Vendor Return Process for Indirect Materials in Extended Warehouse Management: Configuration and Implementation

Abstract

The vendor return process in Extended Warehouse Management (EWM) presents significant challenges for supply chain operations, particularly for indirect materials. This article explores the configuration requirements and implementation strategies necessary for optimizing return workflows within EWM systems. Beginning with purchase order configuration and the critical role of confirmation control keys, the discussion progresses through inbound delivery creation, goods receipt processes, return categorization mechanisms, and post-receipt handling procedures. The examination of these interconnected components reveals how proper system configuration directly impacts inventory accuracy, processing efficiency, and financial outcomes. Through structured implementation approaches focusing on specific control points, organizations can achieve substantial improvements in return processing while reducing operational costs. The integration between EWM and inventory management systems emerges as a crucial factor in successful return management, with specialized reason codes and movement types serving as essential elements in the configuration framework.