This article of mine will provide an overview of transit warehousing scenario which is implemented in SAP TM 9.3 along with SAP EWM 9.3.This scenario is not available for a shipper scenario but only for a freight forwarder/LSP scenario where warehouse operations and execution is implemented in SAP EWM and is integration with freight forwarding operations using SAP TM.
In transit warehousing scenario, the freight forwarder takes the responsibility of receiving cargo from shippers based on inbound transportation planning in SAP TM.Then the cargo is consolidated in such a way that multiple customers based on same destination locations are grouped together and transported to a transit warehouse and then its shipped to the next location of the transportation chain and finally delivered to consignee based on outbound transportation planning in SAP TM.
Hence major implication of this process is that both inbound and outbound transportation planning is possible using this process.Also the cargo received from multiple shippers is very variable hence cargo is managed as a handling unit and cargo information is directly mentioned in the documents in the warehouse.
In the warehouse for a transit scenario, the structuring of warehouse is done in such a way that HU with same destination location are grouped together in the same storage bin .However exception to this are the HU which are dangerous goods or high value cargo which are put in separate storage bin.
Then based on the outbound plan sent by the transportation planner in SAP TM, the HU are loaded directly from the staging areas which is then loaded on to the truck for putaway operations.There are lot of data exchange that occurs between SAP TM and SAP EWM since SAP EWM informs SAP TM about various steps performed in transit warehouse like arrival in checkpoint, departure from checkpoint , loading and unloading completion etc.
To implement this scenario there has to be proper warehouse organisation structure and warehouse master data to be set up.The warehouse structure comprises of :
a) Warehouse area with storage bins for postal codes
b) Warehouse area with country and region speciifc storage bins
c) Warehouse area for handling HU containers
Below enclosed is the process flow to be used for implementing this scenario:
a) Create a forwarding order in SAP TM-Here the customer service creates a forwarding order so that cargo can be transported from shipper to consignee.Once the cargo is picked up from the shipper premises, its to be transported via transit warehouse which belongs to the transportation network of the freight forwarder and belongs to SAP EWM. The output of this step is creation of freight unit.
b) Create freight order as part of pick up stage-In SAP TM based on transportation planning, freight order is created during the pick up stage and the stage detaisl will show the pick up from shipper location to transit warehouse.At this time the carrier is assigned to this order.
c) Freight order status been upated in SAP TM-Here once the cargo is picked up from shipper location , then the freight order status is updated to Departed.When transportation planning is completed the transportation planner sends an unloading request to the SAP EWM containing details of the freight order number.SAP EWM automatically creates a TU ( transportation unit) , inbound delivery and HU whereby HU are assigned to TU.
d) Then truck arrives at the checkpoint and informs the warehouse clerk about the freight order No.The warehouse clerk assigns free door to the TU and updates the status-Docked at door and informs the trucker to drive to assigned door.During this time an unloading notification message is send by EWM for arrival at check point and TM freight order status is updated to Arrived.
e) Warehouse clerk then receives the packages once the unloading process starts.The HU are received using RF device and once packages are identified ,HU label is attached to those packages .System automatically performs Goods receipt in EWM for each HU.
f) Once all HU are unloaded the truck leaves the door and the warehouse clerk confirms the departure from checkpoint.During this time the unloading message for departure is triggered by SAP EWM which updates freight order status to departed.
Now we shall follow the standard process to ship the product from the transit warehouse to next location in transportation chain.After creation of pre carriage/pick up freight order, SAP TM send the outbound planning information to SAP EWM and the same process repeats again as explained above like creation of freight order,send loading request, truck arrival at checkpoint, staging handling unit, loading truck, truck leaves,
