RFID integration with SAP EWM lets warehouses capture item, handling unit and resource identity in real time and feed that data into warehouse tasks and confirmations. SAP EWM does not read RFID tags directly; it connects to RFID hardware through SAP Auto-ID Infrastructure (AII), middleware that translates tag reads into EPCIS-standard data before EWM acts on it.
If you manage a warehouse or supply chain, you know that tracking inventory and managing inbound and outbound processes involve many moving parts. This guide explains what RFID is, how it actually connects to SAP EWM through AII, and what to plan for before you start an integration project.
RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) is a technology that uses radio waves to communicate between a tag and a reader. The tag, attached to an object, contains information about it, such as its identity, location, or other relevant data. The reader, whether handheld or fixed, reads the information from the tag and transmits it to a central database or system.
Companies use RFID technology in many applications, including access control, asset tracking, and contactless payment systems. RFID can reduce costs, increase efficiency, and improve security.
RFID provides real-time tracking and data collection, so you monitor the movement and location of objects within your warehouse. This is especially useful for tracking inventory, since it helps you quickly and accurately determine the location and quantity of your stock.
RFID also improves the accuracy and speed of warehouse tasks, such as receiving and picking. With RFID, you scan items as they are received or picked, which reduces manual data entry and the risk of errors. This saves time and improves efficiency, leading to cost savings and better customer satisfaction.
RFID also helps improve security and compliance in your warehouse. For example, you can track the movement of hazardous materials to ensure proper storage and handling, or monitor access to restricted areas to help prevent unauthorized access or theft.
SAP EWM is a module within the SAP supply chain management (SCM) system that provides advanced warehouse management capabilities, including inbound and outbound processes, inventory management, and storage and picking. EWM itself, however, does not talk to RFID readers directly. The connection runs through SAP Auto-ID Infrastructure (AII), a separate piece of middleware on the NetWeaver stack that has supported EPC-based RFID in EWM since EWM 5.1.
The table below summarizes how data moves from a physical RFID tag to an action inside EWM.
Layer | Role in the RFID flow |
RFID tags and readers | Capture item, handling unit or resource identity at goods receipt, putaway, picking or goods issue |
SAP Auto-ID Infrastructure (AII) | Middleware that receives raw tag reads, applies rules, and translates them into EPC-standard identifiers |
EPCIS (EPC Information Services) | The standard format AII uses to encode and exchange tag data, such as SSCC-based EPC URIs |
SAP EWM (/SCWM/RFID function group) | Receives the processed RFID events from AII via RFC and triggers the matching warehouse task or confirmation |
On the EWM side, the function group /SCWM/RFID and its function module /SCWM/RFID_ACTION handle incoming RFID actions from AII. EWM stores EPC data for products, handling units and RFID-tagged resources in the /SCWM/EPC table. This is why an RFID project always involves configuring both AII and EWM, not EWM alone.
To integrate RFID with EWM, you need RFID hardware, such as tags and readers, and you need to license and configure SAP Auto-ID Infrastructure (AII) to sit between that hardware and your EWM system. This typically involves:
/SCWM/EX_RFID_CODING.Once you set up your RFID hardware, AII and EWM together, you start using RFID to track and manage warehouse operations: the movement of inventory as it is received, stored and picked, and in some setups the movement of employees, equipment or other assets. One of the key benefits of integrating RFID with EWM through AII is real-time communication and data exchange across the supply chain, which helps you make better-informed decisions and respond quickly to changes in demand or supply.
To learn more about SAP EWM & RFID integration, meet our SAP EWM consulting team.
EWM supports EPC-based RFID processing through its /SCWM/RFID function group, but it needs SAP Auto-ID Infrastructure (AII) as middleware to receive and translate the actual RFID tag reads before EWM acts on them.
AII is a separate piece of SAP middleware running on the NetWeaver stack. It connects RFID hardware to backend systems, including SAP EWM, via RFC and web services, and translates tag data into EPCIS-standard identifiers.
Yes, in most cases. You need RFID tags and readers in addition to licensing and configuring AII, since EWM only processes RFID data that AII has already captured and translated.
It can for many use cases, particularly bulk reads and tracking, but many warehouses run RFID and barcode or RF scanning side by side rather than fully replacing one with the other.
RFID integration with SAP EWM runs through SAP Auto-ID Infrastructure, not EWM alone, and understanding that architecture upfront avoids scoping surprises later in the project. Plan your tag standard, hardware and AII configuration together before you start. If you are a SAP EWM user or are considering an RFID integration, contact our SAP EWM consultancy team.
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