SAP^® EWM by KNAPP: More than just a Warehouse Management System

SAP^® EWM is a comprehensive, integrated SAP^® end-to-end solution that performs all the functions of a warehouse management system (WMS) and a warehouse control system (WCS). As with any best-of-breed solution, its functions, including the WCS layer SAP^® EWM MFS (Material Flow System), can be activated as needed. The WCS layer is an integrated module within the logistics software and directly controls the material flow in automated warehouses by establishing a direct communication with the PLC.

In its standard scope, the SAP warehouse management system includes all the important processes and functions from goods-in to shipping. What’s more, the solution is available in on-premise and cloud options. As an SAP partner, our intelligent all-in-one solution SAP^® EWM by KNAPP provides you with the best of both worlds. Thanks to the KNAPP group’s years of expertise and industry understanding, your projects can reap the benefits of our experience and solution know-how that comes from implementing over 100 SAP^® EWM projects and more than 3,000 WMS and WCS projects worldwide.

SAP’s logistics software is a warehouse management system whose scalability makes it suited to every level of automation. Thanks to the integrated material flow system, SAP^® EWM MFS, the warehouse management system is directly linked to the PLC. This reduces the number of interfaces as the automation solutions can be integrated directly into SAP, allowing end-to-end control of processes in a single system.

Proven KNAPP project strategy

More than 80 percent of the warehouse processes across all sectors are identical. That is why SAP^® EWM by KNAPP is pre-configured based on KNAPP best practice solutions. KNAPP Building Blocks are ready-to-use software modules based on 100 percent SAP^® coding. They expand on the standard EWM to cover the sector-specific or specific material flow requirements of a warehouse. They also make it possible to directly connect various KNAPP technologies, which means the project focuses completely on the customer’s individual processes, ensuring a short implementation period and minimal project risk.

As part of the WCS layer, SAP^® EWM MFS (material flow system) is included in the standard SAP^® EWM, with the exception of the SAP^® EWM embedded basic solution. Designed for controlling material flows in automated warehouses, the solution also allows the direct integration of warehouse and conveyor technologies at the PLC level. With KNAPP as your SAP partner, you benefit from our broad expertise in SAP^® EWM MFS that we have built up over the course of diverse WMS and WCS retrofit projects with automation solutions by KNAPP and other manufacturers. Middleware is therefore obsolete; interfaces are reduced and overall process stability is improved. What’s more, the logistics processes are all mapped in an end-to-end SAP^® system landscape.

Working together takes top priority in our proven project management approach. After an initial analysis of the processes, material flows and systems, we recommend an appropriate solution. Implementing the logistics software from SAP as a joint team provides the needed continuity during and after the handover and ensures that the necessary know-how is transferred to your in-house IT team. Our proven multi-stage test methodology includes a digital twin for the subordinate control systems (PLC); additionally, the right planning ensures that the go-live and ramp up are successful. Furthermore, our ITIL^® certified 24/7 SAP^® EWM Service Desk provides optimal support once the project has been handed over.

As an SAP partner, we offer not only solutions, implementation and 24/7 services for our own SAP^® EWM projects, but also for existing SAP^® EWM systems from third-party suppliers. Our spot consulting for optimizing your SAP ^® warehouse management system and our comprehensive services include a thorough analysis of your processes, material flows and systems. We then use this information to create a customized, comprehensive optimization concept that includes transferring to individual support from our ITIL^® certified 24/7 SAP^® EWM Service Desk with a 24/7 hotline.