What are the best practices for communicating WMS performance results?

Define relevant KPIs. Generate regular reports. Use visual dashboards for quick insights. Provide context by comparing data. Recognize achievements to motivate teams. Identify and address challenges. Customize reports for different stakeholders. Encourage feedback and discussions. Use data for continuous improvement. Establish a feedback loop for ongoing refinement.

Around Inventory Accuracy - location accuracy is important and rarely looked at. Poor location accuracy leads to inefficiencies during staging/picking processes.

At ClarusWMS we approach this using an open book policy. The statistics and results of our performance in terms of uptime are on display within the solution. It’s available as an “in app. experience”. Our clients can view the system status, display uptime, API performance, Handheld performance, integrations, maintenance, incidents and cloud print services.

Clearly define and prioritize the key performance indicators that align with your business goals and objectives. Common WMS KPIs include order fulfillment accuracy, order cycle time, inventory accuracy, and system uptime.

Presenting data through visualizations such as charts, graphs, and dashboards can make complex information more accessible. Visuals can help stakeholders quickly grasp trends, patterns, and outliers in WMS performance. Tailor your performance reports for different stakeholders. Executives may be interested in high-level summaries, while operational teams may need detailed data. Ensure that each audience can easily extract relevant insights from the presented information.

Compare WMS performance against industry benchmarks or internal historical data. Benchmarking provides context and helps stakeholders understand how well the system is performing relative to expectations or industry standards.

Customize communication for different WMS audiences: Executives: Focus on KPIs (order accuracy, on-time shipment), bottom-line cost savings, and how the WMS supports strategic goals. Use charts and graphs for quick visualization. Managers/Supervisors: Highlight process bottlenecks, capacity utilization, and root causes of any performance issues. This helps them pinpoint areas for improvement. Warehouse Workers: Share individual vs. team metrics for motivation. Emphasize successes alongside areas for development. If data shows knowledge gaps, link to training options. Customers: Focus on reliability (on-time shipments, accuracy) and offer some order status visibility if possible. Proactively communicate delays and provide updated ETAs.

Translate performance data into actionable insights. Clearly communicate recommendations for improvement based on the analysis. This could involve optimizing processes, adjusting configurations, or investing in system upgrades. Identify and highlight any exceptional events or anomalies in the data. This could include system downtime, unusually high order volumes, or unexpected variations in order fulfillment times. Explain the causes and potential impact on performance.

Encourage feedback from users and stakeholders regarding the reports. This can help refine reporting formats, address specific information needs, and ensure that the communication of WMS performance results remains relevant and valuable.