The ability to correctly track and manage the storage and movement of inventory within a warehouse is paramount to the success of any manufacturing organization. Accurate inventory information is also required to plan and execute production, and mistakes can cause high product losses and unnecessary downtimes. The most competitive manufacturers today leverage technology to synchronize material movements between the warehouse, the production floor and other operational processes, such as quality and regulatory compliance. Material synchronization drives significant efficiencies and cost savings by enabling flexible operations, lean manufacturing, just-in-sequence manufacturing, just-in-time inventory and other optimization initiatives.
A Warehouse Management System (WMS) is software that enables manufacturing organizations to optimize the control and administration of all warehouse operations, from the moment a good or material enters a warehouse until the moment it is moved out. The system tracks the movement of every raw material, in-process item and finished good throughout its lifetime, covering receiving, picking, packing and shipping. A successful Warehouse Management System automates and optimizes inventory receiving and put-away, picking and shipping of orders, and stock replenishment. A WMS can be a standalone application, a Cloud-based solution, or part of a greater Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) or Supply Chain Execution (SCE) platform.
A Warehouse Management System provides 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 center. A WMS is often used alongside or integrated with a Transportation Management System (TMS) and an Inventory Management System (IMS) in order to streamline and align business processes. WMS can also interface directly with automation and controls to optimize the management of material-handling equipment, such as conveyors, sort stations and warehouse AGVs. This closed loop design allows manufacturers to achieve real-time visibility and control to reduce costs and inventory, improve service, collaborate effectively and meet quality and compliance initiatives at the same time.
Tracking and managing warehouse operations in manufacturing is a critical process that can be extremely time-consuming and error-prone, so industry leaders are looking towards digitalization to help them better manage this process. Engineering Industries eXcellence can deliver the capabilities of the latest WMS technology on the market together with our unified approach to warehouse management in order to synchronize logistical operations across your entire production process and supply chain. Together with our expertise, your organization can make warehouse and inventory management a strength of your enterprise Supply Chain Execution strategy.