Essential 10 Features of Warehouse Management System (WMS)

Features of Warehouse Management System

If efficiency shines in your warehouse, embrace WMS, the industry’s crown jewel. Let’s explore the features of a warehouse management system that make it an essential tool.

The logistics industry depends on efficiency and productivity. Warehouse management systems (WMS) are software solutions that assist businesses in managing their warehouses, distributing goods, and supervising the entire supply chain. This enables companies to reduce costs and enhance efficiency.

Several key features of a Warehouse Management System (WMS) provide significant advantages for logistics operations. The main features of WMS include real-time inventory tracking, streamlining the receiving process, managing order fulfillment, optimizing picking routes, and integrating shipping.

Before exploring the features of WMS in detail, let’s reveal some lesser-known facts and statistics.

Little-Known Facts And Stats About WMS:

Here are the little-known facts and stats that would surprise you!

  • Microsoft Corporation and FedEx launched a logistics solution for e-commerce that increased customer engagement and offered enhanced shipping options.(Source: Link)
  • The global WMS market is expected to reach 13.34 billion USD by 2030. It is advancing at a CAGR of 19.5% from 2024-2030. (Source: Link)
  • As per the latest report by MHI (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries), 55% of the supply chain leaders in the market are boosting their supply chain technology, and 88% of them plan to invest more than $1 million. (Source: Link)

10 Key Features of Warehouse Management System

Several features of warehouse management system include inventory management, order fulfillment, and shipping management. These features help streamline warehouse operations and improve efficiency.

#1 – Inventory Management

Inventory management involves ordering, storing, using, and selling a company’s products. It includes various methods, such as tracking inventory within the supply chain, managing orders and returns, forecasting demand and sales using analytics, minimizing shipping errors, and more.

Using AI-driven analytics, real-time data, and automation, inventory levels can be optimized to avoid overstocking and stockouts. This results in faster order fulfillment, lower costs, and enhanced customer satisfaction.

Key benefits:

  • High Accuracy:Minimizes manual errors through RFID tracking and barcode technology.
  • Optimized Storage:Maximizes the warehouse space to make it better accessible.
  • Faster Fulfillment of Orders:Improves efficiency and reduces order processing time.
  • Cost Savings:Cost reduction due to the accuracy of stocks.

    • #2 – Location Mapping

    Effective warehouse location management is crucial for promptly and efficiently fulfilling orders. This capability helps maximize warehouse space utilization. Additionally, businesses can better organize their inventory, resulting in improved workflow and a quick sales process.

    Using AI-driven analytics, real-time data, and automation optimizes inventory levels, preventing overstocking and shortages. This results in faster order fulfillment, lower costs, and enhanced customer satisfaction.

    Key benefits:

  • Quick Picking and Packing:Saves the time spent searching for products
  • Optimized Storage:The warehouse storage space is utilized to its fullest.
  • Cuts Down On Errors:Cuts down on the misplaced inventory.
  • Enhanced Productivity:Improved efficiency and faster Turnaround Time lead to productivity.

    • #3 – In-Process Inventory Management

    One important WMS feature is handling incoming shipments, reducing delays, and maintaining inventory accuracy. Other processes, such as receiving supplies, quality checks, and stock allocation, speed up and improve dispatches.

    Key benefits:

  • Automated Barcode Receiving:Technologies such as RFID and barcode scanning facilitate the swift and easy inflow of goods.
  • Quality Control:Quality control ensures that damaged items are flagged so they do not enter inventory.
  • Inventory Visibility:Visibility into the stock levels ensures their update
  • Delivery Accuracy Monitored:Seamless flow of delivery ensures their accuracy and consistency.

    • #4 – Order Fulfillments

    This is one of the most essential features of a warehouse management system. It ensures that each order is processed accurately, fulfilled, and tracked without errors, facilitating the smooth operation of warehouse activities.

    Key benefits:

  • Automated Order Processing:Automated order processing eliminates the possibility of manual errors.
  • Order Syncing:Orders are integrated from various channels in real time.
  • Inventory Forecasting:Ensures that neither shortages nor overstocks lead to cost savings.
  • Order Tracking Updates:Customers and teams are provided with real-time visibility.
  • Error Handling:Identifies problems like delayed shipping and out-of-stock items and suggests solutions.

    • #5 – Supply Chain Management

    This WMS feature optimizes speed and delivery. It involves packing, labeling, shipping orders, carrier selection, and real-time tracking, leading to high-cost savings and efficiency.

    Key benefits:

  • Multi-Carrier Integration:Choose the best carrier provider in terms of cost and delivery time.
  • Automated Labeling:Carrier-approved labels are printed instantly.
  • Real-time Order Tracking:Instant updates of shipments on the dashboard via notification alerts by mail or SMS.
  • Returns Handling:The process of reverse logistics or returns is simplified.
  • Route Optimization:Locates the most cost-effective routes that save costs and reduce delivery times.

