Managing and running the many daily operations within a large warehouse is a full time job. Everybody knows that. But overseeing a warehouse is one thing; keeping that space physically organized is another. Yes, the software will point you in the right direction when you need to locate a customer’s product. Yes, WMS will tell you exactly how much product there is. But what if you can’t physically get to it?
Saving money is usually a positive move, but done wrong it can cost you more in the long run if it’s not done right. That’s why its important to think strategically when finding ways to cut costs.
Integrating carrier logistics into your warehouse management system will change your relationship with your carriers. The coordination of carriers makes shipping more efficient, making your customers happy and improving your bottom line and making your boss very happy all at the same time.
Amazon is, without a doubt, the industry leader in order fulfillment. They have taken the inventory management process to levels never seen before. Their goal is to make sure every customer has a positive experience and, in order to do that, they have to be in a state of constant improvement.
In simple terms a Warehouse Management System (WMS) is a software application whose purpose is to control the daily operation of a warehouse. Essentially a WMS focuses on shipping, receiving, putaway and picking of materials and product. A Warehouse Management System could stand alone as a single application or it could also be part of a larger system. Some WMS software is so complex that companies will hire an entire staff dedicated to operating and maintaining the system.
When it comes right down to it, the main reasons for implementing a Warehouse Management System are to:
In the good old days, inventory was tracked by paper and manual labor.
The old retail supply chain model has become outdated and inefficient. Customers still enjoy the ritual shopping excursions and 95% of customers transactions still take place in a store. But customers are becoming more technology savvy and the next generation wants so much more. And what they want varies from store to store, even within the same industry. Omni-channel Fulfillment is creating a system that brings your product and your customer together in multiple ways within the existing business structure.
Earlier this year, I attended the BGSA Supply Chain Conference in Palm Beach, and I wanted to take the opportunity to not only thank Ben Gordon and his entire team at BGSA for putting on an outstanding event, but also share some of my experiences from this year’s show. I was one of more than 220 CEOs in attendance from all corners of the transportation, logistics and supply chain sector. While there, I was able to listen to speakers and share ideas with other industry leaders.
