A warehouse management SOFTWARE (WMS) consists of software and processes that allow organizations to control and administer warehouse operations from the time goods or materials enter a warehouse until they move out.
Warehouses sit at the centre of manufacturing and supply chain operations because they hold all of the material used or produced in those processes, from raw materials to finished goods. The purpose of a WAREHOUSE MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE is to help ensure that goods and materials move through warehouses management software in the most efficient and cost-effective way. A Warehouse management software handles many functions that enable these movements, including inventory tracking, picking, receiving and put away.
A Warehouse management software also provides visibility into an organization's inventory at any time and location, whether in a facility or in transit.
The supply chain can operate only as quickly, accurately and efficiently as warehouse processes permit. A Warehouse management software plays a vital role in supply chain management by managing order fulfilment processes, from receiving raw materials to shipping finished goods. For example, if raw materials are not received properly or parts are misplaced in a warehouse, the supply chain may be slowed or disrupted. Warehouse management software are critical in ensuring that these processes work smoothly by tracking inventory and making sure that goods are stored and sorted properly, as well as shipped and tracked accurately.
Warehouse management software comes in a variety of types and implementation methods, and the type typically depends on the size and nature of the organization. They can be standalone systems or modules in a larger ERP system or supply chain execution suite.
WMSes can also vary widely in complexity. Some small organizations may use a simple series of hard copy documents or spreadsheet files, but most larger organizations -- from small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) to enterprise companies -- use complex WMS software. Some WMS setups are designed specifically for the size of the organization, and many vendors have versions of WMS products that can scale to different organizational sizes. Some organizations build their own WMS from scratch, but it's more common to implement a WMS from an established vendor.
A WMS can also be designed or configured for the organization's specific requirements; for example, an e-commerce vendor might use a WMS that has different functions than a brick-and-mortar retailer. Additionally, a WMS may also be designed or configured specifically for the types of goods the organization sells; for example, a sporting goods retailer would have different requirements than a grocery chain.
