Interview Questions Booklet – SAP S/4HANA EWM & TM

SAP S/4HANA — Embedded EWM + Embedded TM (50 Q&A)

Warehouse Processes • POSC/LOSC • HU & Packing • Slotting/Labor • RF/Yard • TM Planning & Execution • Charge Mgmt & Settlement • EWM–TM Orchestration • Compliance & Scenarios

Section 1 — Footprint, Architecture & Org Model

1) What does “embedded EWM and embedded TM” mean in S/4HANA?

Answer: Both EWM and TM run on the same S/4 system (no separate SCM server). They share master/transactional data, Fiori UX, and analytics; reduce interfaces; and enable tighter process orchestration (e.g., TM loads drive EWM staging/loading).

2) When would you pick embedded vs. decentralized EWM/TM?

Answer: Embedded suits single-instance, moderate volume, tight FI/SD/MM integration. Decentralized fits very high throughput, multiple ERPs, or autonomous uptime requirements.

3) What are key organizational objects across EWM and TM?

Answer: EWM: Warehouse number, storage types/sections/bins, activity areas, work centers. TM: Locations, business partners, resources (vehicles, trailers), lanes/schedules, org units. Both use Business Partner and shared materials/batches.

4) How do logistics doc flows align across SD/MM, EWM, and TM?

Answer: PO/SO → delivery in S/4 → EWM inbound/outbound delivery order (IDO/ODO) for warehouse execution; TM creates freight units → freight orders/bookings; statuses and quantities synchronize via embedded integration layers.

5) What simplifications impact EWM/TM in S/4?

Answer: MATDOC for inventory, BP for customers/suppliers, new output mgmt (BRF+), aATP, mandatory Material Ledger, Fiori analytics/CDS—enabling real-time warehouse/transport KPIs.

Section 2 — EWM Master Data & Process Control

6) What is Process-Oriented vs. Layout-Oriented Storage Control (POSC/LOSC)?

Answer: POSC sequences process steps (e.g., inbound → deconsolidation → quality → putaway). LOSC adds intermediate steps due to layout constraints (e.g., via staging bin/elevator).

7) How do you define warehouse tasks (WT) and work orders (WO)?

Answer: WTs move stock between bins/HUs. WO creation rules (WOCR) group WTs by criteria (route, activity area, size/weight) for efficient execution and RF assignment.

8) What are handling units (HU) and packaging specifications?

Answer: HUs encapsulate materials + packaging. Pack specs define packing hierarchies, dimensions, and constraints for automatic cartonization and mixed pallet rules.

9) How is stock identity tracked in EWM?

Answer: Stock is managed at bin/HU level with batch, serials, and stock types (UR/QI/Blocked). EWM maintains quant-level identity supporting full traceability.

10) How does slotting & rearrangement work?

Answer: Slotting proposes optimal storage bins based on product attributes (turnover, size, hazardous). Rearrangement executes moves to target bins while respecting capacity and ABC rules.

Section 3 — EWM Inbound (GR, Deconsolidation, Putaway)

11) How is an inbound delivery order (IDO) created in embedded EWM?

Answer: GR from PO/ASN in S/4 triggers IDO in EWM automatically. IDO carries POSC steps, HU requirement, and QI relevance.

12) When do you use deconsolidation work centers?

Answer: When inbound pallets contain mixed products/batches requiring split by destination or quality. POSC step “deconsolidation” ensures correct putaway per slotting rules.

13) How does EWM integrate with QM during inbound?

Answer: Inspection lots are created on GR; QI stock prevents use until UD. After acceptance, system triggers follow-up putaway or vendor return on rejection.

14) What putaway strategies are available?

Answer: Fixed bin, next empty, addition to existing stock, near picking bin, and capacity-optimized. Custom rules via determination and enhancements.

15) How do you handle cross-docking at inbound?

Answer: Opportunistic or planned cross-dock creates WT directly from goods receipt area to outbound staging bin, bypassing storage when matching demand exists.

Section 4 — EWM Outbound (Picking, Packing, Staging, Loading)

16) How are outbound delivery orders (ODO) generated?

Answer: SD delivery in S/4 replicates to EWM as ODO for warehouse execution. TM planning can impose loading dates/doors impacting wave creation and staging.

17) What picking strategies are commonly used?

Answer: FIFO/LIFO, partial pallet/pick point, zone/batch/cluster picking. WOCR groups tasks for RF efficiency; cartonization suggests HUs before pick.

18) How does packing work with HUs and pack specs?

Answer: System proposes target HUs based on pack specs; pack at work centers; print labels via PPF; nested HUs support pallets → cartons → items.

19) How is staging controlled for TM loads?

Answer: Staging areas and doors are assigned per freight order/stop. EWM creates WTs to move HUs from picking to GI staging aligned with TM departure times.

20) What triggers goods issue (PGI) in embedded EWM?

Answer: After loading confirmation and checks (weight, HU, DG), EWM posts GI which updates SD delivery and TM freight order status.

Section 5 — EWM Production Integration

21) What is Advanced Production Integration in EWM?

Answer: It uses Production Material Requests (PMR) to stage components to Production Supply Areas (PSA), supports JIT/JIS, and posts backflush/consumption with HU tracking.

22) Which staging methods are supported?

Answer: Pick parts, crate parts, release order parts, and JIT calls. Determination uses control cycles and PSA mappings.

23) How are backflush and scrap handled?

