The Warehouse Management System (WMS) has a pivotal role in the logistics chain, acting as the backbone of warehouse efficiency. It is also responsible for tracking the flow of products/goods in and out of the warehouse, handling inventory levels, and ensuring effective use of resources.
In this blog, let’s delve deep into the nuances of WMS and how it operates within the logistics chain, tracing the journey of products from their arrival to their desired location.
The functioning of WMS in the logistics supply
Warehouse management is an important aspect of logistics management. It affects inventory management, storage, retail order fulfilment, shipping, and distribution. Having an all-in-one WMS allows you to understand what’s happening across various warehouse functions in real-time, such as receiving stocks, orders being fulfilled, shipments being labelled, and any other flow of products. Following are the functioning of WMS in the logistics supply.
Receiving goods
Unleashing the power of a WMS starts with a crucial step – receiving goods. It includes verifying the accuracy of incoming shipments, updating the inventory system, and checking for damages to reflect the new stock levels.
This step aims to ensure the integrity and safety of the inventory data and the seamless flow of products within the warehouse. By automating the processes through a WMS, manufacturers can reduce manual errors, enhance accuracy, and increase efficiency.
Inventory Tracking
An important part of a Warehouse Management System is the inventory tracking that includes keeping an eye on the quantity and location of every item stored in the warehouse. To assist in inventory management, each product receives a unique barcode for tracking purposes. The barcode is scanned, and the product is recorded into the WMS.
The WMS software offers a centralized system for inventory control, providing an accurate view of stock levels and reducing the risk of stock imbalances, shortages or overstocking. It assists in achieving warehouse operational excellence, allowing seamless order fulfilment and reducing manual inventory management expenses.
Staging
The newly received products are temporarily stored in a designated storage area before being relocated to their final storage location within the warehouse. This process encourages accurate organization, making it easier to locate and require items as required for fulfilling orders.
The WMS offers real-time updates on the status of products in the staging area, streamlining the putaway process. With automated processes, the WMS enhances the efficiency and accuracy of warehouse operations.
Order Fulfillment
In WMS, order fulfillment is a seamless process that includes picking, packing, and dispatching items to clients or customers. It optimizes the picking and packing process, eliminating mistakes and enhancing delivery accuracy.
Automating these processes enhances fulfillment efficiency and speed, allowing warehouses to meet client expectations and enhance their satisfaction. With in-depth reporting and tracking capabilities, the WMS enables continuous monitoring and refinement of order fulfillment processes.
Shipping and Delivery
The final process of order fulfillment in a warehouse is shipment preparation and is crucial for the smooth functioning of the logistic chain.
The WMS prepares the shipment and keeps an eye on the delivery status. This stage ensures that the customer is notified of the status of their order and that any issues are resolved as soon as they occur.
The warehouse management system instantly updates the client’s order status following a successful delivery, resulting in a simplified and speedy delivery of the items to the customer.
Reporting and Analytics
The reporting aspect of a WMS produces analytics and insights to inform decision-making authorities regarding warehouse operations.
It allows managers to monitor KPIs such as order fulfilment accuracy, inventory levels, and shipping times, enabling them to identify regions for improvement and optimize processes through data-driven information.
The solution also offers the ability to analyze and track trends over time and plan for the future. The reporting and analytics function is vital for driving business growth.
Maintenance and Upgrades
This is a key aspect of the WMS as it ensures that the warehouse processes remain up-to-date and operate smoothly.
The system can run seamlessly and avoid any interruptions by staying updated with the latest trends. Frequent maintenance is vital in fixing any technical issues and avoiding system failures. It also helps to boost the system’s efficiency and performance by incorporating new features, rectifying known vulnerabilities and upgrading security protocols.
This ensures that the solution remains effective and offers the necessary features to support business operations. For instance, new functions like advanced inventory tracking and management, improved reporting capabilities and integration with a wider range of shipping carriers can be added.
How to select the correct WMS for your logistics business?
Selecting the correct WMS for your logistics management system requires careful evaluation of several factors. Here are some key considerations:
- Assess Business Needs: Identify your unique business requirements and needs, like the types of goods you handle, the size of your warehouse, and the required level of automation.
- Future Growth: Select a WMS that can adapt to your logistic business growth trajectory.
- System Compatibility: Ensure the warehouse management system can integrate with your current systems, such as transportation management and ERP.
- User Experience: Choose a WMS that prioritizes customer experience and reduces the chances of human error.
- Reporting & analytics: When evaluating a WMS, you should consider its reporting and analytics features to make well-informed decisions. The solution should provide valuable data and insights.
- Financial Aspects: Calculate the total cost of purchasing the WMS, including software and hardware expenses, support services, and maintenance expenses.
- Client Assistance: Look for a WMS provider that offers a complete range of customer support services, including upgrades, training, and troubleshooting
- Mobile Accessibility: Consider a WMS compatible with mobile devices, allowing real-time access from anywhere.
- Adaptability: Choose a versatile WMS to be customized to your specific requirements and business operations.
Final thoughts
In conclusion, the Warehouse Management System is an important tool for streamlining warehouse processes in the logistics chain. It brings numerous benefits to warehouse operations and helps manufacturers to achieve their goals. By knowing the inner workings of a WMS and its key role in the logistics chain, manufacturers can make informed decisions about how to make better logistics decisions.