SAP EWM Customization for High-Volume Retail: Streamlining Warehouse Operations with Pick-by-Voice and RF Automation

How a Leading European Non-Food Retailer Improved Warehouse Efficiency and Returns Management with Tailored SAP EWM Solutions

Customer

A rapidly expanding international non-food discounter with over 2,000 stores across Europe. Headquartered in the United Kingdom, the company operates in countries including the Netherlands, France, Germany, Austria, and Poland. With 51,000+ employees, it offers a broad range of affordable everyday products across multiple categories.

Challenge

To keep pace with rapid growth and growing operational complexity, the company needed to enhance its warehouse efficiency while maintaining high service levels. Key pain points included:

• Limited flexibility in SAP EWM standard inbound, outbound, and internal logistics processes
• A need for hands-free, high-speed picking in high-volume environments
• Inefficient receiving operations lacking batch handling and mass handling unit (HU) creation
• Manual, time-consuming inventory and replenishment activities
• No streamlined process for returns management

The goal was to build a warehouse solution capable of scaling quickly, with process automation and user-friendly tools for warehouse staff.

Project Scope

LeverX was selected to extend the SAP Extended Warehouse Management system through process enhancements and custom applications. The scope included:

• Enhancement of standard SAP EWM functionalities for inbound, outbound, and internal logistics
• Implementation of a custom Pick-by-Voice solution via SAP Voice Direct to support fast-paced order picking
• Development of a custom receiving process, including automatic batch creation, overdelivery handling, and mass HU creation
• Design and rollout of RF transactions for Goods Receiving, Replenishment, Inventory Management, and Picking
• Implementation of a returns management process tailored to the customer’s business model

Solution Description

The LeverX team developed a comprehensive set of SAP EWM enhancements to support scalable, efficient retail warehouse operations that included:

• Tailored extensions of standard EWM for streamlined material flows
• A robust Pick-by-Voice system integrated with SAP for hands-free, accurate picking
• A custom receiving process that automates key steps like batch assignment and handling unit generation
• RF transactions for core warehouse activities, boosting speed and accuracy
• A centralized returns process for better visibility and control over returned goods

Products & Technologies

• SAP Extended Warehouse Management (SAP EWM)
• SAP Voice Direct (Pick-by-Voice Integration)
• Custom RF Applications
• Custom Receiving & Returns Management Enhancements

Results

• Improved picking speed and accuracy with Pick-by-Voice automation
• More efficient goods receiving through automated batch and HU creation
• Streamlined replenishment and inventory tasks via RF tools
• Effective handling of returns, supporting reverse logistics workflows
• Scalable warehouse processes supporting rapid international growth
  
  

Need to scale your SAP EWM processes with voice picking or RF automation?

Whether you're operating in retail, logistics, or manufacturing — LeverX helps you tailor SAP EWM to your business goals.

👉 Talk to our SAP EWM experts today for a free consultation.