When it comes to choosing the right Warehouse Management Software (WMS) or system to manage your warehouse operations, it’s prudent that you know the ins and outs of the software first. After all, not all Warehouse Management Systems are made to be the same. Some integrate with SAP Business One flawlessly, while others are meant to stand-alone. Some are better for certain industries; others support SMBs better.
Here is a guide explaining how to choose the right Warehouse Management System to manage warehouse operations, so you can find the resource that suits your business the best.
Challenges Faced Without a Warehouse Management System
Did you know that in a report from Peoplevox, 34% of businesses admitted that unavailable stock prevented them from shipping orders on time? Does that sound like an issue you deal with? When you aren’t using a Warehouse Management System or utilizing an effective one, you will find that your operations lag behind that of your competitors.
You may also be familiar with the following challenges:
- Increased rate of error
- Elevated cost of production and fulfillment
- Excess inventory
- Missed deadlines
- Chaotic receiving and shipping docks
- Ineffective warehouse flow and reduced productivity
- Inability to meet supply and demand
- High staff turnover rate
- Decreased customer satisfaction
Why You Need a Warehouse Management System
If you’re experiencing such challenges as outlined above, or if you want to deal with such issues before they begin, then you need a WMS that covers all the bases.
But first, you need to know what a Warehouse Management System is and what it does. A Warehouse Management System is a software program that manages and controls the daily operations within your warehouse. There are a few kinds of WMS on the market, but most have a range of functions that include:
- Shipping and Receiving
- Inventory Management
- Order Fulfillment
- Transportation Management
What to Consider When Choosing a Warehouse Management System
Figuring out which WMS is the best for your business comes down to considering some features and benefits. Find out which Warehouse Management System supports your methods then go with that. Here are some things to consider:
Integrates with SAP Business One
If you didn’t already know, SAP Business One is an ERP system that has warehouse and inventory management functionalities. While the tools within SAP Business One are useful, you can enhance the effectiveness of the ERP system with a WMS that seamlessly integrates with SAP Business One, like Wisys’s Agility WMS. That way, you can get all of your data in one place and have it available to every department within your business.
Getting Maximum Functionality
When you’re looking at Warehouse Management Systems, you need to ask yourself, “Will this software streamline all of our warehouse processes?” A decent WMS is going to assist with management, all the while decreasing the number of resources needed to fulfill orders and increase productivity. Look for a WMS that can track inventory, generate reports, and send notifications.
Flexibility
The true sign of a great WMS is scalability and flexibility. As with SAP Business One, your WMS solution should be a long-term commitment that grows as your business does. Choose a WMS that knows your business isn’t a static entity. Be sure to look for a system that is guaranteed to work with future operating systems, applications, and hardware.
Transaction Management
SAP Business One is an example of a solution that gives you end-to-end control of your inventory and warehouse processes. Within the system, you can receive detailed information about productions, including where they are located, as well as inventory, packing lists, shipments, cycle counting, and more.
If you choose a WMS to integrate into SAP Business One, it should have the same functions. At a minimum, you will need a system that tracks item movement, shipping, receiving, and cycle counting. Don’t settle for anything less.
Great Data Presentation
The amount of data a program can collect, analyze, and report upon should be considerable. However, if you don’t understand the data, it’s useless. A good Warehouse Management System will provide easy-to-read reports, charts, and other metrics. These valuable insights will help you plan for the future, so you can reduce delays and downtime.
Bottom Line
Now that you know how to choose the right Warehouse Management Software for managing warehouse operations, you should be able to find a WMS right for you. Remember to focus on things like scalability, transaction management, automatic reporting, and a SAP Business One integration.
Are you currently using SAP Business One and want to get more out of it? The Wisys team will work with you to get SAP Business One implemented, integrated, and optimizing your business in no time. Call Wisys today to learn more about SAP Business One and our other services.