SupplyChain Magazine May 2022 | Page 129

TECH & AI

“ We were able to dig customers out of a hole thanks to our Extended Warehouse Management solutions ”

MINDY DAVIS VP , GLOBAL MARKETING , DIGITAL SUPPLY CHAIN , SAP
This is where warehouse management systems ( WMS ) come into play .
The concept of warehouse management is nothing new . It originated in Ancient Egypt , where people managed grain stores by keeping records on papyrus to prevent famine in times of drought . The basic concept of managing warehouse inventory has not really changed , it ’ s just gotten far more complex .
Used optimally , today ’ s WMSs can enhance a business ’ s productivity , boost efficiency , and lower costs by digitising processes . They also help avert slow shipments , inventory management errors and incorrect product details – all of which can prove costly and lead to unhappy customers .
These software solutions also provide a holistic overview of operations . For example , having an accurate , real-time view of inventory means that companies can effectively gauge stock needs and avoid back orders .
A WMS can even be used to boost productivity amongst workers , matching them to specific jobs at the right time , and guiding them around the warehouse in the most efficient manner .
Increasingly , WMSs are being allied to automation and robotics , to provide a 360- degree warehousing solution .
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