In the world of logistics, warehousing, and production, SAP Extended Warehouse Management (EWM) is the digital backbone. It manages everything from inbound goods and inventory movements to production tracking and shipping processes. But even the most powerful system can only perform as well as the data it receives.
To truly unlock its potential, SAP EWM needs to stay in sync with what’s happening on the shop floor, in the warehouse, or across the yard — in real time. This is where real-time location data becomes a game-changer.
The Challenge: A System Waiting for Input
SAP EWM excels at managing structured processes, but it traditionally relies on manual inputs — scans, clicks, and confirmations — to keep workflows moving. As operations grow more dynamic, this creates friction:
- Materials may arrive at a workstation, but the system doesn’t know they’re there.
- Stock might sit in a storage area longer than planned, but no alert is triggered.
- A shipment leaves the warehouse, yet the system is still waiting for confirmation.
The result? Lagging data, increased administrative overhead, and reduced responsiveness across critical processes.
The Solution: SAP Powered by RTLS for Real-Time Awareness
Imagine if your SAP system could automatically react to the physical movement of goods — without manual steps or delays.
That’s exactly what happens when real-time location data, provided through Flowcate’s DeepHub®, is seamlessly connected to SAP systems implemented by SWAN.
By knowing exactly where assets are — and how they move — SAP no longer has to wait for manual input. Instead, real-world movements can trigger actions instantly and automatically.
DeepHub® acts as a central location data hub, collecting and standardizing positioning data from a wide range of technologies — such as UWB, BLE, or RFID — and streaming it directly into SAP. Whether it’s a pallet arriving at the dock or a container entering production, the system receives accurate, real-time updates and responds accordingly.
The result? SAP becomes location-aware — enabling smarter decisions, faster processes, and full alignment between physical operations and digital systems.
From Movement to Meaning: How It Works
With the right logic in place, SAP EWM can use location-based triggers to execute specific actions. Here are a few examples of what’s possible:
- Goods Receipt (GR) is automatically posted when materials cross a geofence at the receiving dock.
- Component Issues are triggered when containers leave the staging area toward production.
- Kanban bins update from “EMPTY” to “FULL” as they enter replenishment zones.
- Transfer Orders are initiated when items arrive at high-bay storage areas.
- Warehouse tasks are assigned to the nearest resource based on their current location
- Proximity Messaging warns of a potential collision if a resource crosses path
- Yard Management updates check-in/out statuses as trailers pass through the gate.
- Returnable Transport Packaging (RTP) is automated across the entire supply chain reducing cost & minimizing waste.
All of this becomes possible when SAP is powered by RTLS — removing the need for manual inputs and turning physical movement into digital intelligence in real time.
Why SAP Powered by RTLS Matters: Key Business Benefits
Integrating real-time location data into SAP logistic processes delivers measurable value:
- Up to 30% lower inventory levels through better stock accuracy and reduced buffers
- Significant labor savings by removing the need for manual confirmations and scans
- Faster cycle times in production and fulfillment
- Improved traceability for compliance and audits
- Greater agility — SAP EWM reacts instantly to real-world changes, enabling smarter decisions
This isn’t just about automation — it’s about transforming the responsiveness, accuracy, and efficiency of your entire operation.
Geofencing: Turning Movement into Intelligence
At the heart of this integration is the concept of geofencing. With DeepHub®, fences can be virtually defined around workstations, storage areas, docks, or transit paths.
When a tagged item enters or exits a fence, a location event is triggered — which in turn activates a predefined SAP EWM process. Subsequent steps are fully customizable and can incorporate existing business logic as needed. It’s simple, scalable, and doesn’t require any hardware changes as your operation evolves.
Want to flag goods that sit too long at a station? Automatically release a pick order as soon as a pallet enters staging? Geofencing makes it possible.
SAP Powered by RTLS: Built on omlox and Ready to Scale
Flowcate’s DeepHub® is built on omlox, the world’s first open locating standard, and the first officially certified omlox-Hub. This ensures that your solution stays:
- Vendor-independent – no lock-in to specific hardware or protocols
- Technology-agnostic – compatible with any current or future tracking technology
- Scalable – from pilot projects to global rollouts, the architecture remains consistent
Combined with SWAN’s expertise in SAP EWM implementation and process automation, this creates a powerful foundation for long-term operational excellence. In short, SAP powered by RTLS is no longer a vision — it’s a practical way to automate tasks, reduce delays, and unlock smarter operations.
Conclusion: Smarter SAP Logistics Starts with Real-Time Context
SAP EWM already manages your logistics, production, and inventory with precision. But when it’s connected to real-time location data, it becomes even more powerful —reactive, intelligent, and automated.
By working with SWAN and Flowcate, you can eliminate delays, reduce manual effort, and gain full visibility into every movement, process, and asset — exactly when it matters most.
This is what happens when your systems don’t just process data — they act on it. Want to see what SAP powered by RTLS looks like in action?
Get in touch with us to explore how real-time location data can transform your operations.