JinJin48

SAP Consultant | BTP · S/4HANA · US Global Rollout

June 27, 2026 · 13 min read

SAP EWM Storage Type

The Storage Type is the first configuration object defined in an SAP EWM warehouse — it divides the physical warehouse into functional zones (racking, floor storage, goods receipt zone, production staging, etc.) and controls how inventory moves into, within, and out of each zone. All downstream master data objects — Storage Sections, Storage Bins, Putaway and Picking Strategies, and Production Supply Areas — reference a Storage Type. Getting the Storage Type design right in Phase 1 is the most consequential structural decision in an EWM implementation.

Part 1: Storage Type — Core Concepts (All Modules)#

1.1 What Is the Storage Type?#

A Storage Type is a logical and physical classification of a storage area within a warehouse. It answers the question: “What kind of storage is this zone, and how does product move through it?” Each Storage Type belongs to exactly one Warehouse Number and carries its own set of movement control parameters — independently from any other Storage Type in the same warehouse.

1.2 Storage Type Categories and Variants#

Storage Types are differentiated by both their physical characteristic and their functional role in warehouse flow. A single warehouse typically contains four to ten Storage Types. Choosing the wrong category causes misrouted warehouse tasks and incorrect bin search results.

Design principle: Define one Storage Type per distinct physical or operational zone. Avoid overloading a single Storage Type with incompatible movement behaviors — it makes strategy configuration impossible to maintain.

1.3 Organizational Levels and Data Hierarchy#

Storage Type sits at the second level of the EWM warehouse structure. Every subordinate object — Section, Bin, Strategy — inherits the Storage Type as its parent reference.

Warehouse Number (e.g., WH01)
   │
   ├── Storage Type 0001 (Rack Storage)
   │      │
   │      ├── Storage Section A (Fast-mover zone)
   │      │      └── Storage Bins: A01-01-01, A01-01-02, ...
   │      │
   │      ├── Storage Section B (Slow-mover zone)
   │      │      └── Storage Bins: B01-01-01, ...
   │      │
   │      ├── Putaway Strategy (e.g., Next Empty Bin)
   │      └── Picking Strategy (e.g., FEFO)
   │
   ├── Storage Type GR01 (Goods Receipt Zone)
   │      └── Storage Section GR (single section)
   │             └── Storage Bins: GR-IN-01, GR-IN-02, ...
   │
   └── Storage Type AUTO (ASRS — MFS-integrated)
          └── Storage Section AUTO-A
                 └── Storage Bins: managed by MFS conveyor logic

Key design decision: Decide whether to use Storage Sections within each Storage Type before creating any Bins. Adding or changing Sections after bin creation requires a Bin migration — a high-effort SPRO and data activity in a live warehouse.

1.4 Integration with Other Master Data Objects#

Storage Type is the hub from which all Phase 1 Storage Control objects radiate. It is also the reference point for Phase 2 Basic Master objects that require a physical location.

Part 2: EWM-Specific Field Details#

2.0 Scope of EWM Ownership#

Legend: ◎ = Owner / Critical

2.1 Basic Data#

Basic Data defines the identity and top-level classification of the Storage Type. These fields are set once at go-live and rarely changed in a production system.

2.2 Movement Type Group#

The Movement Type Group defines the set of EWM warehouse movement types that are valid for this Storage Type. It is the primary control that prevents unauthorized or incorrect stock movements into or out of a zone.

2.3 Stock Removal / Putaway Control#

Putaway and Stock Removal Control parameters determine how the system handles unit-of-measure transitions, partial pallets, and bin sharing at the point of movement execution.

2.4 Capacity Check#

Capacity Check settings define the physical constraints of bins in this Storage Type and control when the system rejects a putaway because a target bin would be overloaded.

2.5 Search Strategy Parameters#

Search Strategy Parameters link the Storage Type to the Putaway and Picking Strategy objects defined in Phase 1. They control the sequence in which strategies are evaluated at runtime.

What to Read Next#

L1) Big Picture

L2-A) Master Data

L2-B) Transaction