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Warehouse Management System aims to help manage and control the manufacturing processes. Depending on the needs of a client, those can be of different sizes and functionality. When you decide to choose a bespoke solution, the IT advisor will help you define the key areas and processes, which can be streamlined with the use of the application. However, it is worth to know what your business needs before you start looking for a suitable software house. If you want to know how to identify your needs, click here.
When you already know your company's needs, it is time to think whether a WMS can meet them. What are the pros and cons of this type of solution?
Advantages of a WMS
1. Gathering information about all the produced goods. The system keeps all up-to-date information regarding your production, which makes managing all the process easier. Gathering all the data in one system saves time and makes your work more organized.
2. Charts and reports on production. Depending on your needs your WMS can provide a graphical representation of your manufacturing processes data. In this way, you will easily compare results from chosen periods, or analyze failures on the production floor, which will allow you to make valuable conclusions for the future.
3. Up-to-date information. If you invest in a tailor-made web application, you can be certain that all your employees will have access to up-to-date information. All they will need is Internet connection and their login and password to access the system.
4. Complete information on stock levels. Access to up-to-date information also makes it possible to control stock levels. If you set a low stock level alert, you will be notified when the level is reached. It is also possible to automate the process of ordering new items in case of low stock levels, which will save you even more time.
5. Integration with external systems. Integration between a dedicated system and other external applications is much easier than when it comes to off-the-shelf solutions. Our clients most often decide to integrate their WMS with ERP applications, which aim to manage enterprise resources, and with Gmail.
6. Managing production quality and elimination of time gaps between production stages. Data gathered in a WMS allows you to make a detailed analysis of manufacturing processes and make relevant decisions. In this way, you can spot elements that are not efficient and optimize them.
7. Coordination of resource use. If you know exactly how the manufacturing process works and what it requires, you can optimally plan allocation of employees, machines, and materials. This will ensure you avoid unnecessary time gaps and enhance the product quality.
Disadvantages of WMS
1. Many processes are integrated into a system - an error in one place entails errors in others. In this way, a human error can cause the whole system to be inaccurate. To prevent such situations, there are certain operations that the system will not allow you to perform (e.g. issuing more goods than what is available in the warehouse).
2. Risk of choosing incorrect parameters before use. If the designed modules, categories, and processes are not well-tailored to your company, the system will gather data in an inefficient way. This may mean that your solution will not work as it was supposed to. To avoid this scenario, at Kamee we ensure you get our support not only while we build the software but also during the implementation and post-implementation stages.
3. Granting unsuitable levels of authorization to employees within the system. In the case of custom solutions, it is the client who decides which users will be able to view, edit, add, or delete data. Granting authorization to wrong people may prevent your processes from running smoothly.
4. Potentially unsuccessful implementation. Like every investment, also this one entails certain risk. To avoid unsuccessful implementation, it is important to make a detailed analysis of your needs, choose a competent software house, consult your project with your employees in terms of how the application should look like, as well as commit time to properly train your staff on how to use the application. Working with our clients, we pay attention to each of these elements so that you get a guarantee of the success of the project.
Summing up
Investing in a bespoke WMS entails certain risk, however, a well prepared and completed project will definitely be a success. Undisputed advantages will make your company benefit from the application. If you wish to discuss the individual needs of your company, get in touch!
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