It is important to discuss order fulfillment, shipping\/receiving, inventory control, labor, and equipment challenges. The process includes,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Build the case for a new system<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The greatest challenge is to convince the management team to use and adopt WMS. One can sell the idea by using quantifiable metrics, such as predictive error rate, RMA (Return Materials Authorization) costs, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Form a project team<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Assemble the team of people who will decide the needs of the company and requirement of a WMS. Depending on the size of the company, team members may include the warehouse manager, a senior finance representative, and the director of IT. Define each person\u2019s role and their level of involvement and decision-making during this process<\/p>\n\n\n\n Evaluate your current system<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Discuss what modifications need to be made to current system procedures. What works? What doesn\u2019t? Consider not only how technology can automate current processes, but also examine other ways they can be improved. Examine how the warehouse interacts with customers, suppliers, and organization\u2019s departments; look for weaknesses and ways to improve these communications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Share expectations<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n After agreeing on the process and timeline, conduct a session to brainstorm ways the existing system can be improved, including new functions and processes that aren\u2019t currently in place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Agree on your needs<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Encourage team members to differentiate between functions they want and functions they definitely need. Achieve a general consensus within the team, defining the rank of each function and then combine those items into a prioritized list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Create the list of required functions<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Make a Required Functions List which should be a short, one- to two page prioritized list that includes all of the must-have functions. This list of mandatory features will help you quickly eliminate systems that don\u2019t meet specific needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Consider the benefits of back-office integration<\/p>\n\n\n\n Selecting WMS software that integrates with the ERP system ensures complete control and flow of information between back-office and warehouse floor. An integrated WMS system will keep the warehouse activities in synchronization with accounting data, eliminating manual intervention and transcription errors while providing accurate and up-to-date inventory control<\/p>\n\n\n\n Don\u2019t forget about hard-to-quantify benefits<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n WMS should maximize the productivity of warehouse staff by freeing them from tedious, time-consuming tasks and allows them to focus energy on picking the right items the first time, every time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Avoid RFPs<\/p>\n\n\n\n The next step is not to create and send out a Request for Proposal (RFP) to resellers. Creating an RFP, sending it out, waiting for proposals, and reviewing them can take months. Same can happen in days by asking potential resellers if their system provides the key functions one requires. Obviously, if the company requires an RFP, this step is necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Finding a Reseller<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The ideal reseller has knowledge of end to-end operations, including warehouse management, accounting, order management, customer relationship management, and integration with EDI and wireless data collection systems. Another critical aspect is their experience with implementing software for businesses in your industry. When evaluating a reseller, ask these questions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Find the Best Fit<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Look for a system capable enough to significantly improve inventory control and staff productivity. This is first accomplished by integrating the warehouse staff with the tools and equipment at their disposal: radio frequency (RF)-based communications equipment, shipping systems, lift trucks, forklifts, etc. Secondly, all the information gathered by utilizing this equipment should be made available to the entire enterprise\u2014including the accounting and inventory management data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Know the benefits of working with a reseller<\/p>\n\n\n\n A good reseller will:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Screen potential solutions<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n E-mail a copy of Required Functions List to the resellers so they have time to prepare and can quickly answer your questions. Conduct a phone interview with each reseller, also discuss the implementation time and then decide for the final WMS vendor.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" It is important to discuss order fulfillment, shipping\/receiving, inventory control, labor, and equipment challenges. The process includes, Build the case for a new system The greatest challenge is to convince the management team to use and adopt WMS. One can sell the idea by using quantifiable metrics, such as predictive error rate, RMA (Return Materials…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-101012","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n