×

How to request information

1 Click on Free Quote
2 Fill out brief form.
3 Await a response

If you have technical problems, please contact us email to support@leansupplysolutions.com . Thank you!

SUPPORT HOURS

Mon-Fri 9:00AM - 6:00PM
QUESTIONS? CALL: 866-924-5777
  • SUPPORT

Lean Supply Solutions - Innovative Supply Chain Solutions

Lean Supply Solutions - Innovative Supply Chain Solutions

INNOVATIVE SUPPLYCHAIN SOLUTIONS.

T 416-748-8982
Email: info@leansupplysolutions.com

Lean Supply Solutions.
3100 Caravelle Dr Mississauga, Ontario L4V 1K9 Canada

Open in Google Maps
  • HOME
  • ABOUT US
    • WHY US
    • TEAM
  • SERVICES
    • LOGISTICS
      • Fulfillment
      • Retail Distribution
      • Supply Chain Management
      • Transportation & Delivery
    • LEAN VALUE-ADD
      • Repackaging & Packaging in Supply Chains
      • Product Rework and Repair
      • Material Screening and Selection
      • Supply Chain Cost Containment
      • Lean Consulting
    • INDUSTRIES WE SERVE
      • RETAIL
      • AUTOMOTIVE
      • ELECTRONICS
      • Food Industry
      • FASHION
  • TECHNOLOGY
    • PLATFORM
    • SUPPLY CHAIN VISIBILITY
    • ECOMMERCE INTEGRATION
    • ERP INTEGRATION
    • TRANSPORTATION INTEGRATION
  • LOCATIONS
    • Toronto, ON
    • Vancouver, BC
    • Markham, ON
    • Mississauga, ON
    • Atlanta, GA
    • Redlands, CA
  • CORPORATE
    • HISTORY
    • ARTICLES & BLOGS
    • NEWS
  • CONTACT US
    • HR Opportunities
FREEQUOTE
  • Home
  • Blogs
  • Blog
  • Signs You Need to Change Your Warehouse Management System
April 2, 2023

Signs You Need to Change Your Warehouse Management System

Signs You Need to Change Your Warehouse Management System

by Tom K / Thursday, 24 November 2016 / Published in Blog

Warehouse management systems (WMS) are used by warehousing and distribution companies, shipping companies, e-commerce businesses, and so on. When a WMS is properly implemented, it can provide a valuable inventory management system that lets workers and managers keep an eye on inventory levels, shipments, and the overall flow of goods in and out of the warehouse. Unfortunately, not all WMS are created equal, and simply having a warehouse management system doesn’t necessarily mean it is meeting your needs properly. Here are some warning signs that can suggest your WMS may be due for a change.

It Can’t Handle Specialized Inventory Tracking

There is a difference between a WMS being able to track inventory and being able to track your inventory. No two companies handle the exact same products, and some companies may have a number of goods that require specialized tracking measures that your WMS can’t support. For instance, if a subset of your goods has the potential to expire, it’s important that your WMS is able to track shelf life and deliver notifications if an expiration occurs—but it also can’t demand this type of information for every product it records. Your WMS may be able to track quantity and location of stock, but some goods warrant the tracking of lot and serial numbers as well. If you find that you need to come up with workarounds for specific products you stock, then it may be time to upgrade.

Your Customers Are Complaining

The frontline experience is often the first indicator that your WMS may not be performing up to snuff. If customers are increasingly complaining of order inaccuracies or late deliveries, then you need to find out if your WMS is part of the problem. There is no universal reason why a WMS may be negatively impacting your ability to meet customer needs. A few examples can include: a legacy WMS causing bugs or errors due to compatibility or interface issues, a legacy WMS lacking useful stock control features that more modern systems include, the WMS not delivering information in an intuitive fashion, or the WMS’s interface being confusing and leading to input errors. A good WMS is capable of producing an order accuracy rating of 95% at minimum. If you are falling below this number, it’s worth considering if your system might need a change.

You Have No Idea How It Works

A warehouse management system is an integral part of logistical operations and inventory control, so it is vitally important that it is actually understandable. The people who use your WMS should be able to comprehend how stock is input, identified, shipped, and sorted without resorting to shrugging their shoulders and saying, “That’s just how it works.” This is a problem that crops up most often in legacy WMS but is not unique to them. As operations grow and your business expands, the WMS ends up becoming a homebrewed mix of solutions stacked on top of solutions. While effective at the time, this results in a confusing jumble that can be especially impenetrable for any new employees and also raises the risk of serious errors arising. If it is becoming difficult to make heads or tails of how your WMS works, then it may be time to switch out for a more streamlined and user-friendly system.

Look to Lean Supply Solutions for Effective Warehouse Management

Lean Supply Solutions is a third-party order fulfillment company in Toronto whose operations are based around the Lean Methodology, a proven philosophy focused on eliminating any operations, equipment, or resources that are not capable of adding value to clients’ supply chains. By striving to ensure that the right products are provided to the right customers at the right time, Lean Supply Solutions is able to offer consistent, accurate, and quality results.

To learn more about the Lean Methodology, outsourcing to Lean Supply Solutions, or to ask any questions, give us a call at 905-482-2590.

  • Tweet

About Tom K

What you can read next

Why You Should Outsource Kitting Services
Why You Should Use a 3PL Service
Tips to Avoid Direct Procurement Traps

Featured Posts

  • What Is Order Cycle Time?

    What Is Order Cycle Time and How Can You Improve It?

    0 comments
  • Cross-Docking

    Cross-Docking: A Definitive Guide to the Advantages and Disadvantages

    0 comments
  • Holiday Shipping Fulfillment

    How to Prepare for Holiday Shipping Fulfillment

    0 comments
  • Custom Product Packaging

    How Custom Product Packaging Improves the E-Commerce Experience

    0 comments
  • Benefits of Value-Added Services

    Advantages of using Value-Added Services Provided by Your 3PL Partner

    0 comments

Archives

  • February 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • August 2022
  • June 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • December 2015
  • August 2015

Categories

  • Blog
  • Mobile
  • Networking
  • News
  • Technology

About Us

  • Why Us
  • Team
  • History
  • Blogs
  • News

Services

  • Fulfillment
  • Retail Distribution
  • Supply Chain Management
  • Transportation & Delivery

Industries We Serve

  • Retail Distribution
  • Automotive
  • Food
  • Electronics
  • Fashion

Get in Touch

HQ Corporate Offices
3100 Caravelle Dr Mississauga
Ontario L4V 1K9

Canada.
T 416-748-8982
F 289-427-5658
Email: info@leansupplysolutions.com

  • GET SOCIAL
Lean Supply Solutions - Innovative Supply Chain Solutions


© 2012-2023 Copyright (c) Lean Supply Solutions Inc.

TOP