Warehouse Management System Confusion
Warehouse Management System Confusion
In the past it was relatively easy to tell the difference between the tiers of warehouse management software capabilities. The larger more expensive products offered significantly more functionality and scalability than the other smaller versions. That appears to be changing as we speak. As we help clients look for a warehouse management systems for their operation, the process of culling down the list of potential vendors to consider is becoming more confusing.
Before, a larger company usually migrated to a larger vendor while the smaller companies moved to smaller systems. Recently, vendors seem to be morphing into a more homogenous mix of feature/function. Almost all of the warehouse management system vendors we have run into have full functioning systems. The chief difference we see today is that many seem to have specialized in a particular market segment such as retailing, manufacturing, or third party fulfillment among others. This specialization has caused the development of functionality to reflect the specific requirements of that particular industry type.
Most warehouse management software packages today cover the basics of a warehouse operation. Some of the more sophisticated versions offer a wider selection of features than their smaller competitors. It is more important today than ever to develop a detailed requirement document that can be used to evaluate your warehouse management system options. The devil is in the detail never applied more than to the selection of a warehouse management system. Without a detailed description of what your business requires, all of the possible solutions can look the same.
One approach we have used successfully in the past is to try to find a warehouse management system product that has been utilized successfully in another business with a very similar business model to yours. There will not be another exactly like you, but finding someone with similarities goes a long way toward selecting a list of potential products with a track record in your particular vertical market.
If you can find a few vendors who have successfully installed their warehouse management systems in a business with similarities to yours, you will increase the likelihood of a successful install in your company. Although that cannot be the only factor used to select a vendor, it goes a long way to making sure you find the right fit for you.
Call us at 804-740-8743 and let’s talk about how we can help you with your warehouse management system project.
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