Building a Touchless SAP TM System for Bulk Chemical Shipments

Introduction:

Recently, I had the opportunity to lead an SAP S/4HANA Transportation Management (TM) implementation for a global chemical client, focusing primarily on bulk shipments across Rail, Road, Ocean, and Air.Bulk logistics brings unique challenges: high volumes, repetitive flows, and strict safety/compliance requirements. To meet these demands, we designed and delivered a largely automated, touchless TM system — one that enables seamless execution, settlement, and payment across all modes.

Solution Architecture Highlights:

Automated Execution:The moment deliveries were created, execution documents were generated automatically via batch jobs.

Rail → leveraged default routes.

Road → used default lanes for efficiency.

Agreements & Charge Types:Converted and harmonized hundreds of freight agreements and charge types.Migrated 400+ rate tables, ensuring consistency across carriers and modes.

Touchless Processes: Designed and delivered a zero-touch TM system — minimizing manual effort in execution, settlement, and payment.

Result: Faster cycle times, fewer errors, and lower administrative overhead.

The AI Opportunity:

Like many complex TM projects, this one required a large number of WRICEFs (custom developments). This is exactly where AI can transform TM implementations:

-Rate Conversion Automation

-Settlement Exception Handling

-User Guidance & Training

-Future implementations should focus on AI-driven accelerators from day one

Challenges & Lessons Learned:

User Complexity → TM is not like traditional functional areas (SD/MM). It’s newer, broader, and requires double the time for education and training. Balancing user enablement with project timelines was a major challenge.

Tight Deadlines → Delivering within budget and dates required a balance of automation + strict governance.

Learning Through Complexity → Every TM implementation feels like a “mystery box.” The complexity is what shapes functional architects into true experts.

Takeaways:

Automation is key for bulk and repetitive shipments.

AI will reshape TM by reducing WRICEFs and accelerating rate, charge type, and exception management.

User adoption must be given equal priority as system design — training, education, and change management are as critical as the blueprint.

Complexity creates expertise → Every difficult project brings new skills, lessons, and the ability to guide future implementations with confidence.

Closing Thought:

As an SAP TM & AI Master Adviser, I’ve seen firsthand that success in TM is never just technology — it’s architecture, automation, user adoption, and continuous learning. With AI now entering the picture, we have the chance to make future TM implementations smarter, faster, and leaner.

To learn more about how I guide and rescue SAP TM projects reachout to me at @support.maven@mesacs.com