WMS stands for "Warehouse Management System", an innovative solution supported by technology focused on the operational management of a warehouse. It is a tool that accompanies us in the daily life of a company, facilitating the efficiency of inventory control and allowing us a broad perspective on the resources that become our first need.
Within a good management of any business or company, it is essential to know the stock values of the products that make possible the correct operation in general. Thus, a warehouse management system or a WMS allows us to keep these essential controls updated, but to achieve this effectively, it must be integrated to each of the activities, sectors or movements of a company so that the system has a direct relationship with what we could call "raw material". By achieving this operation, we will have a traceability of each product from its reception, whereabouts, and even; distribution or the way in which it has been used.
What is a WMS and what are its characteristics?
A WMS is a tool that allows us to identify or focus on crises or opportunities present in the market, even making it possible for us to anticipate any scenario. We must remember that anticipating needs and solving extraordinary problems will always be necessary characteristics for the survival of a company. The WMS works as an accelerator of the operation tasks, an innovation in the workforce that will be reflected in cost reduction, a clear optimization of storage, total visibility of inventory; in addition to having tools that can facilitate the billing process, helps us select the most appropriate method for the processes we use in the mobility of the product, and improve the relationship that the company maintains with its customers and respective suppliers.
A WMS system is an intuitive tool, since with it we are able to automate activities, since this software will be in charge of performing the calculation that will allow us to determine in real time the flow that the inventory is having. In addition, we will be able to program tasks in order to obtain an agile and optimized control process.
How to choose the right WMS for my business?
To answer this essential question, we must first clarify another issue: what types of WMS exist? The answer is simple; we can summarize them in three.
Cloud-based WMS
Cloud-based WMSs work mainly through the network; they are online, and arise from a SaaS or "software as a service" model. They will have the ability to adapt to companies of any size, since the range of modules offered is selectable according to the need and will even cover the passage of time. Cloud-based WMSs are hosted in the manufacturer's cloud, so there is no need to purchase specific hardware or use certain servers, and the system is easy to use and access. In addition, the fact that the system is hosted in the manufacturer's cloud makes it possible to reduce infrastructure costs, automating its updates and facilitating its use in different devices.
Supply chain modules
This WMS system seeks to focus on the needs of the supply chain, so it will be obvious to mention that its modules will serve to contribute to the innovation and automation of various sectors, in addition to being able to track the inventory cycle in real time. This tool will be able to analyze possible risks, even associating them to the responsible suppliers.
Supply chain modules are also ideal for all types of companies, being essential if you are looking to avoid delays in the delivery schedule or a shortage of materials at critical moments.
Automation reduces human error, making this system an attractive opportunity to optimize inventory control.
WMS with integrated ERP
Enterprise Resource Planning, also known by its acronym ERP, is a program focused on the correct management of the resources of a business, enterprise or company, being able to cover sectors such as: human resources, finance, accounting or sales. The program is specific when it comes to adapting to the needs of the operation.
Being a WMS with integrated ERP, we have the benefits mentioned above with respect to the management of a warehouse, optimizing tasks and centralizing them in the unit of a database, being accessible from multiple devices.
As we have mentioned from the beginning, the knowledge of our needs will be essential to take our business to the desired level of management; thus, data are essential for decision making. From the data or analytics that the operation of your organization has been yielding, you can and should understand the problems that you will try to solve with a WMS, as well as the scope that you will request from the system.
And what problems can we solve with a WMS? Actually, the problem will be any area of opportunity or opportunity for improvement that you can identify in the operation of your inventory or warehouse. The inefficiencies of the management that you currently have in your business will manifest themselves in the operation itself, hindering the flow of daily activities. If the staff has needed to incur immediate, urgent resolutions or additional measures for a task; that will be the alert focus that should draw your attention.
You will be able to choose your ideal WMS as long as you know your business, since, when the relevant suppliers of such systems demand information from it, the detail of the nature of the operation, the characteristics of this, the demand within certain periods of time, the problems that you have been able to identify, among others, will be of vital importance for the supplier to meet the needs of your warehouse with satisfaction.
The most important part of selecting a WMS will be your ability to communicate the expectations you have after the purchase. Look for innovation and bring it to your business, the results will be more rewarding than we could ever detail here.
