Warehouse management involves complex, multi-faceted tasks that require industry-specific knowledge and proper technological solutions. The right tool for the job will help you maximize your organization’s capital utilization and reduce the complexity of performing business operations. If you’re looking for a system that can streamline warehouse operations, improve inventory management, and automate routine tasks, while remaining flexible enough to fit your unique business, NetSuite’s WMS Module just may be what you’re looking for.
What Is a Warehouse Management System?
A WMS is a type of software that helps businesses control their warehouse operations through the coordination of inventory, personnel, inbound and outbound shipping, logistics and more. Effective WMS systems have automation capabilities to help streamline your operations as much as possible.
Companies are increasingly turning to WMS to achieve the operational efficiency and accuracy that’s required to remain competitive, keep customer satisfaction high, and remain lean. WMS solutions are offered as standalone products, as well as included as part of an enterprise resource planning (ERP) application.
In this article, ScaleNorth will discuss the top three reasons why NetSuite WMS is the perfect solution for your business.
Types of Warehouse Management Systems
There are different types of WMS, including standalone on-premises and cloud-based solutions and modules integrated into ERP suites.
Standalone On-Premise WMS
A standalone on-premises WMS typically offers basic functionality, including core warehouse management features such as inventory management, order fulfillment and shipping. This type of WMS generally requires an IT team to troubleshoot problems and maintain and upgrade the software.
Cloud WMS
Cloud WMS are web-based, software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions that users access through the internet. A cloud WMS has the benefit of a lighter footprint than an on-premises solution; there’s less need for on-site hardware and IT specialists.
WMS ERP modules
A WMS ERP module like NetSuite’s is natively integrated with a unified ERP solution that usually includes other modules for accounting, customer relationship management (CRM), human resources and inventory and order management. With NetSuite WMS, all warehouse data is stored in the shared database used by the other modules, so everyone in the organization has access to the same up-to-date information at all times. NetSuite gives you the best of both worlds by enjoying a WMS that’s both cloud-based and part of your ERP system.
Benefits of NetSuite WMS
Great Inventory Management
One of the biggest problems businesses run into in today’s world is how to handle their inventory. While there is no one-size-fits-all solution, NetSuite’s Warehouse Management System (WMS) is designed to streamline and automate your inventory management process.
With NetSuite WMS, businesses can track inventory levels and sales history by location, date or product type. The software provides real-time reporting as well as historical data tracking so that you can quickly identify trends and patterns within your business.
You can use NetSuite Warehouse Management System to set up automated replenishment programs so that products arrive on time at each location. This makes it easier than ever before to keep track of what products your customers want while also reducing unnecessary delays in delivery due to lack of inventory or expired products.
Monitoring and Reporting
When you’re managing a warehouse (or several) along with thousands of pieces of inventory, having real-time information at hand is absolutely essential. NetSuite WMS provides all the information you need to make informed business decisions via saved searches, reports, dashboards, alerts and more. You’ll be able to get clear visibility of your inventory with a real-time view of everything that’s happening within your warehouses, whether that’s in regards to picking and packing, personnel, outbound shipments or anything else. By knowing what is happening, when, and where, you’ll be able to make more informed decisions that reduce the significant costs of running a warehouse.
For example, businesses utilizing NetSuite WMS can gain key insights into pick and pack strategies, bin locations, and labor usage. You’ll get a better picture of the true cost of each product including the warehouse time spent receiving and shipping each product category which can vary drastically by product type and quantity. This information will help you determine the best way to allocate resources and increase efficiency at your company.
Being entirely cloud based, your team members will be able to access this data in the back office as well as via mobile devices in the warehouse, the field, and anywhere else.
Staff & Labor Management
Taking into account current orders and available staff, NetSuite WMS can devise daily plans that schedule the right amount of labor and estimate labor costs. NetSuite WMS can also connect to transportation providers to schedule shipping and receiving times and locations. This ensures truck drivers arrive at the right dock at the right time and staff is ready for them.
NetSuite’s Warehouse Management System also provides intelligent pick strategies, barcode scanning capabilities, mobile readiness and more allowing you to further optimize your warehouse employees’ efforts.
Other benefits of NetSuite WMS include:
- Improved supply chain visibility increases confidence of customers, aiding loyalty and retention
- Improved order accuracy
- Reduced order-to-shipment cycle time
- Reduction of delays and back-orders
NetSuite WMS in a Nutshell…
With over 36,000 customers and successful businesses of nearly every size, NetSuite has a deep understanding of warehouse businesses across the globe and all the possible challenges that they face.
If you are looking for an integrated business solution that helps you manage your inventory and your business then the NetSuite WMS is the solution for you. The warehouse management software from NetSuite has all the features and functionality required by everything from small scale warehouses to multinational giants.
Get a consultation from a premier NetSuite Implementation Partner today.