BARCODE / RFID Logistic Process

To automate the warehouse operations, improve efficiency and reduce manual operations.  Currently,  the  work  process  in  the  warehouse  is  characterized  by  speed,  reliability,  and precision  in  processing  individual  goods movements. To make  sure  that work  is  performed efficiently  and  at  a  reasonable  cost,  the warehouse  staff  requires  simple  and  easy-to-view control of each individual process. The radio frequency (RF) solution provides fast and error free data communication through the use of mobile RF terminals. This, in turn, provides a high standard of quality.

The RF terminals receive data directly from the SAP System and transmit the results back to
the system. You  can  scan  the  information  that needs  to  be  recorded,  such  as  storage  unit numbers, using a bar code (for example, based on UCC/EAN128 standards), and also use the bar code scan to verify the storage bins.  

The display of information on the RF terminal is possible with a graphical user interface. You
can execute the individual functions using pushbuttons on a touch screen.

GUI Device

These devices are connected to the SAP System just like any other client-dependent PC. The
screens  can  be  touch  screens,  using  predefined  pushbuttons,  or  they  can  operate  using  a keyboard. If you are using touch screens, you simply "touch" the appropriate positions on the touch screen instead of double-clicking with the mouse on a pushbutton.

System  fonts  and  size  should  correspond  to  the  guidelines  provided  in  order  to  achieve optimal utilization of the screen size.

Architecture

The ITS template generator is a more recent offering, released throughout 2007 inside various support packs associated with different SAP versions. It is a utility within the ABAP development workbench (SE80) that basically converts ABAP-based screens (Dynpros) into HTML based screens, which are then accessed by mobile users connecting through ITS. As screen generation occurs at design time, the ability of enhancing the ITS screens to suit different circumstances is possible and even encouraged.

Solution Architecture

•    Mobile devices running a client browser connect directly to SAP NetWeaver server via ICM (Internet Communication Manager).

•    HTML over HTTP/HTTPS

•    Options for redundancy and load balancing.

Solution Profile

Replacement for WebSAPConsole
Any web-based application
Recent offering, built on mature ITS platform
ABAP and HTML
Fulfills both global or local strategies
Solution Maturity

•    The ITS technology has been in use for many years (~1998), but only recently became part of the SAP kernel (~2004).

•    ITSMobile, the concept of using ITS as a platform on which to create applications for mobile devices was formally introduced in 2007.

Solution Availability & Support

Integrated ITS (SAP NetWeaver 6.40 and above) is considered part of the SAP kernel and thus can be viewed as being supported in perpetuity.

Application Platforms

•    SAP NetWeaver 7.0 from SAP Basis 7.00 SP11
•    SAP NetWeaver 2004 from SAP Basis 6.40 SP21

*Note: Integrated ITS information only

Device Compatibility

Any device with an HTML browser is supported

Note: The caveat to this statement is that the world of graphical devices and associated browsers change at a rapid pace – hence there will ALWAYS be some tweaking required to make a device work.

User Interface & Ease of Use

•    Browser-based interface.
•    Potential to make UI simple or too complex
•    Screen navigation supports both function key and touch screen input
•    UI enhancements possible.

Development environment

•    All development done in ABAP Workbench (ABAP and HTML editors).
•    Primary programming language is ABAP, although development could also be HTML-based. All conversion to HTML is done at design time in ABAP Workbench.

Extensibility & Scalability

•    ITSMobile offers the most flexibility, as it is the most open environment in which to create extensions that can be used to resolve different types of data collection or user challenges.
•    Full control over screen conversion process allows for advanced capabilities and device support.
•    ITS was designed to handle a large number of user connections.

Security

•    Supports standard SAP Logon via logon screen
•    Since ITS is integrated in the SAP NetWeaver Application Server, features like Single Sign On (SSO2) and connection encryption (SSL, SNC) are provided by the application server.

Performance

•    ITSMobile performance is primarily dependant on the ITS core engine and the SAP backend system where the ABAP/HTML program is running.
•    In general, it is doubtful that users will notice any significant difference from SAPConsole – otherwise something is setup incorrectly

Solution Complexity

•    ITSMobile should be considered a solution of medium complexity.
•    ITSMobile has the fewest “moving parts” (e.g. no extra server).
•    The open architecture offers the potential to become quite complex due to customization.

Run-time Operation

•    Run-time settings for core ITS that affects memory consumption and other application behavior.
•    Run-time monitor for viewing and manipulating ITS connections
•    All run-time settings located in SAP NetWeaver
•    Potential for core ITS optimization conflicts when managing both mobile and non-mobile users.

Limitations

•    Load balancing not trivial
•    No standard support for device function keys, scanner, field control, local printing, etc.
•    Advanced capabilities requires knowledge of Jscript
•    Limited history as industrial data collection solution

Advantages

ITSmobile is a new superior solution for bringing SAP screens to mobile devices and replaces
WebSAPConsole. It provides the following advantages:
Fully integrated with SAP Netweaver 2004 and above
No  additional  server  required  as  with  WebSAPConsole  leading  to  reduced  total  cost  of ownership (TCO)
Easy customization of any SAP screens is possible with ITS templates in ABAP Workbench to meet customer requirements on mobile devices
Doesn’t require Mobile Infrastructure which requires specific license

Key Benefits of Adopting ITSMobile

Since ITSMobile calls the underlying transactions from core ECC 6.0 and hence all features /
properties of ECC are inherited i.e.

•    Scalability
•    Platform and database independence
•    ABAP workbench (ABAP language, ABAP dictionary, debugging tools)
•    Lock management
•    Update task management
•    Touch screen capabilities for windows Mobile and CE-based devices
•    User management and authorization concept
•    Workflow
•    Change and Transport System
•    Database buffering

Functionality

>    Goods Receipt

>    Inbound Delivery

>    Outbound Delivery

>    Goods Issue

>    Put away

>    Picking / Replenishment

>    Interleaving

>    Packing and Unpacking

>    Inventory Counting

>    Loading and Unloading

>    Shop Floor Process

Additional Features:

>    Task and Resource Management

>    With handling Unit / Without Handling Unit

>    Queue Management

>    Serialization

>    Partial Confirmation of Transfer Orders

>    Cross-Docking
>    Multi User Processing of SAP Documents

>    Inventory Management processes


Sample Screens: Logon Screen


            

Transaction Screen: Inbound Process