an attempt
to print. The decision whether to print is dependent on the condition records that are found in the
schedule condition. If there is a condition record in which the PPF action definition matches the
current PPF action definition, the PPF triggers the executing method and printing. This only
happens if the logical condition is fulfilled, if one is entered in the condition record. In the work
center, you can also trigger this manually using a pushbutton.

During printing or repeat printing, you can also execute PPF action definitions for which no
condition records were created. However, since this means that the necessary data such as
printer, form name, and spool parameters cannot be determined, you must enter this data
manually.

During printing, both the application and the PPF write data into tables. You must reorganize
these tables manually. To do this, use report /SCWM/R_REORG_HU_WO_PRINT.
During printing, the PPF writes a determination log and a processing log. You can switch these
logs on and off, since they can become large. To do this, use parameter
/SCWM/HU_PRT_PROT, where “X” means that the system writes the log.

Activities

 SAP EWM automatically triggers the print run from processing, or you trigger it
manually.
 SAP EWM calls the PPF and transmits the application data.
 The PPF determines the PPF action definitions that you have defined in Customizing for
the PPF application /SCWM/WME and the PPF action profile /SCWM/HU.
 The PPF calls the schedule condition that corresponds to the PPF action definition.
 In the schedule condition, the PPF calls determination in the condition technique.
 Determination of the condition technique returns the relevant condition record. This
determines the printer, spool parameters, and the Smart Form form.
 The system reads the current application data.
 The system determines the function module that corresponds to the Smart Form form,
and calls this function module using the application data.
 PPF saves the action that was executed and the logs that were written.