A warehouse is central to the smooth operation of supply chain companies, with the effortless flow of goods and products essential for business growth.
Companies need to integrate technology into their workplace to bolster operational efficiency and effectiveness. Those that adapt technological advancements gain a critical competitive advantage in the market.
Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) handle everyday warehouse operations, providing information needed to efficiently control movement of goods. Such systems work with a variety of innovative technology and devices to offer never-before experienced functionality and efficiency.
Let’s take a peek at warehousing technologies that increase efficiency, accuracy and customer satisfaction.
System integration
System integration through ERP is not new and is fast proliferating. Connectivity across locations and devices require all business systems, including WMS, to be operating on a common platform. Companies may, depending on their business functions, opt for WMS with sophisticated warehouse functionality beyond what is offered in the standard ERP. In such a case, they may face the challenge of integrating the WMS with their other systems, especially any existing ERP software.
Integration is needed not just for software; the WMS has to talk with various data-collection devices to deliver maximum benefits. In future, integration will include more connectivity with partners to enable seamless transfers of information and a single point of access across functions and supply chain.
The growing appeal of Cloud
Companies are moving to the cloud because of the advantage of cost benefits and flexibility. The efficiency and cost savings offered by cloud applications are major factors driving companies to discard their on-premise applications. Subscription models are gaining wide acceptance and have lowered barriers to entry. The combined benefits have brought WMS within the reach of small business automation technology that only large companies could afford. This trend is strong in warehouse management systems.
Impact of digital mobility
Digital mobility is increasingly influencing the way companies do business; the integration of mobile devices with business process is also becoming tighter than ever.
The continued integration of mobile devices with business practices underlines the increasing impact of digital mobility on the supply chain, particularly warehousing. The use of mobile devices across business functions is becoming more prevalent with business applications that can talk to any device. Employees across business functions will be able to collect, analyze, and report on information on their mobile phones, tabs or similar devices. New mobile technology continues to alter the way businesses take to digital mobility.
The WMS evolution
Today’s WMS incorporates a smart mix of highly evolved technologies that optimize business processes and delivers increased throughput.WMS are automating and streamlining standard tasks, substantially improving operating efficiency and reducing transaction costs. The seamless integration and optimization of business processes provide improved efficiency with enhanced visibility.
The WMS continues to evolve as it aims for higher degree of automation and complex fulfillment strategies. The WMS of today is a far cry from the days when, as a business process application, it was designed for people-driven processes. As WMS functionality keeps improving, companies are looking harder at means to better manage their operations and run more effective, more automated warehouses. An increasing number of companies have therefore made the strategic decision to move away from their customized applications to modern WMS applications.
