What is a WMS? A WMS, or warehouse management system for small business, is a tool that is used to control, coordinate and optimize the movements, processes and operations specific to a warehouse
Even if the analysis of flows and the determination of the type of storage method condition the adjustment and the specific configuration of the warehouse management software, any software must be able to perform basic functions such as:
Entrance management
Location of load units
Stock control
Output control
Below, find a more precise summary of the operations supported by the WMS.
Input functions
In this group, we must distinguish three operations manageable by the WMS: reception, logistic data entry and labeling of containers and merchandise.
Reception
Sometimes the articles are received without having been palletized, and are therefore grouped together in different containers, at the same time that their characteristics and logistical attributes are recorded, before being then stored in the warehouse.
Receipt of the goods can also be done in containers, in which the goods arrive palletized at the warehouse, which avoids allotment operations. All that remains is to validate the logistics attributes and the quantities of goods received and then proceed to storage.
The third type of basic receipt is to receive items from returns. Although it is similar to other types of reception, it has special characteristics, such as the application of conditions and locks of the goods in the entry procedure to the facility. These states and deadlocks may indicate, for example, the need to go through quality control, to remain pending review, etc. This type of merchandise must then be stored in specific or determined areas of the warehouse
Logistic data entry
This data includes various information, including the batch to which the shipment belongs, its expiration date, weight, temperature, serial number, etc. Entering this data during the reception procedure ensures stock traceability.
Logistics attributes, such as lot identification or serial number, help to know exactly what merchandise has been delivered to each particular customer.
Labeling of containers and merchandise
The third function fulfilled during the entries complements the previous one. A warehouse management system for small business must be able to generate barcode labels for all stored containers and goods. This makes it possible to accurately validate all the processes and operations carried out in the warehouse, by reading these codes, and to eliminate errors and confusions that may arise during the handling of the goods.
Each item received can also be labeled with a barcode, which speeds up and improves the efficiency of exit procedures.
The data collected during receipts also make it possible to draw up reports that highlight crucial points for warehouse management: differences observed between expected and actually received merchandise, compliance with reception time slots, etc.
The mission of the warehouse management system is not limited to these activities, since it is also responsible, through an interface, to transmit the closing of the reception to the ERP of the company. This closure accurately specifies the number of units of each reference entered into the warehouse, so that the ERP can carry out the administrative procedures with the suppliers.
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