Warehouse Management Systems

Question 1

What are the components (tasks) of a warehouse management system (WMS)?

Answer 1

• Receive
• Putaway
• Inventory management
• Order Processing / retrieving
• shipment (preparation)

Question 2

What are the advantages of a warehouse management system (WMS)?

Answer 2

• better capacity utilisation
• reduces staff costs
• improves customer service
• reduced storage levels
• improved inventory accuracy and control
• statistics and reporting

Question 3

Which issues can come up when implementing WMS systems in different locations?

Answer 3

• different prerequisites in different countries
• different warehouse sizes require different solutions
• different methodologies / best practices in the locations
• employees have different motivational levels to adapt to change
• different risks of security / corruption -> data crime protection
• different levels of taxes / regulations

Question 4

Which problems can occur when having a pilot project?

Answer 4

• pilot projects are regularly small -> scalability issues?
• is technology readiness the same in the pilot warehouse than in other warehouses?

Question 5

What are benefits for a on-site wms vs. a cloud wms?

Answer 5

On-site:
- more easily adapted to the specific location and the challenges presented, such as IT infrastructure

Cloud:
- provide a collective data warehouse, conduct data analysis based on the entire organization’s performance.
- risk of data errors would decrease, and data quality would increase

! Remaining security risks in a all-in-one cloud solution:
-> implement security producers to prevent any data
leakage, such as limited access

Question 6

What are the advantages of an all-in-one solution like an ERP system compared to separate systems?

Answer 6

• Common Database: An integrated system like an ERP provides a centralized database, making data from all departments accessible in one place, facilitating comprehensive data analysis.
• Data Quality: Reduced data redundancy enhances data quality, providing a more reliable foundation for decision-making.
• Cost-Efficiency: Implementing and maintaining a single system is often cheaper than dealing with multiple systems. It reduces the costs associated with system investigation and employee training.

Question 7

What are the advantages of having separate systems (WMS, TMS, CRM,…) compared to an all-in-one solution (like ERP)?

Answer 7

• Customization: Employing multiple, smaller systems allows for tailored solutions based on the unique needs of different departments or business units, optimizing efficiency.
• Preservation of Competitive Advantage: This approach preserves a company’s competitive advantage by not forcing it to alter its unique business processes to fit a standardized system. Unique processes can remain intact.
• Efficiency for Specific Functions: Different departments can choose more efficient systems for their specific functions, enhancing productivity within those domains.
• Data Exchange Flexibility: While separate systems require data exchange, they provide flexibility in adapting to department-specific requirements. However, manual data transmission poses challenges, including potential data errors and inefficiencies.
• Integration Challenges: Effective interaction and data exchange among multiple systems are crucial. Without proper integration, critical processes like Just-In-Time production may be compromised, affecting the overall operational efficiency.