EWM – STO using same HU number

Yuri_Nogueira · ‎2025 Jun 10

INTRODUCTION
This guide will demonstrate how to configure the system to retain the same handling unit (HU) number during an STO process between two EWM storage locations. It does not cover the settings for the STO process itself.

PROCESS OVERVIEW
Let's consider a scenario with two warehouses where they use the same handling unit types in both warehouses and we want to maintain the same handling unit number during a transfer between plants using STO process. To achieve that we must maintain the same interval number for HU in both warehouses as we can see in the example below:

Note: The same interval number should be designated as internal in only one warehouse to prevent overlaps and issues. In all other warehouses, the same interval number must be set as external.

PROCESS FLOW

Create transfer PO in the receiving plant.
Create outbound delivery in VL10B for supplying plant.
Create WT, pick HU's, confirm with RF and execute PGI in supplying plant.
Inbound delivery is created through output type SPED with same HU numbers in the receiving plant.
Create WT and complete WH putaway process in receiving plant.

CUSTOMIZING
In this topic will be described the customizing to set up correctly the interval numbers to achieve the requirement. The settings regarding the STO process and the SPED output type could be found in the respective blogs below:

SAP Customizing Implementation Guide -> SCM Extended Warehouse Management -> Extended Warehouse Management -> Cross-Process Settings -> Handling Units -> External Identification -> Define Number Range for HU Identification

In the warehouse 1000 the range 00000000030000000000 00000000039999999999 is maintained as internal as we can see below:

On the other hand, at warehouse 1030 the same interval number is maintained as external as we can see:
Note: besides the interval, the "Number Range No." which has the value 01 must be the same! Otherwise, you will get errors in SMQ2 when the inbound delivery is distributed to the EWM.
SAP Customizing Implementation Guide -> SCM Extended Warehouse Management -> Extended Warehouse Management -> Cross-Process Settings -> Handling Units -> External Identification -> Assign Number Range Intervals to Packaging Material Types

In this customizing, ensure that the packing material types use the internal number range for their respective warehouses, as shown in the example below. When a handling unit is created in the warehouse, a new number will be assigned automatically.
SAP Customizing Implementation Guide -> SCM Extended Warehouse Management -> Extended Warehouse Management -> Goods Receipt Process -> Strategies -> Storage Bin Determination -> HU Types -> Define HU Types for Each Warehouse Number and Assign HU Type Group

In this customizing, ensure that the HU type is assigned to both warehouses.
SAP Customizing Implementation Guide -> SCM Extended Warehouse Management -> Extended Warehouse Management -> Goods Receipt Process -> Strategies -> Storage Bin Determination -> HU Types -> Define HU Types for Each Storage Type

In this customization, ensure that the HU type is assigned to the storage types where the handling units will be stored.
SAP Customizing Implementation Guide -> SCM Extended Warehouse Management -> Extended Warehouse Management -> Goods Receipt Process -> Strategies -> Storage Bin Determination -> HU Types -> Define HU Types for Each Storage Bin Type

In this customizing, ensure that the HU type is assigned to the appropriate storage bin types where the handling units will be stored.

TESTING
Stock transport order created from 1000 (supplying plant) to 1030 (receiving plant):

Outbound delivery order for the supplying plant created through VL10B:

Outbound process in EWM complete (Picking WT completed + PGI):

Handling Units picked in EWM were transferred to outbound delivery:

Note: for this example, we are using nested HU's.

Checking the SPED output type responsible for creating the inbound delivery at the receiving plant using the same HU numbers:

Now checking the flow document on the outbound delivery we can see the inbound delivery created:

In the inbound delivery at the receiving plant, the same nested HU was created using the same numbers from the supplying plant as follows:

Complete the WH putaway process in the receiving plant:

By checking the stock for the transferred handling units, we can see the stock in the receiving plant at warehouse 1030, using the same HU numbers as in the supplying plant:

CONCLUSION
The approach outlined in this blog demonstrates that it is possible to retain the same handling unit number during stock transfers between plants when using the STO process with output type SPED. This strategy enhances traceability and eliminates the need for re-labeling stock upon arrival at the receiving plant.

I try to make it simple, hope this guide helps you guys.

Best Regards,

Yuri Taranto
SAP EWM Consultant

AK100 · ‎2025 Jun 15

Thank you so much for sharing with us.