Enhanced visibility
A WMS provides real-time insights into the stock and location of all materials and goods. This allows you to make more informed purchasing decisions and better serve your customers.
What is a WMS?
A warehouse management system (WMS) is business software that controls the flow of goods in a warehouse or distribution center. With a WMS, you gain real-time visibility into the entire supply chain process from procurement to delivery. Warehouse management systems are primarily used in wholesale and manufacturing industries. The functionalities may vary depending on the solution, but most warehouse management systems include features for managing receiving goods, selecting storage locations, inventory tracking, and shipping processes.What is the difference between a WMS and an ERP system?
A WMS is specifically designed to optimize processes in warehouses and distribution centers. An ERP system is used across the entire business, including finance, procurement, supply chain management, marketing, and HR. While both aim to achieve more efficient utilization of company resources, they are distinct solutions. If you're unsure which option is best for your business, we're here to provide advice and guidance.
What is a WMS system used for?
- Inventory management
- Goods receiving
- Quality control
- Work scheduling
- Order picking
- Packaging and shipping
- Productivity measurement
- Analysis and reporting
What are the benefits of a WMS?
A WMS enhances the efficiency of your warehouse processes and provides better inventory visibility. Here are some facts and figures that highlight these advantages:
- Warehouses and distribution centers are growing larger, resulting in increased walking distances.
- During order picking, employees spend up to 50% of their time walking.
- 50% to 70% of a warehouse's budget is allocated to labor costs.
- Most companies achieve a productivity gain of 25% with a WMS.
- Human errors are the most common cause of inventory and order problems.
WMS requirements
Flexibility and scalability
It is crucial that your WMS possesses the capability to expand alongside your business while swiftly adjusting to evolving processes and market conditions.
Reliability
Your WMS is indispensable to your daily operations. Any disruption has an immediate impact on your warehouse. Therefore, stability is an absolute must.
User-friendliness
A WMS should be user-friendly, with an intuitive interface and streamlined functionality, which in turn facilitates the efficient training of personnel.
From data to insights
The value of data lies in its actionable insights. Therefore, a WMS should present data in easily understandable reports and graphical representations.
Relevant functionality
Carefully assess the functional requirements of your WMS. Identify what you truly need and avoid investing in unnecessary features that won't be utilized.
Integration capabilities
The effectiveness of your WMS depends on strong integrations, particularly with your ERP system. These mission-critical applications should complement each other.
Mobile-friendly
It's essential that your WMS is usable anywhere, anytime. Employees should be able to work efficiently using their smartphones or tablets, online and offline.
Standard software vs. custom solutions
If you aim to enhance the efficiency of your warehouse processes using a WMS, you have multiple options to consider. The primary decision lies between off-the-shelf software and a custom WMS. Off-the-shelf software packages enable you to commence quickly with relatively low costs. However, it's important to note that each warehouse possesses unique operational processes that may not align seamlessly with standard software. Furthermore, customization options might be limited, potentially constraining your warehouse within a generic framework and hindering its overall efficiency.
At House of low-code, we advocate against this approach. We frequently encounter situations where organizations choose standard software despite having unique processes that demand customized solutions. We firmly believe that the business should take the lead, rather than being dictated by technology. That's why we specialize in building warehouse management systems that seamlessly align with your operations, utilizing cutting-edge low-code technology to ensure future-proof solutions.
Are you curious about the possibilities of low-code for your organization?
Why low-code?
Traditional software development entails manually writing code using programming languages, which can be a complex and inflexible process. It often necessitates detailed specifications and extensive planning, resulting in time wasted. Moreover, the resulting system may not readily accommodate changes in the warehouse's dynamic environment, thereby diminishing the primary benefit of custom software. Additionally, attracting skilled programmers can be challenging and costly.
Low-code technology addresses these challenges effectively. This development approach simplifies the process by using visual building blocks and models to assemble a customized WMS. With low-code, you can rapidly create a tailored solution, incorporate new functionalities, and often do so at a lower cost. Here are the key benefits of utilizing low-code:
Rapid development
Low-code accelerates the development of your WMS. A project can be completed within a few months.
Lower costs
Low-code development is cost-effective. It’s faster and requires less expensive programming knowledge.
Scalability
A low-code platform offers exceptional flexibility and scalability, making it an ideal foundation for your WMS.
Future-proof
Outdated software hampers your business. With low-code, you can continuously modernize critical applications.
Fast integration
Low-code allows for seamless integration of your WMS with other systems and technologies, such as RFID, robotics, and IoT.
Simplified management
A low-code application consists of standardized components, reducing the risk of bugs and simplifying maintenance.
Why House of low-code?
House of low-code is a collective of independent low-code agencies, each specialized in a specific low-code technology. Our consultants act as independent advisors, assessing your digital challenges, determining whether low-code is the right solution, and selecting the appropriate platform. Subsequently, we have one of our agencies develop the application in an agile manner, ensuring both speed and quality.
Independent advice
We are not bound to one technology and always choose the best solution.
Comprehensive offering
From customer portals to ERP systems: we build virtually all types of business software.
Quality assured
We train our consultants and developers in-house to maintain control over quality.
Unlimited capacity
With over 100 low-code engineers, we can handle the largest projects.
