WMS software

What does a WMS do?

A warehouse management system (WMS) runs the work in your warehouse. It knows the location of every item, assigns a place on receipt, turns orders into pick lists along an efficient walking route and uses the scanner to check that the right item goes into the box. It then creates the shipping labels with your carrier. Inventory management software mainly keeps track of how much you have of something; a WMS also handles where it is and who picks it when.

Which WMS suits your warehouse?

For webshops and wholesalers with their own warehouse there are cloud WMSs that link directly with Shopify, WooCommerce, Lightspeed, bol and the major carriers: Picqer, GoedGepickt, MontaWMS and Istia. You work with handheld scanners or an app and are often live within weeks.

Logistics service providers that store goods for several customers also need invoicing per customer and a customer portal, such as 3PL Dynamics on Microsoft Dynamics and Astro WMS from Consafe Logistics. WICS, Mecalux Easy WMS, Generix WMS, Hardis WMS and Manhattan Active Warehouse Management are made for large warehouses and distribution centres with several locations, labour planning and automation such as conveyors, shuttles and robots.

What should you look out for?

• Integrations: the WMS receives orders from your webshop or ERP and sends back stock and shipping status. Check whether your packages and carriers are supported as standard, or whether a link has to be built via the API.
• Picking: order picking, batch picking and waves work differently. Choose a system that suits the number of orders and lines per order you process.
• Scanners and hardware: ask which handheld scanners, printers and possibly pick-to-light or automation the system controls.
• Costs: on top of a monthly fee you often pay per user or per order, and once for the implementation. Most suppliers of large WMSs only give a price after a conversation.