SU-managed bulk storage is defined as a bulk storage area in which stock is managed at the storage unit level. In bulk storage, several storage units fit into a single storage bin (one row in a block of rows).

Why use SU-managed bulk storage?

• The goods receipt date can be managed at the storage unit level.

• You can pick storage units from bulk storage containing materials that belong to more than one batch.

• It is not possible to determine the storage unit until confirmation.

In SU-managed bulk storage, you can:

• Manage partial quantities

• Manage all combinations of mixed storage

• Store both homogeneous and mixed storage units in a storage bin
• Allow mixed storage without any restrictions whatsoever

• Select preferences when storing materials in bulk storage that:

• Forbid mixed storage entirely (only one material number and storage units with only one quant is allowed)
• Allow several materials in a storage bin, but only one material on an individual storage unit with different batches
• Allow only one material in a storage bin, but with different baches in both the bin and in the storage unit
• Allow only one material number in a storage bin with different batches, but with only one batch in a storage unit

These features can be selected in Customizing when you define the parameters for SU Management.

The figure below illustrates an SU-managed bulk storage area with storage bins that are occupied.

One of the primary characteristics of SU-managed bulk storage is that the system does not keep a record of the exact location of a particular storage unit in a bin. Because of this, the system does not know which storage units are located in the "front" of a bin making them accessible for picking.

For stock removals, this characteristic presents a problem. Since the system does not have a record of the actual structure of the storage units in a block, it cannot recommend specific storage units for order picking.

Consequently, a stock removal is initially "neutral" as far as storage units are concerned. When you create a transfer order, there can be no reference to specific storage unit numbers, because the system cannot identify which storage units are picked until they are physically removed from a storage bin. The SU numbers that you select must then be communicated to the system when you confirm the transfer orders. Afterwards, the system can make the appropriate updates.