Inbound Delivery Processing in SAP EWM is the process of handling goods coming into the warehouse (from vendors, production, or other plants).
It starts with an inbound delivery document in ERP and ends with the goods receipt posting in EWM.
Main Steps in Inbound Delivery Processing
Inbound Delivery in ERP
A Purchase Order, Stock Transfer, or Production Order in ERP triggers an Inbound Delivery.
This inbound delivery is sent to EWM.
Inbound Delivery Order (IDO) in EWM
The ERP inbound delivery is mapped into an Inbound Delivery Order in EWM.
This is the central document for all warehouse activities on the inbound side.
Unloading
The truck or container arrives at the warehouse gate.
Goods are unloaded into the yard or staging area.
Deconsolidation (if needed)
Large mixed pallets may be broken down into smaller handling units.
Items are separated based on product, destination, or quality requirements.
Putaway Warehouse Tasks
EWM creates Warehouse Tasks to move goods from staging areas to final storage bins.
Putaway strategies (like fixed bin, open storage, or near picking bin) determine the destination bin.
Quality Inspection (optional)
If integrated with Quality Management (QM), inspection lots are created.
Goods may be moved to quality inspection bins before final putaway.
Final Putaway
Goods are transported into warehouse bins and confirmed.
The system updates stock availability.
Goods Receipt Posting
After putaway, EWM posts the Goods Receipt (GR).
Status updates are sent back to ERP automatically.
PPF Actions
PPF can trigger follow-up actions like printing GR slip, updating ERP, or sending notifications.
Example Flow in Real Life
Vendor sends materials → ERP creates Inbound Delivery.
EWM receives it → generates IDO.
Goods arrive at the warehouse → unloaded → deconsolidated if needed.
Putaway tasks are created → warehouse workers move goods to bins.
System posts Goods Receipt → ERP stock is updated → GR slip is printed.