WAREHOUSE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (WMS) SELECTION
Scope
Our Warehouse Management System (WMS) Selection service provides end-to-end guidance in selecting and deploying the most effective WMS for your operation. We ensure that the chosen system aligns with your business needs, optimizes warehouse processes, and maximizes operational efficiency. The scope of our service can include:
Feasibility Study and Business Case Development: Assessment of operational requirements, pain points, and prospective benefits to determine the viability of a new WMS. Develop a gap analysis of the current warehouse operation to a best-in-class operation using Establish’s Logistics Best Practices.
Specification Development: Definition of detailed functional requirements to ensure the selected WMS meets current and future business needs. Establish’s Logistics Best Practices will ensure that the specifications are comprehensive and accurate.
WMS Vendor Evaluation and Selection: Comprehensive analysis of available and applicable WMS solutions, including vendor comparisons, cost assessments, and functionality reviews to identify the best fit.
Warehouse Process Optimization: Development and refinement of warehouse workflows to fully leverage the capabilities of the new WMS, ensuring seamless integration and operational efficiency.
Implementation Support and Change Management: Project management and guidance through system deployment, including testing, training, and transition planning to ensure a smooth go-live.
Objectives
Our objectives for our WMS selection consulting service are typically:
Gap analysis of whether a new warehouse management system is needed or whether the current system can be upgraded to the desired level.
Evaluate the best system and vendor for your operational needs by developing a detailed comparison of applicable systems/vendors.
Improve the operational processes to achieve alignment and efficiency with the new WMS.
Deliverables
The deliverables for our WMS selection consulting service can include:
1. Business Case for Acquisition of a Warehouse Management System
Investments, maintenance and benefits are evaluated in the initial feasibility study.
2. RFQ Specifications and Documentation
Specifications tailored to what you need and want to make the bids comparable and relevant.
3. Managed RFQ Process
Making sure all interested vendors participate in the bid, answering questions, clarifying and comparing the bids.
4. Side-by-Side Comparison
Detailed evaluation and comparison of the considered systems and vendors in terms of cost and pricing structure, core functionalities (inventory management, receiving and put-away, order management, returns management, reporting, slotting, labor management, etc.), integration capabilities, system flexibility and scalability, technology support, user experience, implementation support, and more.
5. Improved Business Processes
Develop process improvements to achieve the desired benefits of the WMS.
Methodology
Project Kickoff: Learn warehouse requirements, planning factors, and scope of the project.
Gather & Analyze Data: Collect and analyze all required data pertaining to the WMS selection process, both qualitative and quantitative.
Analyze Processes: Evaluate the current processes to industry’s Best Practices.
Identify Improvement Opportunities: Identify what could be improved with a new system (WMS)
Develop System Strategy: Prepare business case and requirements for the new WMS.
RFQ Process: Prepare an RFQ / RFP detailing out the specifications, select contending suppliers, manage questions, evaluate responses, and recommend the best suited system for the operation.
Detail Process Improvements: Update the processes based on the selected system support.
Implementation Project Management: Manage WMS deployment and implementation of new processes identified for improvement. Work in close collaboration with internal IT resources and WMS integrators to ensure thorough testing of all functions, timely deployment and a smooth operational transition.
Why Establish?
Independent and Unbiased
Establish’s WMS consultants are unaligned and independent of any support system or integrator. As such, our unbiased staff will evaluate and recommend a system for your specific needs.
Experience and Expertise
With over 50 years of experience, we have developed our own proprietary Logistics Best Practices assessment and supply chain analytics tools and have designed and improved over 1,000 operations in almost every industry. Our deep knowledge of warehouse operations ensures that the warehouse system enables the best operating practices for your business and creates efficiencies. Please visit our client page to view all our happy customers (https://www.establishinc.com/clients).
Market Knowledge
Establish’s knowledge of the WMS market ensures the selection and evaluation of all of the best systems. We have an understanding of what systems to consider, narrowing the focus to the most applicable vendors and ensure that functionalities, cost, and system support and maintenance align with your business and operational needs.
TOOLS & METHODS
Within warehousing, we are using state of the art tools and methods. Below you will find some of the more important tools.
Establish’s Logistics Best Practices™
Logistics and warehouse operations benchmarking tool