Warehouse Automation using SAP Material Flow System

By: Krypt Team - January 29th, 2021

Authored by: Vijendra Kargudri

Background

The advent of internet and globalization of businesses, have paved the way for consumers’ purchases to go online. The purchases are not just restricted to day-to-day needs but extend beyond that. With the COVID-19 pandemic global trade & supply chain rapidly floundered & flattened. Every country had to close its borders and the international shipping plummeted.

Global efforts to battle COVID-19 through lockdowns and social distancing resulted in increased online consumption and quicker home delivery. In the background, for all this to materialize, warehouse plays a pivotal role.

Warehouse Automation

In this context the introduction of warehouse automation technologies and the optimization of warehouse technology is essential. Warehouse automation is required for improved – storage, throughput, internal transport paths, consolidation effort, ergonomic and working conditions.

Over the years, across the global supply chain, the traditional warehouses have witnessed marginal innovation and marginal automation. Warehouse evolution has involved a fairly low-tech approach with warehouse workers often ceaselessly managing operations manually. Over the years, the motto of the industry has been, “if it’s not broken, don’t fix it” and the status quo prevailed with most warehouses in the past.

SAP Material Flow System (SAP MFS)

A holistic solution to warehouse automation, is SAP MFS. It enables warehouse and conveyor technology directly integrate into SAP and control in real-time. As a completely integrated material flow system, SAP MFS is a component of SAP EWM. It completely does away with use of additional material flow control systems and other communication middleware, as it communicates directly with subordinate Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs).

Any warehouse using legacy PLC system can set up the SAP MFS in a manner that all its tasks (from an identification point to a storage bin in an automatic high-rack storage area, for instance) are sub-divided into smaller tasks. Thereafter passed incrementally to the Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) responsible in each case using telegram communication. The putaway & removal from storage of Handling Units (HUs) can take place without the use of another software system.

In addition, SAP MFS enables an automatic warehouse connect to SAP Extended Warehouse Management (SAP EWM) without additional warehouse control unit. The advantages of warehouse automation using SAP MFS are the high degree of standardization, reduced interfaces, and increased cost-advantages for maintenance, operation, and support. SAP MFS is a solitary system geared for warehouse management, warehouse control, and material flow control.

How can Krypt help?

Krypt is an SAP preferred partner and has assisted in the success of global businesses across industries & geographies. We have helped businesses through successful integration & implementation of SAP EWM, SAP GTS, SAP TM & SAP IBP.

We can help you rapidly –

Implement SAP EWM MFS
Integrate SAP EWM MFS with legacy/non-SAP solutions
Plan & execute retrofit projects
Adapt telegram traffic between SAP EWM and PLCs
Standardize integration of automated warehouse technology
Create layout & calculate throughput
Develop transfer concepts & emergency scenarios

If you wish to deep dive into warehouses automation using SAP MFS, please REGISTER to Krypt Ascend scheduled on March 10, 2021 for Supply Chain Live Event titled – Warehouse Automation with Material Flow System (MFS) in SAP EWM by Narayanan Srinivasan, SAP EWM Solution Architect.

And, to know about our products/services, please request a DEMO or do Contact Us.