Warehouse Management Systems – Different Types of WMS For eCommerce Businesses

Warehousing is a key component for e-commerce businesses. To get the highest efficiency from your warehouse, you need a WMS that can help you do this. This blog lists different modules you can use from WMS for your e-commerce business to utilize the best of the benefits.

What is WMS and how it is beneficial for e-commerce Businesses?

A warehouse management system (WMS) is a software application that helps eCommerce businesses manage the day-to-day operations of their warehouse while ensuring the best productivity levels and trackability. This includes tracking inventory levels, managing stock locations, and organizing the receiving, shipping, and picking of products. 

WMS systems are beneficial because they can help improve the efficiency of warehouse operations. For example, by automatically generating pick lists and tracking inventory levels, a WMS can help reduce the amount of time needed to complete tasks and minimize the amount of stock that is lost or misplaced. In addition, a WMS can also help organizations keep track of their financial performance by providing real-time data on inventory levels and warehouse costs.

Why opt for WMS for an eCommerce business?

WMS system reduces your workload by skillfully managing the supply chain while ensuring online orders, customer services, queries, product quality levels, invoicing, and dispatching. Online businesses are more prone to errors during invoicing and dispatch so here comes the role of an inventory management system or WMS system to meet the business demands. Proper management of barcode scanners and order-invoice transparency reduces these errors.

It’s important to consider the workload of e-commerce businesses as well as their requirement for an appropriate warehouse management system. When the warehouse is properly run, your company has more time to concentrate on expanding its market and bringing in more profitability.

Different types of WMS for eCommerce business. 

There are 4 types of WMS available to companies. 

1. Standalone WMS System

This is a type of specialized software under WMS that handles various tasks of inventory and warehouse management. A standalone WMS software program is a software application that is designed to be used independently of any other software program. This type of warehouse management software is typically used by businesses that need to manage their inventory and warehouse operations without the help of an ERP system or other third-party software. The accessibility of a standalone WMS system works in favor of modules that require proper tracking of orders, manufacturing, slotting, segregating, packaging, pick-up, and delivery to ensure better order efficiency. 

2. Supply chain module 

Supply Chain Module is a more feature-driven WMS system module that assists end-to-end in terms of the supply chain right from supplier management to risk assessment. If your business allows a budget to invest in a supply chain module then go for it. In terms of usability, It can help to optimize the flow of goods throughout the entire supply chain. This module can track the progress of orders from suppliers to manufacturing facilities to distribution centers and finally to retail stores or customers. By tracking this information, the supply chain module can help to identify bottlenecks and other issues that may cause delays in the delivery of goods.

3. WMS integrated with ERP 

Enterprise resource planning or ERP is software that manages significant tasks such as accounting, product management, risk assessment, financial analysis, etc daily for a business. ERP ensures a base for efficient and accurate tasking of the system to develop transparency into the core business process and build a more productive warehouse. ERP development, however, does not have warehouse management as its core functionality. Integrated WMS with ERPs can do your work of managing the warehouse and can keep track of activities to ensure better coordination between both systems.

4. Cloud-based WMS

A cloud-based warehouse management system (WMS) is a software application that helps warehouse managers control and monitor warehouse operations from a central location. It can be used to track inventory levels, manage stock locations, and monitor warehouse activities. A cloud-based WMS can also be used to create analytics to help improve warehouse operations. The cloud-based WMS system doesn’t require any server purchasing costs and can be used with the internet on any device.

Benefits of WMS for eCommerce Businesses

The WMS offers various benefits to eCommerce businesses which are as follows:

1.  More Accurate Inventory Counts: The inventory count is a critical aspect of warehouse management to ensure the safety of inventory. This helps in protecting inventory from being stolen or misplaced. 
2. Better order efficiency: The warehouse management system can keep an end-to-end track of the operations and stocks to ensure better efficiency. Right from beginning to end, the WMS system can help in efficient and smooth operations within the warehouse.
3. More Productive Warehouses: A well-designed warehouse management system can help warehouse managers increase productivity and efficiency in the warehouse while reducing costs. It should offer a range of features and functionality, such as inventory management, order picking, and shipping while offering a high degree of flexibility so that it can be adapted well to different needs of warehousing.

 Conclusion

Different types of WMS systems mentioned in this blog can be used for various purposes to ensure efficient and productive operations within warehouses. Be it a small or large business, Warehouse Management System can assist eCommerce businesses in multiple aspects and also empower them to gain more profits while streamlining the supply chain and order management. Looking to get your own WMS software? Connect with development experts at NOI Technologies and leverage the market in the best ways possible.