SAP WM/EWM Interview Questions

SAP WM / EWM Interview Questions & Answers

Q1. Difference between WM and EWM

WM (classic LE-WM) offers basic bin-level control; EWM adds advanced capabilities: task/WO orchestration, POSC/LOSC, slotting, labor mgmt, yard, MFS, VAS, deconsolidation, embedded analytics.

Q2. EWM deployment options (basic vs advanced)

Embedded EWM in S/4HANA (Basic/Advanced features via license) or Decentralized EWM on a separate system. Advanced adds labor mgmt, yard mgmt, MFS, slotting, etc.

Q3. EWM organizational structure

ERP: Plant/Storage Location ↔ EWM: Warehouse Number → Storage Types → Storage Sections → Storage Bins. Add Activity Areas, Work Centers, and Dock Doors.

Q4. Storage types, sections, bins

Storage type = logical zone (high rack, bulk, picking). Sections group bins by attributes (fast/slow). Bin is the addressable location with bin type, capacity, and indicators.

Q5. Quant vs HU vs SU

Quant = unique stock portion of same material/batch in one bin. HU (handling unit) = physical load (pallet/case) with SSCC. SU (WM) = storage unit; in EWM, HU supersedes SU.

Q6. Inbound process overview

ERP PO/IBD → EWM Inbound Delivery (IDO) → GR to goods receipt zone → deconsolidation/quality → putaway tasks → final bin. Options: cross-docking, POSC, VAS.

Q7. Outbound process overview

ERP SO/ODO → EWM ODO → wave/release → picking tasks → staging at doors/work centers → packing/label → PGI in EWM/ERP → loading and ship.

Q8. Putaway strategies

Fixed bin, next empty bin, addition to existing stock, near picking bin, weight/volume-based, hazardous constraints, slotting-driven destination.

Q9. Picking strategies

FIFO/LIFO/FEFO, partial picking from open HUs, pick-from-fixed bin, batch-based separation, multi-order picking, zone/batch picking, pick & pass.

Q10. Warehouse tasks & orders

WT = atomic move; WO groups WTs for execution by a resource. WO header carries execution parameters (queue, priority, limits).

Q11. WOCR (Warehouse Order Creation Rules)

Rules to bundle WTs into WOs based on limits (weight/volume/qty), activity area, process type, and sort criteria for efficient routes.

Q12. POSC vs LOSC

Process-Oriented Storage Control sequences mandatory steps (GR → Decon → Quality → Putaway). Layout-Oriented Storage Control reroutes by physical constraints (e.g., via elevator/conveyor bins).

Q13. Work centers & deconsolidation

Work centers execute packing/decon/quality/VAS. Decon splits mixed HUs by destination/storage type based on pack spec and POSC.

Q14. Packing specs & cartonization

Pack specs define HU hierarchy, materials, and thresholds; Cartonization Planning suggests cartons/HUs pre-pick. Shipping HUs get SSCC labels.

Q15. Waves & picking orchestration

Waves group ODO items for synchronized picking by time, route, carrier, or door; templates control release methods and capacity constraints.

Q16. Slotting & rearrangement

Calculates optimal bin/storage type using velocity, dimensions, and packaging; rearrangement moves stock to new slots automatically or by proposal.

Q17. Replenishment types

Planned (min/max), order-related (pick demand), automatic during picking, and ad-hoc. Triggers WTs from reserve to pick-face bins.

Q18. Physical inventory procedures

Annual, cycle counting, low stock check, zero stock check, and ad-hoc; supports HU/bin/inventory sampling with recount & difference posting.

Q19. Labor management basics

Standards (engineered labor), performance measurement, and incentive pay support; requires engineered standards and activity capture.

Q20. Yard management (TU/Vehicle)

Manage yard bins, gates, check-in/out, dock appointment scheduling; TU links deliveries to yard movements and doors.

Q21. Transportation units vs vehicles

TU = logical load carrier (trailer/container) with doors/stops; Vehicle = tractor resource. TU can be moved/parked/assigned independently.

Q22. EWM-ERP integration objects

Inbound/outbound deliveries, stock transports, posting changes, production supply/consumption, and status updates via qRFC.

Q23. qRFC/CIF & Core Interface use

qRFC ensures ordered, reliable messaging between ERP and EWM; CIF used for master data (materials, batches, classifications) and customizing.

Q24. Delivery types: ODO/IDO

Outbound Delivery Order (ODO) for shipping; Inbound Delivery (IDO) for receipts. They drive WT creation and document flow.