    • #6 – Distribution Center Operations

    This warehouse management system feature guarantees selecting the right products, careful packing, and efficient shipping, ensuring no errors. Shorter order fulfillment times also lead to happy and satisfied customers.

    Key benefits:

  • Intelligent Picking Strategies: With the help of wave, zone, and batch-packing, improved efficiency is expected.
  • Automated Labeling:Labels approved by carriers are printed instantly.
  • Real-Time Order Tracking:Receive instant shipment updates on the dashboard through notifications sent via email or SMS.
  • Returns Handling:The returns process, or reverse logistics, is streamlined.
  • Route Optimization:Identifies routes that minimize costs and shorten delivery times.

    • #7 – Reverse Logistics Handling

    The return management WMS feature simplifies product returns, ensuring faster order processing, accuracy in restocking, and higher customer satisfaction.

    Key benefits:

  • Automated Return Authorization (RMA): Enables the customers to streamline the return requests and approvals.
  • Real-time Tracking:Customers receive updates regarding the status of returns promptly.
  • Instant Refund:Bring down delays in the customer reimbursement process.

    • Additionally, this function of the WMS decides if the product should be restocked or discarded.

    #8 – API Connectivity

    API connecting enables the Warehouse Management System to connect with various platforms, such as ERP systems, shipping carriers, and e-commerce platforms. This ensures a hassle-free flow of data.

    Key benefits:

  • E-Commerce Platform Connectivity: It integrates seamlessly with all the major e-commerce platforms, including Amazon, eBay, and Shopify.
  • ERP Integration:Connects with ERP like Oracle, SAP QuickBooks, etc.
  • Custom API Support:Enables the business to develop tailored integrations.

    • #9 – Mobile-Friendly

    The WMS mobile functionality feature helps manage inventory, track orders, and scan products using mobile devices. This enhances efficiency and reduces errors.

    Key benefits:

  • RFID Scanning: RFID integrates seamlessly with all major e-commerce platforms, including Amazon, eBay, and Shopify.
  • Real-time Inventory Access:Connects with ERP like Oracle, SAP QuickBooks, etc.
  • Assistance with Order Picking and Packing:The business can create customized integrations.
  • Push Alerts:Sends updates on the stock levels, order status, and other issues.

    • #10 – Data-Driven Insights

    This feature of the warehouse management system provides real-time visibility into warehouse performance. It also significantly minimizes inefficiency and enables improved decision-making.

    Key benefits:

  • Valuable Key Metrics: The dashboard displays all the key metrics, such as order fulfillment speed, volume, and stock levels.
  • Tailor-made Reports:Customizable reports give tailored insights on inventory, sales labor performance, etc.
  • Demand Forecast:Advanced predictive analytics forecast demands and optimize the stock levels.
  • Errors Identification:Highlights the inefficiencies and suggest if there is any room for improvements.

    • Top 3 Warehouse Management System Solution Providers

    Here are the top 3 Warehouse Management System Solution Providers to help you get an edge.

    #1 – iCommuneTech (CommuteLogix)

    CommuteLogix by iCommuneTech is at the forefront. It offers a variety of WMS features, such as the best inventory management, order fulfillment, supply chain management, and return handling. Their software can be easily integrated with other systems. Besides, it is highly scalable and can adapt to your business’s changing requirements.

    CommuteLogix’s intuitive interface is easy to learn and use. Its accurate barcode scanning feature can save you both time and money. With over 10 years of valuable experience and expertise, iCommuneTech is leading the industry.

    #2 – Diverse Capital Management (Fishbowl)

    Fishbowl is another WMS software known for its effective inventory tracking and robust order fulfillment process. Many logistics companies choose Fishbowl due to its advanced routing capabilities. Furthermore, it excels at preparing goods for shipment. It’s a wise investment!

    #3 – Koch Industries (Infor)

    Infor is a Tier-1 cloud-based warehouse management system renowned for its nearly perfect accuracy, exceeding 99%. Its integrated automation minimizes manual errors and lowers costs. Infor utilizes the most advanced tools for receiving, shipping, picking, and packing.

    Key Points To Look After While Choosing Your WMS

    As a savvy logistics company, you won’t compromise on the efficiency of your warehouse. Making the correct choice results in enhanced efficiency and productivity, reduced costs, and greater customer satisfaction. Therefore, if you’re looking for the best, keep these points in mind:

    It Meets Your Business Goals:

    You should be clear about your specific warehouse needs, identify challenges and shortcomings, and assess your budget and operations’ present and future needs.

