You're considering using a warehouse management system. What are the benefits?

WMS provides a standalone environment to create efficiency in warehouse operations. In a world where warehouses are advancing at an incredible pace, having a WMS as the primary building block for integration is critical. WMS will allow you to accurately time track tasks to provide data for decision making. Finally, WMS will provide additional flexibility in your warehouse operations. Most ERPs can provide fixed processes or one or two picking methods. WMS expands those possibilities to provide you with flexibility and depth for efficient and accurate warehouse operations.

As a best in breed WMS solution, inter-connectivity to outside platforms is vital. As a new modern, WMS, we are built on a series of APIs with API documentation available. We have various methods of connecting with ERP, Finance Packages, OMS, TMS, Carriers, Pallet Networks and Shipping providers. Many ERP's cannot provide the rich functionality required within the warehouse setting, so we are oftern brought in, to contribute and connect with the ERP.

A Warehouse Management System (WMS) streamlines operations, reduces costs and enhances customer service by improving inventory visibility and accuracy. It enables real-time tracking and efficient order fulfillment and eliminates manual data entry. WMS optimizes warehouse operations, reducing labor costs and increasing throughput. It supports various rotation methodologies for inventory and features task interleaving for increased productivity. Key features include appointment scheduling, inventory management, wave planning, 3D visual warehouse, task management, cross-docking, yard visibility, replenishment, load management, analytics, and extensive reporting.

Implementing WMS offers numerous benefits for optimizing warehouse operations. Firstly, a WMS enhances inventory accuracy by providing real-time visibility into stock levels and locations, reducing the risk of stockouts or overstocking. It streamlines order fulfillment processes, increasing efficiency and reducing cycle times. Additionally, a WMS improves labor productivity by automating tasks such as picking and packing, minimizing errors and maximizing throughput. It also enables better decision-making through data analytics and reporting, allowing for continuous process improvement. Overall, a WMS improves operational efficiency, inventory management, and customer satisfaction, making it a valuable investment for warehouse operations.

Foremost to any warehouse modernization is the implementation DESIGN, which must be a collaboration between the client shore users and the consultancy covering all processes based on best practices, not replicating the current state. Like open heart surgery, a comprehensive surgical plan, based on years of experience, honed and continuously refined leads to true transformation and unparalleled optimization. The most time consuming phase implementation is DESIGN. Symptoms of a poor design are unplanned change orders, missed milestones, cost overruns, unhappy customers and worse, low user adoption and system abandonment. Remember…. A great scalpel is only as good as the surgeon……

Barcode scanning is fundamental to allow the WMS to perform accurately. Rules and conditions can easily be set within the WMS to manage specific products or locations, for example Suggested Putaway. Using Handheld devices, you can configure the workflow for the operators, providing guided steps that they need to follow. This makes life and training so easy. Reports and analytics can then be analysed by the warehouse manager or super user, to home in on areas and make minor changes to improve processes. The WMS you use needs to be flexible, simple and easy to use allowing configuration to quickly introduce those improvements.

A WMS is crucial in the warehouse and supply chain and provides you with the capabilities to run the warehouse well and adapt to change. Accuracy rates improve efficiency rates, which reduces errors. Reducing errors lowers your returns rate. Once all of these are operating well, order processing increases and this increases productivity and morale. Stock management is then improved and the overall customer satisfaction increase. These are all important factors managed by your WMS. What you need is the system to perform, then analyse the analytics to make tweaks or informed decisions easily. Small changes with internal processes can gain that extra % with the ultimate goal of reaching 'warehouse optimisation'

When choosing a WMS, you just need to make sure that its not a 'legacy' system. At Clarus WMS, we are a pure cloud (no servers), modern (simple and easy to use), shared (no more upgrades) platform. These alone present a massive cost saving both short term and long term. Our value proposition is so strong, but we don't come with the massive price tag either. Product, Price and Service are the 3 characteristics of a good working partnership. The product needs to be right, the price needs to be affordable and the service needs to be strong. Fortunately we are all of these.

Select a WMS that can meet your requirements with minimum (ideally no) customization needed. Make the provider demonstrate how they would address your requirements “out of the box”. Changing processes is common when implementing a WMS, but it should optimize those processes. But if a provider is trying to get you to change your processes, but it is more cumbersome, then chances are, the system does not meet your requirements and they would require customization to do so. Just as important, look for a WMS that is future proof. One that provides advanced technology and functionality that you can leverage and grow into.