With changing times, it is also crucial to change and upgrade technology constantly so that we stay relevant and ahead of our competitors. In these dynamic times, warehouses – the primal link of any supply chain – have shown resilience and adaptability to accommodate the rising and changing market demands by bringing in new technological advancements. One such advancement by the warehousing industry was the introduction of the ‘Warehouse Management System’.
Often used in manufacturing and retail, the software is regularly updated by companies to help them better manage their inventory and improve overall supply chain management processes. But, just upgrading is no longer enough. To keep up with the competitors and the high standards of consumer demands, there is a need to introduce new techniques and improve processes and enhance work efficiency.
Today, we explore the evolving trends in warehouse management systems that will help the industry stay up-to-date.
A Cloud-Based WMS
With the emergence of the hybrid workplace, the use of cloud servers is becoming more relevant as it allows staff members from various countries to work on the data independently or simultaneously via the Internet. It enables users to gain entry into a system wherever they are and whatever device they use. Using the cloud also allows the WMS to integrate with other systems like the e-commerce platform so customers can immediately know product availability and shipping information.
Sustainable Warehousing
A big challenge for brands today is producing a high-quality product that meets consumers’ needs and also takes care of the sustainability aspect of the business. A sustainably run business is a testament that could help attract more clients and a business objective that lives up to corporate social responsibility.
Therefore, companies are now investing in an efficient WMS that can help reduce the need to use paper, which used to be the most significant contributor to warehousing waste. Once a WMS is integrated with cloud-based servers, there is no need to print inventory sheets for tracking and consolidation. This helps in reducing the use of paper by automating processes like counting, receiving, monitoring, and dispatching. Another sustainable impact of cloud-based WMS is the efficient use of energy since many warehouses are now installed with solar panels.
Integrating Omnichannel Approach
We live in a world, where multiple channels are used by companies to reach their target audience. From e-commerce to bricks-and-mortar to even social media channels. Managing these channels can be a big headache and a massive hurdle. To stay competitive in the online-first market, brands adapted to strategies that helped them increase their response time, have real-time insight into inventory and connect across platforms instantly. WMS has now evolved into OMS which supports the omnichannel approach while managing inventory properly.
Implementation of the WMS/OMS can allow companies to manage inventory easily, centralize order management and get a superior channel integration.
Automation
Automating in WMS is the implementation of a set of processes that can help improve workers’ quality and services by eliminating manual work or procedures. An automated WMS is capable of providing a competitive advantage to your company. It can help save costs on employees’ salaries, make your warehouse safer, optimize supply chain efficiency, and help track critical data efficiently. This will also improve the consumer relationship of the brand as they can offer better and quick services with no delays with quality performance.
In conclusion, WMS, which are undoubtedly an indispensable tool in the modern supply chain landscape, continue to evolve to meet the rapidly changing demand. As the need to stay relevant and competitive becomes more critical than ever, new techniques, like omnichannel integration, automation, sustainable warehousing, and cloud integration will be incorporated into WMS across the sector.
