WMS – do modern warehouses need it?
Every day hundreds of thousands of products in warehouses travel through the subsequent stages of the supply chain. However, just receiving the goods, storing them and then sending them to the customer is not yet the success of the company. As more and more logistics companies enter the market, what strengthens the competitiveness of a facility is the speed, correctness and price of delivery. And it is the improvement of these indicators that is the main role of a WMS.
WMS – what it is and how it works?
To ensure smooth operations, warehouses use professional IT systems whose task is to manage all logistics processes – this is exactly what the described system is responsible for. WMS warehouse management system makes it possible to plan further activities and their control. An advanced platform allows tracking the work of human and technical resources in real time. A good WMS must also include a reporting option that allows specialists to make comparative analyses in search of further improvements. Where to look for a good system and how much does it cost? An example of warehouse management system is a cheap WMS from Autoid.pl. Additionally, UNIS WMS is fully integratable with ERP systems. You can read more about it at https://www.autoid.en/platform-unis/warehouse-management-unis-wms.
How such a system works? Product identification is usually based on generated barcodes assigned to a specific item. Each stage of the process involves scanning the product, thanks to which the system records the full path of the elements moving through the warehouse. In just a few clicks you can find out where the goods are at any given moment.
Production management system – when to use it?
WMS systems are used not only in large companies, but also in smaller warehouses. The difference in platforms lies in their degree of sophistication. Every warehouse not only can but should use a WMS. Why?
An extensive warehouse management system allows for the location of products in such a way as to optimize their path from receipt to exit from the warehouse. It also enables the reservation of products and their queuing in a manner consistent with FIFO (First In, First Out), which in the case of the food industry minimizes the risk of overdue products. The system also imposes location restrictions in such a way as to avoid overloading the racks and the associated risks.
Warehouse management system – new opportunities for the company
One of the greatest benefits of using a WMS is the generation of reports based on the data collected and relating them to previous information. This makes it possible to conduct performance tests and then compare variables and results achieved. Based on these indicators a company is able to determine where the process gaps are and if the planned improvements will actually translate into higher profits. Another advantage is the fact that access to all this information is possible completely remotely.
How to choose a WMS? First and foremost, it should be matched to the specificity of the stored goods. It is also necessary to analyze actions planned for the future. If you know that your warehouse is going to grow, it is worth betting on an advanced, dedicated platform that will grow with the company.