A Handling Unit (HU) represents a packaging unit that can consist of one or more items,
typically packed into a box, pallet, or container.
In EWM, Handling Units are used to track and manage goods throughout the supply chain,
from receipt to shipping, and they play an essential role in efficient warehouse
management. Handling Units provide an accurate and detailed way of managing inventory
and logistics operations in SAP EWM.
Key Concepts in Handling Unit (HU) Management
Handling Unit (HU): A physical unit containing materials. Each HU is identified by a unique
number (Handling Unit Number or HU number) and can contain one or multiple materials or
articles.
Handling Unit Types: This refers to the types of packaging or containers used to group
materials together for storage, handling, and transport. Examples include pallets, boxes, or
crates.
Packaging: Refers to the process of grouping materials into handling units. The packaging
process can involve creating handling units based on predefined packaging materials or as
part of the warehouse operations.
Packing: The process of placing materials into handling units. In SAP EWM, packing can be
either manual or automated. Packing materials are typically associated with specific
packaging materials, and each material is assigned a packaging specification.
Handling Unit Number (HU Number): A unique identifier for each handling unit. It is used
for tracking and identifying the physical container that holds the materials in the warehouse
and during transportation.
Functions of HU Management in EWM
Creation of Handling Units:
Manual HU Creation: HUs can be manually created when goods are packed. For example,
when receiving goods, you can create an HU to represent the container or pallet that holds
those goods.
Automatic HU Creation: HUs can also be created automatically during inbound or
outbound processes using system rules for packaging materials.
Packaging Specifications:
Packaging Material: Defines what type of packaging is used for the goods. Each material
may have one or more packaging specifications.
Pack Material Determination: The system determines which packaging material to use
based on predefined rules during the packing process.
Tracking and Managing HUs:
HU Status: Handling Units have statuses that track their progress through the warehouse
and logistics processes (e.g., "Packed", "Shipped", "In Transit").
HU Movement: The movement of Handling Units can be tracked as they move through
different storage areas, from receiving to putaway, picking, or shipping.
Inventory and Stock Management:
Stock in Handling Units: Stock in HUs is considered as a single unit, making it easier to
track materials and movements. The stock in each HU is tracked separately in EWM, and the
system can track both the content and the physical location of the HU.
Inventory Management: Handling Units allow for more precise inventory management, as
each HU can be counted and tracked individually, even if it contains multiple materials.
Shipping and Delivery:
Handling Unit Assignment to Outbound Deliveries: During the shipping process, HUs
are assigned to outbound deliveries. This helps in better management of shipments,
ensuring that all items in the delivery are correctly packed and identified.
Shipping Notifications: The system can generate shipping notifications for each handling
unit that is part of the delivery, improving the accuracy of the shipment process.
Managing Handling Units in EWM
The following steps are typically involved in the management of Handling Units in EWM:
1. Receiving Goods into the Warehouse (Goods Receipt - GR)
When goods arrive at the warehouse, the first step is to create handling units.
You can manually pack goods into handling units or let the system determine and create the
handling units automatically based on predefined packing specifications.
Handling Unit Management will allow you to track the receipt of each handling unit.
2. Packing Materials into Handling Units
After the goods are received, packaging them into handling units is the next step. The
packing process in EWM can be:
Manual Packing: Warehouse employees manually pack goods into a handling unit and
record it in the system.
Automatic Packing: The system can automatically assign items to handling units based on
packing instructions or predefined packaging rules.
3. Putaway of Handling Units
The putaway process is where the handling units are moved to their respective storage bins.
The system checks the available storage locations and, based on the defined putaway
strategy, determines where each handling unit should be stored.
4. Picking of Handling Units
When an order is created for shipping, the system uses the Handling Unit Number (HU) to
identify the correct items for picking.
Picking is done by HU, and it is often easier to manage since the HU already has all the
materials packed together.
5. Shipping Handling Units
After picking, the handling units are prepared for shipping. The HU is assigned to the
outbound delivery and can be tracked through shipping.
Once shipped, the system updates the HU status to reflect its movement (e.g., "Shipped").
Key Functions for Handling Unit Management in EWM
Display and Monitor HUs:
You can display and monitor the status of handling units using transaction /SCWM/HU
(Handling Unit Management).
This allows you to track HUs, check their contents, status, location, and movements
throughout the warehouse.
HU Monitoring:
You can view the movement of HUs from one location to another, including during putaway,
picking, and shipping.
You can also track the HU’s progress along its journey from warehouse receipt to dispatch.
Handling Unit Search:
The system provides functionalities to search for handling units based on various criteria
such as HU number, material, status, etc. This helps warehouse personnel locate specific
units more quickly.
HU Barcode Scanning and RFID:
Handling Units in SAP EWM are often tracked using barcodes or RFID tags, which can be
scanned during the packing, shipping, or other warehouse processes.
This enables real-time updates and reduces errors during the handling process.
Handling Unit Configurations
The configuration of Handling Units in SAP EWM is usually done during system setup. The
main areas for configuration include:
Defining Handling Unit Types:
Handling Unit Types are defined to classify different types of packaging materials, such as
pallets, boxes, and containers.
These types can be linked to packaging materials and used for packing during the inbound
and outbound processes.
