Given labor shortages, supply chain issues, and expectations of same-day...
Given labor shortages, supply chain issues, and expectations of same-day or sooner service levels, warehouses can only operate efficiently with an effective warehouse management system (WMS). Choosing the appropriate WMS software for your operation is a crucial decision.
The field is exploding, and sorting through the options could be overwhelming. There are scores of WMS already on the market, and more are coming online all the time. This is warehouse management system software to know about in 2024.
Some WMS software caters to specific markets explicitly or simply due to its limitations and capabilities. Investigating any industry-specific WMS relevant to your operations is a good starting point that might help you focus on comparing just a few systems. You also could segregate candidates by the size of the operation they are designed for—some are tailored to small and medium-sized businesses, others for larger enterprises.
Each WMS program will have its pros and cons. A specific system might provide superior analytics reporting, excel at labor allocation, or offer excellent scalability and third-party integration. To select the correct software, you must consider your operation’s priorities.
It would be best to determine what you need your system to do now and what you hope it can do in the future. Evaluate the data and metrics your ideal system would provide and whether you need the information to be available in real time. Additionally, consider the ease of product implementation, training time and cost of training, and the duration and quality of ongoing technical support. Of course, as with all major purchases, up-front fees and time to ROI will be significant, perhaps decisive, factors.
Any WMS software can provide inventory management, including shipping and returns. Their reporting capabilities are often limited but adequate for many operations. Basic WMS can usually control multiple locations from a single platform, but only sometimes.
An entry-level system might be the right choice if you need only an essential tracking capability and do not anticipate rapid expansion or technology upgrades in the near future. Depending on your circumstances and needs, some systems worth evaluating include Fishbowl Inventory Systems, CIN7, SkuVault, Oodo, and Sortly.
In many cases, the primary differences between basic systems and the next-level
systems are more advanced labor allocation functionality, better reporting, increased customizability, easier third-party system integration, scalability, or other features. Some WMS software incorporates transportation management and other logistics functions.
Operations expecting to add locations or invest significantly in automation in the coming years might be better served by buying a more flexible WMS that can scale up with them. Some examples of mid-to-high-level systems include Think Aisle, Foysonis, HighJump/Korber, Softeon, 3PL Warehouse Manager, NetSuite WMS, TECSYS, and AstroWMS/Consafe.
At Brown West Logistics, we try to be WMS agnostic and use the best system for our clients’ needs. We operate warehouses with many different WMSs across our network. We often recommend Cadre’s Cadence WMS because we’ve found it to be the best value for many customers. It offers next-level functionality like tracking expiration dates, temperature control, picking priority (LIFO, FIFO, etc.), and directed put away at a more entry-level price.
With expertise in warehousing and logistics issues, a third-party logistics (3PL) provider is well-positioned to analyze your needs and goals and make an informed recommendation.
Teaming up with Brown West Logistics could position your operation for growth and help you avoid a costly mistake. Consider working with a logistics expert to help your operation thrive. Reach out today to learn more.
