Customers have heightened expectations of service and value. No longer do trade-offs between availability, cost, and speed suffice; businesses need to deliver all three. Market dynamics, evolving product portfolios, growing  complexity, and a changing labour force challenge companies to leverage automation and better utilise assets to fuel profitable growth. Infor’s flagship warehouse management system (WMS)—Infor® WMS—enables agile fulfilment. 

It combines the following in a single intuitive solution: 

• advanced warehousing capabilities with highly configurable rules, 
• built-in labour, task, and inventory management, 
• as well as 3D visualization. 

The unified approach lets businesses holistically assess requirements, incorporate value-added services, prioritize tasks, and eliminate bottlenecks. In this way, Infor enables perfect order fulfilment while improving throughput and costs. 

‘With Infor WMS, we gained real-time visibility of our numerous warehouse stockpiles. This enabled us to reduce our customer’s inventory management costs and provide customers with a better logistics service experience—which contributed to our acquisition of a significant number of new clients’.

GOH WEE YAW

Chief Operating Officer, Global Airfreight International Pte Ltd.

Tools for a modern warehouse

Warehouse operations have evolved. Whether orchestrating across a disparate network of facilities, synchronising B2B and B2C operations, or dynamically adapting to the one constant—change—legacy systems simply cannot keep pace.

Infor WMS is architected with configurability and intuitive use fundamental to its design. Advanced features target better utilisation of inventory, space, labour, and equipment. These include multi-sequenced put-away, cross-docking, kitting, 3D visualization of the warehouse, and integration to material handling automation.

Comprehensive functionality includes:

• Receiving & Put-Away
  • Streamline appointment scheduling, QC inspections, directed put-away, returns, cross-docking, and flow-through.
  • Dynamically configure locations.
  •  Support voice- and RF-enabled activities, as well as mixed, rainbow, and multi-pallet operations.

• Inventory Management
  • Optimise fulfilment in multi-site and multi-owner operations.
  • Reduce obsolescence with configurable rotation rules and LPN-controlled tracking.
  • Enhance visibility down to bin location level.
  • Real-time, system-driven, and attribute-based cycle counting.

• Picking & Replenishment
  • Supports such techniques as order, cluster, and consolidation picking, as well as dynamic replenishment.
  • Incorporate voice, RF, ecommerce, kitting, and allocation requirements.
  • Improve stock rotation and space utilisation with automated triggers.

• Wave & Task Management
  • Prioritize and interleave tasks, supporting B2B and B2C fulfilment.
  • Highly configurable release and escalation rules help optimise cycle times, balance workloads, and build shipments.
  • View outstanding work using flexible graphic queries.

• Labour Management
  • Measure, assess, and view DC activities to increase operational efficiency.
  • Whether inventory, location, workflow, labour, or equipment related, identify bottlenecks and balance resources.
  • Engineered labour standards and real-time performance metrics inform scenario analyses.

• 3D Visual Warehouse
  • Visualise DC activity using an embedded, interactive interface.
  • As a virtual decision hub, Infor WMS lets users ‘see’ workflow, bottlenecks, and at-risk inventory.
  • It then seamlessly initiates corrective action to alleviate delays and increase productivity.

• Value-Added Services
  • Accommodate personalized service requirements, from kitting, bundling, and light assembly to compliance labelling and special packs.
  • Drive competitive differentiation by integrating customer-specific configuration and tailored delivery.

• 3PL Billing
  • Infor WMS embeds an industry-leading activity-based solution with customer-level costing, billing, and invoicing.
  • Incorporate account-specific workflows, traceability, and services critical to supporting multi-warehouse and multi-owner operations.

‘With our prior system, it took a significant amount of time for people to get up to speed. Now, with Infor WMS we can have a new person come on line and, within 10 days, be operational and productive, and that is huge for us’. 

LAURA SCHULTZ

Director of IT & PMO, Johnstone Supply, Inc.

‘Shelf management has improved tremendously. In fact, the overall way in which the business and operations now work has improved drastically’.

Future Supply Chains

Adaptive WMS for operations at the speed of business

Infor’s advanced warehousing functionality is designed to meet the needs of your business today, while supporting tomorrow’s growth.

Infor WMS users have reported achieving:

• 15 to 20% reduction in fulfilment costs
• 15 to 40% increase in labour productivity
• 5 to 20% decrease in space requirements
• 5 to 12% improvement in inventory throughput
• 5 to 25% savings in transportation costs
• Bin inventory accuracy over 99%

With industry-specific capabilities to increase customer service and product velocity, Infor WMS is available in 14 languages and has been implemented around the globe. It utilises an object-oriented distribution platform for independence, reliability, scalability, and security. It can be deployed either in the clou or on-premises.

Infor brings 30 years of experience to the WMS space. With over 5000 installations in 40 countries, Infor successfully supports a wide range of companies—in terms of size, source of complexity, industry, and ERP instances.

