SAP Console is a standard SAP tool which translates GUI screens into the character based screens that are used with most handheld devices used in warehouses. This completely eliminates the need to use any middleware between the SAP System and the character-cell devices. SAP Console can be used in wide ranging applications in warehouses and help logistics department to speed up the execution.
A typical handheld device interacts with SAP using SAP Console server. Transactions are captured on a real time basis. Typical handheld devices largely used are manufactured by Intermec, Motorola etc.SAP provides a list of standard Console transactions that can be used to execute the logistics processes in SAP. However, in most cases, companies using SAP Console develop their own custom transactions to execute the logistics processes.
To start using SAP Console, first step is to identify the activities that needs to be completed using RF devices. Once the activities are identified, custom transactions are developed that can be used on a handheld. After that, next step is to configure the SAP Console menu. SAP Console menu is a list of transaction(s) grouped together for a particular function in a warehouse. For example, a shop floor operator in a picking & packing department in a commercial area will have a group (e.g. COMMERCIAL) assigned to his user id. All transactions that are assigned to this group can be used by the shop floor operator. Similarly, another operator in production department will have a separate group (e.g. PRODUCTION) assigned to his user id. All transactions that are assigned to this production group can be used by the operator on a handheld device. Same user id cannot be assigned to multiple groups but multiple user ids can be assigned to same group. An example displaying this can be seen below:
Warehouse | Username | Group | |
AAA | AAA111 BBB111 | PRODUCTION | Transactions |
- 1.TO Creation
- 2.TO Confirmation
- 3.Goods Issue to Production Order
|
SAP Console transactions should be added to the same roles that a logistics or shop floor personnel is assigned to so that he can execute the transactions on a handheld.
SAP Console applications can be broadly divided in two categories:
● Warehouse Supervision: These type of transactions are frequently used for getting Information about objects Batch, Material, and Storage Unit or to see the current state of a particular object
● Warehouse Movement: These type of transactions are frequently used to move stock from one place to another against a Delivery, Process Order, and Purchase Order etc.
Warehouse Supervision:
a. Inventory Count: SAP Console can be used to perform Inventory count in the warehouse. Physical Inventory document can be created using handheld devices and the count can also be entered upon directly on to the device.
b. Placement Verification: With SAP Console, the correct placement of materials can be verified. During the warehousing placement operations, sometimes the goods are not stored at a places where they are meant to be. This causes the mismatch between the information about the bin where the material should be stored as per SAP and the actual bin on the floor where the placement is done. This mismatch can be checked using SAP Console where the handheld can actually scan the bin and the material number and check if this information is consistent with SAP. If information is incorrect, the device will show an error and the correct bin where the material could be placed. This way the material placement verification can be done.
c. Material/Batch Inquiry: SAP Console can be used to get the information on the material /batch stored in the bin. Handheld device can simply scan the material/batch and get the information on quantity stored, any outstanding Transfer orders, and block status, where else in warehouse the material is stored etc.
d. Storage Unit Inquiry: SAP Console can also be used to get the information on material/batch stored in the storage unit by scanning the storage unit. All information about the materials stored in the SU can be displayed on the handheld screen.
e. Bin Inquiry/Status: SAP Console can also be used to check the current bin status. It can display information on how many materials stored in bin, their quantities, bin blocked status, any pending transfer orders etc.
f. Material Handling: SAP Console can be used to verify the correct material/batch being handled for the requirement. Handheld device can simply scan the material/batch number from the Transfer Order, Production Order, Sales Order or delivery document and scan the actual physical material/batch being handled for comparison. If there is a difference in the material getting picked and the material in document, handheld devices can throw an error.
g. Transfer Order Status: Handheld devices can also be used to check the pending Transfer orders that are still waiting to be processed. These can also be segregated by source and destination storage types. Some transfer Orders can also be assigned a priority status to make sure that they get picked on priority.
Warehouse Movement:
Bin to Bin Transfer: SAP Console can be used to move the material/batch from one bin to another inside the warehouse. This can be done by scanning the source and destination bin and the material/batch. Partial Quantity movement can also be done using it. This is done to correct the placement or it is done to better utilize the warehouse space.
Transfer Order creation & confirmation: SAP Console can also be used to pick the components materials/batches from the warehouse and bring it to the shop floor for production. It can also be used to pick and pack materials/batches for delivery to the customer or to other plants. SAP Console can also be used for receiving the goods on the goods receipt area and then moving it to storage.
Goods Issue and Receipts: SAP Console can also be used for performing Goods receipts against a production order or purchase order and then subsequently create and confirm a transfer order for them.
Miscellaneous Applications: SAP Console can also be used to perform other tasks on the shop floor like moving & storing samples in the warehouse, entering results of quality tests, changing the material/batch status, discarding the materials etc.
