Warehouse management - things to consider

Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) have been available since the earliest computer systems and offered simple storage location functionality. Today, warehouse management systems have advanced manyfold and their sophistication has increased dramatically. They can be standalone systems or part of an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system and can include advanced technologies such as Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and voice recognition. However, the basic principle of the warehouse system remains, which is to provide information to allow efficient control of the movement of materials within the warehouse and through fulfilment.

The implementation of a WMS is often complex and professional project planning is critical to the success of any WMS implementation. Any such project necessitates the use of warehouse resources to collect data about the physical warehouse facilities, materials and inventory, as well as defining the strategies and processes required to operate the warehouse efficiently and effectively. Unless it is a greenfield site, there is the added challenge of implementing a WMS system whilst still operating the warehouse. In other words, running manual systems alongside the WMS and managing a smooth changeover whilst maintaining service and ensuring that there is always a backup and recovery option to minimize operational downtime.

The complexity of a WMS implementation varies with every business. The physical dimensions, characteristics and limitations of each item in the warehouse must be recorded and entered into the new system. The storage options for each item must be accommodated; can an item be stored separately, in a box, on pallets? Can it be stacked, does it need special handling, is it hazardous or does it need refrigeration? Capacity calculations require the physical dimensions and weight of each item as well as the dimensions of all the storage bins or racks in the warehouse. This information forms part of the base data for the WMS implementation.

The implementation process requires operational or configuration decisions to be made on how items are to be placed on or removed from the system, in what order, for what types of materials and which methods of placement and removal should be used? Successful implementation may require significant input from the key personnel resources that operate the warehouse on a day to day basis. It is therefore important that they are given adequate support, so that warehouse operations do not suffer during fact finding and project implementation.

Warehouse management systems are data intensive and, because of ongoing change, warehouses are in a state of constant flux; racks are moved, placement and removal strategies changed, new items added and new processes developed. These things are extremely difficult to manage and reconcile using manual systems. Thus, data accuracy is paramount for the software to operate effectively.

It is a fact that MACS WMS implementations offer businesses significant benefits. Not only will placement and removal cycle times be reduced, but inventory accuracy will be improved, with better organised materials storage and greater flexibility of warehouse operations.