.png)
Warehouse management systems (WMS) are now a standard in the warehouses of large and medium-sized companies. This means that there are many of them on the market and the company has dozens of options to choose from. To make it easier for you to choose something so complex, we have put together a guide that reveals what to look for and what to think about. We will advise you on why you should not focus only on the price of a WMS or what to check with potential suppliers.
When is it time to acquire a WMS?
If picking orders takes an unreasonable amount of time, you can't keep up with the warehouse during peak sales periods, you lose track of the goods in the warehouse, and you run out of capacity, it's high time you started actively addressing the deployment of a warehouse system.
Some problems are not even noticeable in normal operations, but they are reflected in financial results - for example, large differences in inventory between expected and actual inventory levels. WMS will help you put your warehouse in order and prepare your company for further growth .
However, its implementation is a rather lengthy process, so it's not worth rushing the selection. There's basically no such thing as a trial deployment - or it would be hellishly expensive. It's better to take your time and play it safe.
First, do a warehouse audit
It is essential to start by analyzing the current situation – either on your own or by calling in an audit firm. The analysis will reveal the shortcomings and needs of your warehouse and is thus valuable in itself. It may happen that the analysis reveals that your problems will not be solved by a WMS or that you are not yet ready for it.
If it turns out that you need a WMS, the knowledge gained will help you define the goals you are aiming for as precisely as possible. In addition to the requirements for the WMS itself, include your business ambitions and plans there - and don't be modest. If there is a chance that in 5-10 years you will significantly increase your warehouse space or expand abroad, make sure that the WMS is ready to expand with you.
Build your own team to select a WMS
Once you have the strategic steps ready, you can start looking for the system itself. To do this, allocate an implementation team that will fully devote itself to the task.
The team will conduct market research and select candidates to approach with an offer of cooperation. This is one of the important rules: do not look at choosing a warehouse solution as a product purchase, but as a long-term cooperation with a partner who will implement the WMS for you.
WMS deployment takes months, be prepared for it
Conduct a tender and ask specific questions during the presentation that are applicable to your company. Don't rush this phase. When you are really sure, write a contract that sets out the implementation schedule and process.
We discuss WMS selection in more detail and with specific examples in our e-book How to Choose a WMS . We have reflected the experience of colleagues who have already deployed warehouse systems to dozens of companies. We have collected both good and bad experiences and compiled a guide from them that will alert you to common mistakes. We will advise you, for example, who should be a member of the implementation team or what specific questions you should ask suppliers during the selection process.
If your company is considering WMS, download the e-book .
Are you dealing with invoice approval?
30 minutes, no obligation. We will show you how iNVOiCE FLOW fits into your ERP.
