Knowing what a WMS is today is relevant as more and more companies need to manage their own warehouse. Knowing the keys to the systems, the points to take into account to choose the right one and how they can help us is essential.

What is an EMS?

A Warehouse Management System (WMS) is a software tool designed to optimize and manage daily operations in a warehouse. These operations include inventory tracking, order management, space organization and internal logistics coordination. WMS is essential to improve the efficiency, accuracy and profitability of warehouse operations.

In a nutshell, a WMS is a management tool to control the flow of goods in a warehouse. But not only that. It also controls stock and product locations, optimizes routes and job assignment, reduces administrative tasks…

The improvement in the quality of service is perceived thanks to total control of each task, greater clarity in work orders and a reduction in the number of errors. As a result, the cost of monitoring orders and customer complaints are also considerably reduced.

To sum it up in a nutshell: to know what a WMS is, it is enough to understand that it is a tool that guarantees stock reliability because all the information is centralized and automated.

Main Functions of the EMS

• Inventory Management: Real-time monitoring of stock levels, location and status of products.
• Goods Receiving: Efficient processing of new product arrivals, ensuring that they are properly recorded and stored.
• Picking and Packing: Optimization of product selection and packaging to fulfill orders quickly and accurately.
• Order Management: Coordination of the preparation, packing and shipment of orders.
• Quality Control: Inspection and control of product quality at various stages of the storage process.
• Internal Transport: Organization and optimization of the movement of goods within the warehouse.
• Reporting and Analysis: Generation of detailed reports on warehouse performance, assisting in informed decision making.

What is an EMS used for?

WMS stands for Warehouse Management System. These are software tools that help companies, as the name suggests, to organize and manage warehouses as efficiently as possible.

These systems are more necessary than ever because it is nowadays very inefficient to organize a warehouse in the old way. Paper and pen, or even Excel documents, have given way to systems that integrate many more functions. These systems save time, money and enable a much more efficient and controlled workflow.

Benefits of Implementing an EMS

• Increased Efficiency: Automation of repetitive tasks, reducing the time and effort required to perform operations.
• Improved Accuracy: Reduced errors in picking, packing and shipping thanks to automated tracking.
• Reduced Costs: Optimization of the use of space and resources, reducing operating costs.
• Improved Customer Service: Faster and more accurate order fulfillment, improving customer satisfaction.
• Scalability: Adaptation to the growing needs of the business, allowing expansion without loss of efficiency.

If possible, better in real time

All this warehouse management requires a huge amount of information that, if possible, should be in real time. Not all WMS/WMS systems have this possibility, and for this reason, when choosing one or the other, it would be worthwhile to analyze how the information is updated.

Data related to the receipt and dispatch of goods, order picking, cross docking, inventory management, etc. all have a significant impact on warehouse operations. Having up-to-the-minute data can make a huge difference when it comes to managing an order or controlling available space in the warehouse.

The final idea boils down to achieving maximum efficiency while using as few resources as possible.

Types of WMS

1. Traditional WMS: Installed on the company's local servers, providing total control over the system.
2. Cloud-based WMS: Accessible from anywhere with an internet connection, offering flexibility and reduced infrastructure costs.
3. WMS Integrated with ERP: Combined with enterprise resource planning systems for integrated business management.
4. Specialized WMS: Designed for specific industries with unique storage and management requirements.

A vitaminized WMS

So far we have seen WMSs as software tools that allow managing and controlling all aspects of a warehouse. However, there are components that complement and reinforce these systems and lead to better results.

The possibility of using radio frequency terminals for warehouse management speeds up the transfer of information. Voice commands facilitate the performance of certain tasks, simplifying operations. The possibility of integrating a mobile app makes the entire system more accessible. Finally, being able to consult the performance analysis in a simple way makes it possible to make adjustments and modify those points where friction occurs.

So, as we have seen, knowing what a WMS is can help you understand why it may be important to your business if warehouse management is one of its weak points.