SAP EWM PPF (Post Processing Framework)

The SAP EWM PPF (Post Processing Framework) is a tool for the generic execution of functions and processes. It provides SAP Extended Warehouse Management (SAP EWM) a uniform interface for triggering actions, such as printing pallet labels, delivery docket, pick ticket, or sending messages or faxes. The actions are generated if specific conditions occur for an application document. The SAP EWM PPF additionally provides triggering automatic subsequent documents and workflows. There is a status management and a processing log for every action.

Components of SAP EWM PPF

The SAP EWM PPF has the following components:

Action Profile

An action profile in PPF contains several action definitions, and the required set up for all the definitions of actions in that profile. In SAP EWM, the action profile that is available in the application is either hard-coded in the system or determined via SAP EWM-owned customizing.

Action Definition

The action definition tells us about the content of an action. It is a function or a process that is scheduled for an application document under specific conditions and is started either immediately or later. The processing generates the desired output format such as print, email, or fax, or executes some program logic.

Processing Time

The processing of an action can take place at different times. It can be started as soon as an action is scheduled. However, it is also possible for the action to be only scheduled initially. Processing can then be started later through the background job. The PPF framework offers the following processing time:

• Immediate processing
• Processing when saving document
• Processing using selection report

Action Determination or Scheduling

The determination checks whether the conditions for scheduling the actions are valid. SAP EWM uses the scheduling called Business Add-Ins in the documentation of the PPF framework. This means that the action determination or scheduling condition is done according to the logic defined by SAP EWM application development.

Action Merging

Action merging is used to merge new actions or any actions in the action list which are not yet executed, according to specific criteria. Example: the data has changed, actions that were found when creating the document can be omitted and a new action is triggered.

Schedule Condition

In this case also if there are some scheduling condition, which is called to determine the execution of an action, then the system calls the PPF framework to check if the scheduling condition is fulfilled. If so, it schedules the execution of actions from the action profile. SAP EWM uses an application-specific logic to schedule actions.

The three steps for scheduling:

1. Check that the action makes sense from the business point of view. For example, schedule warehouse task creation only for items that are relevant for picking or putaway (and not for the irrelevant items).
2. Evaluate the respective customizing. For example, schedule automatic wave assignment for an outbound delivery order only when the warehouse process type is relevant for automatic wave assignment.
3. Evaluate condition records. SAP uses condition records to determine actions for processing when decisions about the execution of an action, need to be very flexible. For example, printing.

You can also see the scheduling conditions that are defined in customizing for Extended Warehouse Management under Cross-Process Settings-> Delivery Processing -> Actions -> Change Actions and Conditions ->Define Conditions.

The schedule condition checks the condition techniques in customization to schedule the execution of the PPF action.

Start Condition

The start condition is checked before the action is executed. The action is only executed when the start condition has been fulfilled. This is the condition that is checked if TU is locked or not. If not, then the action is executed, also.

SAP EWM PPF in Application

There are some common applications in EWM for which PPF actions are used:

• /SCDL/DELIVERY for all delivery-related actions;
• /SCWM/SHP_RCV for transportation units, vehicles, and doors;
• /SCWM/WME for core processes like warehouse orders, physical inventory, handling units, or value-added services;
• /SCTM/FOM for transportation management in SAP EWM.

SAP EWM PPF Action

For these applications, you can configure the action profile you want to use for your business process. In the customizing for the Post Processing Framework (PPF), you can choose one of the action profiles provided by SAP or create your action profile. For example, to process the action profile for a particular document type of outbound delivery, it has to be assigned to a document type in customization.

Action profile /SCWM/FDO_01 is assigned to document type OUTB. When you save a document with document type OUTB or FDO, the system calls the PPF framework to execute the actions from this action profile.

You can see the action profile in customizing for Extended Warehouse Management under Cross-Process Settings -> Delivery Processing ->Actions -> Change Actions and Conditions -> Define Action Profiles and Actions.

Steps in SAP EWM PPF Set-up

1. Configuration of Action definitions for each process under relevant action profile.
2. Configuration of conditions for WO, HU, Wave, Delivery Processes, etc.
3. Maintain condition records for each application and maintenance group through transaction code /N/SCWM/GCMC.
4. All in one place customizing and configuration PPF application through Tcode: SPPFCADM.
5. Monitor and execute PPF actions through SPPFP transaction code or use program “RSPPFPROCESS” to setup background jobs to run PPF actions.

Example of HU Label Printing Through PPF

In order to print the HU label through PPF, the following set up is required:

1. Application /SCWM/WME in transaction SPPFCADM.
2. Select Action Profile /SCWM/HU.
3. Select Action Definition HU_LABEL.
4. Maintain Condition Record in transaction /N/SCWM/GCMC with above action definition.
5. Print the HU label either manually through /SCWM/Mon or automatically or through RF after the HU number is generated.

Final Notes

It can be concluded that the SAP EWM PPF is a tool for scheduling and monitoring actions like printing, email, fax, workflows, etc. Action determination and processing can be done either automatically or by scheduling a job. This is like the NACE functionality in ERP, which is used to trigger the program and forms to execute any action in an application. Similarly, in EWM, the PPF plays that role but in a greater aspect.

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