Introduction

EWM was born in 2006 with a completely new system philosophy based on SCM server compared to the previous warehouse management solution that was the integral part of the ECC 6.0.  The first release 5.0 was equipped with already know and new processes and functionalities on a completely new system base and document structure.

Though new organizational units were added, most of the organizational units had been inherited from SAP LES and special emphasis was placed on the integration of functions that are not optimally integrated in the LES, such as multi-level movements, mobile data entry, handling unit management, yard management, picking waves etc. Many new processes, such as deconsolidation, kit-to-order, warehouse reorganization, slotting, and the Warehouse Management Monitor as a central monitoring instrument were packed in Release EWM 5.0.

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Transformation – SCM to S/4 HANA Platform

While the SCM based EWM is evolving with significant functionality additions, enhanced integration with Transportation Management (SAP TM) and Event Management (SAP EM), things started changing rapidly since 2015 with the advent of HANA database technology (2010-11). With the advancement of SAP’s thought process to embark on S/4 HANA (2015) to modernize all of its enterprise solutions, there was some vacuum created over the future of EWM solution but SAP soon cleared this with S/4 HANA 1610 release in Q4 2016.

Release of S/4 HANA 1610 can be marked as the first mile stone for the transformation of EWM solution form SCM platform to S/4 HANA platform because EWM was offered as an embedded solution in S/4 HANA digital core with this release. SAP completed transformation of EWM  from SCM / NetWeaver platform to S/4 HANA platform with the release of S/4 HANA 1809 FPS02 (Q3 2019) and concluded the death of EWM 9.5 that is based on SCM / Net Weaver. Mainstream support for EWM 9.5 will end by Dec-2027 (Note 2911449) and hence customers should plan their own transformation project.

Will EWM deployments gain traction?

Compared to the time required for the complex S/4 HANA transformation projects, the dead line imposed for the mainstream support is not very far. This means that the organizations with complex supply chain and warehouse operations (especially SAP WM solutions tightly integrated with Shipping & Transportation (LE-TRA) modules) should act immediately but the organization with simpler warehouse operation can wait for some more time or completely avoid EWM solution because of the recent boon (to continue support for WM solution ) announced by SAP.

The announcement of Stockroom Management will hinder the EWM implementation to some extent but for sure EWM implementation will gain traction and creates demand for the EWM consultants in coming years and it is right time to get competent in EWM solution and get ready to grab the opportunities.

Who can learn EWM?

Many think that SAP WM knowledge is a pre-requisite for learning EWM but that is not true because it is completely different solution. Though EWM is completely different solution, it will be easy walk for SAP WM consultant because of inherited organization structure, processes and overall philosophy. To some extent, MM and SD consultant with thorough knowledge in delivery integration will feel EWM close to their heart but EWM would be boring without real world business knowledge in warehouse operation.

The most important pre-requisite for mastering EWM is the real world business knowledge in supply chain and more specially warehouse operation. Anyone with business knowledge can start learning EWM irrespective of SAP background.

Is S/4 HANA based EWM a completely new solution?

Good news is that the majority of the solution, except the master data integration (product master, business partner, and batch master), remains almost the same but there are minor differences based on the deployment options. Changes to warehouse process and functions are almost unnoticeable.

Reference SAP Notes:

2881788 – End of SAP Business Suite 7 mainstream maintenance

2911449 – Updated Maintenance Timelines for SAP EWM Product Versions

Curriculum

Let’s get started with the curriculum. What all you need to do is just follow the topics in the prescribed sequence based on your relevance to the topic.

S.No.	Topic	Relevance*	Certification
01	EWM Documents	BU-JC	Yes
02	Integration between EWM and ERP	BU-JC	Yes