Cross-Docking (CD) in SAP

Optimized flow of goods in SAP EWM by
avoiding storage and removal steps

Your Requirements

  • Avoid intermediate storage
  • Bundled deliveries to customers
  • Reduction of throughput times

Our Solution

  • Transport cross-docking (TCD) / supplier cross-docking
  • Distribution of goods
  • EWM opportunistic cross-docking (EWM triggers the process)
  • Push deployment
  • Picking from Goods Receipt (PFGR)

Your Benefits

  • Lower storage costs
  • Shorter delivery times
  • Reduction of inventory costs
  • Reduction of transport amount and frequency

The SERKEM solution in detail

In cross-docking, goods are moved directly from the receiving area to the shipping area in just one warehouse movement. No storage or picking steps are performed in between.

There are two basic types of cross-docking, both of which are supported in SAP EWM:

  • Planned Cross-Docking (CD):
    Here, the decision to use cross-docking is made before the goods arrive and are received into the warehouse.
  • Opportunistic Cross-Docking (CD):
    The decision to use cross-docking is made only after the goods have arrived in the warehouse and the receiving process has already started.

At a glance

Transport Cross Docking (TCD)

With TCD, the route determination in the goods issue process of an EWM warehouse determines whether cross-docking should be used in a subsequent warehouse.

  • Automatic start of the cross-docking process when cross-docking route is cheaper than a direct delivery to the goods recipient
  • Inventory posting to a special TCD storage location
  • Generation of a TCD delivery pair (supply + delivery) for the interim storage facility
  • Booking of the inventory when leaving the interim storage facility
  • Another cross-docking step possible at the end
  • Overview through cross-docking monitor

If the buyer of the goods is already fixed during distribution, the goods can be delivered directly to the customers through a distribution center via cross-docking.

  • Push/pull procedure for the continuous planning, control and handling of the goods flow
  • Single or multi-level distribution of the goods
  • Creation of inbound and outbound deliveries in SAP ERP, goods distribution in SAP EWM
  • Merchandise distribution cross-docking: Goods are transferred directly from goods receipt area to the goods issue area
  • Flow-through processes: Goods reach the goods issue area via a repacking zone, which is shown as a cross-docking storage type

The cross-docking process runs entirely in SAP EWM. If an EWM storage or picking warehouse task is created, EWM determines whether an opportunistic cross-docking should take place. This means that SAP EWM checks whether the inbound or outbound delivery order item is relevant for cross-docking.

You can activate this cross-docking procedure for the supply and delivery process separately at the warehouse or product level.

The integration in SAP ERP, SAP APO or SAP CRM is not required.

With Push Deployment, you can react quickly and flexibly to changes in demand and bottlenecks in your warehouses:

  • Execution of short-term stock transfers from one warehouse to another
  • Carrying out the storage of goods

Since push deployment is one of the unplanned cross-docking methods, you work with normal deliveries and start the normal goods receipt process.

EWM, SAP APO and SAP CRM must be used in the system landscape.

You can use PFGR to confirm a sales order that has not yet been confirmed by the ATP check. To do this, post the goods receipt for an inbound delivery:

  • Picking directly from the goods receipt area
  • Products are not stored, as is the case with a normal picking process

As an unplanned cross-docking method, you work with picking from goods receipt with normal deliveries and start the normal goods receipt process.

EWM, SAP APO and SAP CRM must be used in the system landscape.

  • Reduction of storage costs by avoiding the reservation of storage spaces
  • Shorter delivery times
  • Reduce transportation costs by consolidating storage and cross-docking materials in one shipment
  • Reduction of breakage and reworking by fewer work steps

Depending on the cross-docking method, different SAP components decide whether a cross-docking process is used:

CD-Typ Planned/Opportunistic Which Component Decides CD?
TCD Planned EWM route determination
Distribution of goods Planned SAP ERP
EWM-Opportunistic CD Opportunistic Generate EWM warehouse tasks
Push-Deployment Opportunistic Event Driven Quantity Assignment in SAP APO
PFGR Opportunistic EDQA in SAP APO

Extract from our References

Büroring eG

  • Purchasing, marketing, and service cooperative society of office supply retailers
  • Turnover: 206 Mio. € (2012)
  • Employees: 81 (2013)

Success Story Büroring

Logo Alzchem

AlzChem AG

  • Chemistry
  • Turnover: 295 Mio. €
  • Employees: 1.400

Success Story AlzChem

Further informationen

Downloads

SERKEM Success Story Büroring

SERKEM Success Story AlzChem