Smart load planning with the 3D Package Builder in SAP Advanced TM
In many logistics environments, transportation planning is still a manual and time-consuming process. Consider, for example, when multiple sales orders need to be combined into one transport. Planners then often turn to Excel to estimate whether everything will physically fit in the truck. Not ideal: error-prone and inefficient - especially if you're dealing with complex stacking rules, weight restrictions or specific unloading sequences.
A question we regularly hear from logistics teams:
"Before loading, how can we be sure that everything fits, and is in the right order - without calculating everything ourselves?"
To answer that question, we at 4SCM set up a proof-of-concept using the 3D Package Builder functionality in SAP Advanced TM.
A realistic test setup
In our own demo environment, we set up a transportation planning flow with:
- three sales orders to different delivery locations,
- five different materials per order (each with their own stacking and packing rules),
- and one truckload scenario in which everything had to be put together.
The flow was fully integrated between SAP S/4HANA (for order management) and SAP TM (for transportation planning). The goal? Simulate how a planner combines sales orders via the Transportation Cockpit and immediately visually checks whether everything fits - automatically, without manual puzzling.
This is how we set it up
We configured the following components, among others:
- 3D Package Builder profile: We activated the engine in TM, added product dimensions, stacking rules and packaging materials to the master data, and set limits such as maximum stack height, prohibition of stacking fragile items, and rules for mixed packages (such as: no doors on frames).
- Freight Unit Building-rules (FUB): Custom FUB rules ensured that a freight unit was created per sales order, with room for smart consolidation in the transportation plan.
- Transportation Cockpit with 3D visualization: This allowed us to simulate loading. The unloading sequence became visible via color codes (orange = first stop, blue = second, green = last), and the system automatically determined the correct loading sequence.
- Axle weight distribution: We enabled advanced logic that checks that the truck's axle loads are within legal limits.
The result
A 3D loading plan in which the planner immediately saw:
- Where each item was placed,
- Which pallets were allowed to be stacked,
- Whether the unloading sequence matched the route,
- Whether all packaging rules were followed,
- and whether the axle loads were legally in order.
Any violations were automatically flagged so that the plan could be adjusted or split in time. Once approved, the plan could go directly to the warehouse or transportation department.
Who is this of interest to?
For companies that currently rely heavily on Excel for load planning, regularly need to consolidate orders, work with complex packaging rules and want visual certainty before physical loading.
Please note that this functionality is only available in the advanced version of SAP TM, which requires a separate license. No Advanced TM? No problem - we will help you think about a tiered approach or hybrid solutions that fit your situation.
The 3D Package Builder in SAP Advanced TM turns a manual job into a smart, automated process. Thanks to structured simulation and visualization, logistics teams make better decisions faster and save time and errors.
We are happy to be at your service
At 4SCM we always check whether advanced SAP functionality really adds value in practice. We start with the current process and build the most efficient solution from there.
