What do industry analysts Aberdeen have to say about the state of Warehouse Management technology? Well, a lot as it turns out. They point out that most solutions fall seriously short of the functionality that is required to meet best in class requirements.
I have taken there 5 key characteristics of what they describe as ‘FULL WMS’ and summarized them below.
|
FULL WMS |
Old WMS |
|
Real time communication via wireless mobile devices |
Delayed manual batch entry of records at a computer terminal |
|
Automatic data capture (SKU numbers, bin number, purchase order numbers, etc.) |
Data is captured manually, using keyboard entry |
|
Tracks actual quantities at each bin or location |
Stores expected, or notional quantities at bin location. |
|
Instructs, or directs workers, in terms of; put-away, packing, etc. |
Provides no direction and has no check points as regards put-away, packing, etc. |
|
Can be upgraded to add new functionality as required / available (e.g. RFID, or adapt to new business processes)? |
Major work is required to integrate new technology, or features |
Source: Aberdeen Research, 5 Characteristics of True WMS
At Principal Systems our WMS solutions provide all this functionality and more besides. required to compete in 2010 and beyond, including the 5 key features of full WMS systems as identified by independent industry analysts.
Joe O Shea
Principal Systems – Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) – Supply Chain Solutions
