EWM Functionality
Yard management is a function of EWM as we discuss in other posts on this blog. While doing research into yard management we came upon a good white paper by Catalyst International. Here are some interesting quotations from their paper.
On the state of many yards..
The first and last place a distribution center sees product is in the yard. However, for most, the yard is a blind spot where time is wasted searching for the right trailer and matching its requirements to the right resource at the right time. These resource and time delays can affect productivity, impact customer satisfaction and increase overall costs for both the yard and any warehouse that it supports. In fact, most shipping delays are in the yard and not on the road.
On the integration with cross docking…
In its most basic form, cross-docking is simply moving goods directly from an
inbound shipment to meet the demand of an outgoing order. Sounds simple? Add
in mixed trailers, dynamic scheduling appointments, limited dock space or material handling, customer requirements, and a labor force and the simplicity suddenly transforms into a challenge. The following sections are meant to provide an overview of SAP’s functionality in handling these challenges while integrating with your already self-functioning SAP warehouse management system.
On the different types of cross docking in EWM..
SAP’s solution breaks up into two main areas of opportunity: Planned and
Opportunistic. Planned cross-docking allows management opportunities to link
inbound and outbound demand together before actual stock arrival. The planned
cross-docking method is an option for your warehouse, whether at the transfer
requirements, delivery or shipment level. Once you are comfortable with the design, SAP provides a planning tool to perform the optimization analysis for you
decreasing the effort for optimal optimization. Opportunistic cross-docking creates
similar decisions, but on a real-time basis in the case of unexpected inbound or
outbound demand. Combined with RF, your floor operators are system-directed to
the optimal location, including incoming purchase orders.
The paper is available here and is recommended reading for anyone interested in yard management or cross docking in EWM.
