Mobile Data Entry 

Purpose

Currently, the work process in the warehouse is characterized by speed, reliability, and precision in processing individual goods movements. To make sure that work is performed efficiently and at a reasonable cost, the warehouse staff requires simple and easy-to-view control of each individual process. The radio frequency (RF) solution provides fast and error-free data communication through the use of mobile RF terminals. This, in turn, provides a high standard of quality.

The RF terminals receive data directly from the SAP System and transmit the results back to the system. You can scan the information that needs to be recorded, such as storage unit numbers, using a bar code (for example, based on UCC/EAN128 standards), and also use the bar code scan to verify the storage bins.

The display of information on the RF terminal is possible with a graphical user interface. You can execute the individual functions using pushbuttons on a touch screen. If you are using a character-based device, SAP provides a special, non-graphic user interface.

Integration

In handling unit-managed storage locations, the RF solution supports the movement of goods through the specification of the respective handling units. If you are working without handling unit-managed storage locations, you can work with handling units as up to now in the delivery and in the shipment. For more information, see Handling Unit Management.

Features

RF devices utilize the standard SAPGui (GUI = Graphical User Interface) screen management environment to interact with the users. The screens are designed for normal device functions, such as the use of pushbuttons and reduced screen size.

Currently, two device types are supported:

  1. GUI devices (with graphical user interface) that run on Windows 3.x/95
  2. Character devices (that is, character-based) under terminal emulation mode

The same set of screens is used by the GUI and character-based environments.

GUI Devices

These devices are connected to the SAP System just like any other client-dependent PC. The screens can be touch screens, using predefined pushbuttons, or they can operate using a keyboard. If you are using touch screens, you simply "touch" the appropriate positions on the touch screen instead of clicking with the mouse on a pushbutton.

System fonts and size should correspond to the guidelines provided in order to achieve optimal utilization of the screen size.

Character-Based Devices

These devices are linked to the system through an SAP standard interface called the SAPConsole. The SAPConsole operates on a Windows NT platform and interacts with the RF terminals connected to it. This concept is currently supported by the leading providers of RF terminals.

The actual communication between the SAPConsole and the terminals can be achieved either through the use of a standard Telnet server or through an optimized server that is provided by the RF terminal vendor. These specific I/O engines are integrated into the SAPConsole, which is based on the COM technology.

The following two industry standards for screen sizes are supported:

  1. Devices for forklifts: 8 lines by 40 characters each
  2. Portable handheld devices: 16 lines by 20 characters each

In addition, with user exits, you can define user-specific display sizes that allow every device type to be supported.

With all device types, navigation takes place through function codes that have to be defined on the keyboard.

Settings for Function Keys

Due to the character mode of the RF devices, pushbuttons must be used for all available functions. You should set up the RF device so that it corresponds to the standard function keys.

The standard layout of the RF screens is designed in such a way that the pushbuttons for the key functions are located in the upper half of the screen, while additional pushbuttons are set in the lower half of the screen.

The settings for the function keys are explained in the relevant sections.

Pushbutton Enter:

The above mentioned tables contain a Customizing proposal for the Enter pushbutton. For more information, see description in the Implementation Guide (IMG) Default Enter Function.

Supported pushbutton codes and the corresponding activity:

Function Code

Activity

PGDN

Proceed to next item

SAVE

Save

CMPL

Save and proceed to next screen

BACK

Go back to previous screen (only supported for source screens)

 

Flexibility of the RF Solution

Different user-specific application options are available in the Customizing application:

Integrated RF Solution Versus IDoc Solution

Radio Frequency

WM WCU / MM MOB

Integrated solution

Asynchronous solution

No middleware

Partner software

Immediate system response enables the user to react instantly

Entry control in the SAP System only possible with time delay

Latest functions available after each new release

Static solution

Standard screens can be customized

Dialogs can be customized individually using partner software

 

Since the RF solution is an integral part of the standard SAP System, you can access the RF transactions either directly through the SAP menu or from mobile data-entry devices (graphical and non-graphical). Generated information is available to the RF user immediately and transmitted back to the SAP database instantly.

User Management

Each RF user must be assigned to the following parameters, which have to be entered in the Customizing for Mobile Data Entry by choosing RF-Queue Management ® Assign Processor to Queues. The main screen, screen format, and screen variant can be changed during logon by the relevant user. To change the warehouse number and the queue, choose Internal Warehouse Processes ® Queue Change.

Menu Management

You can change the proposed RF Menu and adjust it according to your own preferences in Customizing for Mobile Data Entry by choosing Define Menu Management.

The menu paths in the respective chapters are valid only for the delivered RF Menu.

RF-Supported Processes

The RF solution guides the user through each activity that is executed in the warehouse. Limited information is displayed to the users, which they must then verify by scanning bar codes.

The following internal and external warehouse activities are supported by the RF connection:

For an overview of RF-supported handling unit processes, see also Radio Frequency.

Depending upon the required Customizing settings, the following rules apply:

The user assigned to a queue may only perform the activities allowed for this queue (for example, picking) if the access to transfer orders is limited.

Material picking and material transfer are confirmed in two separate steps, and the data is updated in the database after each of these physical steps. This forms the basis of the recovery functionality, that is, resuming the transaction or activity without loss of data.