In recent years, customers have become increasingly demanding and are asking manufacturers more. Customers want orders to be delivered faster, more precisely and more tailored to their needs, all at a lower cost.
Manufacturers and distributors are expected to deliver orders more quickly than in the past. While many companies remain linked to processes, practices, and systems that perpetuate these warehouse management problems, others recognize these challenges as opportunities to strengthen their competitive positions in the market. They are taking warehouse management to new levels by adopting advanced solutions that help them deliver what is requested perfectly, reducing labor costs and maximizing the use of space and equipment, as is the case with WMS systems.
Beyond the limitations of existing ERP systems, (Enterprise Resource Planning) advanced warehouse management solutions position companies to excel operationally and drive profitable growth in today’s hyper-competitive markets. The key capabilities of an advanced warehouse management solution include:
1. Inventory Management
This function allows identifying all the materials to be used in the production process to be stored on site, as well as each and every one of the products located for sale, the analysis of the spaces, the characteristics of the items to be stored, your needs preservation, its fragility, types of packaging, rotation and transport, among other characteristics.
Depending on this, the way to identify each and every one of them, their precise location, the way to mobilize them to group the orders and their loading system in the transport are chosen, with the idea of having all the details that they are going to program. to complete and deliver orders, combined with product rotation according to the FEFO / FIFO (First Expires, First Out) / (First In, First Out) principles.
2. Order management
This function allows transactions to be processed quickly and perfectly, regardless of where they are carried out, since the WMS provides detailed, real-time information on each of the products, their quantities stored, scheduled manufacturing, their specifications and even sales history.
3. Work and task management
In this process, flow analyzes are generated, balancing workloads and tasks, depending on the technical and human resources available. This allows for greater productivity, in general, by grouping work orders and locations, with similar or complementary attributes, in batches and waves so that orders are received, also carrying out both picking and packaging, so that they can be shipped timely.
4. RF and voice direction
They help improve productivity through the use of hands-free connections with advanced voice recognition technology, for ordering, replenishment, and receipts, among others, without the need for cumbersome lists, labels and scanners, greatly improving the productivity and accuracy of the order.
5. Workforce management
Maximize worker performance in the warehouse or distribution center through workforce planning. Improves the ability to monitor work and provide real-time feedback to workers and supervisors during picking, packing, and shipping activities.
6. Slotting
This function allows to increase productivity by minimizing the movements of the operators, determining which are the high-rotation products and placing them at face height. This strategy minimizes the disruptions caused by variability in demand, allowing locations to be adjusted according to seasonality, special promotions or changes in customer order patterns.
7. Kitting
It is the way to add value to the product before delivery, considered in many places as “maquila”. It is viewed as adopting deferral strategies that allow for light transformation of products in the distribution center to accommodate customer requests.
WMS for every need
Huge gains in warehouse performance can be achieved by implementing an advanced warehouse management system. Manufacturers and distributors investing in an advanced warehouse management solution can strengthen order management, increase labor productivity, and maximize their use of warehouse assets
As customer demands increase and supply chains grow more and more globally, companies must drive gains in warehouse productivity and performance to avoid overwhelming costs. These investments also promise benefits in terms of increased warehouse visibility, agility, and productivity. In addition, they lay the foundation for profitable growth and for the success of today’s and tomorrow’s hypercompetitive markets.
