SAP EWM Optimization for Outbound Logistics: Smarter Cargo Planning and Pick-by-Voice in Retail Warehousing

How a European Home Improvement Retailer Enhanced Truck Planning, Picking Processes, and Warehouse Efficiency with SAP Extended Warehouse Management

Customer

A leading pan-European retail chain specializing in home improvement and garden products, with over 250 stores across Europe. The company operates in more than 15 countries, including Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Spain, serving both individual consumers and professional builders.

Challenge

To support complex logistics scenarios and optimize outbound processes, the company needed to modernize how cargo and picking are planned within its warehouse network. Key challenges included:

• Manual planning of outbound trucks and pallet positioning was time-consuming and inefficient
• Lack of dynamic adjustment for different product types (e.g., bulk, stackable, long goods)
• Inefficient coordination with external carriers and systems
• The need for advanced, automated planning of the picking process based on delivery routes and truck loading sequence
• Limited functionality in existing Pick-by-Voice processes

The objective was to build a powerful SAP EWM-based logistics solution to handle growing demand and operational complexity.

Project Scope

LeverX was selected to design and implement a set of customized solutions within the SAP EWM landscape. The scope included:

• Development of a cargo planning program to manage outbound truck planning, product types accounting, loading order, pallet positioning, truck routes, and stops
• Automated email notifications and IDoc generation to inform external carriers about truck workloads
• Implementation of a picking planning program to align the picking process with truck loading sequence, available pallet space, and delivery route
• Automation of wave creation and wave release within EWM
• Integration of a custom Pick-by-Voice solution using SAP’s Voice Direct interface for hands-free warehouse operations

Solution Description

The LeverX team delivered a comprehensive solution that significantly improved outbound logistics performance:

• A custom cargo planning tool integrated with SAP EWM, enabling warehouse teams to organize complex truck loads efficiently
• Automatic communication with carriers via email or IDoc, increasing transparency and reducing manual coordination
• A picking planning system to dynamically align picking activities with outbound logistics, reducing errors and delays
• A voice-enabled picking workflow leveraging Pick-by-Voice and SAP Voice Direct, improving speed and ergonomics for warehouse workers
• Enhanced scalability and adaptability to support future logistics growth and cross-country operations

Products & Technologies

• SAP Extended Warehouse Management (SAP EWM)
• SAP Voice Direct (Pick by Voice Integration)
• Custom Cargo Planning & Picking Tools
• IDoc Communication & External System Integration

Results

• Faster truck planning with improved accuracy in pallet and product arrangement
• Automated carrier notifications for better logistics coordination
• Optimized picking processes aligned with real-time logistics data and truck loading priorities
• Increased warehouse productivity through hands-free Pick-by-Voice integration
• Seamless communication between internal SAP systems and external logistics partners

Need to enhance outbound logistics or implement Pick-by-Voice in your SAP EWM environment?

LeverX specializes in tailoring SAP EWM solutions for high-performance warehouse operations in the retail and logistics sectors.

👉 Contact our experts today to discover how we can optimize your warehouse processes.