JIT Supply to Production

Below is a detailed walk‑through of the configuration steps and process flow for setting up a JIT call for production supply in SAP S/4HANA. This approach—often referred to as Next Generation JIT Supply—is critical for lean manufacturing environments (such as in the automotive industry) that require a continuous, low‑inventory approach to material supply.

1. Define & Configure JIT Control Cycles

What it is:
At the heart of JIT is the JIT control cycle. This master data object defines the supply–demand relationship between a production area (or production supply area) and a warehouse. It includes settings for the replenishment method, the production area, the source of supply, and the replenishment quantity. Each control cycle goes through distinct statuses (for example: “In Preparation,” “Locked,” “Ready for Release,” and “Released”). In the Released status, the cycle becomes active in sending out replenishment requests.

How to configure:

• Use the Fiori app "Manage JIT Control Cycles" available in S/4HANA to create, view, or modify these cycles.
• Define planning parameters (e.g., safety stocks, consumption rates) and determine whether the replenishment will be internally managed or externally supplied (often implying scheduling agreements when relying on external suppliers).

This control cycle acts as a blueprint for material requirements, ensuring that production lines receive materials exactly when needed rather than stocking excess inventory.

2. Activate Fiori Services & Assign Roles

What it is:
To support JIT operations, specific Fiori services need to be activated. These services enable the creation, management, and monitoring of control cycles and JIT calls.

Key steps include:

• Service Activation:
  • Via transaction /IWPFND/maint_service, activate relevant Fiori services such as:
  • API_NJIT_CCYC_MANAGE_SRV
  • JITCONTROLCYCLES_SRV
  • LE_JIT_JITCALL_MANAGE_SRV
  • APS_CHANGE_DOCUMENTS_SRV
• Role Assignment:

• Create or assign custom roles (e.g., a role like ZMSCG_JITCYCLES_MANAGE) and ensure that key users such as Production Planners, Production Operators, and Supervisors have roles like:

• SAP_BR_PRODN_OPTR_LEAN_MFG
• SAP_BR_PRODN_PLNR_LEAN_MFG
• SAP_BR_PRODN_SUPVR_LEAN_MFG

This integration with Fiori ensures that stakeholders have real‑time access to production supply data, can trigger replenishment requests, and monitor material flow along the production line.

3. Configure Extended Warehouse Management (EWM) Integration

What it is:
For the actual physical material movement, SAP S/4HANA integrates with EWM. This ensures that a JIT call generated in the ERP system is translated into warehouse tasks (such as picking, staging, and goods movement).

How to configure:

• EWM Master Data and Production Supply Setup:
  • Set up the production supply area by creating a Production Supply Area (PSA) in EWM.
  • Create and assign PSA stage bins. These bins serve as the staging areas where materials are prepared for picking and delivery.
• Integration Activation:

• Activate the specific configuration for transferring JIT calls from S/4HANA to EWM. For instance, enable the integration by setting the custom transaction or activation (e.g., /SCWM/DLV_STOCK_TRANSFER_JIT).

This integration provides a complete end-to-end process—from the control cycle in ERP to the warehouse execution of material movements—essential for a seamless JIT supply process.

4. Define & Configure the Replenishment Strategy

What it is:
Once a control cycle is in place and EWM integration is active, the system can monitor consumption on the production line. Based on predefined rules (consumption rates, safety stock levels, and other parameters), the system triggers a replenishment request.

How to configure and process:

• Replenishment requests are automatically generated by the system when consumption reaches a certain threshold.
• The JIT call is then produced in S/4HANA and transmitted to EWM, where it is handled as a warehouse task.
• This task includes inventory picking, staging, and ultimately delivering the material to the production line.

This setup not only minimizes inventory but also ensures that production is rarely interrupted due to material shortages.

5. Execution & Monitoring

What it is:
Post-configuration, the process must be thoroughly monitored to ensure timely replenishment and that no production bottlenecks occur.

Key monitoring steps include:

• Using various Fiori apps to track control cycle statuses, production consumption, and the real‑time monitoring of JIT calls.
• Checking logs and error messages to troubleshoot any delays or inconsistencies in material delivery.
• Coordination between production planners and warehouse managers is crucial to align on any adjustments in the control cycles or replenishment process.

This stage is critical for continuously optimizing the supply chain and ensuring that the lean manufacturing process remains efficient and responsive to the production floor’s needs.