SAP EWM VAS (Value-Added Services)

The Value-Added Service (VAS) in SAP EWM enhances the product value in the warehouse by special processing such as packing, polishing, labeling, kitting, assembling, etc. VAS activities can be performed in the goods receipt or goods issue process. In the inbound process of goods receipt, products go through the VAS process after unloading and before the final putaway into the destination bin. In the outbound process of goods issue, the products are picked from the warehouse bin and moved into the VAS workstation for special packing/assembling as per the customer’s requirement before moving in the outbound staging area. The VAS process step is an interim step that is executed with Process-Oriented Storage Control (POSC) in both inbound and outbound processes.

Performing Value Added Services

The VAS activities are performed at a special work center that is created for these activities. In order to execute the VAS process, a VAS order is created regarding delivery and a packaging specification. The VAS order is an instruction to perform these services and links the delivery items to a packing instruction. With reference to the VAS orders, the warehouse operators will know exactly what special processes are required to be performed on the products. The VAS order consists of an order header, activities to be performed, items, and auxiliary products.

SAP EWM VAS Process

VAS processes can be used in the Inbound or Outbound process. This can also be used in the kitting process to assemble the kits at the workstation. The pre-requisites for the VAS order creation are the packaging specification and Inbound/Outbound delivery. The VAS orders can be created automatically or manually based on the configuration set up in POSC, but they can also be used without POSC.

The various ways through which Value-Added Services are performed in the inbound or outbound process are explained below:

1. SAP EWM VAS with Inbound POSC

After the goods are received in the staging area in the Inbound process with POSC, the pallets are moved into the VAS workstation where special processes are executed on the pallets. After completion of this step, the pallets are then moved into the destination bin in the warehouse. The steps sequence in this process are as follows:

• Purchase Order is created in the ERP.
• Inbound delivery is created in the ERP.
• Inbound delivery is generated in the EWM.
• The system determines the packaging specification for each item of the inbound delivery.
• The VAS order is created either manually or automatically with reference to inbound delivery and packaging specification.
• HU warehouse tasks are created with the destination as a VAS workstation.
• VAS activities are performed in the workstation.
• Pallets moved to the destination bin in the warehouse.

2. SAP EWM VAS with Outbound POSC

After the goods are picked from the warehouse bin in the outbound process with POSC, the pallets are moved into the VAS workstation where special processes are executed on the pallets. After completion of this step, the pallets are moved into the outbound staging area from where it is loaded into the TU and shipped to a customer. The sequence of the steps in this process are as follows:

• Sales Order is created in the ERP.
• Outbound Delivery is created in the ERP.
• Outbound Delivery Order is generated in the EWM.
• The system determines the packaging specification for each item of the outbound delivery.
• The VAS order is created either manually or automatically with reference to outbound delivery and packaging specification.
• HU warehouse tasks are created with the destination as a VAS workstation.
• VAS activities are performed in the workstation.
• Pallets are moved to the outbound staging area.
• Loading and PGI completed for the outbound delivery order.

3. SAP EWM VAS without POSC but with Process Step in Inbound or Outbound Process

If the POSC is not in the scope and VAS is performed just as a process step, then the following will be the sequence of the steps:

• VAS order is created based on the inbound or outbound delivery order.
• Packaging Specification is determined for each delivery line item.
• Product warehouse tasks are created with the destination as a VAS workstation.
• For each VAS process, the product warehouse tasks are created from one VAS workstation to another.
• After all the VAS processes are completed, the products are moved to the warehouse bin in case of inbound processes and moved to the staging area in case of outbound processes.

4. SAP EWM VAS without POSC and Process Step

If the POSC and Process Steps are not in scope, then the following will be the sequence of the steps in VAS order.

• VAS order is created based on the inbound or outbound delivery order.
• Packaging Specification is determined for each delivery line item.
• The VAS order is printed, and VAS activities are manually performed in the VAS workstation.
• After the VAS processes are completed, the warehouse operator enters a confirmation in the system.
• The products are moved to the warehouse bin in case of inbound process and moved to the staging area in case of outbound process.

Auxiliary Product Consumption Posting and Quantity Determination

Auxiliary products are the ones specifically used for the VAS activities. These auxiliary products are consumed during the VAS process and these consumptions – in what quantities – are to be recorded. The system automatically determines the quantities based on the quantity ratio maintained in the packaging specification of the product undergoing the VAS process. This can also be entered manually and in case of additional unplanned consumption, we can also overwrite the quantity which is automatically determined.

The following settings are required for Auxiliary Product Consumption posting:

• Consumption relevant for VAS indicatory is checked in the storage data view of the product master for the product being consumed.
• The storage bin where auxiliary product stocks are stored is assigned to the VAS workstation.
• Packaging Specification is maintained and that auxiliary packaging material is assigned to a level.

VAS Transactions in SAP EWM

The following transactions in SAP EWM are relevant for the VAS process:

• /SCWM/VAS_I – VAS for Good Receipt Process
• /SCWM/VAS_O – VAS for Good Issue Process
• /SCWM/VAS_INT – VAS for internal warehouse process
• /SCWM/VAS_KTR – VAS for Reverse Kitting
• /SCWM/VAS_KTS – VAS for Kit creation on stock
• /SCWM/PACKSPEC – Packaging Specification

Conclusion

The VAS process in the SAP EWM application allows warehouse employees to perform special operations on pallets or products, and to record consumption of the auxiliary as explained in the document. With this, it makes it easier to apply oiling, polishing, labeling, etc., on the packed pallets as per customer requirements and to track the inventory of auxiliary. This document has explained the different ways through which the VAS process can be used in SAP EWM. Based on business processes and requirements, we have options to implement the best possible solution.
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