Today, business leaders are forced to move at the speed of light – and do it well. They’re expected to manage labor shortages, handle supply chain disruptions and satisfy evolving customer demands without any missteps. Given that 1 in 3 customers will leave a brand they love after just one bad experience, the stakes are unnervingly high. So, how can brands measure up to customer expectations in the digital age?
The simple answer is modernized warehouse management systems (WMS). Too often businesses lean on outdated legacy systems in their warehouse, preventing them from operating at peak efficiency. With WMS, brands can optimize operations and improve end-to-end processes, promoting brand loyalty and propelling business momentum. Sophisticated warehouse management solutions are a key lever to thriving in today’s ever-evolving business environment and have proven to deliver immense benefits.
Benefits of Modernizing WMS
WMS helps the warehouse operate at peak performance. These solutions connect and track all processes related to the movement of goods within the warehouse, using real-time data to assist with prioritization and workflow both inbound and outbound. These optimizations have multiple benefits that keep warehouses running smoothly including:
- Accurate Inventory: With real-time visibility and advanced replenishment logic, WMS can significantly refine stock management, enhancing inventory accuracy and preventing stockouts or overstock situations.
- Space Optimization: Through the automation that comes with modern WMS, solutions can maximize how warehouse space is used. For example, these systems can automatically consolidate and rotate stock to increase space availability based on a real-time assessment of warehouse needs.
- Data and Reporting: Unlike legacy systems, modern WMS can provide real-time actionable data on the state of the warehouse operations. For example, systems can track specific business KPIs, allowing for quick business analysis. With these timely insights, workers can accurately measure operation performance and identify past trends that are key for informed decision making.
- Resources Scheduling: Central to modern WMS is automation, which not only optimizes internal processes, but also benefits external operations. Notably, automation can give outside carriers the ability to log into WMS platforms to schedule deliveries.
- Labor Engagement: In addition to enhancing the physical aspects of warehouse operations, WMS also boosts staff morale. These solutions benchmark employee performance, set realistic expectations for staff, and provide management with visibility into productivity. On the outbound side, WMS executes every aspect of fulfillment from retrieving the order receipt to picking, packing and providing the necessary documents for shipping. When modernizing WMS, there are multiple outbound benefits. Specifically, WMS supports:
- Picking and Packing: Modern solutions are fully customizable, allowing for full configuration that will help eliminate costly errors that could be associated with traditional, manual processes. For example, these systems can assist the strenuous picking processes by being specifically customized to meet mass and size needs. Also, WMS can eliminate tedious shipment paperwork.
- Kitting: With modern WMS, sets and kits can be directly imported from enterprise resource planning systems (ERPs) and tracked throughout the warehouse. It also allows for the creation of dynamic kits – kits with the same identification number, but different content.
- Shipping: WMS can automate the shipping process by evaluating data on carriers, service levels and delivery timeframes. These actionable insights help reduce shipping costs and meet customer expectations.
Modernizing and automating warehouse management systems can completely revolutionize the way warehouses operate. To actualize the benefits above, the first step is mastering the WMS implementation process.
Best Practices for Implementing WMS
Though deciding to modernize warehouse management systems may be an easy decision, implementation can be difficult. Before jumping in headfirst, businesses must educate themselves on implementation best practices, including:
- Realistic Schedule: Adopting a new WMS doesn’t happen overnight. Moving too quickly in the implementation process leads to quality and productivity issues. To be successful, WMS implementation requires the proper testing and training to perfect. Quality and readiness should be prioritized over speed.
- Conversion Management: Once the system is built, the facility is prepared, and testing and training are complete, it is vital to create a conversion plan that will allow for a smooth transition to the new WMS. For example, there should be a workforce integration plan, highlighting the intricacies of the process – from how the first days of implementation will be managed to what resources can be referenced if issues arise.
- Training: Modern warehouse management systems are structured to work alongside humans, not replace them. Therefore, employees must have access to in-depth training programs to acclimate them to the new system. While it may take more time, it is an important step in a smooth integration process.
While each warehouse has unique needs, following these general best practices can help businesses champion integration of a modern WMS, leading to long-term success.
How to Sustain and Enhance WMS
Implementing a WMS is a critical step toward creating an agile business that can overcome today’s warehouses challenges - from higher customer expectations to labor shortages. Yet, it is just as important that companies sustain and enhance their solution over time via regular system testing. As the business grows, systems and processes need to grow with it, so continuously auditing systems and identifying areas for improvement within processes shouldn’t be overlooked. While completely revamping the way a warehouse runs may be daunting, it is necessary. With a modernized WMS, your businesses will have the necessary tools to keep up with today’s ever-evolving customer demands. Those who drag their feet on sophisticated innovation will fall behind. Change should start today.
