Every warehouse is not the same, and every warehouse inventory management system is not ideal for every facility. Too often owners or managers of distribution centers and warehouses fall into the trap of assuming that if a WMS (warehouse management system) works in one facility, then it will work across all facilities.
To assist any warehouse manager or owner in choosing a warehouse inventory management system there are some essential questions that have to be answered. By first taking the time to answer these for the facility, it is possible to assess for features that need to be present in the WMS selected.
* What current aspects of the warehouse are ineffective or inefficient?
* What will be the volume of inventory through the warehouse?
* Do you need staffing and employee productivity tools in the WMS?
* Do you anticipate growth or changes in the warehouse facility and how flexible does the system need to be?
From this list, and there may be additional questions specific to any facility, there is the starting point for minimum essential features.
Different Environments
There are a variety of different environments that may be within a given warehouse. For example, with food products there could be freezers or temperature controlled areas that will be used for specific types of inventory.
Finding a WMS that will not only be flexible enough to manage these different environments but also the ensure that the right materials are stored in each area will be a cost saving factor for the facility.
Monitoring and Tracking of Inventory
There are many different options in monitoring and tracking the movement of materials through the warehouse facility as well as when picking and shipping. These systems will allow management to carefully monitor how a specific item moves through the facility and detect areas of inefficiency or to ensure maximum real-time inventory management.
Different types of warehouse inventory management system options may include bar codes, AIDC (Auto ID Capture), RFID (Radio-frequency identification) or a combination of technologies based on the type of stock.
Getting Assistance
There are many different types of WMS in use today. It can be difficult to seemingly impossible to understand how each system will work with your warehouse and any current monitoring systems you may have in place.
Working with a warehouse consultant can help to resolve these issues. Look for a company that is able to assess your needs and suggest a system that will improve your ability to track, monitor and manage your warehouse from receiving the stock to shipping it to the customer.
