Simplify Complex Inbound Processes with SAP EWM: POSC, LOSC, and Quality Integration
Warehouse operations often involve intricate steps that require precision and efficiency, especially when handling diverse products. Imagine receiving four different products packed into two packages at the warehouse. The task involves unloading, separating, inspecting, and routing each product based on its quality status. This might sound like a logistical challenge, but SAP Extended Warehouse Management (EWM) offers an elegant solution by utilizing Process-Oriented Storage Control (POSC), Layout-Oriented Storage Control (LOSC), and Quality Integration.
Unpacking the Process
The journey begins as the two packages arrive at the warehouse. The unloading process takes place at the Goods Receipt Zone, where the magic of SAP EWM starts. Using POSC, tasks are generated for unloading and deconsolidation. This step involves breaking down the packages into individual Handling Units (HUs). Each product is meticulously identified and separated based on predefined criteria such as size or type. This ensures traceability and proper handling from the outset.
Once deconsolidation is complete, the system guides the next critical step: quality inspection.
Visualizing the Workflow
To better understand the flow of inbound logistics, the following animation demonstrates how SAP EWM orchestrates the entire process, from unloading to storage:
Ensuring Quality with Integrated Inspection
Every product must earn its place in the warehouse. At the Quality Work Center, products undergo rigorous inspection to ensure they meet the required standards. Thanks to Quality Integration between SAP EWM and S/4HANA, this process is seamless. The inspection results drive automated decisions:
- Accepted products are routed to their designated storage areas, such as bulk storage for large items or high-rack bins for smaller components.
- Rejected products, however, take a different path. They are moved to a Blocked Storage Area, awaiting further decisions like vendor return or scrapping.
The integration of Quality Management ensures that only products meeting the highest standards are available for further use, maintaining the integrity of your inventory.
A Smooth Path to Storage
With quality inspection complete, accepted products are ready for putaway. This is where LOSC steps in, particularly for products requiring intermediate handling. For example, items destined for a mezzanine-level storage area are temporarily placed in an Intermediate Bin (ID Point) before being moved to their final location. SAP EWM’s ability to manage such multi-step workflows ensures that the entire process flows without a hitch.
By the end of this journey, all products are exactly where they need to be:
- Quality-approved products rest in their designated storage locations, ready for the next step in the supply chain.
- Rejected products are securely held, awaiting their fate.
Why This Process Shines
The combination of POSC, LOSC, and Quality Integration transforms what could be a logistical nightmare into a streamlined, efficient process. Every step, from unloading to put away, is carefully orchestrated by SAP EWM, reducing errors, enhancing speed, and ensuring quality.
With SAP EWM, your warehouse is no longer just a storage space—it’s a hub of efficiency and excellence, seamlessly adapting to the complexities of modern supply chains.
For those ready to dive deeper, a detailed configuration guide is available to help you set up these processes in your system. Click the button below to download the full guide and unlock the full potential of SAP EWM for your operations.
Let SAP EWM do the heavy lifting, so you can focus on what truly matters delivering quality and value at every step
Author
Rahul Gandi
SAP EWM Functional Consultant
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