When to implement Handling Units and at what level?

[Former Member]

Hi Experts,

We are in a pre-blueprint phase, trying to decide if we need HU at our plant. This is my first time with HU's, I understand how HU/packaging works but am still looking for some answers.

1. Based on what factors do we decide to implement HUM at a facility? We have batches of materials going into the same boxes. Its a large facility with usually whole boxes being shipped or received (no individual pieces movement). Also we are going to have full blown SAP WM here.

2. What is the difference between Handling Units and Handling Unit Management? I know the movement of HUs is tracked and known as HUM...but can HUs exist without HUM?

3. I see HUs at shipment and delivery level. Whats the pros and cons of each method? Also I read about implementing HU at warehouse level in contrast to at delivery level

I am not looking for configuration details, just a high level understanding of how HUs work. I would really appreciate if you could share a couple of lines about HU with me.

Regards,

Vik

[csaba_szommer · Accepted solution]

Hi Vik,

1)

If you have WM and you manage goods in boxes it is not a reason to implement HUM. Please consider that you can also use SUM (storage unit management) to handle goods in boxes rather than quants (not full box quantities)

You can use handling units:

- if you want to map packaging process in SAP

- if your customers have different requirements concerning packaging > you can create suitable pckaging instructions

- technical reason (manage packaging material stock - but please notice that it is also possible w/o HUM)

- you want to track the HU through the logistics process

(these are just my ideas...)

http://help.sap.com/erp2005_ehp_04/helpdata/EN/c8/a44b749f3211d2858d0000e81ddea0/frameset.htm

2)

Handling unit is used in handling unit management, such as storage unit is used in storage unit management, so your question makes no sense I think.

(handling unit is an object in SAP and HUM is to manage these objects)

3)

You can decide in which phase of the logistics process you use HU. You can use them in procurement (inbound deliveries, production) also.

So, you can store HUs in your SLoc / warehous but you can also decide to use HUs only for outbound deliveries. This may depend on the physical process (when HUs are really created physically) or it may depend on practical reasons (e.g. it is not necessary to manage the HUs in WH, it is enough to create them in outbound deliveries).

Just some ideas...as my handling unit knowledge is shamefully poor I hope HUM experts will give you more exact answers.

Regards,

Csaba

[Former Member · Accepted solution]

Prashant and Csaba,

I really appreciate the responses...it does the make the whole concept a lot clearer to me but a few concerns

1. I understand HUM is used to track down materials based on their packaging in their warehouses, but why do I see some examples with HUs on the shipment while some on the deliveries....I observe its only at one place. Is there a specific reason for that, any advantages/disadvantages of making HUs at each level?

2. The note on segregation of HUs for production and outbound delivery really helped me understand the business process here. I see at the plant, they use packaging with labels (from a legacy system) in both the processes. What I can't come to terms with is, do we really need HU for this...or is it something that can be handled by batch management and Storage Unit Management. Can you help me in that perspective, like in what case SUM/batch management would be enough and when do we propose HUM.

Sorry if I am just repeating the questions...just trying to get a better grasp of the process.

[Former Member · Accepted solution]

Hi Vik

This is Venkat..

Please find my comments below..

1. I understand HUM is used to track down materials based on their packaging in their warehouses,but why do I see some examples with HUs on the shipment while some on the deliveries....I observe its only at one place. Is there a specific reason for that, any advantages/disadvantages of making HUs at each level?

> yes it is originally created only at one place and it is at delivery level and the same is carried forward to shipment.

> HU numbers will be created basically during packing process at every delivery level because in principle you pack your materials or consignments only after picking/post goods issue.

> of course if picking and packing is not confirmed,till then you will not be able to book your invoice.this ensures that you would have picked/packed materials before invoicing.

> The difference between SUM and HUM is that you can merge the sub-HU's but you cannot do the same with SU's.

> system everytime generate an unique HU number for every packing.you can club or add or break the quantity of delivery items.

>Infact system would also suggest you which is the appropriate packaging material which you are supposed to use for packing the delivery item if you have maintianed respective packing instructions and updated necessary packaging material master data.

2. The note on segregation of HUs for production and outbound delivery really helped me understand the business process here. I see at the plant, they use packaging with labels (from a legacy system) in both the processes. What I can't come to terms with is, do we really need HU for this...or is it something that can be handled by batch management and Storage Unit Management. Can you help me in that perspective, like in what case SUM/batch management would be enough and when do we propose HUM.

> In principle using HUM is not at all mandatory as long as you donot have a great demand from your customers to track thier consignment at every package/box and/or material level.

>SU management is more used only at your warehouse level.once the goods are out of your warehouse,system looses the SU data. You cannot use the SU data to track your consignments/materials boxes back to your deliveries and SO's I feel.

> Batch management is a tool or a strategy based on which you manage your stocks in inventory management.I hope it cannot be used for tracking the packaging materials or the boxes in which you have packed the material.

of course i have reasonably very less idea on this HUM.but with the minimum knowledge, i think this how HUM works logically in SAP.

With regards

Venkat

[Former Member · Accepted solution]

Hi Venkat

Thanks for all the information...appreciate your input

[former_member536836]

Hello,

Please refer my comments.

1. Based on what factors do we decide to implement HUM at a facility? We have batches of materials going into the same boxes. Its a large facility with usually whole boxes being shipped or received (no individual pieces movement). Also we are going to have full blown SAP WM here.: Basically HUM is implemented if you want to track material from start to end for. e.g bottles packed in one box then box can become one HU.

2. What is the difference between Handling Units and Handling Unit Management? I know the movement of HUs is tracked and known as HUM...but can HUs exist without HUM?: HU is a terminology used when you implement HUM. I believe HU can't exist without HUM.

3. I see HUs at shipment and delivery level. Whats the pros and cons of each method? Also I read about implementing HU at warehouse level in contrast to at delivery level: Once you implement HUM then it is not like shipment or delivery level. You implement HUM in storage location.

Hope these inputs help you.

Regards,

Prashant