Automate goods receipt processing with EDI and mobile data capture
In many companies, goods receipt is still largely paper-based with manual processing steps. This is time-consuming and error-prone. According to a recent study, inbound logistics is one of the least digitized functional areas of a company.
In a study on the topic of Industry 4.0 and SMEs, the company Deloitte comes to the conclusion that the area of inbound logistics has one of the lowest levels of digitization at 42%. Due to this starting position, greater efficiency increases can be expected here through digitization. The example of serial numbers and batches is a good illustration of the advantages of automated inbound processes. The precise checking of quantities and materials and the goods receipt posting is time-consuming, complex and error-prone in the case of serial numbers and batches. Instead of manual processing, two automated processes offer themselves:
![[Translate to englisch:] Wareneingangsverarbeitung automatisieren mit EDI und mobiler Datenerfassung](/fileadmin/images/blog/wareneingang-mit-edi.jpg "[Translate to englisch:] Wareneingangsverarbeitung automatisieren mit EDI und mobiler Datenerfassung")
Electronic shipping notification via EDI
The announcement of a goods delivery via EDI DESADV (despatch advice message) is an electronic despatch advice with which the supplier informs electronically, for example, how the batch distribution is or which serial numbers are delivered. The information is stored as an inbound delivery and automatically posted as a goods receipt with reference to the inbound delivery upon delivery. The electronic shipping notification has a double advantage: the delivery date is known at an early stage and the entry of the shipping notification in the purchase order means that time-consuming recording is no longer necessary at goods receipt. As an EDI service provider, Mercoline offers powerful and cost-effective B2B integration solutions.
Mobile data acquisition with integration in SAP
Switching to a scanning solution with mobile data capture is another way to avoid manual processing steps at goods receipt. With this solution, a barcode label is scanned with a mobile scanner and the goods receipt is automatically posted in SAP ERP. Mobile data capture already exists as an application in SAP. If a mobile scanner is to be introduced, an executable transaction for background posting must be set up on a mobile data entry (MDE) device. Special features for the putaway strategy can also be taken into account. Mobile data entry can completely eliminate the need for manual entry of serial numbers, for example. Simple MDE devices, tablets or smartphones are also suitable for data entry.
Knorr-Bremse PowerTech GmbH has converted its incoming goods processing to mobile scanners with the help of Mercoline. The elimination of manual entries means that the project is already paying for itself within a year.
EDI: Mercoline's Business Integration Services
Your business processes are becoming increasingly complex. You want to become more flexible in your IT infrastructure and focus more on your core processes. As an EDI specialist, we support you in outsourcing your EDI business partner communications. Mercoline offers a unique and powerful B2B integration platform with modular communications services and provides infrastructure, operations and consulting. You don't need to make any investments and can start using all services immediately.