3 Tips for Choosing Warehouse Management Software
Careful warehouse management is essential to supply chain success. That said, only 18% of small businesses utilize warehouse management software.
There’s nothing simple about managing a warehouse in 2023. Having software that processes data and organizes warehouse movements is a massive help. With so much technology available, finding the right piece of software to take you to the next level is tricky.
In this post, we’re going to help you boost organization and efficiency in your warehouse. Keep reading because these 3 tips should help you decide on the right technology to revolutionize your warehouse operations.
Table of Contents
1. Calculate ROI
The first step is to justify the need for warehouse software by looking at what you’re going to get out of the process.
Do you need your WMS to improve inventory accuracy? Provide real-time information? Reduce the number of errors with perpetual inventory tracking?
With the right WMS in place, worker, equipment, and space efficiency should improve drastically. Customer service should also improve with better picking and dispatch efficiency and accuracy.
If you can easily quantify the ROI of warehouse technology, the next step is finding one that is compatible with your other systems and fits into your budget. You can find more information here on what a good WMS should do for your company.
2. Compatibility With Other Systems
An important method for comparing and contrasting WMS systems is to look at the compatibility of each one with other systems you have in place. Most warehouses also have ERP, TMS, LMS, and accounting software integrated into daily operations.
If you’re not careful, you could end up with a WMS that infringes on another piece of software. There’s also the worry that there could be gaps where two pieces of technology don’t quite meet up, which is problematic as well.
At the end of the day, your various systems should work harmoniously so that you can automate as much of your warehouse operations as possible. If you’ve got a highly automated warehouse as it is, it’s probably beneficial to consult the equipment manager regarding a new WMS.
3. Make a Request for Information
Prepare an RFI document that outlines your business, the direction it’s heading, and warehouse plans. You can also describe the goals you have for your WMS, including who will be using it and the locations of important areas relative to one another – loading bays, reserves, pick faces, etc.
Don’t try to explain how you want the WMS to work. Instead, send the RFI document out to around 10 companies and see what they can tell you. You’ll want to choose ones that have industry experience so that you know they have the capabilities to give you a detailed quote.
Find the Right Warehouse Management Software
These tips should help you separate the wheat from the chaff. Finding the right warehouse management software isn’t something that happens overnight. Go through the process with these tips in mind, however, and you’ll come out the other side with a more functional warehouse.
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Last Updated on January 25, 2023
