What makes warehouse management software (WMS) work for larger enterprises over the long haul?
As uncertain as the economy, supply chain, and labor market are, WMS capabilities and fit can determine long-term business success. Yet many systems are relatively rigid and require custom coding by the solution provider or a partner to make updates. Some are not ready to coordinate well with the advanced automation warehouses, distribution centers, and fulfillment facilities have. Some WMS companies treat the software sale as a one-time transaction, rather than the beginning of a long partnership.
Companies must choose their enterprise WMS wisely, knowing their business needs will change. The Tech-Clarity Warehouse Management Systems Buyer’s Guide breaks it down and includes images and quotes from two examples of fast-moving, fast-growing companies that are confident they have made a good decision.
Please enjoy the summary* below. For the full research, please visit our sponsor Infios (registration required).
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
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.
Enterprise-Capable
Most enterprises have been facing the challenge of worker shortages. Automation is one obvious response. In fast-moving warehouse environments, an array of modern automation can help even less experienced people be efficient and effective. Yet, in many cases, the mix of stock-keeping units (SKUs) through the warehouse has also increased, so the WMS must run at very high performance even when the product flow and processes change quickly.
Holistic
A warehouse or DC is all about moving and storing materials as efficiently, safely, and accurately as possible. This demands the WMS to deliver a detailed understanding of where everything is at every moment and who last touched it. Ideally, it helps ensure that associates and automated equipment perform every step of the process correctly.
Visibility and Optimization
Performance Monitoring
Disciplined metrics are the foundations of most enterprises’ ability to stay competitive. Look for a WMS with robust performance reporting. Common key performance indicators (KPIs) include order lead time, perfect orders, carrying costs, turnover, inventory-to-sales, inventory accuracy, and shrinkage.
Yet, many enterprises have company-standard KPIs and formulas for calculating them. So, this functionality must be extensible to allow monitoring and reporting the way your company expects it. Ideally, this also includes pivot-style analytics to drill down into the data and review performance by customers, suppliers, products, facilities, or areas.
Optimization
Seek to go beyond execution and reporting to optimize the warehouse or DC. This points to a WMS with simulation and predictive analytics. These advanced capabilities can model the facility to promote a deeper understanding of the impact of possible changes. This is a strong foundation for continuous improvement. Optimization also helps improve agility to make sure a response to changing conditions is still productive, safe, and profitable.
Optimize and Reoptimize
In today’s challenging supply chain environment, every company needs all the advantages they can get. Enterprises compete on best practices they have discovered. Choose a WMS designed to allow your team to mold the software to those, and keep up as you learn, grow, and change.
Optimize the Operation
Today’s enterprise needs more from WMS than repeatedly executing the same flows. 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 not only initially, but into the unforeseeable future.
*This summary is an abbreviated version of the ebook and does not contain the full content. For the full report, please visit our sponsor Infios.
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