We all know that staying ahead of the competition means having the right tools and technologies to operate more efficiently and effectively. Finding and implementing those tools is the hard part. When it comes to finding the right warehouse management system (WMS), sifting through the options can be quite a process. To make it easier, we have a few recommendations on what to look for to improve warehouse efficiency and manage costs.
Communication between company systems is vital. Integration ensures that all systems work together to increase data consistency and efficiency. It also gives organizations the room and ability to grow and stay ahead of the competition.
So why integration?
Integration allows for automated communications across the organization to run smoothly and accurately. Users might not understand why Sales, Finance, and Procurement need to communicate with one another. There’s also a good chance communication will be overlooked at some point and information will be missed. Integration solves these issues by automatically communicating information to the correct parties on time.
Below are key systems ideal for integration with a WMS:
1. Critical ERP Modules (such as purchase orders, sales orders, and the general ledger): These need to be categorized within the WMS. Warehouse management plays a main role in purchase orders and sales orders.
2. Manufacturing Resource Planning: Ensures activities are planned accordingly around availability and manages inventory on hand.
3. Job Floor Control: Ensures materials are readily available before activities are executed. Job floor control will know where to find additional materials if needed during production.
Want to ensure users actually use the system? Make it easy for them! Employees should be able to access the system from a tablet or smartphone, and the interface should be simple and manageable. The WMS should include mobile or remote locations such as storerooms and trucks to provide visibility into inventory location. Something to keep in mind is that users might not be the most technically proficient. The easier it is to use, the less pushback you’ll face and the fewer errors will arise.
Other features that are beneficial but not required are barcoding or QR coding to conduct key activities and one-pass pick and put.
Visibility into inventory and labor is key to managing the warehouse and overall operational efficiency. Without reporting, it’s impossible to run daily activities efficiently.
At a minimum, Warehouse Management Systems should produce the following reports:
The right WMS should provide regular, valuable, and up-to-date insights into daily processes so you can minimize waste and continue to grow.
At Trenegy, we have in-depth experience helping organizations select and implement the right technologies for long-term growth. For help finding the best WMS for your organization, reach out to us at info@trenegy.com.
