Logistics General Handling Unit Introduction

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Created by Christian Rosa, last modified on Apr 15, 2012 Go to start of metadata
Purpose
This content was created to introduce the logistics of material with Handling Units
and to guide ERP SCM Logistics users on the related functionalities. With this
article the user may be able to understand the Handling Unit concepts and to
operate with system specification existent functionalities in the SAP ERP
Logistics.

Overview
The term HU (Handling Unit) is the goods packing information used in the ERP
Logistics area being available for setting under Logistics General in SAP ERP
implementation guide. Although it was firstly developed to simple packing in the
delivery area it has developed and then other functionalities have been made
available like the inventory goods for packed stored material which is called HU
managed storage location. The handling units functionalities are found in the own
HU transactions, delivery transactions, WM (Warehouse Management) and EWM (Extended
Warehouse Management) transactions (there is also the packing proposal in the Sales
Order).

HU Overview
The SAP ERP system sees a handling unit as a physical unit that consists of the
packaging materials (load carrier / packaging material) and its goods. A handling
unit is a combination of materials and packaging materials. All the information
contained in the material items, such as batches and serial numbers, is available
by way of the handling units.

The handling unit in a non HU Storage locationdifferently from handling unit in HU

storage location means that there is no control over the packed units, in other
words the system does not control the inventory. It is mostly used there no need to
keep packed quantity in-house but only the need for shipping the goods wrapped in
packages, the handling units are then packed at the delivery area (it can have
packing under other packing which is called nested handling unit).
The handling unit in a HU Storage location means that there is control over the
packed units, in other words the system controls the inventory. It is mostly used
when goods are stored in a packed material like cartons, pallets, etc. The handling
units can be nested and the HU transactions allow the unpacking and packing
activities as well as moving the HU from one area to another.

The handling units can be proposed in a sales order and determined on the delivery
creation. The handling units can be also staged using Warehouse Management in
process manufacturing.