    Scalability and Ease of Integration:

    Make sure that the WMS you choose is highly scalable and can adapt to the changing needs of your growing business (rising inventory volumes, transactions, etc. )

    Functionalities Offered:

    Explore the features of the warehouse management system and evaluate whether it provides strong capabilities such as inventory management, order fulfillment, packing, shipping, and more.

    Deployment Types:

    There are two deployment models for WMS: cloud and on-premise. Cloud-based models have a greater level of flexibility and lower costs. On the other hand, the on-premise model has a better control over the data security.

    Other factors to consider include the service provider’s market reputation, reporting and analytics features, and ease of integration.

    CommuteLogix: Key to Unlock Warehouse Productivity & Efficiency

    When you need the latest, most advanced technology for managing warehouse operations, CommuteLogix is the name to rely on. Here’s what the software is best known for.

  • Smart Inventory Control: Demand forecasting maintains optimal stock levels, ensuring neither a shortage nor an oversupply.
  • Automated Order Management: Orders fulfilled on time increases both efficiency and speed.
  • Scalability and Ease of Integration: The software is highly scalable and adapts to your business’s growing needs. It is also easy to use and integrates easily with your ERPs and e-commerce platforms.

    • Advantages And Benefits of Warehouse Management System

    There are multiple benefits of a warehouse management system, which have made it a must-have tool. Enlisted here are a few:

  • Streamlines all the warehouse operations and eliminates error-prone human work.
  • Streamlines picking/packing and enhance the speed of delivery.
  • Ensures that the warehouse space is used maximally.
  • Faster, error-free deliveries.
  • Minimizes the labor force and inventory costs.

    • A warehouse management system has numerous advantages. It handles everything, from inventory tracking to order processing and fulfillment. Real-time stock visibility can increase efficiency, precision, and cost savings. Discover all the benefits of warehouse management system in detail here!

    Common Challenges Faced & Their Solutions

    Some common challenges the WMS faces are poor inventory management, high labor costs, insufficient use of warehouse space, lack of real-time visibility, inaccurate data, and more. This leads to error-laden management, cost rise, lower efficiency and productivity.

  • Real-time updates and barcode/RFID tracking enable quick order fulfillment.
  • Storage layouts, logistics operations automation, and robotics integration will be optimized to reduce error-laden labor work.
  • Automated picking systems & AI-driven processing.
  • Slot optimization technology for optimal usage of warehouse.
  • Live tracking and monitoring of stocks.

    • Summary:

    A Warehouse Management System (WMS) is a blessing for time-consuming and resource-consuming warehouse operations. The software is created to optimize warehouse logistics. It includes real-time stock tracking, order fulfillment, and supply chain management.

    With highly beneficial WMS features, error-laden, cost-consuming, and inefficient warehouses can become powerhouses of efficiency, cost savings, and productivity.

    Key Takeaways:

  • Warehouse Management System is a software designed to optimize and streamline warehouse operations.
  • There are several functional WMS features that make it all-powerful and a necessity for managing warehouses.
  • Some top features of warehouse management systems are inventory management, order fulfillment, reporting and analytics, and managing the supply chain.
  • Manual errors, limited space usage, and a lack of visibility of goods are some of the top challenges of warehouse management.
  • A robust WMS can efficiently solve all the challenges faced by warehouse management.

    • You Asked! We Answered!

    We are happy to resolve your queries anytime. Here are some of the commonly asked questions.

    1. What is a warehouse management system?

    A Warehouse Management System (WMS) is software that helps companies manage and optimize all aspects of warehouse logistics. It handles everything from receiving goods to managing inventory, picking and packing orders, and tracking inventory.

    2. What is the main objective of a warehouse management system?

    The primary goal of a WMS is to optimize warehouse operations by ensuring accurate inventory tracking, improving efficiency, and reducing operational costs.

    3. What basic features should you look for in a warehouse management system?

    An ideal warehouse management system should have basic features like order management, inventory tracking, RFID integration, and warehouse automation.

    4. How long does it take to develop a WMS?

    The development time of WMS depends on the complexity and customization you need. Usually, it takes a few months to develop a basic WMS. However, a fully customized solution takes more than a year.

    5. What are the benefits of a warehouse management system?

    A warehouse management system has multiple benefits. It reduces errors, lowers operational costs, optimizes warehouse usage, and more.

    Turn Your Problematic Warehouse into a Profit-driven Treasure House With CommuteLogix!

    Avoid making your warehouse a source of trouble, such as inefficiencies and errors. Our WMS software enables you to optimize logistics operations, automate manual processes, and address warehouse challenges. Have a distinct competitive advantage with CommuteLogix!
    Schedule a free consultation today!