3/31/2021 Algorithm of Packing and Unpacking a Handling Unit: Part-I | SAP Blogs

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shailesh mishra
October 24, 2017 6 minute read

Algorithm of Packing and Unpacking a Handling Unit: Part-I

5 Likes 4,782 Views 3 Comments

Purpose:
The purpose of this blog is aimed at providing a holistic approach on how to unpack, pack a handling unit in
a HU+WM managed location when handling unit is assigned to object like outbound delivery.

Overview:
It’s been an experience that unpacking or un-assigning the Handling unit from an outbound delivery is
inconspicuous to consultants and when standard practice is not followed,inconsistency arise. The blog is
written to present a paradigmatic process of un-assigning the handling units from delivery and what are the
key mechanism and con guration which drives this

I will replicate a scenario where an error message generally gets triggered ” HUDIALOG107” when Handling
unit is tried to be deleted from Outbound delivery.

Generally there are 2 types of Handling units

1. Assigned HUs: Assigned HUs are created during packing like in Outbound delivery, production orders,
process orders.
2. Unassigned HUs( Free HUs)- Handling units which are created without any reference to objects. Free HUs
are created HU02.

Recently, i was answering to a question on below thread and that inspired me to write on this topic.

https://answers.sap.com/questions/332658/error-message-hudialog107-from-goods-movement-
dnho.html?childToView=333180#answer-333180

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3/31/2021 Algorithm of Packing and Unpacking a Handling Unit: Part-I | SAP Blogs

Replication:
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We will take an outbound delivery in which handling unit is already assigned. The HU is packed in a storage
location is WM+HU managed.

1. I am taking an outbound delivery which has been PGIed(261), WM activity complete

It can be seen that all Picking, Packing, WM activity and goods movement is completed

3) Since the delivery is already PGIed, we need to run VL09 to reverse the delivery.

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4) It can be observed that Goods movement status=C, So it is required to reverse the goods movement,
then only we can un-assign the Hus

5) Once ODB is reversed, the good movement status is reset

6) In VL03N, goods movement status is updated as below

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3/31/2021 Algorithm of Packing and Unpacking a Handling Unit: Part-I | SAP Blogs

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7) Now, go to VL02N—> pack button, HU02 screen is called and try to unpack the delivery containing
Handling unit in total content tab of HU02

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3/31/2021 Algorithm of Packing and Unpacking a Handling Unit: Part-I | SAP Blogs

8) An error message is triggered as below

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Note: Before we try to unpack a handling unit in Outbound delivery, it is obligatory to send Handling unit to
an Interim Bin which allows Re-packing. In SAP terminology, 923 is generally used as Re-packing storage
type and HUs are moved here only from 914 interim storage type.

Also,when there’s an outbound delivery from HUM and WM storage location, it’s not possible to leave
unpacked stock once it has been picked (WM status = C). Since, the outbound delivery is connected to
con rmed Transfer order in WM, unpacking in HU managed location will create inconsistency.

In HU-managed storage locations, materials can be managed in HUs only. Mixed stock (stock made up of
packed and non-packed materials within the same storage location) is not supported. HUs can also be
managed in interim storage types.

9) Since handling unit is an asset which carries some cost, it needs to be manually moved to an storage type
which allows repacking

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3/31/2021 Algorithm of Packing and Unpacking a Handling Unit: Part-I | SAP Blogs

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10) If we look into the transfer order of delivery which was created before we cancel the delivery, the Storage
Unit( SU) was moved from 866 to 914 interim storage area.

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3/31/2021 Algorithm of Packing and Unpacking a Handling Unit: Part-I | SAP Blogs

11) So, we will move this HU from 914 interim storage area to 866 destination storage bin. In this case, HU
becomes SU Follow
in WM. The big diRSS feed
erence between SULikeand HU ist that HUs can also be managed in interim
storage types, however, SUs lost its existence in interim storage are.

12) In TO, Handling unit is getting transported from 914 to 866 via LT09. The main purpose of transporting
Handling unit assigned to delivery  from interim storage area 914 to destination storage was to de-assign HU
from delivery so that delivery can be freed from clutches of handling unit.

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3/31/2021 Algorithm of Packing and Unpacking a Handling Unit: Part-I | SAP Blogs

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13) There is an error here which i need to explain. When we try to move HU via LT09, it triggers an error.

