What Is WMS Software And How Does It Improve Warehouse Operations?
In today’s fast-paced world of logistics, warehouse operations play a critical role in ensuring timely and accurate delivery of goods.
Warehouse management systems (WMS software) are powerful tools that help organisations streamline their warehouse operations by providing a centralised platform to manage inventory, orders, and shipping.
In this blog, we will explore warehouse management software, how it works, and how it can improve warehouse operations.
What Is WMS Software?
Warehouse management software is an application designed to optimise warehouse operations by automating processes and providing real-time visibility into inventory, orders, and shipping. WMS software typically includes features such as inventory management, order processing, pick-and-pack, and shipping management.
What Are The 8 Features Of WMS?
Warehouse Design
Efficient warehouse design is crucial for maximising space utilisation and streamlining operations. Optimal layout planning, including aisle configuration, storage systems, and equipment placement, can minimise unnecessary movement and facilitate smooth material flow.
Inventory Tracking
Accurate inventory tracking systems are essential for efficient warehouse management. Utilising barcode or RFID technology, real-time inventory monitoring helps prevent stockouts, reduce errors, and improve order fulfilment accuracy.
Picking And Packing
The pick-and-pack process involves selecting items from inventory and assembling them into customer orders. Advanced order-picking methods, such as zone or batch selection, and efficient packing techniques ensure fast and accurate order fulfilment.
Receiving And Put-Away
The receiving process involves inspecting and sorting incoming shipments, verifying quantities, and updating inventory records—organised put-away procedures to ensure that items are assigned to appropriate storage locations promptly and accurately.
Shipping
Efficient shipping processes involve order consolidation, packaging optimisation, and selecting the most suitable carriers and transportation methods. Streamlining shipping operations reduces costs, minimises delays, and enhances customer satisfaction.
Labour Management
Effective strategies include workforce planning, task assignment, and performance tracking. Utilising technology, such as labour management systems, can optimise staffing levels, improve productivity, and identify training and process improvement areas.
Yard And Dock Management
Proper yard and loading docks management are crucial for efficient inbound and outbound logistics. Optimising truck scheduling, yard layout, and dock utilisation minimises congestion, reduces waiting times, and enhances overall operational efficiency.
Reporting
Comprehensive reporting and analytics provide valuable insights into warehouse performance, including key metrics like inventory accuracy, order fulfilment rates, and labour productivity. Analysing data allows for informed decision-making and identifying areas for process optimisation and continuous improvement.
Click here to learn: How AI-based ERP Makes Warehouse Management So Easier?
Benefits Of The WMS?
Reduced Operating Expenses And Optimised Space Utilisation
A WMS software can analyse the best use of floor space and determine how space should be used, which reduces waste and lowers costs resulting from excessive material movement, time-consuming placement, and retrieval. It can help maintain material rotation and reduce additional moves, making managing physical movement and worker performance easy.
Accurate And Real-Time Inventory Visibility
The software provides accurate, real-time inventory levels, which helps companies estimate supply and avoid backorders, leading to more satisfied customers. Automation with scanning, RFID, or other location tracking methods ensures visibility at the location.
A WMS system can better assign the right task to the right person at the right time, optimise travel time within the warehouse, focus labour on the highest impact activities, and efficiently design schedules. Scanning items during their entry into a warehouse and throughout their movements can eliminate the need for double-checking work, saving time and speeding up the recording process.
Traceable Materials
A WMS can easily trace inventory materials using lot, batch, and serial numbering. Matching specific lot/batch or serial numbers with incoming receipts and outgoing shipments allows for full traceability, lowering potential redundancy, enabling accurate inventory planning and allocation, and providing current retrievable information for future traceability, service maintenance, or recall situations.
Optimised Supply Chain
A warehouse management software streamlines the entire warehouse process from inbound receipts to outbound deliveries, reducing costs and improving operational efficiencies. Improved inbound receiving reduces delivery times, enabling delivery partners to leverage their equipment and resources better, shippers to manage inventory levels better, and products to arrive more quickly at their final destination.
