SAP TM Interview Questions

SAP Transportation Management (TM) or SAP TM is one of the vital products of SAP, which optimizes transportation. Businesses widely use this tool to enhance their fleet management by reducing complexity in transportation. 

It’s not a wonder SAP is named as a leader in transportation management in Gartner Magic Quadrant. This is simply because of the efficiency of the tool – SAP TM.

As you know, supply chain and transportation are the lifeblood of all businesses. The more the efficiency of the transportation, the more cost reduction. That’s why the SAP TM is increasingly used across many companies. As a consequence, there is a soaring demand for SAP TM professionals across the globe.

If you wish to get placed in top companies, one good way is to practice SAP TM interview questions thoroughly. 

MindMajix content specialists compiled the most-sought SAP TM interview questions with answers in greater detail to assist the aspirants of SAP TM. If you read through these SAP TM questions and answers, cracking the SAP TM interview will be a cakewalk.

SAP TM Interview Questions Table Contents:

• SAP TM Interview Questions for Freshers
• SAP TM Interview Questions for Experienced
• FAQs
• Tips to clear SAP TM Interview

Top 8 SAP TM Interview Questions

What do you understand by SAP transport group? Does SAP TM support GIS features? What are the various prime features of SAP TM? Does SAP TM support load planning features? State the benefits of leveraging SAP TM. What is the use of a collaborative portal in SAP TM? Name the shipping types used in SAP TM. Mention a few advantages of SAP TM.

SAP TM Interview Questions for Freshers:

1.  What is precisely SAP Transportation Management (TM)?

SAP TM is a robust tool that reduces transportation complexity significantly. In other words, it manages goods transportation from order to delivery. It is not only limited to these but also covers charging and settlement.

SAP TM is a comprehensive solution with which we can plan, schedule, execute, control, and monitor complex transportation processes. The underlying analytic capabilities of SAP TM help to reduce the complexity of transportation drastically. In short, SAP TM simplifies fleet and logistics management.

2.  What do you mean by SAP transport domain controller?

Generally, the transport domain contains many SAP systems. Among all the SAP systems, one crucial SAP system is detected as the SAP transport domain controller. This controller is the leader for all the SAP systems in the transport domain. Besides, it comes with a high level of availability and security.

Moreover, this controller has complete configuration information on transport management as well as controls. Hence we can make changes in the configurations smoothly.

3.  Briefly describe the reporting and analytics features of SAP TM.

SAP TM integrates with SAP BI and provides reporting and analytics features. The content to derive analytics and reports are taken by integrating with SAP business warehouse content. This is because the SAP business warehouse provides data providers, extractors, and queries.

Additionally, we can make analytics with the help of the following features.

• Business Content Viewer (BCV): It is provided with predefined business-related content. Further, we can configure BCV as per the demands.
• Operational Reporting: This reporting helps users to perform their daily activities better. These reports usually come with vast amounts of details but are not aggregated.

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4. Mention the common transport errors that occur in SAP.

Below are the common transport errors that occur in SAP.

• Transport delays
• Incorrect planning

5. What do you understand by SAP transport group?

It is nothing but a group of products that come with similar characteristics. Also, a transport group's SAP systems share a transport directory tree.

6. Can you name the latest release of SAP TM?

SAP TM 9.6 is the recent release of SAP TM

7. What are the primary two components of SAP TM?

Jotted down are the primary two components of SAP TM.

• TPO - Transportation Planning and Optimization – This component deals with planning strategies and identifying suitable methods to optimize transportation.
• TEX - Transportation Execution – This component deals with successfully executing the plans and implementing the system and processes. Mainly, it aims at reducing costs and complexity to the minimum.

8. What is the role of the transport directory in SAP?

We use the transport directory to store the transport data. Multiple SAP systems are allowed to use the same transport directory. However, we can create a separate transport directory for each SAP system.

The important thing is that all the server instances of an SAP system should be assigned to the same transport directory.

9. Does SAP TM support GIS features?

No. SAP TM doesn’t support GIS features. However, it uses third-party GIS solutions for the following reasons:

• find the geo-coordinates for the critical data points
• display geo-maps with the help of SAP visual business features
• measure the distance between the warehouse and delivery points of goods
• identify the street-routing points accurately.

