Travel Distance Calculation 

Purpose

The travel distance calculation calculates the travel distance that a warehouse worker must travel to execute a warehouse order.

There are two types of network:

●      Storage-type-specific networks, which you define for each storage type. These comprise the following:

○       Edges that correspond to the aisles of a storage type

○       Edges that connect these aisles to each other

●      Global network that connects the storage-type-specific networks to each other.

You create both of these networks in the Settings for the Travel Distance Calculation. You can also generate storage-type-specific networks using the program Generate Network.

In addition to calculating the travel distance, the system determines the time required by a worker to execute the warehouse order, depending on the speed of the resource used.

Integration

The result of the travel distance calculation is used for:

●      Planning the workers, if you have activated Labor Management (LM).

●      Calculating engineered labor standards (ELS), if you have activated LM.

●      Calculating the latest start time for a warehouse order.

Features

If you want to use the travel distance calculation, you have to configure it. On the SAP Easy Access screen, choose Extended Warehouse Management ® Settings ® Travel Distance Calculation ® Settings for the Travel Distance Calculation.

●      Direct distance

The system calculates the travel distance using the direct distance, based either on the Euclidean or Manhattan Metric.

The figure below shows the direct distance between two storage bins of a storage type. The solid line corresponds to the Euclidean metric, the dotted line represents the Manhattan metric.

●      Distance based on networks

The travel distance calculation can also be based on an existing valid network. The valid routes represent the edges.

The figure below shows the distance between two storage bins of a storage type. The resource moves across the valid routes.

●      The system calculates the travel distance needed to execute a warehouse order more than once, namely when:

○       Creating a warehouse order for planning purposes

○       Confirming a warehouse order for evaluation purposes

Only when confirming is the system able to access more detailed information, as only then is the executing resource known. The following information is then available:

○       Speed of the resource

○       Last position of the resource prior to executing the warehouse order

○       The route network allowed for the resource, if available

When calculating the distance while creating the warehouse order, the system estimates the following values:

○       For the speed, the system uses the speed of the slowest resource (pessimistic approach).

○       Instead of the known position of the resource, a default distance to be covered in order to reach the first position in a storage type is specified.

○       The route network used (if available) contains all defined routes without resource type restrictions.

●      The system saves the result of the travel distance calculation in the planned and executed workload, if Labor Management (LM) is activated.