The Role of Warehouse Management Systems in Optimising Supply Chain Fulfilment
Accuracy and efficiency are vital to ensure successful supply chain fulfilment. Automated warehouse management systems (WMS) provide the solution of choice. A well-designed system like FenyaWMS will oversee, check and execute every step in warehousing procedures, from the receipt of goods and orders to inventory tracking, invoicing and despatch, minimising errors, enhancing productivity and, by extension, driving business success.
At its core, the system is a bespoke software application incorporating a set of policies and processes designed to support and optimise each of the various functions typical of a storage and distribution operation. In addition, a WMS might also be capable of leveraging real-time data to generate insightful reports regarding stock movements, inventory levels, and operational and employee performance.
The Scope of Warehouse Management Systems
Systems vary both in terms of their scope and operation, depending on the developer. The FenyaWMS product is an advanced modular system with exceptionally comprehensive functionality that combines accuracy and speed of operation, which are essential for an efficient warehousing operation. Both of these crucial qualities are the result of leveraging two technologies, namely, barcoding and wireless connectivity.
Human error is one of the most frequent sources of inaccuracy in inventory management. However, carelessness is rarely the problem. More often, it is fatigue, deadline pressures or personal stress that are the cause of mistakes. Relying on a barcode rather than a multidigit number to identify each stock item allows a worker to read the code with a hand-held RFID scanner. At the same time, the scanner generates a wireless signal which enables the captured code to be transmitted directly to a PC or server. Eliminating the need to read, remember and manually enter a long string of numerals directly into a computer via a keyboard provides several benefits:
- Eliminating manual data capture and transmitting it wirelessly saves time. The entire reading and capturing operation can be completed in just seconds.
- Automating the identification of stock items results in a tenfold reduction in the incidence of human error. The FenyaWMS system can differentiate between unit, pack and case barcodes and perform the necessary calculations to arrive at a total figure.
- The wireless transmission of data allows multiple workers to utilise a single computer for data storage and processing, thus significantly reducing hardware demands. Adding the Multi-warehousing module allows the user to manage stock in multiple locations.
- With an automated system, there is no longer a need for reams of old-fashioned paperwork.
- With the help of suitable software, automated warehouse management systems can utilise electronic data interchange (EDI) technology to integrate with accounting applications like Sage 300 and enterprise resource planning (ERP) packages.
Some Additional Benefits of FenyaSoft Warehouse Management Systems
With its choice of several modules, FenyaWMS allows you to tailor a system to meet the unique needs of your operation. Stocktaking is the key to accurate inventory control, but the FenyaSoft module offers more than speedy, precise counts:
- Cost variance reporting helps users spot stock losses and gains and identify problem stock.
- Historical reporting reveals precious stock takes and trends, shows performance on a monthly or annual basis and assesses the effectiveness of prevailing control measures.
Contact us about innovative warehouse management systems if you’re keen to streamline your supply chain services.
Back to Articles.
