By default, SAP delivers its Extended Warehouse Management (EWM) with its RF Framework for mobile data entry. In doing so, SAP follows its well-known pragmatic and functional-first approach. While mobile processes can be handled on a mobile device, a modern user experience is often neglected.
A modern user experience shouldn't be neglected
Mobile Data Entry with the Radio Frequency Framework
SAP's RF Framework uses established SAP technologies to support mobile processes in warehouse and production logistics. Fundamentally, these technologies serve their purpose, though users must accept certain limitations regarding performance and user-friendliness.
The RF Framework is Not Very User-Oriented
- SAP provides extensive standard processes with the RF Framework, however, customizing them within the framework is comparatively complex.
- The standard RF transactions display a great deal of information on the mobile screen, the sheer volume of which is unnecessary in many MDE projects.
- The usability has several weaknesses: Input screens are sometimes very cluttered. Label texts are very short and often not intuitive for the average warehouse employee. Some fields, for example, for Handling Units, are displayed too short on the mobile screen, meaning the last digits are not visible. There are no informational texts to guide the user.
ITSmobile is No Longer Up-to-Date
- The RF Framework is based on ITSmobile. This standard SAP technology is future-proof because it can also be used under S/4HANA. However, it exhibits functional weaknesses.
- For example, a camera cannot be integrated into mobile processes.
- During WLAN interruptions, the mobile application experiences session losses, which results in the loss of entered data. When this happens repeatedly, it often leads to decreasing acceptance of the MDE solution among warehouse employees.
Is UI Optimization Possible with Fiori?
- It is possible to equip RF transactions with SAP Fiori interfaces, which makes the user interface more user-friendly.
- At the same time, the performance of the mobile solution can suffer, as large volumes of data are typically transmitted. This causes noticeable latencies, especially during a global rollout for plants that are located far from the SAP system.
Native Android-Based EWM Apps as an Alternative Solution
As an alternative to the RF Framework, native app solutions that communicate directly with SAP and EWM can be used for SAP EWM-based logistics processes. These solutions are either based on the standard RF transactions or are tailored from the outset to the company's specific logistics processes.
This last point, in particular, plays a crucial role in practice on the shop floor or in the warehouse: To map optimal processes, the efficiency of your EWM-managed processes must also be reflected in the MDE solution. This means having individualized input sequences and interfaces that are designed to be user-oriented and focused on each specific process.
User-Friendly Mobile EWM Solutions Are Possible
In the EWM context, user-orientation means that proven mobile operating concepts from the consumer world are also applied in a warehouse setting:
- Input screens are reduced to the essentials.
- Users are guided through processes with informational prompts.
- Intuitive and unambiguous labels help to create order..
- Barcode scans only populate their designated fields.
- Flexible use of hardware peripherals such as the camera, NFC, or RFID within the process context.
- Use of in-app plausibility checks to ensure correct data entry.
Conclusion
Ultimately, mobile data entry with SAP EWM should enable efficient processes. This includes achieving an optimal "translation" of EWM processes into mobile processes. Furthermore, the goal should be to implement a solution that can be operated intuitively and even with "fun" by warehouse employees, without requiring training. Last but not least, an MDE solution must also be high-performance, especially in a global deployment, in order to meet the requirements for optimal logistics processes.
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