SAP EWM - Structure Elements

In this chapter, we will discuss regarding the different structure elements that are available in SAP Extended Warehouse Management.

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Types of Structure Elements

As discussed in the previous chapter, there are various organization elements in SAP Extended Warehouse Management. These elements are also known as structure elements of a warehouse system.

The Warehouse consists of the following elements in the hierarchical structure −

• Warehouse Number
• Storage Type
• Storage Section
• Storage bin
• Activity Area

The highest unit in a Warehouse is the Warehouse number and the smallest unit is a storage bin. A Storage Bin tells the exact location of a product in a warehouse.

Warehouse Number − Each warehouse consists of a warehouse number which is at the highest level in a warehouse management system. Each warehouse number consists of a sub structure that maps the warehouse relationship.

Storage Section − This is a part of storage type and represents a group of bins with the same characteristics. The commonly used storage sections are fast moving or slow moving items, etc.

Storage Bin − The storage bins represent the physical location of a storage space where the products are stored in a Warehouse. They are at the lowest level of organization structure and when you store an item in a Warehouse you need to mention its exact location.

Activity Areas − Storage bins are further categorized in activity areas. It includes activities like picking, put away or a physical inventory. As per the activity, you can assign the same storage bin to multiple activity areas.

Quant − The quantity of goods in a storage bin is represented by Quant. The quant is used for managing inventory in a storage bin.

Storage Types

There are different types of storage where products are physically stored in a warehouse such as −

• Open storage
• Goods Issue
• Goods Receipt
• Racks

A Storage type is a four-character name and shows a physical or a logical subdivision of a warehouse. A Storage type can consist of one or more storage sections and bins. A storage type is defined by the role it is used for in a warehouse.

A storage type can be used for the following roles −

• Standard Storage Type − Physical area where products are stored in a warehouse.

• Identification Point − An area where products are labeled, identified or cross checked during a goods receipt process.

• Pick Point − Goods are packed when a goods pick-up process is performed.

• Work Center − This represents an area in the warehouse where deconsolidation, inspection or VAS processing is done.

Apart from the above mentioned, there are storage types like Yard, Doors, Staging Area and many more.