How to Determine if You Need a Warehouse Management System
* Though less widely installed in high-volume, pick-pack, direct commerce fulfillment environments, you might also consider systems from other vendors such as LIS, Logility, RedPrairie, Swisslog, and Tecsys.
Functional Checklist
To help you evaluate which warehouse management system (WMS) will best suit your needs, the following is an abbreviated checklist of features and functions on which to focus:
- support for multiple divisions, companies and warehouses;
- product storage types supported;
- value-added management (e.g., personalization, gift cards, gift wrapping);
- material handling equipment supported;
- flexible quality control functions (receiving, picking, packing);
- multiple SKUs per location, multiple locations per SKU;
- advanced shipment notices (inbound, outbound);
- planned and unplanned receiving;
- vendor performance tracking;
- support for electronic data interchange;
- radio frequency support (what type, which functions);
- radio frequency identificiation support;
- barcoding symbols supported;
- package labeling;
- random, directed put-away (with “top-off” capability);
- slotting management, space usage evaluation tools;
- pick batch functionality;
- picking methods supported;
- replenishment methods;
- demand tracking and analysis;
- warehouse transfers;
- virtual warehouses;
- kitting and assembly;
- work-in-process tracking;
- back-order management;
- cross docking;
- inventory consolidation;
- hazmat management;
- manifest interfaces;
- rate shopping;
- packing list, shipping label options;
- logistics management;
- shipment tracking;
- returns handling;
- item disposition, liquidation;
- return to vendor;
- productivity analysis;
- activity-based costing; and
- reporting tools and flexibility
