Beat the Competition with Warehouse Management Software

September 24th 2014 14:49:40 PM

Are you struggling to remain competitive in today’s worldwide marketplace? Are your warehouse processes where they should be, or are you struggling to keep up with the demands that come with serving a wide variety of customers? Recent research has shown that manufacturers and distributors who aren’t using warehouse management software are falling quickly behind their competitors and losing out on valuable opportunities. Because they don’t have access to real-time information and data, they lack the tools they need to make informed decisions quickly, missing out on critical opportunities to improve their ranking in the marketplace.

If you find yourself questioning your inventory accuracy or wishing there were a simpler way of doing things, it might be time to consider investing in warehouse management software (commonly called “WMS”). Warehouse management software can address a wide variety of the challenges you face in the warehouse on a regular basis, as well as provide you with the tools and information you need to make quality decisions to move your business forward. Below are three common areas manufacturers and distributors struggle with and how warehouse management software can help you solve the challenges unique to each:

• Productivity
  Everyone knows that your productivity numbers affect your bottom line, but are you really operating your warehouse with that in mind? Probably not. While productivity is certainly the goal, it has failed to become the priority in a fair majority of warehouses across the country. After all, when your employees don’t see the bottom line, how can they be convinced to change their habits?Warehouse management software provides manufacturers and distributors with the ability to not only streamline processes to improve productivity numbers, but it also syncs with your company’s ERP software system to provide you and your employees with a complete view of the business. Warehouse management software adds efficiency, consistency and quality control to the process by helping you move your products through the warehouse at maximum speed. This, in turn, improves every stage of the fulfillment process and allows your employees to generate more work in less time since they have all of the tools they need to get the job done.
• Customer Service
  While it may not seem like it, your warehouse is a direct influencer of how your customers perceive your company. If your warehouse is run poorly and inefficiently, it will carry over into the customer experience. That’s why making sure products are in stock and customers receive exactly what they purchased is so important.With warehouse management software, you can improve picking accuracy so all of your orders are correct the first time. This eliminates the need for reshipment, refunds, and the work involved with product returns, allowing you to save time, energy and money as well. The software also automates the inventory tracking and shipping process so you are aware of what orders are in progress, what orders still need to be picked and packed, and what orders are on their way to your customers’ doors.
• Inventory Control
  A good warehouse management software solution can change your company’s inventory story. With the right system, you can decrease inventory levels, reduce inventory overhead costs, improve order fulfillment, and reduce order cycle time. Warehouse management software provides you with real-time information so you can respond faster to the demands of customers and accurately forecast for the future. Because you know what exactly is in the warehouse, where it is located, and when it needs to be replenished, you have the information you need to be successful.

The right warehouse management solution can improve your sales and increase your profits all while helping you achieve greater efficiency. When paired with mobile devices, warehouse management solutions can provide you with even greater visibility. Contact us today to learn about how our Sage 100 warehouse management application, Scanco Warehouse, can provide you with the tools you need to succeed in today’s competitive marketplace.

Are you currently using warehouse management software? How has it set you apart from the competition?