SOLVED! 7 Tips for Choosing and Implementing a WMS

Are you looking for a new WMS (warehouse management system) for your warehouse or distribution center? Kudos! It means that your business is growing and expanding. The WMS solution is the best option for your supply chain as it helps adapt to the rapid changes in consumer needs.

Typically, the warehouse management software comes with vital benefits to any retailer and supply chain. For optimum results, you can take advantage of WMS integration services from vendors to improve your logistics modules.

Choosing the right WMS solution could help increase the visibility and traceability of labor management. It also improves order fulfillment, automates data collection, and enhances customer service, accurate reporting.

Without a suitable WMS and technology, you won’t enjoy such benefits with your logistics operations. If you’ve decided to invest in a new WMS, you should consider the following 7 tips for choosing and implementing a WMS.

1. Choose a solution with the ability to integrate

Your new WMS won’t operate in a silo. You will find most supply chain companies operating various systems. Therefore, it is critical to understand how easy the solution is to integrate with platforms.

Such systems may include the ERP (enterprise resource planning) software and TA systems. And most likely your online shop in case you run an ecommerce business. The thing is, you need a WMS solution that can play well with all the existing system(s) in your warehouse.

Besides that, the solution must integrate easily with hardware and equipment like forklifts and worker interfaces, including other kinds of lifting gear. By doing so, you’ll have a perfect overview of everything that takes place across the entire warehouse.

Connect also with 3PL (third party logistics) that exist outside the warehouse. Effective 3PL integration allows for easy and better tracking of the solution’s performance, boosting your consumer service.

2. Evaluate WMS scalability against business growth goals

You should choose a WMS solution that is easily flexible and expandable. Plus, it should require less effort to customize to meet your specific needs including the business growth goals.

Since most WMS solutions are incredibly customizable, software designed as modules is beneficial. This means that they can easily adapt to the future and the customer’s distinct workflow process.

Thus, it is an essential aspect as a greater level of scalability guarantees the success and fulfilment of the business growth goals.

Moreover, the software you choose should ensure the sustainability of your business’ growth. Understand the ease of resolving the internal problems, ability to upgrade with new features, and functionalities and handle issues without special help.

In short, the WMS solution you select should comfortably meet the present and future goals for the business’ growth.

3. Look for end-to-end supply chain management solutions

A good warehouse management system should give lots of functioning features for incredible operation. This enables the companies to leverage the benefit of cost-saving possibilities in the warehouse. Besides, such solutions can respond to future demands of the warehouse operations.

In other words, you’ll need effective and top-notch warehouse management systems like the LFS offered by EPG. Such a solution is capable of going beyond the normal warehouse functionalities.

This in turn allows for active warehouse management operations. You’ll find such software directly linked to human resource planning as well as to timely warehouse technology control systems.

4. Evaluate the possibility of new technologies with working WMS

It is undeniable that supply chain software is quickly changing. This aims to suit the technological advancements experienced all over the globe. Therefore, you should determine and predict if your working WMS can experience some technological changes.

The WMS solution should be able to predict your specific technology course and work per your future needs. Besides, make sure the solution can or has already implemented software with modern technologies like AI, robots, or the internet of things.

More importantly, the software provider must be knowing the trends existing in the supply chain industry. And, they should be able to upgrade their software accordingly and sustain your business into the future. This will help give your business a smooth transition to future technological advancements.

5. Compare the cost-effectiveness of SAAS deployments and licensing solutions

A SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) is an application made to deal with issues related to the internet. A third-party software supplier designs, hosts, and maintains it on secure servers. You may consider looking for a WMS product offered as SaaS.

In this case, the provider rents out a solution to different clients. These clients then select various modules they require offered by the software and pay while using them. Here are the benefits you’ll enjoy by using the SaaS solution:

• Reduced entry costs
• Lower start-up costs
• Instant upgrades
• Boasts user-geared innovation

Able to switch on and off as needed, for instance, run a temporary warehouse operation.

A SaaS solution can be an ideal choice for start-up, small and medium-sized businesses. But, it can be of great benefit to larger enterprises in search of a temporary solution.

However, SaaS WMS may cause poor internet connections between companies. Plus, there may be worries concerning data security.

6. Find out the strengths of the supplier

The strength and reputation of your WMS supplier is also a vital consideration for any logistics business owner. You’ll need to look at the following things:

• Supplier’s history
• Financial status and history
• The number of sites the WMS product can support
• WMS’s source code and intellectual property
• Support charges and daily rates
• Development plans
• Track records

Look at the supplier’s experience in the chain supply market. The thing is, suppliers without experience lack the expertise and functionality to help you. Besides, concentrate on suppliers with a track record that link to other businesses or ERP systems you’re working with.

Check also the kind of support the supplier offers. How efficient and timely do they respond? Does the media used suit your needs? Look at their support structure and how engaging the service agents are. Ultimately, the MWS provider must have an exceptional reputation and be very supportive.

7. Analyze your own needs

When choosing a WMS, it is essential and a priority to set minimum requirements that fulfil your business needs. Every solution features many talking points that range from inbound freight management to consumer support service. So, spend a considerable amount of time analyzing your needs.

After that, create a comprehensive list of all the demands for your WMS product. Also, determine the costs involved with each requirement and compare them with your budget. By doing so, you’ll establish the return on investment the WMS solution offers. This may also help project managers to make precise predictions on the time the ROI will become positive.

Conclusion

Choosing and implementing a WMS is not always a tricky task. However, it demands great attention, care, and knowledge to make things right from the start.

With these 7 tips for choosing and implementing a WMS, you can lower total ownership costs, and prevent unnecessary delays. Ultimately, find a suitable supplier who delivers what they promise and helps improve your logistics operations.

Of course, the process is quite complex and comes with different sets of risks. For this reason, you’ll need to work with an expert who deals with the assessment and integration of effective warehouse management software.