WMS

A warehouse management system (WMS) is software and processes that allow organizations to control and administer warehouse operations from the time goods or materials enter a warehouse until they move out. Operations in a warehouse including inventory management, picking processes and auditing.

For example, a WMS can provide visibility into an organization’s inventory at any time and location, whether in a facility or in transit. It can also manage supply chain operations from the manufacturer or wholesaler to the warehouse, then to a retailer or distribution facility. WMS is often used alongside or integrated with a Transportation Management System  (TMS) or an inventory management system.

Types of warehouse management systems

Warehouse management systems come in a variety of types and implementation methods, and the type typically depends on the size and nature of the organization. They can be stand-alone systems or modules in a larger enterprise resource planning (ERP)system or supply chain execution suite.

They can also vary widely in complexity. Some small organizations may use a simple series of hard copy documents or spreadsheet files, but most larger organizations — from small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) to enterprise companies — use complex WMS software. Some WMS setups are designed specifically for the size of the organization, and many vendors have versions of WMS products that can scale to different organizational sizes. Some organizations build their own WMS from scratch, but it’s more common to implement a WMS from an established vendor.