According SAP KBA  2201423 – HUDIALOG107, Sap says that with LT09, we need to move the HU/SU
to back into it’s original bin. However, we observed that while moving to its original bin, LT09 throws an error
which says that the original storage type doesnt not support repacking. My understanding is that SAP needs
to correct this KBA  2201423 – HUDIALOG107.

SAP needs to mention that when Handling unit is assigned to an outbound delivery, and when we conduct
de-assignment of HU from delivery, the HU needs to be moved to that Storage Type which supports
repackaging and there are 3 main condition which needs to be ful lled while transporting HU/SU from
interim storage type.

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3/31/2021 Algorithm of Packing and Unpacking a Handling Unit: Part-I | SAP Blogs

1. Storage type should have no Putaway Strategy.

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2. Storage type should have no Storage Unit Activation.
3. Storage type should have no Capacity indicator set

14) If we look the storage type con guration of 866 and compare with 923(Repacking storage type which
generally used from repacking a HU), it can be observed that 866 has Storage type activated, so it disallows
HU of getting changed, and hence we were getting error.

So, in nut shell, with LT09, it is required to move the HU/SU to that storage types which doesn’t’ have above
3 elds activated in con guration, No storage,no SU activation and no Capacity indicator set.

15) So, by LT09, HU is moved to 923 interim storage area.

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3/31/2021 Algorithm of Packing and Unpacking a Handling Unit: Part-I | SAP Blogs

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16) Now, try to delete the assignment of HU from delivery as below. (Dont click on delete HU) Handling unit
is a technical asset which carries some cost, so delete the Assignment.

https://blogs.sap.com/2017/10/24/algorithm-of-packing-and-unpacking-a-handling-unit-part-i/ 10/15
3/31/2021 Algorithm of Packing and Unpacking a Handling Unit: Part-I | SAP Blogs

17)Once HU assignment is deleted, you will get a message and after saving, HU is free from delivery and it is
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ready for re-picking.

19) Go to VL02N, it is observed that Delivery qty=picked qty, so it is required to conduct repicking again. So,
click on pack button and copy pack quantities as dlv. quantities

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3/31/2021 Algorithm of Packing and Unpacking a Handling Unit: Part-I | SAP Blogs

20) Once you click and press enter, delivery qty and picked qty are reset to zero, which means Delivery is
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ready for re-picking again and WM activity can be followed

Hence, the Part-I of this topic ends here. In its sequel, I will explain the how HU once being unpacked moved
to partner storage location and what are the key con guration that plays the role. Also how packing from
partner storage location via HU02, HU is moved to HU managed storage location and how interim storage
types and Bins are determined. All in Sequel.

I would wait for readers response if any necessary corrections are required.

Best regards

Shailesh Mishra

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3/31/2021 Algorithm of Packing and Unpacking a Handling Unit: Part-I | SAP Blogs

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Assigned tags

SD (Sales and Distribution) | LE (Logistics Execution) | LE Handling Unit Management | LE Shipping | LE

Warehouse Management |

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3 Comments

Mehmet Ozgur Unal

November 23, 2017 at 6:47 pm

Hi shailesh mishra ,

Nice blog, keep it up .

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3/31/2021 Algorithm of Packing and Unpacking a Handling Unit: Part-I | SAP Blogs

 
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Regars.

M.Ozgur Unal

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manish Bhavsar

April 25, 2020 at 7:28 am

Hi Shailesh,

We are lucky to have you around and write blogs which has quality, address complex issue, make complex
things easy to understand.

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Jerry VanZandt

October 21, 2020 at 1:11 pm

Hi Shailesh, Nice Job.  I do it a little di erent. I highlight the master HU in the pack material tab in the
delivery under the pack button and go to the HU taskbar dropdown and select delete assignment.  Then I
lt10 the parts to repack if I'm going to return them to stock. If I'm going to use them right away I will just
pack them to the new delivery from 916 (outbound delivery staging) in LT03.  If pallets contain mixed
batches you have to use LT09 and do one at a time.  I actually prefer to repack in the delivery any mixed
batches prior to the deletion of the assignment.  This way everything stays a handling unit and can be
moved around with a scanner as if it never had been assigned to a delivery.  I even created a PIC bin named
UNPACKED to move these to that isn't in the search criteria for new deliveries.  Once the parts are split out
by batch and r palletized if necessary they go to the put away lanes to be returned to stock.  So my question
I hope you can help me with is once the HU is turned into a storage unit, how do you delete it? LI
transactions do not work, HUINV do not work 551 scrap does not work MI10 wont work???  Any help would
be appreciated

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