Warehouse management systems (WMS) are essential to modern supply chain management. With more and more people wanting goods to be delivered quickly and correctly, it is more important than ever for warehouse management teams to have access to advanced capabilities and functions. But not all warehouse management systems are the same, and it is important to know which key features are most important for success.
This article will look at six full WMS features that warehouse management system teams can only use. These include inventory management, warehouse layout and slotting optimization, automated data capture, labor management, supply chain integration, and reporting and analytics.
Efficiently streamlining inventory control, order fulfillment, and logistical operations, warehouse management systems play a pivotal role in enhancing the top capabilities of a seamless and organized supply chain.
- Inventory management
Effective inventory management is crucial for a successful warehouse operation. A good WMS should be able to keep track of and manage the entire inventory in the warehouse. It should also be able to give real-time updates on how the inventory is moving. It should also be able to monitor inventory levels, keep track of where each item is located within the warehouse, and provide alerts when inventory levels are running low.
When warehouse management teams have a clear picture of how much inventory they have, they can improve their supply chain, minimize stock outs, and avoid overstocking. With real-time updates on how inventory is moving, warehouse management teams can quickly find and fix problems, like stockouts or discrepancies in the inventory.
- Warehouse layout and slotting optimization
Optimizing the layout and slotting of a warehouse can make a big difference in how well it works. A good WMS should be able to look at things like product demand, product size, and weight, and storage needs to figure out where each product should be placed in the warehouse.
By arranging and storing products in the warehouse in the best way possible, warehouse management teams can save money on labor, make workers safer, and reduce the chance that products will get broken. For example, products that are used often should be kept near the front of the warehouse so that workers don’t have to walk back and forth as much. Heavier items should be stored on lower shelves to reduce the risk of injury.
- Automated data capture
Automating data capture is a must to reduce mistakes and get more accurate information about your inventory. A good WMS should be able to automatically record information about the movement of inventory, like when a product is received, put away, picked, or shipped.
By automating data capture, warehouse management teams can stop entering data by hand and reduce the chance of making mistakes. With real-time updates on how inventory is moving, warehouse management teams can quickly find and fix problems, like stock outs or discrepancies in the inventory.
- Labor management
Effective labor management is essential for a successful warehouse operation. A good WMS should be able to optimize worker schedules, track worker performance, and provide real-time updates on labor costs. By analyzing factors such as worker availability, skill level, and productivity, a good WMS can help warehouse management teams ensure that they always have the right workers in the right place at the right time.
A good WMS can help identify areas where workers need additional training or support by tracking their performance and providing real-time feedback. With good labor management, warehouse management teams can cut labor costs, make workers more productive, and reduce the chance that they will get tired of their jobs.
- Supply chain integration
Integrating with other systems is critical for optimizing supply chain management. A good WMS should be able to work with other systems, such as enterprise resource planning (ERP) and transportation management systems (TMS). By linking up with these systems, warehouse management software teams can see the whole supply chain in real-time and make better decisions.
With real-time updates on what’s going on in the supply chain, warehouse management teams can quickly find and fix any problems, such as transportation delays or disruptions in the supply chain. By having a comprehensive view of the entire supply chain
Wrapping up
The success of any supply chain operation depends on how well the warehouse is managed. A good WMS, i.e. Deposco, should have important features like inventory management, warehouse layout and slotting optimization, automated data capture, labor management, supply chain integration, and reporting and analytics.
