4 Types of Warehouse Management Systems for You to Choose From

What is a Warehouse Management System?

The warehouse management system (WMS) has been around for a long time. The purpose of these systems is to help companies manage the day-to-day operations in their warehouse and the materials that are being stored within it. A Warehouse Management system helps in the management of warehouse operations like picking, packing, and shipping, incoming-outgoing inventory, and organizing warehouse inventory. Warehouse management systems are often used for the management of inventory. They also help in monitoring and forecasting production, which is especially important for organizations with large inventories of goods.

Features of a Warehouse Management System

Warehouse management systems, or WMS software, help businesses manage their inventory and employees by controlling product flow through the warehouse. In warehouses with high-volume operations, these systems can take on several additional functions. A system for warehouse management can be used to track products as they move through the warehouse and prevent theft, and can also be used to monitor pricing according to the market by tracking the fluctuation of inventory.
Here are some top warehouse management system features-
Design warehouse infrastructure- A WMS system allows small business owners to utilize their warehouse to have additional space for extra inventories.
Inventory management- WMS solutions include barcode scanning functionalities for effective inventory tracking and monitoring.
Transport management- WMS systems provide easy transport management through real-time local and global freight tracking features.
Easy shipping- WMS systems provide invoice and packing list features and send automatic shipping notifications to clients. Real-time freight tracking and monitoring warehouse management features allow businesses to trace their inventory from a warehouse to the distribution center.
Staff management- WMS solutions allow warehouse managers to monitor the performance of their employees by tracking key performance indicators (KPIs).
Customer relationship management- WMS streamlines your supply chains by reducing stock losses, allowing you to meet your business goals. When customer orders reach them on time, it makes them happy and satisfied.

What is Warehouse Management Software?

Warehouse management system software is comprehensive and advanced software to manage the complexities of a warehouse. Warehouse management software is used by businesses to automate warehouse operations, resource planning, distribution, and tracking of products. Warehouse management software ensures that each product has an accurate location and history, which prevents any damage or loss in inventory.
There are many different warehouse management software programs with varied features, capabilities, and costs to meet your business needs. A good warehouse management software program is the key to efficient inventory control over your Management Warehouse operations. Warehouse management software will enable you to keep track of your inventory management levels, track multiple warehouses and warehouses across locations, manage inventory orders, and store items for re-order. Warehouse management software can help you run an efficient warehouse operation by providing an overview of your internal workforce.

4 Types of Warehouse Management Systems

Warehouse management systems are the backbone of any successful business. With a WMS system, you can get a leg up on your competition and be more efficient in your warehouse. If you own a warehouse, it is important to have a warehouse management system to keep your inventory organized, reduce health and safety risks, and boost productivity. Warehouse Management systems come in various shapes and sizes. You might be wondering what type of WMS is best for you.

Here are four types of WMS that you should consider when looking for one-

1. Standalone WMS System

A standalone warehouse management system has limited features and is suitable for small business owners who want to use it with their other supply chain management (SCM) systems. Standalone systems are affordable as they include limited warehouse management features. However, standalone systems come with two inbuilt functionalities - inventory management and warehouse management that are essential for warehouse inventory management. A standalone system is a good option for small business owners looking to improve their existing supply chain management system. A standalone system of warehouse management is simple and requires negligible training, thus making them appropriate for small warehouses with limited staff. Standalone WMS systems do not require full integration and can be used with other manual operations like spreadsheets.
Operations like packing, picking, returns, receiving, shipping, barcode scanning, cycle counts, Warehouse Optimization, and inventory tracking can be easily managed by standalone systems. However, some features of a standalone system may not integrate well with a warehouse management system. Standalone systems are not easily upgraded. Businesses that seek future growth and require advanced technology to meet their future needs need to invest in a more robust system.

2. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)

An Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is best suited for small businesses looking to improve and expand their supply chain planning. An ERP system is also the best option for third-party logistics (3PL) warehouse businesses that want to expand their operations, as its features allow them to streamline their supply chains, human resource management, customer relationship, and accounting and finance. ERP and WMS software are part of the supply chain management and provide comprehensive applications for the management of warehouse operations, such as inventory tracking, order management, and order fulfillment. The key purpose of an enterprise resource planning system for warehouse management is to streamline the information flow between several business operations. An enterprise resource planning software is an integrated solution that is best suited for linear businesses with chronological operations.

3. Cloud-Based Warehouse Management System

Cloud-based warehouse management systems are best suited for companies looking for quick integration and simple control of inventory orders. Cloud-based systems provide better security and more control of the warehouse at a lower cost. Cloud-based system software work on servers outside of the business, thus providing cheaper and easier integration and management of warehouse management system.
Cloud-based WMS are best suited for businesses looking for growth in the future as they are used as third-party logistics and easily integrate several business locations in an all-in-one system that is easy-to-use and consolidated.

4. Supply Chain Module

A Management system for warehouses allows small businesses to manage their warehouse operation, such as shipping, picking, and receiving. However, they are just a small part of the entire supply chain. On the other hand, the supply chain module provides several warehouse management operations, such as transportation management, vendor management, customer service capabilities, inventory control, material handling, customer relationship management, and better user interface. A supply chain module is a good option for 3PL providers that already utilize other warehouse management systems to meet their additional business requirements.