Internal Automation
A WMS software enables leveraging additional automation technologies within a warehouse, such as mobile devices, automated picking and packing, robotics, analytics-driven movements, and AI. Warehouse management systems provide the foundational elements to capture, record, and communicate activity, supporting ongoing improvement in existing operations.
How Does WMS Work?
It typically integrates with hardware devices such as barcode scanners, RFID readers, and mobile devices. The software captures product codes, locations, and quantities using these devices. The data is then transmitted to the WMS, which processes the information and updates the inventory system in real time. This real-time visibility allows warehouse managers to make informed decisions about inventory levels, order processing, and shipping.
Where Is WMS Used?
Warehouse Management Systems (WMS software) play a pivotal role in effective supply chain management, providing valuable real-time visibility into a company’s comprehensive inventory, including warehouse stock and items in transit. Apart from robust inventory management capabilities, the WMS system offers advanced tools to optimise essential operations like picking and packing processes, resource allocation, analytics, and more. By leveraging a WMS, businesses can achieve heightened operational efficiency, improved inventory accuracy, enhanced resource utilisation, and data-driven insights for informed decision-making. Ultimately, WMS software empowers organisations to streamline their warehouse operations, maximise productivity, and drive sustainable growth in a dynamic business landscape.
Who Needs WMS Software?
Warehouse management software is useful for any organisation that deals with inventory, whether a small business with a single warehouse or a large multinational corporation with multiple distribution centres. It can be particularly beneficial for organisations that handle a high volume of products or have complex warehouse operations.
Here are some examples of organisations that could benefit from using WMS software:
E-Commerce Businesses
E-commerce businesses typically have high order volumes and require fast order processing and shipping times. The system helps these businesses manage inventory levels, optimise order processing workflows, and ensure timely order fulfilment.
Retailers
Retailers need to manage inventory levels across multiple stores and warehouses. WMS can provide real-time visibility into inventory levels and help retailers optimise inventory levels and reduce overstocking.
Manufacturers
Manufacturers must manage raw materials, work-in-progress inventory, and finished goods. The software can help manufacturers optimise inventory levels, reduce inventory carrying costs, and improve order accuracy.
Distributors
Distributors must manage inventory across multiple warehouses and optimise shipping times to meet customer demands. It helps distributors optimise inventory levels, improve order accuracy, and speed up processing and shipping times.
Third-Party Logistics (3pl) Providers
3PL providers manage inventory on their client’s behalf and must provide accurate and timely inventory and order data. Warehouse management software assists 3PL providers in managing inventory levels, optimising order processing workflows, and providing real-time visibility to their clients.
Sharp Brains ERP Is Your WMS Solution
Sharp Brains ERP is a comprehensive enterprise resource planning solution to streamline and optimise business processes. With its powerful modules for finance, inventory management, procurement, sales, and human resources, Sharp Brains ERP provides real-time visibility and control over critical operations. By integrating and automating key functions, businesses can enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and make informed decisions based on accurate data. Experience the transformative power of Sharp Brains ERP and take your business to new heights.
Besides that, it includes robust warehouse inventory management software. This advanced software empowers businesses to track, monitor, and optimise their warehouse inventory efficiently. With real-time visibility into stock levels, automated replenishment, and intelligent forecasting, our warehouse inventory management software streamlines operations, minimises stockouts and maximises inventory turnover. Take control of your warehouse inventory with Sharp Brains ERP and gain a competitive edge in the market.
Schedule a demo today to witness how our solution can revolutionise inventory management and drive greater efficiency across your supply chain.
Final Thoughts
Warehouse management systems are powerful tools that can help organisations optimise their warehouse operations. By providing real-time visibility into inventory, orders, and shipping, WMS software can improve inventory management, increase order accuracy, speed up order processing, and optimise resource utilisation. Investing in a WMS system or warehouse management software may be the way to go if you want to improve your warehouse operations.