10. List the various configuration methods available in the SAP TM.

Jotted down are the different configuration methods available in the SAP TM.

• Single system configuration
• Three systems in a group
• Development as well as production systems

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11. Mention the different import options available in SAP TM.

The below image lists the import options available in SAP TM.

12. Name the two editor modes that you use to configure the SAP transport routes.

• Hierarchical Editor
• Graphical Editor

13. List the SAP systems that you can integrate with SAP TM.

Following are the SAP systems that we can tightly integrate with SAP TM.

14. What are the various prime features of SAP TM?

Here are the various prime features of SAP TM.

• Strategic freight procurement
• Transportation planning and optimization
• Order management
• Freight Settlement
• Shipping execution
• Event management

15. Describe the different security methods applied in SAP TM for the SSO environment.

Following are the different security methods applied for the SSO environment in SAP TM.

• Secure Network Communications (SNC): This method is applied for making user authentication and enabling remote function calls.
• Client Certificates: This method replaces using ID and password for user authentication. However, user authentication is done with the help of a secure sockets layer protocol.
• SAP logon Tickets: This method is applied where web browsers act as front-end clients.

SAP TM Interview Questions for Experienced

16. Is it true that SAP TM is a standalone system?

Absolutely. SAP TM is known as a standalone system. However, it is tightly integrated with SAP ERP. SAP TM is embedded with S/ 4HANA with the help of Fiori applications. And NetWeaver business client is crucial in embedding SAP TM with S/4 HANA.

SAP TM can be installed on a set of servers for development. Besides, it can also be installed on servers for quality control and production environment.

Check Out: SAP HANA Interview Questions

17. Does SAP TM support load planning features?

Yes. SAP TM comes with comprehensive load planning features.

18. Is tracking events in SAP TM without integrating SAP event management possible?

Yes. Tracking events in SAP TM without the need for SAP event management is possible. SAP TM tracks event executions manually. Moreover, the generated data is stored in the SAP TM database.

19. Does leveraging SAP TM require SAP Process Integration?

Not necessarily. However, using SAP Process Integration to integrate SAP TM with SAP ERP is better.

We use SAP PI to integrate SAP TM freight orders with SAP ERP shipment documents. This process is mainly required while using the SAP warehouse management tool. This is because the tool strictly requires shipment documents to perform loading processes.

20. Does SAP TM have the ability to optimize routing?

Yes. SAP TM has the capability to optimize routing. Optimizing is usually done after setting up cost and capacity.

21. Does SAP TM use trailers and drivers for operating a private fleet?

Yes. SAP TM uses trailers and drivers for operating private fleets. It is done with the help of optional trailer unit documents. When considering trailers, they support modeling complex trailer scenarios like drop-and-hook. 

It is essential to note that the trailer unit document is the one that tracks the movement of trailers.

22. How can you transfer a ‘change request’ from one point to another in SAP TM?

We can transfer change requests with the help of transaction code SCC1.

23. Is installing SAP ERP to employ SAP transportation management necessary?

No. SAP TM can work as a standalone system. However, most SAP TM installations are done with SAP ERP.

Check Out: SAP ERP Interview Questions

24. State the benefits of leveraging SAP TM.

Jotted down are the benefits that users can reap by leveraging SAP TM.

• Costs are reduced drastically
• Logistics operations are hugely streamlined.
• Resource utilization is optimized.
• Productivity is increased because of collaboration, automated processes, and minimized redundancy.
• Real-time operational data drives informed and fast decision-making.
• End-to-end transportation becomes highly visible with the help of electronic tracking and cross-system document flow.

25. How is SAP TM advantageous over SAP ERP LE-TRA?

Although SAP TM and SAP LE-TRA have the same functionalities, SAP TM has a few additional capabilities. The other abilities are listed below:

• Comprehensive transportation zone
• Freight tendering
• Lane management
• Transportation
• Collaboration portal
• Route optimization

26. What is the use of a collaborative portal in SAP TM?

It supports performing all the collaborative processes of SAP TM smoothly. This portal displays all the KPIs to users.

