Although SAP customers will generally not be able to avoid changing the SAP Business Suite (ECC), pressure is easing in the area of warehouse logistics. Existing WM processes can also be largely mapped with the help of Stock Room Management as long as they continue to meet the requirements. At the end of this article, you can read which functions are covered and whether it is also advisable for you to use the new usage variant.
In the SAP environment, there are now more than ten different variants available for mapping intralogistics processes. For a better understanding, the most important features of the different options are briefly listed below.
Excursion
#1: MM-IM-managed warehouses
- Pure quantity management (e.g. which product/batch/stock type)
- No storage bin management
- No system-guided, controlled warehouse operations
#2: LE-WM (in the compatibility mode)
- Relevant for small to medium-sized warehouses with manual operations
- Storage bin management, basic processes
- Part of the compatibility mode in SAP S/4HANA: rights of use expire at the end of 2025*
- No enhancement and development plans
#3: Stock Room Management in SAP S/4HANA
- Relevant for existing LE-WM customers and small to medium-sized warehouses with manual operations
- Storage bin management, basic processes
- Similar to LE-WM, but with reduced functionality
- No enhancement and development plans
#4: Basic Warehouse Management (based on SAP EWM by using Embedded Deployment)
- Strategic SAP warehouse product and integrated in the SAP S/4HANA system
- Regular innovations (e.g. Fiori, Analytics, …)
- Provides real-time support and transparency when it comes to flexibly managing and processing material goods movements
#5: Multi-Tenant Cloud Warehouse Management
- Planned for 2020
- SAP operates the system and provides quarterly release updates
- Similar scope to SAP S/4HANA Enterprise Management multi-tenant cloud
#6: Modern Warehouse Management (based on SAP EWM by using Embedded Deployment)
- Strategic SAP warehouse product and integrated in the SAP S/4HANA system
- Regular innovations (e.g. Fiori, Analytics, …)
- Full SAP EWM functionality can be enabled
#7: Local Logistics Execution System (LES)
- SAP ECC system on which only LE-WM is used
- Warehouses are operated on an individual system
- Maintenance ends at the end of 2027*
#8: Local EWM
- Warehouses are operated on an individual system
- Can be provided as Single Tenant Edition in the cloud
- No further enhancements planned for SAP EWM 9.5
#9: Local EWM based on SAP S/4HANA
- Strategic SAP product
- Warehouses are operated on an individual system
- Single Tenant Edition planned at the end of 2019
#10: External WMS (Non-SAP)
- Warehouses are operated on an individual system
- Master data and process integration must be ensured after release upgrades
- Not recommended for external vendors
What is the functional scope of SAP Stock Room Management?
It is a classic SAP WM system, but without the following functionalities:
- Task & Resource Management (WM-TRM)
- Value Added Services (WM-VAS) or Value-Added Services (LZL)
- Cross Docking (WM-CD)
- Yard Management (WM-YM)
- Wave Management (Picking Waves; WM-TFM-CP)
- Local LES/WM (WM-DWM)
- LSR Interface (WM-LSR)
The above functions may no longer be used in the SAP S/4HANA system as of 2026*, as SAP will withdraw the rights of use.
This means that a simple, manual small parts warehouse can still be comprehensively mapped (for example, transfer orders for all manual warehouse movements including mobile processing). However, there will be no further development by SAP.
Enhancements – such as our consulting solution FIS/smw – can continue to be used in the SAP S/4HANA system, provided the new SAP S/4HANA architecture does not upset the plans.
When is SAP Stock Room Management recommended?
The target group is all SAP customers who already use SAP WM today and would like to continue using the solution under SAP S/4HANA – without extended functions or further development by SAP. Stock Room Management can therefore be an interim solution and intermediate step on the way to warehouse digitization.
When is SAP Stock Room Management not appropriate?
However, if Fiori apps and new functionalities are on the agenda, SAP EWM (embedded or even decentralized as a standalone system) will be a must. If additional functions and features are required (for example the connection of automated warehouse technology as well as the use of Fiori apps), the only way left for the customer is to go into the EWM world and implement (embedded) EWM in addition to the manual further Stock Room Management development.
Is Stock Room Management suitable for me?
In SAP S/4HANA Release 1909, Stock Room Management is to be officially available. However, this is merely a license-related delimitation since the functions are already made available in the current SAP WM. Consequently, its implementation could also be a possible variant for new customers. However, the question must be asked here whether this makes strategic sense. The recommended solution for new customers is clearly SAP EWM (embedded).
*Update, February 2020: According to the latest information from SAP, the following statement must be observed: SAP will provide mainstream maintenance for core SAP Business Suite 7 applications until the end of 2027 and offer optional extended maintenance until the end of 2030.
