Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) Software

What Is WMS Software?

As supplies move through the warehouse / distribution center, managers must track inventory and ensure that products are picked and put away in a productive and expedient manner. Warehouse management systems (WMS) help users improve the efficiency of these inventory control operations.

Warehouse inventory software should provide managers with the tools they need to analyze stock and makes plans for inventory movement or replenishment. Used alongside a transportation management system, WMS systems serve as a critical part of an overall supply chain management system. To see additional product reviews and comparisons, visit www.WarehouseManagementSystemsGuide.com.

The core functionality of most warehouse management systems help warehouse managers and workers guide inventory through receiving, putaway, picking, packing and shipping.

Other Applications to Consider

Just because you have a warehouse doesn't mean you need warehouse management software. It may be overkill for your needs. Instead, there are several related applications available that address specific problems in the supply chain.

Best-of-Breed WMS vs. Integrated Suite

Buyers need to decide if they want to purchase a best-of-breed WMS or an integrated suite of applications. Typically, best-of-breed applications have deeper functionality than modules within integrated suites. In this case, that means more picking configurations, labor management features, built-in integrations with other technologies, and other warehouse-specific features within best-of-breed applications than WMS modules within supply chain management or Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) suites.

Alternatively, buyers may want to evaluate integrated suites if they want a solution that can manage other aspects of the business (accounting, human resources, manufacturing, customer management, etc.) in addition to the warehouse. These vendors are also typically more stable, meaning buyers won’t have to worry about their provider going out of business or being acquired by another vendor.

Recent Updates from Warehouse Software Vendors

• Accellos. Accellos has seen two major updates to its on-demand warehouse inventory management system, AccellosOne WMS. In February 011, Version 6.3 was released. Its new capabilities included a new mobile workflow, improved user interface, new planning templates (for wave picking, allocation, etc.) and complete integration with its LTL and parcel solution, AcecellosOne Ship. March 2012 saw one of the biggest announcements in the warehousing industry this year--a cloud-based deployment option for its WMS solution. In addition to software updating being included in the contract, the solution is now available on a subscription-pricing model.
• ASC Software. Over the past couple of years, there have been two main updates to ASC’s WMS solutions. In November 2011, ASC updated ASCTrac to version 7.1. Most of the improvements in this push focused on supply chain visibility, improved metrics and updating the inventory counting engine. A new product line labeled ASCTrAX was announced in January 2012. The solution is a mobile extension of Dynamics AX, allowing warehouse managers to eliminate paper spreadsheets and improve the inventory accuracy with real-time stock updates.
• HighJump. One important accomplishment to point out is that HighJump earned the status of Gold Microsoft ISV in November, 2011. Most of the software updates to impact HighJump’s warehousing and distribution offering have involved electronic data interchange (EDI) functionality. In March 2012, its TrueCommerce EDI Solutions became a part of the Microsoft Dynamics GP User Group. April 2012 saw HighJump notify users of integration with another ERP vendor, this time announcing EDI integration with Sage 100 ERP.
• RedPrairie. RedPrairie made a major update to its On-Demand Warehouse Management Solutions in July 2011 by adding advanced mobile functionality. Improvements focused on adding features and capabilities for both inventory supervisors and floor workers. For its mobile app, RedPrairie partners with multiple hardware vendors such as Motorola, Intermec, and Honeywell. The mobile application does not require any software updates to integrate with RedPrairie's warehousing management solution.

New Additions to Our Guide

Recently, we’ve added a number of WMS software vendors to our guide. Here are a few of the newest products we’ve reviewed:

• IntelliTrack. IntelliTrack offers a stand-alone WMS solution that we recommend to warehouses with up to 20 workers. The solution comes in three different versions to accommodate businesses with a range of budgets and needs. One of the features we really like about the IntelliTrack system is the assortment of wireless and handheld devices it can interface with. Check out more product information and screenshots of the system here.
• Savant. Savant offers an on-premise warehouse solution that can handle inventory of almost any type, from agricultural and perishable goods to electronics, high tech products and raw materials. While Savant’s system can directly integrate with the Microsoft ERP products (including Dynamics AX, GP, NAV and SL), it also works as a stand-alone system. Savant offers additional modules to address specific warehouse environments, such as those found in a third-party logistics (3PL) operation or in the beverage industry.
• Exacta. Exacta WMS from Bastian Solutions is an on-premise warehouse solution that can come coupled with additional modules for other supply chain functions, including transportation management (for parcels) and order fulfillment. Bastian offers an additional module that can further customize warehouse control, including specialized wave picking, labor management and other planning features. The system is also suited to handle 3PL environments.
• Anywhere Warehouse Management System. Finally, Lenoir’s Anywhere WMS is a web-based product, making it great for managers that don’t necessarily require radio-frequency controls or cross docking in their warehouses. The system includes additional reporting and data integration modules for users with more advanced analytical needs. Anywhere WMS can integrate with a number of popular enterprise applications, including JDA, SAP and Oracle.

Evaluating WMS Software

Since the whole point of a WMS is to reduce spending, buyers should focus first and foremost on the total cost of ownership. Fortunately, vendors have become more competitive in this area, just as they are competing on functionality and, more recently, application architecture configurability. Each vendor will claim that their warehouse management system software provides more opportunities to expand on out-of-the-box functionality than their competitors. Systems that can truly offer the most advanced functionality, optional features for specific vertical markets, configurable architecture, and competitive cost of ownership will have the greatest chance of winning over buyers.

Specific questions to ask when selecting a WMS system include:

• Does the system offer industry-specific functionality for the unique needs of your operation? If not, can it be configured to meet those needs?
• Will a new WMS system provide the necessary cross-functionality with your existing logistics solutions (TMS, order fulfillment, etc.) to manage your end-to-end processes (i.e. order to cash)?
• Do you want an on-premise, client/server-based deployment, or is your organization interested in exploring web-based deployment opportunities?
• Will the user interface be accessible and easy-to-learn for less experienced staff members?
• If your operation focuses on the immediate shipment of newly arrived inventory, will the system provide you with the necessary cross-docking functionality?