What are the key factors to consider when selecting warehouse management software (WMS)? As fast as supply chains are changing, how can you be ready for the future? Our new WMS Buyer’s Guide has the answers, informed by interviews with companies who have found WMS that keeps up with their business.
Please enjoy the summary below.* For the full report, please visit our sponsor Körber Supply Chain (registration required).
For related research, stay tuned for the upcoming webcast with Julie Fraser of Tech-Clarity, Kenny Williams of Parts Town, and Victoria Brown of Körber Supply Chain.
Table of Contents
- Introducing the Buyer’s Guide
- Flexible Flows to Meet Enterprise Needs
- Enterprise-Capable
- Enterprise IT-Capable
- Functionality
- Visibility and Optimization
- Software Technology
- Vendor Requirements
- Implementation and Service Criteria
- Optimize and Reoptimize
- Acknowledgments
- Selecting the Right WMS
Optimizing Warehouse Operations into the Unforeseeable Future
Today, many enterprises are finding their business transformation path. Companies must change, whether it’s changing up suppliers or customers, moving into new product lines, regions, or markets, offering new services, or adjusting to unpredictable demand and supply situations. Competitive advantage and strategy are no longer fixed. As a result, companies need to select warehouse management systems (WMS) carefully. What are the primary considerations, and how can choosing the right WMS impact a company’s ability to succeed in their business and digital transformations today and into the future?
Introducing the Buyer’s Guide
Perfect Orders in a Changing World
Every industry has been suffering from disruptions and radical changes in supply, demand, and business realities. As a result, supply chain responsiveness for perfect orders is often top of mind, and enterprise warehouse management systems (WMS) are foundational to achieving that. Warehouse performance is crucial, not only for wholesale and distribution enterprises but also for retailers, e-tailers, producers, and manufacturers.
Structure of the Guide
This buyer’s guide describes the needs of larger enterprises to transform and continue to improve their business. It then lays out a set of critical considerations for selecting a WMS that will support the strategy now and into the future. Functionality is just the beginning of the considerations. Technology is also crucial and needs to be future-ready as the digital transformation continues. Even if the software is good, the solution provider partner or vendor plays many vital roles. To gain business value with an excellent total cost of ownership, implementation, and the ongoing relationship matter also.
Optimize and Reoptimize
Get WMS that will Fit
In today’s challenging supply chain environment, every company needs all of the advantages they can get. Enterprises compete on best practices they have discovered: choose a WMS designed to mold to those, and keep up as you learn, grow, and change.
Optimize the Operation
Today’s enterprise needs more from WMS than just executing the same flows repeatedly. The goal is to improve what you are doing, even as things change. The opportunity to optimize flows with simulation for the warehouse is enormous. Predictive analytics are not just a shiny buzzword but are available today in some WMS.
Future-ready
Looking ahead is the core to choosing the right WMS. Companies must prepare for what’s next, whether it’s automating more, hiring new people, serving new markets, or just knowing something unforeseen will happen. Ensure your WMS is ready.
Total Cost of Ownership
Look for WMS with a good fit, self-configuration, robust integration, optimization, and a reliable software partner. All of the above adds up to a lower total cost of ownership (TCO) for an enterprise. It also points to the potential for better performance for the warehouse, the enterprise, and the entire supply chain.
*This summary is an abbreviated version of the research and does not contain the full content. For the full research, please visit our sponsor Körber Supply Chain (registration required).
If you have difficulty obtaining a copy of the report, please contact us.