WMS system as warehouse support – applications, functionality, and benefits
Properly selected software is now the foundation of every business. The same applies to companies involved in warehousing or production. In such operations, a Warehouse Management System (WMS) plays a key role. But what exactly is this solution, what functionalities does it offer, and what benefits can it bring to a warehouse?
What is WMS software?
Let’s start with a basic explanation: what exactly is a WMS? The acronym “WMS” stands for “Warehouse Management System” - software dedicated to warehouse management. The term precisely describes the core purpose of such software. Depending on a company’s needs, a WMS can offer a wide range of functionalities, often focused on optimizing storage and handling processes.
Closely related to WMS are ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems. In some setups, ERP systems combined with WCS (Warehouse Control System) handle functions typically associated with WMS. In such cases, an additional database is placed above WCS, accessible to ERP, allowing both systems to support storage, handling, and transportation processes effectively.
WMS systems - applications
What types of businesses use warehouse management software? Logistics is the driving force behind nearly every industry, making WMS software suitable for any business with warehousing needs. Companies that benefit most include manufacturers, distributors, and logistics enterprises. WMS solutions are also commonly used in production environments with complex material flow - for example, when a product moves from the warehouse to a processing station, then through multiple locations, and finally back to the warehouse. This is especially relevant when the process includes AMR vehicles and multi-type product order picking.
In such cases, proper order issuing is crucial - to avoid holding products too long in storage, blocking material flow, or dispatching goods prematurely before the full order is ready.
For these needs, a feature-rich and advanced WMS solution is the best choice, offering numerous functions to support goods handling.
What functionality does a WMS offer?
Warehouse Management Systems come in many variants, differing in terms of available functions. However, most focus on several key areas. So what features does a typical WMS offer, and how do they improve inventory and warehouse operations?
Receiving and shipping goods
WMS software primarily supports the processes of receiving and shipping goods. A key feature here is the ability to record, store, and process information related to each product. To take full advantage of this, it's beneficial to integrate WMS with WCS and suitable readers or warehouse devices. The reader interacts with WCS, which verifies information with the WMS. This allows for full traceability of the product journey in the warehouse, including weight, dimensions, batch number, expiration date, or production date.
This functionality increases warehouse efficiency and simplifies product identification throughout the order cycle. It enables quick localization and verification of goods (e.g., a defective batch) and redirects them to inspection points - from which they may return to inventory or be removed. The risk of errors in receiving or shipping is significantly reduced thanks to automatic data entry via readers, scanners, or vision systems - eliminating the mistakes common in manual handling.
Order picking
WMS and WCS systems are also highly useful for order picking. WCS ensures correct sequence and timing of goods, minimizing errors and maintaining high warehouse efficiency. Based on the WMS order, WCS handles picking in the right order and confirms the completed tasks back to the WMS.
These systems are essential for more complex operations like cross-docking. In cross-docking, goods are collected from various sources and sent directly to the customer without storage. This reduces warehouse space usage and avoids overloading warehouse automation systems. WMS ensures precise order handling and tracking of item locations, making such logistics strategies more feasible.
Inventory management
Inventory tracking is one of the key benefits of a WMS. It enables real-time control of stock levels. When goods are received or dispatched, data is logged into the system, maintaining an up-to-date product database. This allows staff to easily find goods, identify items needing reorder, or detect overstock.
Additional capabilities include loss registration, damaged item blocking, automatic reorder notifications, and internal stock movements to optimize space during low activity periods (e.g., night shifts). WMS systems support various stock rotation methods like FIFO, FEFO, or LIFO.
Support for inventory audits
WMS can also streamline inventory audits. Unlike traditional time-consuming methods prone to errors, a WMS enables fast, partial, or full inventory checks. These can be scheduled during low activity or triggered on-demand. As a result, accuracy is increased, and the process is less prone to human error.
WMS and automation - supporting automated warehouses
It is also worth noting that a modern, advanced WMS (Warehouse Management System) can integrate with a wide range of automation solutions, both in warehouse and process automation. This integration goes beyond merely exchanging data about goods. A properly configured warehouse IT system can send commands directly to devices such as conveyors, stacker cranes, forklifts, or lifts, or it can connect with a Warehouse Control System (WCS).
The WMS software integrates with WCS solutions, which in turn communicate with other devices (local PLCs), assigning specific tasks to them. For example, if a warehouse uses four stacker cranes and there is a need to retrieve item A, the WMS instructs the subordinate system (the WCS) to perform the task, and the WCS forwards the instruction to the appropriate stacker crane. If item A is stored in multiple warehouse locations, the WCS determines which specific unit should be picked, based on inventory location data, and selects the crane that should carry out the task. This decision is based on internal data, such as crane availability or task queue length. The WCS may also take into account guidelines received from the WMS, including key picking strategies such as FIFO (First In, First Out) or FEFO (First Expired, First Out).
Thanks to this setup, warehouse operations can be carried out in a fully automated model. This solution offers several significant advantages - most notably, the ability to run warehouse processes 24/7, a reduction in errors, and a substantial increase in efficiency. In most standard implementations, the WMS serves as the central system for process management and control of warehouse automation solutions.
Why choose WMS?
There is no doubt that WMS (Warehouse Management Systems) currently serve as essential IT support for companies involved in production, warehousing, and goods transportation. Their growing popularity is primarily due to the fact that this type of software offers numerous tangible business benefits.
The most significant advantage is the acceleration of various processes, such as simultaneously issuing commands to the WCS system and AMR or AGV robots. By using a WMS, it becomes possible to automate many warehouse tasks related to receiving, moving, and identifying goods - which in turn saves time and company resources. Moreover, all collected data is stored in a durable and precise manner within the IT system. This ensures constant access to the necessary information and significantly reduces the risk of errors or mistakes.
As a result, the WMS helps minimize issues related to picking and shipping, which not only increases overall warehouse efficiency but also improves customer and employee satisfaction. In addition, the storage of historical data allows for quick and easy access to the full order history, supporting further optimization of picking and shipping processes.
It is also worth emphasizing that a WMS can effectively support more complex warehouse operations. For this reason, it is practically a must-have in facilities that rely on automation. Fast data transfer and collection, as well as recording product status information, are critical factors when it comes to utilizing warehouse automation. This makes WMS software an ideal choice, especially for modern facilities where innovation plays a key role.
WMS implementation with MPL Techma
Now that we understand the functionality of a WMS, the type of software it is, and the benefits it offers, the only step left is choosing the right partner for its implementation. If you're looking for professionalism and a reliable approach to every project, choose to work with MPL Techma. We specialize in developing advanced industrial automation solutions - including digital twin technology and high-bay warehouse automation - that truly enhance goods management.
Our offer is primarily tailored to intralogistics processes, but we are also fully equipped to support companies with other operational needs. We invite you to contact our representatives to learn more about the details of our offer. We also encourage you to explore the range of devices available from MPL Techma - detailed descriptions of each solution can be found on our website.