Contact us to explore the next generation in warehouse management.

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In-person shopping restrictions because of the global 2020 COVID-19 lockdowns have led worldwide e-commerce sales, already steadily climbing for years, to skyrocket. 

More consumers now see online shopping as their primary purchasing point—Forbes reports that global e-commerce sales totals are expected to top US$ 6.3 trillion in 2023 alone. Increasingly, companies are looking to permanently adopt new fulfilment models, such as direct ship, as well as store and curbside pickup. New inventory management strategies are needed in these changing times.

As a result, the need to integrate automation and warehouse management systems (WMS) has become more crucial than ever. Organisations necessarily have to adopt best practices for a seamless integration. A detailed automation strategy that’s supported and scaled by a WMS is key to driving operational success.

Ensuring best practices for WMS integration to automation systems

1. Possess a strong knowledge of WMS functionality requirements

This is critical for organizations that serve a wide variety of customers. Each customer and product SKU will have different requirements, systems, workflows, and associated costs. You will be better positioned if you can see the bigger picture clearly. This is how:

• Review each of your unique supply-chain execution processes in detail.
• Identify areas for improvement and innovation.
• Determine system requirements to accomplish this.
• Never forget that vaguely transmitted requirements is the #1 reason implementations fail.

2. Maintain a clear vision of your organisation’s automation strategy

Many companies have not developed, documented, or communicated their automation strategy to the people who are charged with implementing it. Since certain automated systems require a longer runway and tighter integration, accomplish this by doing the following:

• Strategically align operating resources with your workforce to make it easier to execute the processes and activities that will keep your company competitive. 
• Use clearly explained performance metrics to motivate your workforce to work more productively to achieve a mutually desired result.

According to a recent report, the warehouse automation market is expected to hit over US$ 41 billion by 2027 as more companies look to enhance their fulfilment operations.¹

3. Conduct secondary market research to ensure your WMS partner possesses a tier-1 or a complete WMS-capabilities ecosystem

Warehouse management systems and automation have matured over the years and are increasingly being delivered as a set of industry-specific tools and capabilities. While providers with years of experience in certain industries have a foot in the front door, there are ways to fast-track your own entry into the room.

• Invest time in the review of this technology’s functionality.
• Understand the underlying platform technology.
• Plot future roadmaps.
• Tap industry experience offered by WMS providers to understand how you can create a base for your own competitive advantage.

The more comprehensive the footprint the solution provider has, the better their technology will likely fit your requirements and ensure continuous “up-to-date” functionality.

4. Identify key personnel from the WMS provider, internal stakeholders, and automation vendors to complete the implementation process

This is not a part-time assignment. Subject-matter experts, process owners, management, operators, and other participants can be hired on a part-time basis, as required by project managers. The project itself, along with documentation and communication with the steering committee throughout the implementation process, is a necessarily robust full-time assignment.

5. Map post-implementation findings to identify necessary adjustments

Building off previously mentioned guidance, it’s also important to match the functionality that is available in the market to your specific processes (to quickly identify any gaps in functionality). This also helps ascertain and quantify how the new technology has improved your operations. When you define standard functionality, identify gaps that are critical and unique to your processes, and establish where automation has the greatest fit. This way, you will be able to adjust and scale your strategy in other executional areas.

Moving best practices forward

Make no mistake: the continued interest in and growth opportunities for automation (and material-handling equipment) will continue to accelerate as new fulfilment requirements, safety measures, cost management, and profitability strategies are implemented into warehousing facilities. 

As McKinsey and Co states in a recent article, ‘It is estimated that by 2030, most operations could be automated as AI takes over the more simple and repetitive tasks that humans previously performed’. If this trajectory remains accurate, more organisations will tailor their operations to remain competitive and innovative. Companies laying the foundation for their own increased use of automation need a trusted technology partner to deliver full-system functionality and streamlined implementation with third-party applications.

Manufacturers and distributors face interconnected challenges on a daily basis. These challenges could be rising costs, increased complexity, growing customer demands, or global supply shortages caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The expansion of omni-channel markets like Click-and-Collect and the rapid growth of e-commerce volumes compel them to not only change their sales approach but also redefine their customer base. Customers themselves add further pressure by seeking complete product customisation and personalisation.

The disruption of supply chains stemming from the occasional vulnerabilities of globalisation poses an unprecedented challenge when it comes to maintaining visibility into inventory, shipping, and tracking. This becomes more apparent when a business spans across several towns, states, and even countries. Supply-chain disruption complicates warehouse operations, and hinders manufacturers and distributors from staying competitive, minimising costs, and ensuring profitability. Ineffective order management, high labour costs, and inefficient asset utilisation exacerbate the problem.

Manufacturers and distributors need to reassess their warehouse-management practices, processes, and systems in order to be able to maintain operations as seamlessly as possible during disruptions. This reevaluation is crucial for enhancing warehouse productivity, improving visibility, and reducing costs.

