How to Understand Slotting in EWM

ByPrimary Researcher

Executive Summary

  • Slotting is material is planned within a warehouse, and slotting is functionality that is within EWM.
  • Slotting works with Product Grouping in EWM and supports ABC zones and the conditional Maintenance Group.

Introduction

Slotting is the process of placing goods into a warehouse in a way that ensures the efficient storage and picking of goods. It uses information about the product, storage requirements, packaging data, and demand forecasts to make its decisions.

Where Does the Functionality Exist in SAP?

It is functionality that does not exist in WM but does exist in EWM. It is one of the more important pieces of functionality in EWM. Re-arrangement is actually based on the slotting functionality.

Slotting uses the following criteria to make its decision:

  1. Product data
  2. Storage requirements data
  3. Packaging data
  4. Demand forecasts

During slotting, the system determines the following storage parameters and stores them in the product master.

  1. Putaway control indicator
  2. Maximum quantity in storage type
  3. Storage section indicator
  4. Storage bin types

This is stored in the product master in the (Slotting Tab, Requirements Demand Data Area)

What Slotting Can Determine

Slotting can determine the following putaway parameters

  • Storage section
  • Storage type
  • Bin Type

While APO performs planning processes for locations of the type plant, EWM stores requirements data at the warehouse number level. Slotting assumes a 1:1 relationship between SAP APO locations and EWM warehouse numbers.

Slotting Configuration

Below is a configuration screen of slotting in EWM. Notice that some slotting steps can be performed, such as by weight and by volume.An important feature is the packaging characteristics that should be used by the slotting system. This includes product grouping by multiple criteria.

Product Grouping in EWM

  • Family group
  • Demand
  • Weight
  • Item classification (flammable, hazmat, crushable, etc.)

Support for ABC Zones Sequencing of items within the product group

  • Case height
  • Case weight
  • Case cube
  • Item classification

Item Sequencing by Pick Line

Sequencing of items in the pick line by pick path. User definable slot types and characteristics Qualification of items to slot types by multiple criteria

  • Cube movement (Note: demand and cube movement are NOT the same. There are tier one slotting systems that do not support cube movement.)
  • Item classification
  • Carton cube
  • Carton dimensions
  • Carton weight
  • Pallet height
  • Pallet footprint

Initiating Slotting

To initiate slotting, one needs to go to the transaction.

The Condition Maintenance Group

A condition maintenance group bundles condition types/condition tables for condition maintenance.

The two need to match.

The condition types and condition tables must be created, which results in the condition maintenance.

We find the condition type in SPRO. We then select the Condition Table.This has to match the Maintenance Context.


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Conclusion

Slotting is a higher-level functionality in other WM applications and which SAP copied and placed into EWM.