Show TOC

Handling Unit Management 

Use

You can use Handling Unit Management to depict a type of logistics management that is based on packaging in the SAP System. In this type of logistics, you focus on the movements of handling units (HUs) containing several materials, rather than tracing movements of the individual materials themselves. Basing logistics processes on handling units results in simplified processing of goods movements, which in turn optimizes processes in logistics. This simplified processing includes and enhances the packing function that already exists in shipping and storage unit processing in the Warehouse Management system.

Handling units are an expansion of the shipping unit concept in the system. Handling units can be nested in one another, making it possible to make a new handling unit from several other handling units whenever necessary. On the material-item level, the HU contains all material identification, the quantity and the object list (in the case of serial numbers). A handling unit has a unique, scannable identification number that can be formatted according to standards including but not limited to EAN 128, SSCC or VDA 4902.

Handling units contain all inventory information for the materials that are packed in them, including inventory management information, if the materials are managed with Inventory Management. Status messages indicate whether a handling unit is planned or notified, or if it is in the warehouse or has already been posted as goods issue. You can call up the status at any time. Additionally, the integrated history function records every business transaction in the handling unit's life cycle, meaning that any movements or development can always be monitored and analyzed as a unit.

Changes in Packing

You can use the packing function throughout the entire supply chain. A handling unit is an independent object, meaning that reference to another object in the system is no longer necessary. For more information, see Changes in the Packing Function.

HU Identification Using EAN128 and SSCC18

Assignment of HU identification is supported by an SSCC18. For more information, see Identification of Handling Units Belonging to UCC/EAN128 Standard Through SSCC/NVE.

Packing Instructions

You can use packing instructions to automate the packing process by defining how materials are to be packed. You can also determine several packing instructions for one material, depending on the processes involved. For more information, see Automatic Packing with Packing Instructions .

Inventory Management

At storage location level, you can choose between packed stock (HU-managed storage location) and stock that is not packed. Handling units have their own inventory management in HU-managed storage locations. For more information, see Handling Units in Inventory Management .

Warehouse Management System (WMS)

The storage unit in WMS is linked to the handling unit in that all storage-unit processes can also be executed by using handling units. Putaway and pick transfer orders operate on a handling unit basis in HU-managed storage locations. For more information, see Handling Unit Management in the Warehouse Management System.

Decentralized Warehouse Management System

If the warehouse and Inventory Management are in different systems, Handling Unit Management is found in the decentralized Warehouse Management system. Storage locations that are assigned decentrally-maintained warehouse numbers may not be flagged as HU-managed. Similarly, HU-managed storage locations cannot have decentrally-maintained warehouse numbers assigned to them. It is only possible to pack goods with decentralized warehouse management in the ERP system in the inbound delivery. You can display the current history of handling units that were created in inbound deliveries in the ERP system at any time in the ERP system. Outbound delivery items with HU-managed storage locations in a decentralized WM system cannot be packed in the ERP system.
You can use inspection lot processing in the goods receipt process of the ERP system by using Handling Unit Management in the decentralized WM system.

Radio Frequency Support for HU Processes

You can create and change handling units without object reference by using the Radio Frequency function. The radio frequency function can also be used to process transfer orders with handling units. For more information, see Radio Frequency Support for HU Processes .

Handling Units in Quality Management

In the goods receipt process, you can create inspection lots based on handling units before goods receipt is posted. The handling unit manages the inspection stock, lending flexibility to the operation. The inspection stock is also released based on handling units. For more information, see Handling Units in QM.

Handling Units Used in Production Orders

Handling Unit Management can be implemented for posting goods issue and goods receipt. For more information, see Handling Units in Production Orders .

Handling Units in Process Manufacturing: Material Identification

With the help of Handling Unit Management, the components that flow into production can be picked into handling units and then identified on the production line. Using this method, it is easier to follow the production process and verify where components were used in production.

For more information, see

Material Identification in Production .

Material Reconciliation

The material reconciliation function is especially significant in pharmaceutical production, because this function makes it possible to check the amounts of materials that were used in production. Material reconciliation allows the material components to be analyzed and verified after the production process has been completed. It also enables a comparison between the material quantity that was actually used in production and the planned quantity or the quantity in the material that was produced. The material reconciliation function can be implemented independently from Handling Unit Management. For more information, see Material Reconciliation.

Serial Numbers and Handling Units

Serialized handling-unit items have their own serial-number object list. This list is automatically transferred to the material document or delivery when a goods movement is posted. This increases data security since serial numbers do not need to be recorded several times in the supply chain. For more information, see Serial Numbers in Handling Units.

Effects on Existing Data

When you activate Handling Unit Management, you cannot convert existing shipping units into handling units. However, you can still process open deliveries with shipping units in the same way as before.

Effects on Data Transfer

Handling Unit Management allows you to transfer packing information out of your old system on the go-live date.

Effects on Customizing

To implement the Handling Unit Management functions, check and maintain all activities in the Handling Unit Management section of the Implementation Guide (IMG) that are relevant to your situation. You can activate and maintain each Handling Unit Management area individually, depending on the features of the functions you implement.

The following settings in the IMG are particularly important:

If you want to use handling units in the warehouse, make settings in the Warehouse Management section.

If you want to use handling units in production, maintain the relevant settings in the Production section.

If you have activated inspection lots for handling units in goods receipt in the material master, maintain allowed goods movements.

If you want to pack serialized materials, define serial number profiles.

If you want to create handling units using packing instructions, make settings in the Automatic Packing section.

See also

For more information about Handling Unit Management, consult the Handling Unit Management section of the SAP Library.