Finding opportunities within each problem

While some companies don’t recognise that using outdated processes, practices, and systems directly contribute to the warehouse management problems, there are others who view these issues as opportunities to strengthen their market share. These forward-thinking companies are embracing advanced solutions that can revolutionise warehouse management.

These solutions enable them to achieve the following;

• the ideal order,
• reduce labor costs,
• and optimise space and equipment utilisation.

These solutions enhance warehouse operations to a whole new level by incorporating features like:

• inventory management,
• work and task management, radio frequency (RF),
• voice direction, plus many others.

They go beyond the limitations of traditional enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, and empower businesses to excel operationally and drive profitable growth in today’s fiercely competitive markets.

What’s driving the market?

Over the past decade, customers’ influence and expectations of businesses have grown, placing greater demands on manufacturers. Customers now seek faster, more accurate, and personalised order deliveries, all at reduced costs. Manufacturers and distributors are now expected to fulfill orders within shorter notice periods compared to the past.

According to Capgemini, a global leader in consulting, technology service, and digital transformation: ‘The rise of next-day, same-day, and few-hour deliveries has established a standard of demand that puts new pressures on businesses. Due to these heightened expectations from customers, the entire supply chain is rapidly transforming from a functional approach to a global and interconnected network of data and processes’. Failure to properly label, package, or deliver orders may result in fines and chargebacks for companies.

Retailers now require more elaborate packaging, leading to increased demands in terms of boxing and delivery formats. However, intense competition (and the influence of major retailers) prevent suppliers from passing on the additional costs associated with these requirements. Furthermore, the definition of customers is rapidly evolving, causing manufacturers and distributors to struggle to keep up. They are expanding their reach to markets they may not have previously served, including:

• Online,
• counter sales,
• mobile apps,
• cross-industry collaborations,
• electronic data interchange (EDI),
• and even business-to-consumer (B2C) interactions.

At the same time, supply-chain management has become more challenging as companies source products, components, and materials on a global scale. Manufacturers who previously relied on regional or national sourcing now turn to Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe, and other overseas locations. Similarly, companies are distributing their goods globally in order to enter new and emerging markets. Consequently, products must travel longer distances and be stored in more locations, amplifying visibility challenges and posing threats to achieving ‘perfect order’ delivery.

These challenges have been further exacerbated by the difficulties caused by the pandemic. Additionally, regulatory issues loom large. With high-profile recalls of various products, ranging from toys to dog food to ice cream, manufacturers face mounting pressure to track their products with even greater precision. Immediate access to data on lots, serial numbers, and shipping locations is essential for avoiding significant costs and potential legal penalties in the event of a recall. Lengthening supply chains further contribute to the risk of costly recalls.

Manufacturers and distributors are confronted with rising costs and complexities, which increase the demand for improved warehouse productivity. To remain competitive and profitable, these businesses must find ways to elevate warehouse performance. However, their existing enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems often lack the automated capabilities necessary to enhance operational visibility, improve market adaptability, and boost warehouse productivity.

Business solution

By investing in advanced warehouse management solutions, manufacturers and distributors can optimise product placement, prioritise tasks, establish productivity standards, and enhance logistics efficiency. These solutions manage the entire process of material flow—from receiving and put-away to cycle counting, picking, packing, and shipping. Unlike conventional warehouse management systems that focus solely on inventory location, advanced systems offer comprehensive management of material flow. They provide inventory visibility, enabling accurate allocation, fulfilment, and delivery of orders. Users can monitor the location, condition, and quantities of finished goods, components, and raw materials in the warehouse. Additionally, these features offer increased visibility and flexibility for:

• lot control,
• serial number capture,
• date code tracking,
• catch weights,
• inventory aging,
• and expiration-date management.

Order management

Efficient transactions: With an advanced warehouse management system, transactions are processed quickly and seamlessly, regardless of the sales channel. Users have easy access to all the necessary information, such as customer sales history, product details, photos, and available replacement options.

Work and task management

The system efficiently balances workloads and tasks with available resources. Multitasking improves productivity by using common workflows and combining related tasks. Grouping similar work orders and locations ensures timely processing while workers can complete tasks more efficiently.

Technology benefits

By integrating warehouse, labour, transportation management, and third-party billing into one solution, manufacturers and distributors gain complete supply chain visibility. This leads to better decision-making and faster execution. Modern technologies, like mobile and social collaboration, enhance efficiency and accuracy. User-friendly interfaces provide a seamless experience.

Winning in competitive markets 

Implementing an advanced warehouse management system brings substantial improvements in performance. It strengthens order management, increases labour productivity, and maximises warehouse asset utilisation. In today’s global supply chains, businesses must focus on warehouse productivity to control costs and achieve growth. These investments offer a higher return by enhancing visibility, agility, and overall productivity. They provide a strong foundation for success in competitive markets.

Have a question about warehouse management? Get in touch below.

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