SphereWMS Blog

In the past, companies like 3PLs, distribution and fulfillment centers relied on paper to keep things running smoothly. Need to let your client know that the delivery time has been bumped up an hour? Fax them a notice on your company letterhead. Trying to locate the assistant to that VIP customer you’ve been dying to meet up with to talk numbers? Pull out the company Rolodex, look up their number and dial them up on the phone. What about the minutes from last week’s bimonthly company sit-down session? Locate it in the secretary’s filing cabinet by the front desk.

That worked well enough then, but technology has stepped up to the plate, and it deserves your attention! A warehouse management system consolidates these caveman-worthy methods into one reliable, real-time solution that works for all involved in the daily logistics of the company.

Here is why you need to upgrade to warehouse management software, and why fax machines, phones and physical filing cabinets are on their way out.

The Quick Answer is Yes..

However you'd be amazed how often this question comes up every week in our conversations with new prospects.  I can't think of a Warehouse Management System that does not work with RF scanners, it's pretty much an assumption today.  To be honest, we sometimes overshoot this point in conversations with prospects and the prospect asks the question, 'Do you work with RF scanners?'  To which the answer is obviously yes.

Many times when you hear a story, it’s about how something went wrong. The same holds true for stories about deploying warehouse management systems. You can find articles about full-system failures to adoption nightmares and everything in between. Developing your new WMS does not have to be quite so drama filled. A few tips to use during the different stages of the deployment can go a long way to making sure everything runs smoothly.

After a certain period of time, everything gets judged and critiqued. Warehouse managements systems (WMSs) have recently reached this critical age. It is quickly becoming obvious that the WMSs of the past are no longer capable of achieving the level of functionality and service that modern day companies require.

In this new day and age, modern warehouse management systems are the only way to optimize processing and maintain order within your warehouse. However, some people are against the idea of implementing a new WMS. They feel it could be too complex, and that it is not worth the time, money, and training required to get the system up and running.

New regulations and standards can be confusing and frustrating. Standards like the Hazard Communication Standards that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which went into effect this year, require visibility, traceability, and excellent record-keeping.

The warehousing business is still, at its heart, all about moving and storing merchandise, and those critical functions are unlikely to go away. But staying competitive is always a challenge, even when it seems that what you’re doing isn’t really changing. A growing number of warehousing companies are choosing to offer value-added services, expanding what they do to attract more clients.

There are many ways for a business to increase competitiveness and productivity, and employee satisfaction should be near the top of the list. Creating a more inclusive workplace ensures that your workers feel valued and respected. In turn, they’ll be happier in their jobs, increasing productivity and improving retention.

Data breaches are becoming increasingly common and increasingly damaging to individuals, companies, and even governments. Nobody wants their personal information compromised, and everyone should take measures to protect themselves.

It seems like all you hear about today is going green. People talk about making their houses more green, their cars more green, and even their eating habits more green. But how important is it to make sure that your warehouse management system is “green” as well? Do customers really worry about how eco-friendly the companies they buy from are? According to some, it may mean more than you think.