Warehouse management systems, or WMS, are software specifically designed to optimize warehouse functionality. They can direct, control, plan, organize, and utilize staff and resources in any warehouse location. Whether you want to refine your current warehouse practices or improve upon them, here are some of the advantages of using a warehouse management system you should know.
Inventory Visibility
Inventory management is crucial in warehousing. With a current warehouse management system, you can significantly increase your inventory visibility. Using real-time data, you can manage inventory with barcodes, serial numbers, and radiofrequency identification. This enables you to track products’ movements during transportation. From this traceability, you can manage damaged or tainted goods, faulty batches, and recalls with ease. Another advantage of inventory visibility is just-in-time inventory management. This ensures fast, reliable inventory flow between warehouses and deliveries. Accurate demand forecasting helps generate optimal inventory levels. This technique will reduce safety stock and carrying costs, which can improve revenue and decrease waste
Greater Security
Part of warehousing is keeping inventory secure in one location. Warehouse management systems require employees to use individual accounts for transactions. This can improve accountability with specific employees and their daily transactions. In turn, this reduces theft or inventory misplacement. WMS can also improve accountability with reports and analysis. These systems account for every aspect of warehouse security in their design and functionality.
Efficient Labor Management
Another advantage of using a warehouse management system is more efficient labor management. WMS allows you to freely pick, pack, and store items with the right employees. These systems help you choose the ideal candidate based on skill level, task management, and work efficiency. All of this ensures a fast, reliable warehouse operation. With this systematic efficiency, you can gain a better understanding of your employees. Managers can identify any strengths, weaknesses, or necessary improvements in staff, all with the simplicity of WMS services.
Faster Inbound/Outbound Fluidity
Lastly, WMS increases the speed of inbound/outbound inventory, which increases the warehouse’s overall efficiency. Scheduling and storage management tools optimize inbound shipments. You and your supplier can set the best time and date for shipment retrieval based on your current needs. This can also help with outbound transportation. WMS can identify the best routes and zones based on load size, location, and order prioritization. Each of these solidifies liability with your shipments, which strengthens your relationship with suppliers and distributors.
With that information, be sure to check us out at 18 Wheels Logistics. As a copacker in Vancouver, we understand warehouse management better than anyone else. We offer primary and secondary packaging for warehouse distribution so that you supply clients efficiently and smoothly. Whether it’s solid or liquid goods, our co-packing services work well with any WMS at your warehouse facility.
