At a time when companies around the world are faced with rising customer expectations, more complex supply chains, and the need for process automation, the SAP Sales and Distribution (SD) module is once again taking center stage in the ERP landscape. Especially in conjunction with SAP Extended Warehouse Management (EWM), SD is gaining increasing strategic relevance – not only as an operational sales tool, but also as the central interface between customer orders and the physical movement of goods.
What is SAP SD?
SAP SD (Sales and Distribution) maps the processes surrounding quotation creation, order entry, pricing, delivery, invoicing, and credit memos. It is therefore essential for the order-to-cash process and ensures that customer orders are smoothly transferred to delivery and billing.
The change: From classic order processing to process integration
Traditionally, SD was a self-contained module that interacted primarily with FI (financial accounting) and MM (materials management). However, with the introduction of SAP S/4HANAand the greater decoupling and integration of SAP EWM, the architecture is changing—and with it the role of SD in the overall structure.
Why is this important?
Sales processes no longer end with the creation of a delivery – they are directly integrated with logistics processes in the warehouse , which are managed in EWM. This makes SD the hub between customer requirements, availability checks (ATP), warehouse activities, and transport processing.
Practical example: Just-in-time delivery in the automotive industry
An international automotive supplier uses SAP SD to manage its customer orders, which often involve short, precisely timed delivery dates.
- Order entry in SD
An OEM orders bumper modules – the SD order contains specific materials, delivery schedules and customer-specific packaging specifications. - Delivery & EWM Integration
After the order is created, the delivery is automatically generated and transferred to SAP EWM. There, picking begins according to FIFO principles and in compliance with batch requirements. - Warehouse processes in EWM:
Warehouse personnel are controlled via mobile devices (RF/MDE). EWM organizes picking waves, creates handling units, and ensures punctual shipping. - Confirmation & Invoicing:
After successful goods dispatch, the confirmation is automatically sent to SD, which completes the delivery. The invoice is then created and sent to the customer.
Result: A fully integrated end-to-end process with real-time transparency – from order to delivery.
New requirements for consultants and key users
Increased integration requires not only technical expertise but also a process understanding across module boundaries. SD consultants today should also understand EWM processes , especially when it comes to delivery items , shipping activities, packing instructions , or transport planning .
Conclusion
SAP SD is no longer "just" a sales module – it is a central component in intelligent, end-to-end order and delivery processing. Combined with SAP EWM, it opens up new opportunities for automation, optimization, and customer focus. Anyone who wants to be successful in SAP projects today cannot avoid the close integration of both modules.
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