Packaging Specifications:
You can configure packaging specifications that define how materials should be packed
into handling units (e.g., maximum number of items per pallet, weight restrictions, etc.).
These specifications help the system automatically determine the correct packaging
material and packing instructions.
Handling Unit Creation Rules:
The rules for automatically creating handling units during inbound or outbound processes
can be configured in EWM. This includes defining whether HU creation is automatic or
manual and specifying the conditions for creating HUs.
Integration with SAP ERP:
Handling Unit Management is integrated with SAP ERP, allowing the system to exchange
HU data, such as shipping notifications and tracking information, between the warehouse
and the enterprise resource planning system.
Benefits of Handling Unit (HU) Management in EWM
Improved Visibility and Tracking: HUs provide clear tracking of goods through the
warehouse and along the supply chain, improving visibility and transparency of inventory
movements.
Better Inventory Management: By managing materials at the HU level, you can track the
status and location of goods more accurately, ensuring better control of stock levels.
Efficient Warehouse Operations: Using HUs reduces the complexity of managing
individual items, allowing warehouse staff to handle bulk materials more easily.
Optimized Shipping: HUs are crucial for organizing goods for shipping, ensuring that the
correct quantities and materials are dispatched, reducing errors and improving customer
satisfaction.
Reduction in Errors: By using HUs with barcode or RFID tracking, you can significantly
reduce the chance of picking, packing, or shipping errors.
Conclusion
Handling Unit (HU) Management in SAP EWM is an essential process for efficiently
managing and tracking materials in the warehouse. It allows you to handle physical goods in
a way that improves the accuracy of stock management, optimizes space utilization, and
enhances shipping and receiving processes.
Handling Unit (HU) Scenarios in SAP EWM
Handling Units (HUs) in SAP Extended Warehouse Management (EWM) are used to
represent physical packaging units like pallets, cartons, crates, etc., that contain stock.
HU management enables full traceability, efficient stock handling, and packaging
logic throughout warehouse processes.
Below are some realistic HU scenarios in EWM across inbound, outbound, and internal
warehouse operations:
1. Inbound HU Scenario – GR with HU
Business Case: Vendor delivers goods on pallets (pre-packed HUs). These HUs need to be
scanned, received, and stored.
Steps:
1. Vendor sends Advanced Shipping Notification (ASN).
2. Goods arrive already packed in HUs.
3. At Goods Receipt:
HUs are scanned and automatically created in EWM.
If HU is known (e.g., SSCC provided), it's recognized and tracked.
Based on POSC, HUs may go through:
Deconsolidation
Quality Inspection
HUs are put away into storage bins.
Value:
Speeds up receiving
Ensures packing information is retained for later use
2. Outbound HU Scenario – Picking and Packing into HUs
Business Case: Customer order requires goods to be picked and packed into cartons (HUs)
for delivery.
Steps:
1. Outbound delivery is created.
2. System generates warehouse tasks for picking.
3. Picked stock is moved to packing work center.
4. HUs (cartons/pallets) are created and assigned to delivery.
5. Packed HUs are moved to shipping area.
6. Final loading and goods issue.
Value:
Optimized packing process
Full traceability of packed HUs during transport
3. Internal HU Transfer – Bin-to-Bin Movement
Business Case: Warehouse worker moves an HU from one bin to another, for example, due
to space reallocation or replenishment.
Steps:
1. HU located in Bin A.
2. Transfer order created (manual or system-triggered).
3. HU scanned and moved to Bin B.
4. System updates HU location.
Value:
Efficient internal movements
Accurate bin-level tracking
4. HU Scenario in Quality Inspection
Business Case: Goods are received and need to go through quality checks while staying
within HUs.
Steps:
1. HUs received and moved to Quality Inspection area.
2. Quality Inspection is performed per HU or per product.
3. Based on result:
HU is moved to final bin (accepted)
HU is moved to scrap or blocked stock (rejected)
Value:
Batch- and HU-level inspection management
Controlled handling of defective goods
5. Repacking Scenario – HU to HU Transfer
Business Case: Large HU (e.g., pallet) needs to be broken into smaller HUs (e.g., cartons)
for partial shipment.
Steps:
Existing HU is opened.
Contents are repacked into multiple smaller HUs.
Each new HU gets a new HU number.
Repacked HUs are shipped, while remaining stay in storage.
Value:
Flexibility in managing customer-specific packaging
Improved logistics control
6. Kit-to-Stock or Kit-to-Order – HUs in VAS
Business Case: Assemble multiple products into a kit HU before shipment.
Steps:
Kit components picked to VAS work center.
1. Items packed into a new HU (kit).
2. HU labeled and moved to shipping.
3. Delivered as one package.
🔹 Value:
Efficient execution of value-added services
Ready-to-ship units improve speed
Key Features Enabled by HU in EWM:
Feature Benefit
HU Numbering (SSCC) Globally unique ID for traceability
Multi-level HUs (nested
Pallets > Cartons > Inner packs
HUs)
RF / Barcode Scanning Fast and accurate handling
Location, status, contents at all
Stock Tracking by HU
times
E.g., “Planned”, “In Transit”,
HU Status Control
“Blocked”
