What is the difference between IM and WM

· Since the lowest level at which stock can be managed is the Storage Location level, the system displays the inventory levels as summarized values and provides very limited information about individual pick slots, such as which materials are stored in specific storage bins.

· Where and how stock is placed within the warehouse is random as placement strategies are nonexistent.

· When there is a requirement for SAP transactions to be executed on a radio frequency device, Advanced Business Application Programming (ABAP) coding is required because SAP Console does not provide standard out-of-the-box RF transactions for IM.

· The ability to replenish dedicated picking areas is not available in IM.

· Automation of pick logic and travel paths is not possible; picking is according to the sequence in which the order was entered / received and is not based on material and bin locations.

· Performing cycle counts at the individual bin location is not possible because quantity is presented to the end user as a summarized value. Operators cannot record the inventory at each bin; therefore, each bin quantity will have to be added up first to get total, and then it can be entered into the system

For example, suppose the system says there is a total quantity of 200 gaskets in the rack. When it is time to do the cycle count, the 200 gaskets are spread throughout three locations in these quantities: 100, 50 and 50 respectively. IM does not allow you to enter the individual quantities at each of the bins. Instead verification of physical inventory is limited to the confirmation that there are 200 gaskets in the rack.
Where and how they are stored is not visible.

· IM does not have the ability to determine space/bin utilization for a warehouse facility, and does not provide any space optimization business functions.