With this portal, we can perform the tasks shown in the graphic below.

27. Mention the various steps involved in SAP TM for freight settlement.

The freight settlement process includes the following steps.

• Defining transportation charges
• Determining freight agreements
• Generating settlement documents
• Integrating the documents with SAP ERP
• Embedding customer billing with SAP ERP

28. What are the various processes involved in an SAP TM?

Below are the different processes followed in SAP TM sequentially.

29. How SAP EWM and SAP TM are associated?

Regarding SAP TM, goods transportation is optimized, and the cost is reduced. When it comes to SAP EWM, warehouse efficiency is improved significantly. We can integrate SAP TM with SAP EWM directly.

However, both tools are used to improve the supply chain process.

30. Why does location creation usually fail in SAP TM when it is done based on shipping points?

If we want to create locations, we need to have location addresses. We should ensure that the shipping point has an address before creating locations.

SAP TM FAQs:

1. What skills should I need to work with SAP TM?

If you want to become a competent SAP TM professional, you must have good problem-solving skills and analytical thinking. You should also have good functional decomposition and process modeling capabilities. Most importantly, you should have strong communication skills.

2. Why do I need SAP TM?

We need SAP TM for optimizing transportation management. When the complexity of logistics and fleet management is reduced, it leads to increased productivity and income.

3. Is there a demand for SAP TM?

Of course! There has been a rising demand for SAP TM professionals in recent years. As SAP TM is increasingly being used in many companies, the need for SAP TM experts is on the rise.

4. Is SAP TM a functional or technical module?

SAP TM contains both technical and functional modules.

5. Is SAP TM deployed on-premises or cloud?

SAP TM can be deployed both on-premises and cloud.

6. What are the companies that use SAP TM?

Companies such as air products, nestle, ALDI, BD, Swatch Group, Coca-Cola, etc., use SAP TM.

7. Name the shipping types used in SAP TM.

There are totally three shipping types used in SAP TM. They are the collective shipment, individual shipment, and transportation chain.

8. What is a process controller in SAP TM?

A process controller is essentially a framework that we use to define strategies as well as methods. By defining them, we can execute planning processes effortlessly.

9. Mention a few advantages of SAP TM.

Below are a few advantages of SAP TM.

• Improved visibility and control
• Risk Reduction
• Increased efficiency and productivity
• Enhanced customer satisfaction
• Streamlined transportation

10. What is Freight Order in SAP TM?

A freight order is an order that is planned and executed by a shipper or carrier. Generally, every freight order consists of a plan for vehicle departure time, logical processing,  and associated execution data. Note that freight orders are standard objects in SAP TM.

Tips to crack SAP TM interview:

Aside from learning SAP TM interview questions, there are some golden rules that you should know to crack your interviews effortlessly.

Let's address them one by one.

• Prepare a perfect resume. That is the critical step to nailing an interview. Your resume must be concise and impressive. You must include all your skills and abilities in the resume. However, it shouldn’t be overexposed.
• Be calm while facing your interview. Don't rush and hush. You should attend your SAP TM interview confidently.
• Time is precious. Answer the questions in concise and straightforward language. Be direct in answering questions. Don't hover over around with unnecessary details. 
• Be polite and pleasing always. Interviewers may ask tricky and unexpected questions to test your balance and stability. So don’t get confused and answer these types of questions cleverly with clear thoughts.
• As SAP TM deals with transportation and logistics, research more on these areas. Be familiar with the technical concepts and strategies associated with transportation and logistics.
• Be the expert in handling the tool SAP TM. Before attending your interview, ensure that you have gained proficiency in working with the tool. To put it simply, don't leave any stone unturned.
• Above all, research the company for which you will attend the interview. It will show that you are much interested in the company to interviewers.

Conclusion:

It’s now time to wrap! You have read through the top 30 SAP TM interview questions and answers. Additionally, you might have gone through tips to crack the SAP TM interview and FAQs. However, you must further hone your SAP TM expertise to breeze through your interview successfully and stand out from your competitors.

If you want to complete professional training, enroll for an SAP TM course in MindMajix and get a certification. Eventually, it will transform you into a shining star and help you easily crack your SAP TM interview.