Answer: Confirmation in PP triggers consumption; EWM updates HUs and bins. Scrap/variance postings adjust inventory and cost objects automatically.

24) How do you return residual components from PSA?

Answer: Create WT for return from PSA to storage bin or blocked area; adjust PMR quantities and post reversal consumption if needed.

25) How is finished goods receipt integrated?

Answer: GR from production creates IDO in EWM (type 05), triggers HU creation, quality checks if relevant, and directs putaway to FG zones.

Section 6 — EWM Operations: RF, Labor, Yard & Inventory

26) How do RF frameworks improve execution?

Answer: RFUI screens guide tasks by role/activity; queue/resource management assigns work; barcode scanning reduces errors and boosts throughput.

27) What is Labor Management in EWM?

Answer: It measures planned vs. actual effort via engineered standards, tracks utilization/productivity, and supports incentives and bottleneck analysis.

28) How does EWM Yard Management work when embedded?

Answer: EWM manages gates, checkpoints, doors, and TUs; supports appointments, check-in/out, and dock sequence; integrates with TM freight orders/stops.

29) What options exist for physical inventory?

Answer: Annual, continuous, and cycle counting at bin/HU level; RF-supported counting and difference analysis with recount workflows.

30) How are exceptions handled during picking/loading?

Answer: Exception codes (shortage, damage) trigger alternative bins/substitutions, partial confirmation, or re-planning; PPF sends alerts/outputs.

Section 7 — TM Master Data & Planning

31) What are core TM master data objects?

Answer: Locations, business partners, transportation zones, resources (trucks, trailers, containers), schedules, calendars, and freight agreements/rate tables.

32) How are Freight Units built?

Answer: Freight Unit Building Rules (FUBR) split/merge based on weight/volume, product category, route, or dates, producing planable units from SO/PO/delivery.

33) What is the Transportation Cockpit used for?

Answer: A planner UI to consolidate, optimize, assign carriers/resources, create freight orders/bookings, and manage exceptions with KPIs.

34) How does the VSR optimizer help?

Answer: Vehicle Scheduling & Routing proposes cost/time optimal plans respecting capacities, windows, and incompatibilities; planners can override manually.

35) How do incompatibilities and planning profiles work?

Answer: They enforce rules (e.g., DG separation, temperature) and preferences. Profiles predefine cockpit layouts, heuristics, and filters per planner role.

Section 8 — TM Execution, Charges & Settlement

36) Difference between Freight Order and Freight Booking?

Answer: Freight Order covers road/rail execution with own resources or carriers; Freight Booking reserves capacity with ocean/air carriers.

37) How are charges calculated?

Answer: Charge Calculation uses rate tables, condition types, and calculation sheets (base + surcharges/scales). Results feed accruals and settlement.

38) How does freight settlement post to FI/MM in embedded TM?

Answer: Settlement documents create MM service entry sheets/invoices for carriers; accrual postings hit FI/CO; costs can distribute back to deliveries/sales items.

39) What tendering options exist?

Answer: Manual, broadcast, or spot tendering with timeouts/acceptance, integrated carrier collaboration and status events for visibility.

40) How is execution tracking supported?

Answer: Event Management updates milestones (pickup, departure, arrival), GPS/IoT feeds, and exception alerts that can reschedule loading or re-plan routes.

Section 9 — EWM–TM Orchestration & Compliance

41) How do TM plans drive EWM warehouse activities?

Answer: TM freight orders create stops/doors and loading appointments; EWM stages HUs to the correct door and sequence, aligning pick/pack timing with departure.

42) How are TUs and doors managed across EWM and TM?

Answer: TM assigns resources and schedules; EWM creates/links Transportation Units, allocates doors, and confirms loading; statuses sync both ways.

43) How do you handle Dangerous Goods (DG) and compliance?

Answer: Maintain DG master, segregation rules, and labels. Integrate with GTS for sanctions/export control; EWM checks DG at picking/packing, TM validates at planning/loading.

44) How are outputs (labels, CMR, BOL) generated?

Answer: EWM uses PPF for HU/Shipping labels; TM uses BRF+ based Output Mgmt for documents (BOL/CMR) with Adobe forms and email/EDI transmission.

45) What KPIs should you monitor for end-to-end performance?

Answer: Warehouse: pick rate, WO cycle time, inventory accuracy. Transport: OTIF, cost per shipment, utilization. Combined: dock-to-dock lead time and load adherence.

Section 10 — Real-World Scenarios & Troubleshooting

46) Freight order ready, but EWM hasn’t staged HUs — what do you check?

Answer: Verify stop/door assignment, staging area mapping, open WTs/WO release, and POSC sequences. Ensure TM appointment times are transferred and no QI blocks exist.

47) Repeated picking shortages for the same bin — root cause path?

Answer: Check quant/batch discrepancies, open WTs reserving stock, slotting mismatch, and PI results. Trigger recount and bin replenishment rules.

48) Carrier invoice differs from TM charges — resolution?

Answer: Compare rate tables/scales, fuel surcharge indices, and rounding. Run charge recalculation; if variance accepted, post difference via settlement document.

49) TU at gate but door unavailable — how to recover?

Answer: Re-sequence waves, allocate alternate door, split load across doors, and adjust appointments in TM; notify via output to carrier.

50) OTIF dropping due to load contention — what optimizations help?

Answer: Use BOP/aATP to prioritize orders, TM cockpit consolidation + VSR for route/time, EWM interleaving and labor leveling, and earlier staging with yard appointments.