How to Mobilize SAP Business One with SMS Group’s Shop Floor Data Collection

Using SAP Business One as an enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution and warehouse management system (WMS) is a great way to help organize and manage your manufacturing sales, purchasing, inventory and production in a single software solution. However, if you’re not able to get accurate data and transactions into your SAP B1 system fast and in real time, from anywhere on the plant floor or your warehouse, you’re missing a huge part of SAP’s potential value.

Our software engineers at The SMS Group developed our Shop Floor Data Collection (SFDC) mobile app, which extends the functionality of SAP B1 to your plant and warehouse floor. Instead of having to walk back-and-forth to a desktop PC, which wastes time and invites human error, our simple mobile app lets you capture and validate data as well as perform transactions from virtually anywhere in your operations. You can do it all with an SAP certified application that runs on a rugged handheld mobile computer or tablet and integrates seamlessly with SAP B1. With SFDC, you can capture data and record transactions quickly and accurately with the same device you use to run the app. The app connects directly to SAP B1 and records transactions in real-time.

Using this mobile solution, you can eliminate stacks of barcoded documents that typically clutter the shop floor. You can simply scan a purchase order, shipper, or job order number and then electronically select the items to be received, shipped, and issued. You can also use the app to rapidly find inventory locations and easily store, transfer, or issue material.  It’s a timely, efficient and mobile way to get data into SAP B1 with an easy-to-use touchscreen and keypad-supported app that runs on Windows CE, Android and iOS devices.

Typically, we recommend using SFDC with rugged Zebra mobile devices and tablets for the best combination of mobile ruggedness, performance, and connectivity. But the app supports a wide range of mobile computing and data collection devices, including simple hardwired units and rugged handheld devices. Additionally, there is no “store-and-forward” database required, and all you need is the app, a mobile computing device, and an active Wi-Fi connection.

Here are the standard transactions you can perform with SFDC in both manufacturing and warehouse management.

Standard WMS Transactions

• Inventory Transfer
• Inventory Transfer Request
• Inventory Transfer From Request
• Inventory Inquiry
• Inventory Counting
• Goods Issue
• Put Away
• Goods Receipt
• Goods Receipt PO
• Directed Picking
• Picklist Validation
• Sales Delivery
• Sales Return
• Pick Sales Order

Standard Manufacturing Transactions

• Production Picking
• Issue for Production
• Return from Production
• Receipt from Production
• Clock-on Production Order
• Clock-off Production Order
• Clock-on Machine
• Clock-off Machine
• Material Issues
• Time Sheet Transactions
• Pick Pick List
• Issue Pick List

With SFDC, you can also print receiving labels, part labels, and production labels using our app with Zebra industrial or mobile printers. Importantly, SFDC is designed to be customizable as well. You can integrate it with other databases or systems, including scales and PLCs, create customized email shipping notices, print virtually any type of report, print hipping, receiving and pallet labels on the fly, and modify any transaction you want. You can also run SFDC on physical architecture using a local PC workstation running Windows 2008 R2 or above with 4GB RAM and a hard disk drive. The app can also be deployed in the cloud. We’ve also kept cost management in mind when developing the solution, with options for both perpetual licenses with yearly maintenance and SaaS-style subscription-based pricing.

Let Us Help

To learn more about Shop Floor Data Collection and arrange a discovery call and demo, contact The SMS Group now to start a conversation about mobilizing SAP B1 in your operations.