WMS – Warehouse Management

SystemsAmy Severance

HP Supply Chain IT

What is a WMS?

• WMS – Warehouse Management System• Tracks inventory from the point of receipt to

the point of shipment• Provides RF (radio frequency) functionality to

enable mobile workforce• Provides shipment creation, rating

functionality

What is a WMS?

• Not an order taking system• Not an inventory allocation system• Requires a “Host” system to interface to– ERP (such as SAP)– OMS (Order Management System)– Purchase Order data, Sales Order data, Item

Master data

Why is it important to have a WMS?

• Inventory Accuracy– Safety Stock: reduce shortages, reduce variability– Reduce capital investment in inventory– Reduce labor invested in cycle counting– Reduce labor dealing with inventory discrepancies

• Improve productivity– Automate manual processes using RF or Voice– Provide productivity reporting for employee

management

Why is it important to have a WMS?

• Visibility– Provide management with visibility for running

the operation• Customer compliance– Shipping Labels, packing lists, other

documentation– Packaging Requirements– RFID tags

WMS Vendors

• Manhattan Associates• Red Prairie• SAP WMS

How do you select a WMS?

• Document the business requirements• RFP – Request for Proposal• Sales process• Contract Negotiation• Sign Contract

• Review Requirements

• Hardware Sizing Questionnaire

• Transportation Questionnaire

• Product Demo

• Attend Training

• Discovery Site Visit

• Functional Design

• Modification List

• Interface Design

• Statement of Work& Project Plan

• Client Training

• Conversion Planning/ Installation

• Modification Development and Testing

• System Config and Testing

• Development of User Training

• Mock Conversion

• Integration Testing

• Label/Carrier Compliance

• Volume Testing

• Solution Validation

• Risk Assessment

• End-user Training

• Go Live!

• Post Implementation Support

• Initiate Transition to Customer Support

• Project Closure

• Transition to Customer Support

• Ongoing Maintenance

Phase 5: Client Support

Phase 4: Implementation

Phase 3: Integration

Testing

Phase 2: Development

Phase 1: Design

Phase 0: Initiation

Project Management

• Project Planning

• Resource Planning

• Risk Assessment

• Status Reporting

• Project Budget Management

• Timeline Management

• Conversion Planning

• Issue Maintenance and Resolution

• Scope/Deliverable Management

WMS Functionality - Inbound• Yard Management and Appointment scheduling• Pre-Receiving– ASN’s

• Receiving• Directed Putaway• Replenishment from Overstock to Forward Pick• Cycle Counting• Returns

WMS Functionality - Outbound• “Wave” Management• Label/Document Printing• Picking• Packing• Manifest, Prepare shipment• Ship Confirm

Generates Variety of Compliant Bar Code Labels

Inventory• reprints

Receiving•in advance•on demand

Packing/Shipping• upon rerouting• upon pack verification• release from pack & hold• reprint

Picking• upon wave release• upon wave assignment

ReceivingReport

iLPN label

pallet label

case pick label

location labelparcel carrier tracking number

oLPN UCC-128 label

outbound pallet label