SAP Packing Station with Efficient KEP Integration
FIS/PackingCenter is a solution integrated in SAP S/4HANA and based on SAP Business Technology Platform that controls pack and shipping processes directly in the warehouse. Companies pack consignments without media changes, integrate shipping service providers in a structured way and keep an eye on all relevant information from packaging data and shipping parameters to tracking information.
Productmanager at FIS
What is FIS/PackingCenter?
FIS/PackingCenter is an SAP-integrated solution for mapping and controlling pack and shipping processes directly in the warehouse. The software solution supports users at the packing station through system-guided process flows and enables the central processing of all relevant information – from packaging data and shipping parameters to tracking information – between different systems and without media changes. This reduces manual work steps, avoids errors and increases transparency in shipping processing.
This SAP packing station solution is designed in such a way that packaging processes can be mapped in different SAP warehouse contexts. Currently, the focus is on SAP Extended Warehouse Management (SAP EWM). Perspectively, however, FIS/PackingCenter is designed in such a way that further scenarios, such as SAP Cloud ERP, can be integrated to enable a flexible and sustainable use.
Technologically, FIS/PackingCenter is based on SAP Business Technology Platform (SAP BTP). This platform is the basis for an advanced and scalable architecture and enables the central mapping of pack and shipping processes.
The integrated interface to shipping service providers is another core component of the solution. FIS/PackingCenter supports the integration of about 300 KEP service providers and ensures that shipping labels, tracking numbers and further shipping-relevant data are directly created in the pack process and transferred automatically. In this way, companies can efficiently control their shipping processing irrespective of the service provider and, at the same time, they keep a central overview of all packages and shipments.
What are the challenges at the packing station and in the shipping process?
In many logistics locations, pack and shipping processes are still characterized by manual activities and the use of several system landscapes separated from each other. Shipping data must often be transferred to external shipping service provider portals or shipping labels created manually. These media changes entail increased time expenditure, errors and restricted transparency concerning the shipping status.
Complex task specifications without integrated solution:
Manual transmission of shipping information between SAP and external systems
Error-prone pack processes, e.g. due to wrong article assignment or missing picking validations
Double inbound deliveries to the same customer due to missing overview of parallel deliveries
Time-consuming label creation outside the SAP system
Low transparency concerning the status of individual shipments and shipping costs
Restricted flexibility when it comes to changing the pack process or shipping type at short notice
Limited process support at the packing station, in particular without seamless scanner integration that enables a quick and error-free entry of articles and handling units (HU)
Articles and HUs can be entered, validated and confirmed automatically to SAP EWM directly at the packing station due to the scanner integration in FIS/PackingCenter. This reduces manual entries, accelerates the pack process and ensures that data is always correct and currently available in the system.
What are the core functions of FIS/PackingCenter?
FIS/PackingCenter controls the pack and shipping processes directly at the warehouse work center and is directly integrated in SAP EWM. The FIS logistics solution supports users with clearly structured process control, scanner integration and HU management.
Overview of functional scope:
Definition of work centers
Work centers are defined before users work in the system. The warehouse number from SAP EWM as well as the associated work center are selected here. The work center definition includes further settings such as:
Logon to work center and worklist
Subsequently, the user can log on to their work center.
Next, a worklist containing all deliveries is displayed for which stocks are available on the corresponding storage bins. The worklist therefore creates the basis for further pack and shipping steps and ensures a clear presentation of the deliveries to be edited.
Forwarding agent settings
In the back end, the shipping service providers are synchronized with the interface in the forwarding agent settings. This enables the selection of the corresponding carrier during packing. New freight forwarders can easily be created by taking the relevant business partners from the SAP system and assigning a forwarding agency to them within FIS/PackingCenter. All in all, about 300 carriers are available for the interface.
Packing
The central function of FIS/PackingCenter is the packing of deliveries:
What benefits are provided by FIS/PackingCenter?
Packaging processes are directly mapped in the warehouse context, employees get a clear presentation of the packaging hierarchy and shipping data can be transferred to connected service providers in a structured way. Packaging, dispatch preparation and the integration of shipping service providers are connected seamlessly with each other.
The FIS logistics solution makes the packing station more manageable and assists warehouse workers with clear information on the current shipping status. At the same time, shipping data is transferred in a structured way and service providers are directly integrated into the process. This reduces the number of manual interim steps, processes are simplified and shipping can be made more reliable.
The following benefits are provided:
FIS/PackingCenter maps the packaging process directly where warehouse logistics takes place. Employees do not have to switch between different systems or confirm data if they want to pack consignments. This reduces media changes and ensures a consistent process flow from packing to shipping.
If a consignment changes just before goods issue, missing or additional articles can be added more easily. Packing and shipping processes already triggered do not have to be undone with much effort. This provides greater scope in the daily business and helps transparently map short-term adjustments.
The solution provides a clear user interface as well as a graphical presentation of the packaging hierarchy. Articles, cardboard boxes and pallets can be assigned clearly, which makes orientation in the pack process easier. Through the existing scanner integration, work steps are executed more easily and quickly without permanently switching between different dialogs or entry fields – which makes operation and clarity more convenient.
Via an integrated interface, FIS/PackingCenter can be connected with approx. 300 shipping service providers and forwarding agents without companies having to maintain all these interfaces themselves. Shipping data is transferred transparently and processes concerning label and dispatch preparation are supported reliably. This reduces the workload of the internal IT department and facilitates the cooperation with different courier services, express services and express delivery companies for outbound deliveries.
Shipping information such as tracking numbers and status messages can be provided centrally. In this way, employees in sales or customer service get information on delivery statuses more quickly. This improves traceability and strengthens the communication with customers.
The solution enables the adjustment to different shipping quantities. It can be applied both for smaller shipping volumes and larger shipping structures. It is therefore no pure add-on for complex bulk parts stock only but a solution focusing on real needs.
FIS/PackingCenter is designed in such a way that packaging processes can be mapped in different SAP warehouse contexts. Currently, the focus is on SAP EWM. Perspectively, further scenarios such as public cloud or other system environments can also be included. This creates a more uniform basis for packing even if not each location is structured in the same way.
FIS/PackingCenter is based on SAP Business Technology Platform and therefore integrated in advanced SAP architectures. This creates a technological basis that fits with current and future system landscapes and cleanly supports packaging processes also beyond classical on-premises scenarios.
Conclusion
FIS/PackingCenter supports the mapping of pack and shipping processes directly in the warehouse process and the structured integration of KEP service providers. The solution reduces manual interim steps, creates a more clearly arranged packing station and improves transparency across the entire shipping process. The seamless integration in SAP EWM, high scanner support and the integration of approximately 300 shipping service providers ensure optimization and a consistent process flow from packing to delivery tracking. As a consequence, logistics companies benefit from fewer media changes, simplified process control and a solution that can be adjusted both to different shipping volumes and different SAP warehouse scenarios.