Barcode Automation for SAP Extended Warehouse Management

Today’s complex supply chain realities make it more important than ever for SAP customers to feel confident in their decisions regarding IT investments. Understanding the options for optimizing a Warehouse Management System (WMS) is critical to maintain SAP best practices, achieve successful business process improvement, and realize future goals.

BCC Distribution offers all the components to deliver a turn-key barcoding scanning and/or RFID automation solution for SAP S/4HANA Cloud and the Extended Warehouse Management (EWM) module. BCC Distribution provides technical services, mobile software, as well as certified RF barcode scanning, label printing, and RFID equipment.

SAP Real-Time or Store & Forward Mobility – Optimized for SAP EWM

BCC Distribution has designed, automated, and optimized mobile SAP EWM software transactions and movement types via our SAP-certified TranASAP solution. TranASAP is purpose-built for simplicity and for the latest rugged Radio Frequency (RF) scanning devices using Zebra and Honeywell enterprise-grade Android operating systems. TranASAP RF software transactions work in conjunction with existing EWM software functionality and utilized SAP S/4HANA’s recommended RF framework: SAP ITSmobile- a real-time, direct, and native connectivity software for SAP mobility and RF enablement. TranASAP’s optimized software transactions utilize SAP and inventory best practice standards to create intuitive screens for the material handlers, with the backend logic to automate time-consuming functions and tasks.

For businesses that want to leverage SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP), require Store and Forward (online/offline) capability, or just want to simplify the SAP login-authentication process for RF users, BCC Distribution offers TranSEND.  TranSEND is a state-of-the-art SAP mobility software solution that integrates directly with EWM using SAP BTP and Mobile Services. TranSEND allows material handlers to easily login, scan barcodes, and validate SAP inventory data anytime and anywhere, regardless of the WIFI or cellular network connection. TranSEND enables businesses to seamlessly use the SAP mobile barcoding system nearly anywhere, optimizing inventory control and tracking in a unique way without changing the core of operations.

Further automating SAP EWM, BCC Distribution offers RFID automation solutions to supplement barcode automation.  TranRFID can enable RFID automation directly with EWM, requiring little-to-no material handler interaction, allowing operations to focus on inventory tasks rather than stressing over time consuming manual data entry steps.

SAP Barcode Label Printing Automation for EWM Basic and EWM Advanced

Printing with SAP S/4HANA Cloud is in very high demand. Needed is a dynamic solution that supports SAP-integrated barcode label, document, and forms printing for SAP Cloud- Private and Public Cloud.  Hard coded and embedded ZPL solutions is not an efficient or a practical system. BCC Distribution’s QuickPrint software uses BarTender label design and printing software product to deliver a flexible, yet reliable SAP EWM integrated printing system solution. QuickPrint is easy to use and allows for simple label template design changes and printer utilization.  Easily integrated printers such as Zebra, Honeywell, Intermec, Sato, Epson, or nearly and make/model printer.  Using QuickPrint, labels and forms are printed on-demand, in real-time, triggered by SAP EWM running on a mobile computer, tablet, RF scanner, or a SAP Fiori workstation terminal.

SAP EWM Supply Chain Automation Considerations

Utilization of EWM, compared to standard SAP Warehouse Management (WM), necessitates a thorough analysis of your operational as-is and future business considerations. This includes delivering mobilized SAP Inventory Management (IM) and Preventative Maintenance functionality that does not exist within SAP’s S/4HANA library. BCC Distribution’s solution begins with technical EWM configuration and consulting services (process, design, and analysis). Resources are available to design and configure SAP’s EWM module to utilize SAP best practices, EWM and IM functional requirements, along with a business’ successful processes and future goals.

Voice Automation and Data Collection with SAP EWM

When it comes to enabling speech-driven applications and voice communications in warehouses, manufacturing plants, and outdoor yards, you need a voice solution that is specially designed for the job. Bluetooth and corded headsets are loaded with features that offer everything you need in an industrial headset. Combined with BCC Distribution’s voice-enabled TranASAP barcoding solution, you can boost worker productivity with fewer errors than typical barcode scanning alone. Pairing Zebra’s wearable computer with a barcode ring scanner, headset, and our SAP-integrated voice data collection software gives your workers the hands-free mobility they need to boost productivity to a new level.

Barcode & RFID Automation for SAP EWM Applications.

BCC Distribution SAP Extended Warehouse Management Solution Summary:

  1. SAP EWM consulting and configuration services.
  2. SAP EWM and IM (RF) mobility software.
  3. Zebra and Honeywell barcoding equipment, installation, training, and support.
  4. Customization of mobile screens using existing SAP transactions.
  5. Store & Forward (online/offline) custom integrated transactions:
    • Goods Receipt for EWM, IM, and Materials Management
    • Bin to Bin Inventory Movements
    • Putaway and Quality (Blocked/Restricted)
    • Fulfillment and Replenishment
    • Pick and Pack for Delivery and Shipping
    • Pick and Pack for Stock Transfer Orders (STO)
    • Pack and Repacking
    • Counting – Inventory and Physical
    • Inventory Inquiries
    • Production and Work in Process (WIP)
    • Preventative Maintenance, Notifications and Readings
    • Work Orders – Picking and Goods Issuance
    • Proof of Delivery
    • Vehicle and Yard Management
    • Label Printing/Reprinting
    • Task Confirmations
    • Resource Management
    • Asset Utilization, Tracking, and Basic Metrics
    • Tools and Toolkit In/Out Tracking
  6. BarTender label design and printing software to integrate with SAP EWM, IM, stand-alone, SAP Cloud or in a hybrid printing environment.
  7. Implement and knowledge transfer training on barcode and forms printing solutions.
  8. SAP clean core and SAP BTP mobile solutions.

Warehouse Logistics and Projecting Business Scale

Projecting business scale is critical in determining which SAP-enabled warehouse management type your company would benefit from the most. If your warehouse operations are small-to-medium, SAP Inventory Management (IM) or Warehouse Management (aka Stock Room Management) may provide the right value and benefit for your business. If your company is looking to expand, require advanced WMS capabilities, or are implementing SAP S/4HANA Cloud, EWM may reduce WMS downtime to complement your company’s operations and scale. In fact, the unique features of SAP EWM can help your business scale up even faster. If your company is large and has complex warehouse or distribution center operations, BCC Distribution often recommends EWM to facilitate inventory traceability, visibility, planning, and supply chain management.

Both SAP WM/SRM and SAP EWM provide valuable warehouse data analytics and logistics for teams to review. However, information from SAP EWM is more comprehensive and requires a different SAP business system architecture. Teams can use EWM metrics and analytics to further optimize warehouse management and operations. This is exceptionally important when planning for the future. Over time, teams can observe how efficiency and productivity improve with SAP systems because these systems are designed to improve operations. Regularly reviewing SAP warehouse data analytics and logistics future-proofs any warehouses and allows companies to meet higher demand and volume while aligning with SAP’s software roadmap. At BCC Distribution, we offer ended-to-end SAP barcode and RFID automation solutions that directly impact your company’s ability to maintain productivity efficiently and succeed far into the future using SAP ERP software.

SAP EWM Mobility & Barcoding with BCC Distribution

At BCC Distribution, we’re proud to offer mobility, barcode automation, and RFID solutions for SAP EWM Basic and Advanced business applications. We provide state-of-the-art data collection solutions for manufacturing, warehousing, and field-based operations so that your inventory and asset control can run as efficiently as possible. Contact us so we can start designing your SAP EWM mobility and barcoding solution today.