In a world of same-day shipping, returnless refunds, and Amazon Prime, today’s ecommerce customers expect speed and convenience in their online shopping experience. This means it’s vital to stay on top of your inventory, fulfillment, and logistics needs with fast, 24/7 access to real-time information—just so you can keep up with customer demand.
So what do ecommerce companies like yours use to manage this vital information? Warehouse management software. This powerful tool has become an integral part of successful ecommerce business operations. That said, identifying the best warehouse management software for your business can be intimidating, as your choice can make or break your company’s logistics. Let’s explore what to look for in the best warehouse management software, and what sets Smart Warehousing’s software (we call it SWIMS) apart from the rest.
Understanding Warehouse Management Software
As you explore options for your business, it’s important to understand what the right warehouse management software can do for you. A warehouse management system (WMS) manages the daily operations of your warehouse, from the moment goods are received up to the last mile where these same goods are delivered to your customer.
The best warehouse management software will optimize your team’s workflow, supporting and enhancing their productivity and efficiency. As you identify the right warehouse management software, you’ll want to make sure it supports the following logistics processes::
- Inventory management and tracking
- Receiving
- Picking and packing
- Shipping
- Labor management
- Reporting
- Forecasting
With that said, many WMS options are available, to the point where it can get overwhelming. That’s why we’re sharing what to look for in the best warehouse management software. After all, it’s critical you choose the right option for your unique needs.
Best Warehouse Management Software: What to Look For
Vetting your options for warehouse management software? Here’s what you should look for as you explore the logistics technology marketplace.
Scalability and Flexibility
Does your business have big growth plans? Then you’ll need software that can scale as your organization grows and expands. Assessing whether the WMS can accommodate your business's current needs and future growth is paramount. Look for a solution that allows you to easily scale up or down, integrate with other systems, and adapt to changing business requirements.
Smart Warehousing’s software was designed for both emerging businesses and large enterprises. We’ve got you covered both for today and tomorrow.
Intuitive, User-Friendly Functionality
Evaluate the core features and functionality offered by the WMS. The software should align with your business’s needs, including essential warehouse operations such as inventory management, order processing, receiving and putaway, picking and packing, shipping, and tracking, and returns management.
Ensuring the software meets your specific operational needs is crucial. But equally important is how user-friendly these features are. After all, if it’s cumbersome or complicated, your team won’t maximize its value! Make sure the core functions are intuitive, user-friendly, and require minimal training.
A user-friendly WMS (like ours at Smart Warehousing!) reduces employee training time and enhances adoption. Look for intuitive navigation, clear labeling, and customizable workflows. Additionally, consider the availability of training resources, documentation, and customer service to ensure a smooth implementation and ongoing support. Here, we have developers always on hand for support and help.
Integration and Automation Capabilities
If your business plans to invest in the best warehouse management software, you need a solution with robust integrations and the capacity to automate. Software that plays well with others, as the saying goes! Check the WMS's integration capabilities with other business systems such as enterprise resource planning (ERP), customer relationship management (CRM), and transportation management systems (TMS). Seamless integration eliminates manual data entry, improves data accuracy, and enables real-time visibility across different systems.
Our Smart Warehousing warehouse management software integrates with the industry's leading technology solutions and partners to ensure seamless integration with your company's ordering processes. Integrations include:
- Amazon
- B2B Gateway
- Big Commerce
- Channel Advisor
- Cin7
- Goldbelly
- Handshake
- HighJump
- Magento
- NetSuite
- QuickBooks
- ReturnMagic
- Salesforce
- ShipStation
- Shopify and ShopifyPlus
- SPS Commerce
- TrueCommerce
- WooCommerce
- Walmart
Look for warehouse automation capabilities within the WMS. Automation features like barcode scanning, RFID technology, and automated picking systems can significantly enhance productivity, reduce errors, and streamline processes. Assess the software's ability to support automation technologies that align with your operational requirements.
Real-Time Visibility
An effective WMS should provide real-time visibility into inventory levels, order status, and overall warehouse operations. Look for features like real-time dashboards, customizable reports, and alerts that enable proactive decision-making and help identify bottlenecks or areas for improvement.
Similarly, make sure real-time visibility is available on mobile too. Mobile accessibility allows your team to access the system on handheld devices, enabling tasks such as inventory management, order processing, and picking to be performed efficiently on the warehouse floor. Our Smart Warehousing software features real-time visibility both on desktop and mobile, so everyone is always on the same page, no matter where they are when they log in.
Analytics and Reporting
Comprehensive analytics and reporting capabilities are crucial for monitoring warehouse performance, identifying trends, and making data-driven decisions. The WMS should provide a range of pre-built reports and the ability to create custom reports based on your specific requirements. Analytical features like demand forecasting can also be valuable.
Our software features a wide variety of smart reporting features and functions, like inventory reporting, receipt reports, customer outbound order information, and much more.
Cost and Return on Investment (ROI)
As your company determines the best warehouse management software for your needs, it’s important to understand the total cost of ownership (TCO) associated with the WMS, including upfront costs, ongoing maintenance fees, and potential integration expenses. Assess the potential ROI by considering increased operational efficiency, reduced errors, improved customer satisfaction, and cost savings achieved through optimized inventory management and labor utilization. Don’t forget to consider your organization’s long-term needs and how the software can automate things you’re currently spending money on to positively impact your bottom line.
Here at Smart Warehousing, our more than 10,000 users can attest that SWIMS has been key to their company’s success.
Pair the Best Warehouse Management Software with the Best 3PL
Choosing the best warehouse management software can help your company thrive in today’s fast-paced ecommerce environment. However, the right WMS paired with an expert 3PL can give you a true advantage over your competitors.
At Smart Warehousing, we’ve become the go-to resource for fulfillment, replenishment, warehousing, and transportation needs for ecommerce companies across the country. If you’re ready to partner with a trusted 3PL that empowers you to meet the growing demands of the modern customer, we can help. Contact us today to learn more.