Basel, CH – June 2017
Putaway and Stock Removal
In order to enable a better understanding of the putaway and stock removal processes in SAP Meat Management by msg, a short introduction is needed into the Object Determination function, which shows the putaway strategies in the system. An SAP classification system is used as the basis for the object determination. This describes any objects by means of characteristics to which values are assigned. Below is an example of the putaway strategy, using strip storage:
Classification
Class:
- Pig half
Characteristics:
- Slaughtering weight
- Lean meat content
Object Determination Function
Storage group 1:
- Slaughtering weight: 90 – 120 kg
- Lean meat content: 40 – 44 %
Storage group 2:
- Slaughtering weight: 72 – 130 kg
- Lean meat content: 55 – 59 %
Storage group 3:
- Slaughtering weight: 100 – 110 kg
- Lean meat content: > 60 %
Storage groups can be allocated to the areas (strips) in a fixed or dynamic way. Here is an ex-ample of fixed allocation. Each storage group represents a certain area (strip) of the cold store, for example:
- Storage group 1: strips 1 – 10
- Storage group 2: strips 11 – 20
- Storage group 3: strips 21 – 30
In dynamic allocation, allocation takes place only once the storage container has definitely been stored. The system first looks for a free place on a strip for the storage container’s storage group, and the storage container’s storage group is then allocated to it. If there are no free spaces, or if there has not yet been any allocation to a strip for this storage group, a free strip is sought, the storage container’s storage group is allocated to it, and the storage container is stored on this strip.
Material numbers are often assigned to carcasses based on their classification. The Object Determination function can also be used for this, using easily adjustable return parameters. The same applies to storage locations where certain carcasses or even sections are to be put away.
A material number is thus needed instead of the storage group, in order to be able to carry out inventory management in SAP. In the following example, the material number is identified by the Object Determination function (return parameters):
- Storage group 1: material no. 1147
- Storage group 2: material no. 1148
- Storage group 3: material no. 1149
Process: Putting Away the Halves
As part of the putaway process, employees can simply specify which storage group the animals should be stored in, using the Object Determination function (generally based on quality information and findings from the slaughter data record). It is therefore possible to store animals that meet certain customer requirements in a special storage group, for example.
If a visual check results in an animal being better suited to another storage group, the hook can be scanned and manually adjusted, using a handheld device running a Softproviding RAF (Remote Application Framework) application. If the customer does not use RFID hooks, the label can of course be scanned analogously and the update can be carried out using the label. You can find more information about RAF applications here.
Process: Removing the Halves
The Stock Removal Cockpit is part of the SAP Meat Management by msg standard system. This can be customized to the customer-specific stock removal process using DPS (Data Process Sys-tem) technology.
The disassembly process begins by removing the carcass halves or primal cuts from the ware-house. The required stock removal orders are generated in the Meat Management Stock Removal Cockpit and the optimal sequence (e.g. organic animals first) is allocated for the day’s disassembling: the carcass halves arrive in the sequence they are needed in the disassembly process for the planned products.
The strip storage system is connected to SAP by the interface and receives the information about the stock removal after the stock removal order has been approved. As soon as the hooks with the carcass halves arrive at the shop floor application, the current weights of the incoming disassembly items are automatically entered into the disassembly orders. Meat Management applications allow plant data collection for the disassembly to be made via a touchscreen. The effort required can thus be reduced to a minimum, the lead time at the PDA point is shorter and the error rate is minimized.
Depending on the customer requirements, the Stock Removal Cockpit can show the user every individual storage container with an animal carcass. These can be removed from the warehouse individually and as a storage group. The stock removal sequence is generally scheduled in the work preparation by the production supervisor. After the stock removal orders are approved, they are available to the employees in production to implement. This ensures that an optimal disassembly sequence is observed in the primal cutting area.
Customer Benefits
Storage capacities are usually very tightly calculated and customers’ requirements for certain qualities and products are becoming increasingly detailed. Coordinated putaway strategies are particularly important, because it is often problematic to make changes later on, and rearranging is only possible to a limited extent because of physical restrictions.
The same applies to stock removal, the planning of which influences performance in subsequent processes (e.g. disassembly). There are different factors, such as effort required to change batches due to legal requirements, which can be minimized in many cases using an optimized stock removal sequence.
SAP Meat Management by msg is providing tried and tested functionality with its Object Determination function and Stock Removal Cockpit, and a number of customers are already using the full benefits from it.
If we have piqued your interest with this article, please do not hesitate to contact Mr. Stephan Kronbichler (Business Development) if you would like more information. The best way to do this is by e-mail or telephone on +41 (0)61 508 21 42.