SAP WM to EWM Migration for S/4HANA in the Chemical Industry

How a Bio-Based Materials Manufacturer Optimized Warehouse and Batch Management with SAP Extended Warehouse Management

Client

A U.S.-based innovator in sustainable materials manufacturing that produces bio-based polymers and bioplastics as alternatives to traditional petroleum-based plastics. The company supports customers globally across packaging, textiles, and industrial sectors.

Challenge

As part of its SAP S/4HANA migration strategy, the company needed to replace its legacy SAP WM with SAP EWM to support evolving warehouse operations and compliance requirements. Key objectives included:

• Ensuring minimized operational downtime through a meticulous cutover strategy
• Achieving greater warehouse efficiency through process optimization
• Supporting advanced batch management for strict traceability and compliance
• Integrating quality control directly into warehouse flows
• Aligning storage and inventory logic with SAP S/4HANA

Solution

LeverX led the transition from SAP WM to SAP EWM embedded in SAP S/4HANA, ensuring a smooth migration path while enhancing core warehouse execution capabilities.

Key elements of the solution included:

• Migration of warehouse processes from SAP WM to embedded SAP EWM on SAP S/4HANA
• Full configuration of inbound, outbound, and internal warehouse processes
• Setup of batch-managed inventory, including automated batch determination
• Integration of quality inspection points during inbound and internal warehouse movements
• Industry-specific configuration to support chemical storage and material tracking requirements
• Optimized warehouse layout and storage bin configuration to support future scalability

Technology Stack

• Warehouse management: SAP EWM
  Core platform for warehouse execution, including inbound, outbound, internal handling, and handling unit management.

• ERP and digital core: SAP S/4HANA
  S/4HANA environment utilizing embedded SAP EWM and enabling aligned storage and inventory logic.

• Quality management: SAP Quality Management (QM)
  Quality inspection and release processes are integrated directly into warehouse execution flows.

• Batch management: Batch Management and Handling Units
  Batch-managed inventory capabilities supporting traceability, compliance, and controlled material handling.

Results

Following the SAP WM-to-EWM migration, the company achieved stronger operational continuity, improved warehouse execution, and a scalable foundation for future growth:

• Completed the migration from SAP WM to embedded SAP EWM without disrupting business operations
• Improved warehouse efficiency through streamlined execution flows and better process transparency
• Strengthened compliance through advanced batch traceability and integrated quality inspections
• Reduced manual effort in quality-related warehouse steps by up to 30–40% (projected)
• Improved inventory accuracy and batch-level traceability by up to 20–25% (projected)
• Established a future-ready SAP warehouse architecture aligned with the company’s ongoing SAP S/4HANA transformation