• SAP consultancy by
    io‑consultants

SAP EWM for warehouse management and logistics

io-consultants is a leading German SAP logistics consultancy, with additional offices in the USA and Asia, specialising in the introduction and optimisation of warehouse and production solutions by market leader SAP. Our focus lies on SAP’s Supply Chain Execution with SAP EWM (Extended Warehouse Management), which provides all the necessary features for warehouse and logistics process management and ensures an efficient supply chain – for large logistics centres and small warehouses alike. 

 

Implementation of SAP solutions and services for intralogistics

We provide industries such as automotive, after sales, catering/convenience food/healthcare, consumer goods, fashion, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals/biotechnology, and many more with the following services:

  • Introduction, optimization and roll-out of SAP EWM and SAP WM
  • Software architecture evaluation with SAP EWM as a side or embedded solution in SAP S/4HANA
  • Selection and implementation of technology for paperless processes in the warehouse
    io-consultants offers standard pick-by-vision and pick-by-voice solutions by leading technology partners Picavi and topsystem
  • SAP WM to EWM migration
    From our long-standing practical experience, we know exactly which levers to pull to ensure a successful technological restructuring process: technical migrations, process renewal management, and change management for staff
  • Ergonomic user interfaces for goods-to-person workplaces – from practitioners for practitioners
  • Guidance and support with the implementation of regulatory requirements, incl. process, software and equipment validation
  • Project management with a holistic approach to logistics and SAP processes
     

Compliance with SAP standards is always a top priority for io-consultants!

We have worked for

B. Braun Medical, Capri-Sun, LTS, Richard Wolf, Sanofi and others

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Cooperations and partners

We are an SAP Silver Partner and certified with SAP Recognized Expertise in Supply Chain Management. SAP EWM is the leading solution for manual and automated warehouse processes.

topsystem was the first German IT system provider to launch a voice-controlled picking system. Lydia® significantly increases the efficiency and quality of work processes.

io-consultants and Picavi GmbH, the world’s first supplier of market-proven picking solutions with smart glasses, together developed a middleware-free interface between Picavi’s Pick by Vision software and SAP WM/EWM.

We are a member of the German-speaking DSAG – one of the world’s most active and influential SAP user groups – and are closely involved in the SAP EWM and SAP Manufacturing working groups.

SAP EWM implementation and roll-out

IT project management as the key to success

Projects are influenced by three interdependent key parameters: costs, deadlines and results. io-consultants’ project management team acts and manages accordingly. Our consultants provide holistic and professional consulting services and are deeply committed to implementing every project on schedule and in line with the budget and contractual obligations.

Risks are continuously assessed and potential adverse developments or abnormalities recognised at an early stage. Our consultants set great store by active communication throughout the entire project and thus help to ensure that SAP EWM-driven logistics always commences as originally planned.

With our own project execution model (PEM) – which involves procedures, checklists, tools – we ensure every project’s success. We use our tried-and-trusted io-consultants project portal for highest-possible levels of project transparency. This cloud solution gives every project team member – whether internal or external – quick and easy access to all tasks, dates and decision criteria, and thus ensures a systematic and efficient workflow.

SAP solutions for logistics

Although SAP EWM is primarily geared towards the automated management of large logistics centres, its modular concept also makes it ideal for smaller warehouses. Launched in 2005, it was designed by SAP as a stand-alone application. By the end of 2016, more than 1,000 companies worldwide have implemented SAP EWM, making it the world’s leading warehouse management system.

A key asset of SAP EWM is its excellent consideration of warehouse physics. As an extension of SAP WM, SAP EWM offers new functions such as:

  • flexible process modelling and high stock transparency
  • central monitoring
  • multi-customer warehousing
  • support for logistics services within the warehouse
  • direct control of automated conveyor technology under the Material Flow System (MFS)
  • integrated stacker control system, and staff planning

More about SAP EWM
 

 

The efficiency of SAP EWM can be increased with the use of appropriate technologies for paperless processes within the warehouse. These include raising warehouse staff productivity through route optimisation and hands-free processes, as well as stock and order quality improvements aided by on site scanning.

Potential technologies are:

  • Scanning with ITSmobile – a standard SAP RF Framework module
  • Pick-by-Voice – voice dialogues are realized using Lydia®-Voice by topsystem (an io-consultants partner) 
  • Pick-by-Vision – the smart glasses solution by Picavi (an io-consultants partner)

Voice and Vision are both connected via a middleware-free interface to SAP EWM and SAP WM.
io-consultants will factor in all the process and efficiency requirements to determine the best technology for your warehouse, and generate the related business case.
 

 

Release 1610 of SAP S/4HANA offers further deployment options for SAP EWM in that it can be implemented as a so-called embedded EWM in SAP S/4HANA . As such, the common interface file (CIF) is no longer needed and there is only one set of master data for materials and batches. The supplier and the customer are portrayed in the EWM via the Business Partner role.

SAP WM, the further development of which was already suspended years ago, will finally be deactivated in 2025 and no longer be part of the digital core (formerly SAP ERP).

SAP offers its customers the option to use the embedded SAP EWM without license fees for the EWM engine. A prerequisite for this is that the scope of use corresponds with the functionality of SAP WM.

Clients who use SAP S/4HANA have two options for SAP EWM:

  • SAP EWM system on a separate instance – suitable for high-volume distribution centres
  • SAP EWM embedded – interesting for warehouses lined to production

More zu SA´P/4HANA

Please contact us 

Rupert Hoecherl Partner Phone: +1 (610) 8073590-504

About io‑consultants

io-consultants provides integrated consulting, design and planning services for production, logistics and supply chain management, as well as for architecture and IT projects. Since our launch in 1958, we have been helping our clients improve their supply and value chain with a wide range of services: from developing ideas into strategies to implementing complex industry projects as a lead consultant.