2017
dB
; Receiving
; Reserve putaway
; Slotting
; Wave management
; Order management
; Transportation
management
; ERP integration
; Management
reporting
; Supply chain
integration
; Mobile scanner
integration
; Voice data capture
; Non-automated pick
management
; Inventory management
; Small-parcel
manifesting
; Replenishment
management
; Labor management
; Shipping management
; Automated pick
management
; Pick-to-light
management
; Automated zone skipping
; Pack sort management
; Ship sort management
; Mobile scanner
integration
; Fixed scanner
integration
; Machine control
integration
track record to prove continued commitment to developing
and managing their products—at least to the same extent
that WMS providers have. Companies may be able to get a
system customized and to the “go live” stage, but the odds
are high that they’ll wind up with a legacy system that can’t
be easily upgraded. A much better approach is to go out and
purchase an overarching WMS that’s built and designed to
manage end-to-end processes within the warehouse or DC.
4. Companies seeking software that can better manage their
existing material handling equipment but that don’t want to
replace their WMS. In this final scenario, the company has
both a WMS and some form of material handling control
software in place, but wants to add a WES to the equation
in order to gain better control over its material handling
equipment. This isn’t a common situation, but it does hap-
pen. In this scenario, we recommend searching for a best-
of-breed WES system and not feeling constrained by the
need to purchase this system from the same company that
provided the material handling equipment. Because there’s
not as much risk involved on the accountability side (for
the end result), it’s OK to talk to pure WES providers and
then layer the software on top of the existing equipment.
In return, companies will gain newer, better functionality
without having to replace their material handling systems.
START WITH A WISH LIST
With the lines between WMS, WCS, and WES continuing
to blur, and with more operations looking to maximize
their current systems while adding new capabilities in the
warehouse, companies should take a good look at their
own functional requirements before making any buying
decisions. What functionalities do you need? What are the
problems with your existing systems? How stable are these
systems?
By developing a functionality wish list before going too
far down the software acquisition path, software buyers will
be in a good position to evaluate providers and make the
best decisions for their individual operations. ;
IAN HOBKIRK IS THE FOUNDER AND MANAGING DIRECTOR
OF COMMONWEALTH SUPPLY CHAIN ADVISORS AS WELL
AS A BLOGGER AT DC VELOCITY.
[EXHIBIT 1] WHICH SOFTWARE DOES WHAT?
WHEN IT COMES TO FUNCTIONALITY AND CAPABILITIES, THERE’S SIGNIFICANT OVERLAP BETWEEN THE TASKS HANDLED BY
WAREHOUSE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS (WMS), WAREHOUSE EXECUTION SYSTEMS (WES), AND WAREHOUSE CONTROL SYSTEMS (WCS).