Q25. Warehouse process types (WPT)

Define process behavior for tasks (putaway, picking, internal moves) incl. stock type changes, confirmation, exception handling, and queue.

Q26. Determination of WPT

Based on process category, storage type, doc type, item type, packaging, and customizing (determination table & access sequence).

Q27. Availability groups & stock types

Map EWM stock types (Available for Sale, QI, Blocked) to ERP special stocks. Availability group controls which stock is visible to which processes.

Q28. Quality integration (QM)

Inspection at GR (01/04), Q-holds in EWM, decision-driven stock postings; decon/quality steps modeled in POSC.

Q29. Production integration (PMR/Staging)

PMR manages component staging to production supply areas (PSA), backflush consumption, and GI/GR interface with PP.

Q30. Cross-docking types

Opportunistic (direct from GR to GI), Planned cross-docking (PCD), and Flow-through via POSC; reduces storage and lead time.

Q31. VAS & kitting

Value-Added Services (labeling, bundling) and kitting before/after pick; integrated via work centers and pack specs.

Q32. RF framework & mobile

Menu-driven RF screens for WT execution, scanning HUs/bins, exception codes, and confirmations; supports Android and industrial terminals.

Q33. Exception codes & handling

Operators use exception codes (e.g., short pick, bin blocked) to branch flows, trigger replenishment, or reassign tasks.

Q34. Queue & resource management

Queues route WTs by area/process; resources (forklifts, pickers) are assigned queues and activity areas; priorities & travel sequences optimize routing.

Q35. Sort sequences & consolidation groups

Control pick path (Aisle→Shelf→Bin) and how items consolidate to HUs/doors by route/carrier/shipping point.

Q36. MFS (Material Flow System)

Direct PLC integration for conveyors/ASRS with telegrams, routes, and bin connectivity; eliminates middleware for automation.

Q37. Batch & serial number handling

Batch determination at pick/putaway with characteristics; serial capture at HU/item level; FEFO for shelf-life control.

Q38. Dangerous goods & hazmat

Storage and transport checks for DG classes, segregation rules, labeling, and capacity constraints in storage types.

Q39. Value-added services vs pack spec

VAS = operational tasks at work center; Pack spec = rules for HU creation & content. VAS can reference pack spec but also add non-pack tasks.

Q40. EWM Monitor essentials

Central cockpit to manage WOs, WTs, stock, deliveries, exceptions, PI, and resources with drill-down and mass actions.

Q41. Inventory visibility & document flow

Track from ERP PO/SO → EWM IDO/ODO → WTs/WOs → HU/bin stock; document flow ties logistics steps with timestamps & statuses.

Q42. Posting changes & stock transfers

Intra-warehouse (bin-to-bin), inter-type (type-to-type), posting change (e.g., QI→Unrestricted), and ERP 311/313 mirrored by EWM tasks.

Q43. Performance tuning tips

Use wave capacity groups, balanced WOCR, RF-directed picking, reduced POSC steps, queuing by zones, HU consolidation, and monitor-based exception cleanup.

Q44. Common master data pitfalls

Missing pack specs, wrong dimens/weight, incomplete slotting attributes, bin type/capacity mismatches, incorrect availability group mapping.

Q45. Differences in S/4HANA embedded EWM

Tight FI/CO/PP/QM integration, simplified master data, Fiori apps, advanced features via Business Functions; no separate middleware latency.

Q46. PPF actions in EWM

Actions (labels, prints, IDoc/XML) triggered by status/events on deliveries/HUs/WOs; replace classic output determination.

Q47. Counting, recounting, zero stock check

PI documents support initial count, tolerance-based recount, zero stock checks on empty bins, and difference posting to ERP/EWM.

Q48. Best practices for EWM design

• Start with clear process maps & KPIs
• Model POSC minimally then iterate
• Design WOCR by travel path & capacity
• Derive HU/pack spec early; print flows via PPF
• Use slotting to drive putaway & replenishment

Q49. Common implementation challenges

• Over-engineered POSC/LOSC causing complexity
• Inaccurate master data (dims, weights, units)
• Queue/resource misalignment → idle time
• Poor ERP–EWM integration mapping & qRFC errors

Q50. Real-world inbound→outbound scenario

GR IDO receives mixed HUs → decon at work center per pack spec → quality hold for samples (POSC) → putaway via WOCR with aisle sort → slotting proposes new pick-face → ODO waves by route → RF multi-order pick to shipping HUs → VAS labeling → staging at door → TU check-in, loading, PGI → ERP updated with document flow complete.