EWM Slotting, Rearrangement and Ad Hoc Movements
The warehouse optimises itself: slotting analyses demand and decides that a fast-moving product belongs in a front pick face; rearrangement creates the tasks to move it there; and an ad hoc movement lets a worker move stock on the spot when needed.
Educational content. SAP behaviour varies by configuration and release. Spotted something off? Report it.
Digital twin
01Run slotting
Slotting analyses FG-2000: high demand, small units. Proposal: pick face PICK-02-05.
FG-2000
/SCWM/SLOT — Slotting result
- Proposed bin
- PICK-02-05
- Basis
- Demand, order lines, product dimensions (demo)
Business scenario
FG-2000 has become a fast mover but sits in high-rack bin RACK-01-03, far from the packing area. Slotting proposes pick face PICK-02-05.
All companies, numbers and documents are fictional demo data.
Step-by-step flow
- 01
Run slotting open in twin
Slotting analyses FG-2000: high demand, small units. Proposal: pick face PICK-02-05.
Fast movers near the pick path; slow movers in high racks.
- 02
Apply the slotting result open in twin
The new parameters are activated. What happens to the 40 EA already in the high rack?
Rearrangement compares actual and optimal bins and creates tasks for the difference.
- 03
Old stock stays in the wrong place open in twin
New receipts go to the pick face, but pickers keep walking to the high rack for the existing 40 EA until they are used up.
The benefit only appears once stock is rearranged.
- 04
Rearrangement task open in twin
40 EA move from RACK-01-03 to PICK-02-05.
Bin-to-bin within AFS: no inventory-management posting.
- 05
Ad hoc movement open in twin
A worker notices space in the rack and moves 10 EA from bulk with an ad hoc task.
Useful for exceptions; authorisations usually restrict it.
- 06
Better slotted open in twin
Slotting set the rules; rearrangement and an ad hoc task moved the stock. No postings in inventory management.
They change travel time and space use, not stock value.
SAP documents
Stock impact
| Step | Plant / SLoc | Stock type | MvT | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rearrangement task | 1000 / AFS · RACK-01-03 | Unrestricted use | — | −40 EA |
| Rearrangement task | 1000 / AFS · PICK-02-05 | Unrestricted use | — | +40 EA |
| Ad hoc movement | 1000 / AFS · BULK-01-01 | Unrestricted use | — | −10 EA |
| Ad hoc movement | 1000 / AFS · RACK-01-03 | Unrestricted use | — | +10 EA |
Accounting impact
No accounting impact in the steps shown.
Typical conceptual flow. Actual G/L accounts and posting behaviour depend on material valuation, automatic account determination and system configuration.
Movement type
This flow spans several documents rather than a single movement type.
Keeps the warehouse layout matched to demand, moving stock to better locations through planned rearrangement or quick ad hoc moves.
Transactions & Fiori apps
- /SCWM/SLOT — Slotting
- /SCWM/REAR — Rearrangement
- /SCWM/ADPROD — Ad Hoc Movement — Product
- /SCWM/MON — Warehouse Monitor
- Warehouse Monitor
Differences by SAP version
Classic WM had no slotting; rearrangement was manual.
Slotting and rearrangement in EWM.
Availability depends on the EWM scope.
Configuration
Slotting condition records
Configuration dependentMap product properties to putaway parameters.
Rearrangement strategy
Configuration dependentWhich differences between actual and optimal bins create tasks.
Prerequisites
- Product demand data and dimensions for slotting
- Condition records for slotting rules
- Warehouse process type for ad hoc moves
Master data
- Product (EWM views)
- Putaway control indicator, storage section and bin type indicators updated by slotting.
Organizational structure
- Warehouse EW01
Tables
| Table | Description |
|---|---|
| /SCWM/AQUA | Quants before and after |
| /SCWM/ORDIM_C | Rearrangement and ad hoc tasks |
Integration
Common errors
“Rearrangement finds nothing to move”
Likely causes: Slotting results not activated; Stock already in an optimal bin
Where to look: Product warehouse data · Slotting log
Troubleshooting
Something went wrong? Work through these checks in order. They are diagnostic questions, not configuration instructions — confirm changes with your system owner.
CHECK 1
Slotting
- Demand data available?
- Results activated?
Interview questions
Slotting vs rearrangement?
Slotting determines where a product should be stored (putaway parameters, optionally fixed bins and min/max) based on demand and dimensions. Rearrangement compares actual stock locations with those optimal ones and creates warehouse tasks to move existing stock.
Quiz
References
- SAP SE — SAP Help Portal: Slotting (source)
- SAP SE — SAP Help Portal: Rearrangement (source)
- SAP SE — SAP Help Portal: Ad Hoc Movements (source)
Explanations are original. They summarize standard behaviour; always validate against your system's release and configuration.
Version history
| Version | Change |
|---|---|
| 1.0.0 | Initial version. |