Although companies operating with paper-based systems are able to introduce best practice into the warehouse such as improving warehouse layout and minimizing travel time by having the fastest-selling items closest to dispatch, they can improve even further and become more productive by introducing software technology into the warehouse. Customers are becoming increasingly demanding and the ability to communicate via electronic data interchange and receive instant replies to queries is more of an expectation than a need. A WMS can be part of this solution. Sales and marketing teams are also desperate for real-time information, whilst finance departments are chasing data constantly.
A stock-control system is not the same as a WMS. Stock-control systems will manage the inventory at stock location and quantity level, but the majority of these systems will not manage productivity within the warehouse. In order to be productive, warehouse systems need to be able to work in real time, manage all the processes within the warehouse and have the ability to communicate with other company systems.
A WMS can process data more quickly and can coordinate movements within the warehouse. It can produce reports and handle large volumes of transactions as experienced in e-commerce operations. The introduction of new technologies into your operation not only improves your competitiveness in a challenging market but can also be instrumental in meeting ever-increasing customer demands. WMS is an invaluable tool for improving an organization’s productivity and customer focus.
