For many businesses running SAP in their warehouses, SAP ITS Mobile has been the standard mobility solution. It was one of the first steps towards giving warehouse workers the ability to use SAP on their mobiles, without having to set up a full desktop system.
And it kind of served its purpose for a while - but that’s the thing, times have changed.
As warehouses get busier, user expectations start to rise, and SAP estates get upgraded, more and more organisations are now asking the same question. Is SAP ITS Mobile still the right choice?
This blog explores what SAP ITS Mobile is, how it's used in SAP EWM and how solutions like PreBilt can help organisations move forwards without feeling like they're losing control.
SAP ITS Mobile is a browser-based framework that let you run SAP transactions on mobile devices. Essentially, it takes traditional SAP screens and turns them into a simplified interface that can be accessed on handheld scanners or mobile terminals supporting barcode scanning.
ITS Mobile is often used for:
Warehouse movements
Picking and putaway
Goods receipt and confirmation
Basic execution tasks
In many SAP landscapes, ITS Mobile became the de facto way of doing things for mobile execution because it was:
SAP-standard
Relatively quick to deploy
Familiar to SAP teams
All of which made it especially popular in early SAP EWM implementations.
In SAP EWM, the framework is often used to support core warehouse execution processes.
It lets operators:
Execute EWM transactions on handheld devices
Confirm tasks and movements in real time
Works directly with EWM, without middleware
From a systems perspective, this keeps execution close to the SAP core, but from a user perspective, the experience can be a bit of a mixed bag.
SAP ITS Mobile was built in a different era, one where mobile access mattered more than usability.
Common problems include:
Screens that feel like they were designed for transaction-driven work
Heavy reliance on user training and SAP knowledge
Limited guidance through complex tasks
Inconsistent user experience across different processes
Difficulty supporting the pace of a modern warehouse
In SAP EWM environments especially, processes can be pretty complex. When you push that kind of complexity directly onto the handheld screen, productivity suffers.
The result? Workarounds, delayed confirmations, and reduced confidence in your data.
SAP EWM is powerful, but power comes with complexity.
Warehouse operatives:
Don't sit at desks
Don't want to navigate menus
Don't want to remember transaction logic
They want to complete tasks and get on with their day.
Execution tools need to:
Guide users step by step
Prevent mistakes before they happen
Keep things moving at warehouse speed
And that's where many ITS Mobile in SAP EWM falls short. They expose the system, rather than supporting the user in their day job.
Modern SAP warehouses are increasingly moving towards execution layers that sit within SAP rather than exposing it directly.
It's not about replacing SAP EWM, it's about making it easier to use.
That's where solutions like PreBilt come in.
PreBilt is designed to work alongside SAP, including SAP EWM, and focuses on execution at the point of work.
Rather than relying on the ITS Mobile SAP screens, PreBilt:
Turns SAP EWM processes into task-based workflows
Guides users through each step clearly
Supports handheld devices and scanners
Validates actions in real time
Updates SAP immediately as work happens
Users don't need to understand EWM transactions, they just follow clear instructions and let the system handle the complexity. This improves speed, accuracy and adoption.
Choosing PreBilt doesn’t mean ripping up your SAP standards. SAP EWM is and will remain your system of record. SAP ITS Mobile remains firmly in place as part of SAP's toolkit.
But with PreBilt as your execution layer, you get a solution that's really optimised for people and pace.
Here’s how this approach works:
Keeps the SAP core clean
Avoids heavy customisation
Improves user experience
Strengthens data quality
It’s an evolution, not a complete rip and replace.
One of the key benefits of moving beyond ITS Mobile is definitely data quality.
When your execution is slow or confusing, confirmations get delayed and that undermines real-time visibility in SAP EWM.
PreBilt improves it by:
Capturing data exactly when the work is done
Blocking invalid actions before they even get to SAP
Cutting the need for manual corrections
That means your SAP EWM data reflects what’s really happening on the ground, not just what you think is happening.
Warehouses today are facing:
Higher volumes of stock
Tighter service levels
Greater labour turnover
Execution tools need to be able to keep up with that reality.
PreBilt helps by:
Cutting the time it takes to train new starters
Supporting temporary and seasonal labour
Keeping processes consistent across sites
Where SAP ITS Mobile relies on user knowledge, PreBilt relies on guidance and validation to make sure things are done right.
That difference matters at scale.
SAP ITS Mobile
A SAP framework that lets you run SAP transactions from your browser on a mobile device.
ITS Mobile SAP EWM
The use of ITS Mobile within SAP Extended Warehouse Management (SAP EWM) for mobile warehouse execution.
SAP EWM
SAP Extended Warehouse Management (SAP EWM), which is what you use to manage complex warehouse operations.
PreBilt
A SAP-centric supply chain mobility solution that simplifies execution and makes it easier to use on handheld devices.
Warehouse execution
The physical work involved in getting stock in, moving it around, picking and dispatching it.
Is SAP ITS Mobile still supported by SAP?
Yes. ITS Mobile remains a key part of SAP’s standard offering, including for SAP EWM.
Is SAP ITS Mobile enough for modern warehouses?
If you’ve got simple processes, it might be fine. But for fast-paced, high-volume environments, lots of organisations are looking for something a bit more user-friendly.
Does PreBilt replace SAP EWM?
No, PreBilt works with SAP EWM to support execution while keeping SAP as the system of record.
Can PreBilt be used alongside ITS Mobile SAP?
Yes, organisations can adopt PreBilt selectively for execution-heavy processes.
SAP ITS Mobile played a big role in bringing SAP into the warehouse, but warehouse expectations have moved on.
Today’s SAP EWM environments need execution tools that match warehouse pace, support users and keep data flowing in real time. With SAP EWM as the backbone and PreBilt strengthening execution, organisations can move beyond the limits of ITS Mobile without losing control.
Clear, manageable tasks.
Faster execution.
SAP EWM that works for real users.