Different Components That Makeup Warehouse Management System

Today WMS or the warehouse management system forms the basic foundation of all logistics and supply chain companies. This software enables logistics companies to maintain a degree of control over storage, distribution etc. This increases the efficiency and productivity of its internal operations like material management, inventory balance, auditing, pickup processes etc.

The implementation of the WMS is most effective when it enables logistics companies to rise over the average and become extraordinary in their functioning. This is facilitated by the use of a customised solution to enable the smoothening of the workflow by the incorporation of the following processes:

• Warehouse designing: The motive is to maximise available space. The WMS with its internal warehouse designing ability can do just that. Thus it helps increase storage space by optimising inventory allocation so that the warehouse can handle seasonal variations competently.

• Real-time capabilities: Having real-time information about the warehouse services and inventory position results in greater accuracy of workflow and better stock predictions. WMS makes it possible to leverage integrated software and hardware programs to understand the current status of the happening of the warehouse. 

• Pickup processes: Order picking is one of the most crucial processes taking place in the warehouse. With WMS separating the warehouse into different zones and enabling pick-and-pack tasks by using such functions as zone picking, wave picking, batch picking etc., there is a significant increase in the supply chain productivity. Packaging has become easier and faster irrespective of whether different products are going to the same customer or the same product to different customers. 

• Warehouse product movements: Two very important events taking place at the warehouses are receiving of products and shipping of the same. Products are received from the manufacturers in bulk while shipping takes place in bits and pieces. In both instances, inventory is affected and needs to be reconciled to minimise loss of the same. The WMS software makes these processes easier by facilitating:

1. Quick identification and sorting of the received products,
2. Electronic data recording,
3. Immediate electronic transfer and updating of ERP databases,
4. Data entry using individual accounts etc.

All of the above mentioned WMS processes work together to ensure minimal inventory loss, increase employee accountability and improve inventor reconciliation. 

• Inventory tracking: This is a subset of the above function and involves the collaborative use of the WMS, the barcode scanners and RIFD or Bluetooth markers or AIDC to locate and despatch goods accurately and quickly. The WMS also enables warehousing companies in India to maintain a log of all internal warehouse movements taking place. This includes the:

1. Inbound inventory movement,
2. Outbound inventory despatch and
3. All other functions of selecting, picking and packaging etc., that takes place in between.

Thus the day-to-day warehousing operations become smoother and expenses also get reduced.

• Labour management: Monitoring the performance of the labourers and other workers involved in the warehouse based on certain key indicators and parameters is another important function of the WMS. It is capable of providing crucial solutions for effective labour management based on real-time employee performance data. Thus formulation of incentive policies and salary calculation becomes easier resulting in a happier workforce thereby leading to increased productivity.

• Customised reporting: Generation of specific and customised reports for all aspects of warehouse functions is also possible using the WMS. It becomes easier to keep a track of:

1. The required statutory compliances,
2. The various ongoing processes and analyse their efficiency,
3. Find areas to improve upon,
4. Document shipping recodes and
5. Enable compliance labelling.

WMS touches upon and brings an improvement in every aspect of warehouse functioning and even goes beyond the traditional norms of warehousing. Thus it enables logistics companies to cope up with the increased demands for diversified functions and also helps in better revenue generation.