Warehouse Management Systems are sophisticated pieces of software that allow businesses of all sizes to gain and maintain control over their warehouses.
Having an effective WMS software in place plays a vital role in managing inventory, order processing, and the overall operations of warehouses.
Especially today, when customer expectations are so high, it’s essential that warehouses function as efficiently as possible so businesses can ensure they're providing an excellent customer experience and remaining competitive.
What makes a Warehouse Management System all the more powerful, however, is its ability to integrate seamlessly with other systems used by businesses.
This allows users to access invaluable data and insights into the inner workings of their company, allowing them to make informed decisions so they can streamline their processes even further, becoming even more productive as a result.
Let’s delve into the most common WMS integrations that can help take your warehouse to the next level so you can operate as efficiently as possible.
WAREHOUSE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM INTEGRATIONS
#1 Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems
ERP systems take care of many vital aspects of any business, including finance, sales, and inventory, making ERP Integration one of the most important capabilities of Warehouse Management Software.
When integrated with a WMS, the two systems work together to manage inventory levels, optimize order processing, and stay on top of critical financial data.
Integrating Warehouse Management Software with an ERP System eliminates the need for inputting data manually which increases accuracy in dealing with important information, minimizes the potential for errors, and boosts productivity overall.
#2 Ecommerce Platforms
Most warehouses rely heavily on information from their online shop, making ecommerce integration an essential part of warehouse management.
20% of all sales occur online, meaning it’s ever more important to offer a seamless online shopping experience to meet customer demands and maintain a competitive edge.
You can integrate your WMS with Shopify or whatever ecommerce platform you’re using to ensure all orders and sales are processed and updated automatically while gaining access to real-time data on inventory levels and product information.
This not only makes responding to and completing orders much more straightforward for your team, but it also ensures your customers always know what you have in stock and what is currently available to them.
#3 Transportation Management Systems (TMS)
Your Warehouse Management System will help you monitor and optimize the flow of goods within your warehouse.
But what about when orders leave your warehouse to be sent out to your paying customers?
For businesses that take care of their own delivery or work with third-party couriers, a transport management system can help ensure the shipping process goes smoothly and that customers receive their packages on time and in good condition.
The TMS communicates with your WMS to optimize order processing and shipping options while also allowing customers to track their orders, a crucial service offering for online retailers operating in such a competitive market.
#4 Barcode and RFID Systems
When dealing with so much information, between managing customer orders and overseeing supply chain management, there is no room for error in warehouse operations.
Barcode and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) systems integrated with a WMS provide a powerful inventory tracking and management solution.
As products move through the warehouse and are packed up for order, barcode or RFID scans update the WMS in real time, maintaining an accurate representation of stock levels and minimizing the risk of overstocking or running out of stock.
#5 Material Handling Equipment
Integrating a WMS with material handling equipment or conveyor systems creates an efficient and automated warehouse environment.
At Pio, we use innovative robotics to manage the flow of inventory within your warehouse and respond to orders by delivering products to your workstation for shipping.
Our sophisticated Warehouse Management Software automatically updates the robotic system so it can get to work immediately while ensuring orders are handled with care and consistency.
Our systems help you increase the efficiency and speed of order fulfillment while optimizing the internal movement of goods within your warehouse.
#6 Supplier and Vendor Portals
When you’re constantly trying to meet customer demands, the last thing you need is to run out of stock of your most popular products.
Human error can sometimes cause inventory levels to get overlooked. That’s why it’s so important to have access to valuable data on stock levels and buying habits so you can quickly assess what needs to be replenished.
Integrating your suppliers’ systems into yours can make managing your stock even easier by allowing them to see your inventory levels so they can anticipate when you might need another delivery of a specific product, reducing the risk of stock-outs.
It can also spare you and your vendors time by cutting out the need for manual data entry on inventory and making product ordering a significantly more efficient and accurate process.