Product Information
Flexible Storage in SAP EWM
Introduction:
In this blog post you will learn about the Flexible storage in SAP EWM. Flexible storage is a dynamic and ad hoc storage system which can be altered based on the product intended to stock. It is unlike conventional storage system, devoid of fixed racks, structures, or bins. Storage bin is created whenever the put away is completed for the respective products.
It is well suited for businesses dealing with seasonal products and demands. For instance, considering a business with multi range products (Air conditioning systems, umbrella, raincoats), the demand to stock will predominantly rely on the seasons. In this case, flexible storage system will be suitable for stocking AC during summer and Raincoats during Monsoon.
Solution Approach:
The below mentioned configuration steps can be employed to achieve this functionality:
- There are some specific indicators that should be enabled in the storage type to achieve this scenario.
- Storage Behavior should be set as Flexible Storage
- Use Fixed Bins must be blank
- Put away Rules should not be set to Empty Bin.
- HU Type check must be blank
- WT Generic should be set on Only Storage Type
Configure storage type using the below mentioned node:
IMG Path – SPRO -> IMG -> SCM Extended Warehouse Management -> Extended Warehouse Management -> Master Data -> Define Storage Types.
- Generate activity area using the below mentioned node:
IMG Path – SPRO -> IMG -> SCM Extended Warehouse Management -> Extended Warehouse Management -> Master Data -> Activity Areas-> Generate Activity Area from Storage Type.
- Define flexible bin pattern using the below mentioned node:
IMG Path – SPRO -> IMG -> SCM Extended Warehouse Management -> Extended Warehouse Management -> Goods Receipt Process ->Strategies ->Put away Rules->Storage Behavior: Flexible Bin->Flexible Bin Pattern.
- Maintain flexible bin area using the t-code:/SCWM/FLEXBINAREA.
Testing:
- Inbound delivery: 180002285 is created.
- In the delivery screen, create warehouse task manually by clicking on CREATE button and then SAVE.
- Warehouse task is created pointing to the storage type.
- Enter the storage bin with the right pattern as maintained in the flexible bin area. If the user enters the bin with the incorrect pattern, then system will throw the error.
Incorrect Pattern:
Correct Format:
Confirm the warehouse order using the t-code:/SCWM/TO_CONF after entering the bin name. Storage bin will be created automatically with the confirmation of the warehouse task.
- The inbound delivery is marked as completed once the goods are moved to the final put away bin.
Conclusion:
This blog post explains the configuration steps involved in Flexible storage with the test results.
Note: BADi can be implemented to determine destination bin during the WT creation or to create bin with some specific format as per customer requirement.
Informative blog.
Thanks for sharing.
I was not aware of this new storage behavior- flexible storage 🙂
Regards
ASLAM
Hi Aslam,
here is little bit more about Flexbin:
https://blogs.sap.com/2021/03/08/flexible-bin-concept-in-ewm/
Thanks Daniil.
Looks like I am so slow and behind in EWM 🙂
I didn't know this storage behavior in EWM until today.
Regards
ASLAM
I never used it, and never tested it.
In this Blog it is unclear why one would need to use it. It is possible to store seasonal goods in any storage type.
The other blog describes the idea behind, it is to store goods with different size and forms efficient using storage. I can imagine Something like outside storage for big parts, where you could have products with different shapes and only user can say where it fits and how much place it requires.
Hi Daniil,
Thanks for the response 🙂
AC and umbrella are purely for illustrative purpose to emphasize the different sizes of the product stored in the warehouse temporarily based on season/demand/time. Also, the example given is such that the requirement for each of the aforementioned products is based on seasonal demand. The centerpiece is that it enables us to store different products of different sizes at different points of time in the same year.To exemplify further, this type of storage system can be used in contract Warehouses where the products to be stored can be from different industries, different sizes, and different SKUs/Bins.
Regards,
Krishnakumar
Hi,
this strategy was originally build for requirements of defense forces. For example when storing things like tanks, vehicles, or explosives. These things are bigger then a regular bin, and you store them in open storage spaces (or bunkers, for explosives). The problem with a strategy like open storage is that you do not know where your individual product or quant is. In this strategy you have an individual bin created. The second important part is the "blocked cells" you define. With this you can things like explosives separated, but also move stock away again (just imagine that you have to move several tanks in order to drive out one specific one).
Brgds
Juergen
Hi Aslam,
Thank you 🙂
Regards,
Krishnakumar
Hi Krishna
Thanks for sharing the blog, in Safran project this was the requirement where user wants to putaway multiple products in one bin provided if there is enough space, system should not determine the bin is the requirement, the business process is also in one bin one batch number should only be accommodated, in this case there is some space for another product with a different batch number to be accommodated in the bin, this is efficient warehouse space utilization
Thanks and Regards
Sadiq
Very informative blog on flexi storage functionality. Excellent blog.
https://blogs.sap.com/2021/03/08/flexible-bin-concept-in-ewm/