Warehouse Management Information Systems

and Technology: A Study inclusive of ‘Pros and

Cons’

Submitted to: Submitted by:

Dr. Rudra Rameshwar
Assistant Professor
LMTSM

1
 INDEX
Serial No. Title Page
No.
1 Abstract 3
2 Introduction 4
3 Methods 6
4 Results 16
5 Discussion 17
6 Conclusion 18
7 Acknowledgement 19
8 References 19

2
 ABSTRACT

A warehouse management system, also known as a WMS, is designed to handle the transfer
and storage of products inside a warehouse as well as the transactions that go along with it,
such as sending, receiving, put-away, and choosing. A warehouse management system
(WMS) is a database-driven computer programme that directs cutaways and records
warehouse transactions to increase warehouse productivity and inventory accuracy.
Warehouse Management System is designed to increase order processing time, inventory
accuracy, provide real-time order status information, control warehouse space, and boost
labour productivity. They play an important role in maximising business opportunities by
delivering finished goods to the market with appropriate packaging, marking, and other
details for appropriate occasions such as festivals.
The current term paper also discusses the core functionalities that a warehouse management
system performs to help you understand how effective and profitable it can be for your
transportation and logistics business. Some of the functions where WMS can be used are
trading stock, picking and shipping, layout design, managerial information, real-time insights,
and labour management. The primary focus is given to evaluate the pros and cons of
Warehouse Management Information System and Technology. The pros of WMS are
reduction in operating and Processing Expenses, Improved Inventory Visibility, Reduced
Mispicks, Improved Customer Relations, Effective Labour, Traceable Materials, Optimised
Supply Chain, Internal Automation Benefit, and Ongoing Improvement. Consequently, the
cons for the same are High Initial Investment, Requires Expert Knowledge, Tight Security,
and Unsuccessful Implementation.
The advantages of using a warehouse management system (WMS) for your company must
clearly outweigh the disadvantages. A well-designed warehouse management platform is
essential if you want to rapidly scale your company and increase profitability. An advanced
warehouse management system will undoubtedly increase your capital outlay, but you can
rest assured that you are making the right investment for your business, one that will
maximise potential returns.

INTRODUCTION

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Companies started to realise in the early 1970s that the machine was a much-needed solution
for increasing warehouse productivity, precision, and reliability. In the 1980s, a new business
category called Supply Chain Management was created (SCM). The business system WMS,
or Warehouse Management System, is an integral part of SCM. WMS is intended to support
all delivery activities while also providing efficiencies and real-time information.
WMS puts together two worlds that could not be more dissimilar: one is dominated by techno
logy, algorithms, logic, and creativity, while the other is dominated by forklifts, conveyors, a
nd a great deal of hard physical labour. Every second, the warehouse atmosphere changes.

Knowledge was static and just a snapshot of a moment in time before WMS. Static data does
not necessarily lead to the best outcomes. Managers, warehouse staff, and operations
personnel all receive reliable, current information in real time, allowing them to make
informed decisions. WMS eliminates the guesswork of where the product is located in
addition to providing real-time data. Inventory information – where it's stored, how many,
where it's been, who touched it, and where it's in the supply chain – flows easily with the
click of a few keys. WMS removes the majority of human error and time wasting. The task at
hand, where to put the product, and the next task are all communicated to the worker through
system directives.

The functionality of warehouse inventory management software can range from simple best
practises in select, pack, and ship to sophisticated systems that coordinate advanced
interactions with material-handling devices and yard management. The need to decipher
handwriting and numbers that have been transposed is no longer necessary. Via automatic ID
technologies, most commonly barcodes, information is relayed on computers – desktop,
durable hand-held devices, vehicle-mounted terminals, laptops, and practically any mobile
device. In the warehouse sector, information technology has found a permanent home for
rising successful businesses.

Finally, warehouse management system software's ultimate aim is to create a paperless

environment that automatically guides your workers on the best choosing, putting away, and
shipping of your goods.

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LITERATURE REVIEW

The warehousing role is important in a supply chain because it serves as a node in connecting
material flows between the supplier and the consumer. Companies are constantly pushed to
boost their warehousing operations in today's dynamic business climate. Many organisations
have also tailored their value propositions to improve customer service levels, resulting in
shifts in warehouse roles. The literature distinguishes three types of warehouse management
systems based on warehouse control systems i.e. Basic, Advanced, and Complex.

As a result of the increased focus on the ability of organisations to develop smooth and
efficient logistics operations as a result of increased product variety and shorter customer
response times, there is a greater emphasis on the ability of organisations to establish smooth
and efficient logistics operations. Warehouses play an important role in this regard because
they serve as nodes that guide the flow of materials within a distribution network. Customer
service levels, lead times, and a company's cost structure are all directly affected by how
warehousing operations are organised. As a result, we can deduce that warehousing has an
effect on the overall efficiency of a supply chain.

With the rise of organised retailing, it is becoming increasingly important for players to
develop their processes on a regular basis. Retailers must constantly aim to reduce their
prices. Improved technology must be integrated into existing processes since it is an enabler.
In addition, the systems must be structured in such a way that they can accommodate
changes. The value stream mappings of current systems revealed that there are numerous
bottlenecks in the system. The capacity of the warehouses was limited due to these
bottlenecks.

The warehouse's performance and efficiency suffered as tasks were carried out manually
when they could be performed more efficiently and effectively with machines. The cycle time
of the method also decreases with the implementation of a WMS. The cycle time is cut in
half, from 773 to 236 minutes. The cost-benefit analysis for implementing WMS in the
warehouse reveals a monthly savings of Rs. 19,60,000. WMS is shown to be an enabler for
increased efficiency and productivity in the research. When operations are conducted
manually, the efficiency of a WMS warehouse is significantly lower.

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 METHODS

ROLE OF WAREHOUSE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN THE SUPPY CHAIN

A warehouse is a location where products are kept before consumers need them. It is a
location where inventory is stored and maintained; it is an integral part of the overall
company supply chain since it deals with the handling of products. The warehouse's primary
duties are as follows:

• To collect goods from a source.

• To store the goods before they are required.

• To retrieve goods from the storage area as needed.

• Deliver the products to the right people.

Modern warehousing and distribution centres are inundated with data about product and
service movements and storage. The effective and efficient use of logistics-related data will
improve a company's ability to cut costs while also improving customer satisfaction. These
objectives are often addressed by warehouse management systems (WMS).

A warehouse management system, also known as a WMS, is designed to handle the transfer
and storage of products inside a warehouse as well as the transactions that go along with it,
such as sending, receiving, put-away, and choosing. A warehouse management system
(WMS) is a database-driven computer programme that directs cutaways and records
6
warehouse transactions to increase warehouse productivity and inventory accuracy. Based on
real-time information about bin use, the systems also guide and optimise stock.

To effectively track the flow of goods, it often employs Auto ID Data Capture (AIDC)
technology, such as barcode scanners, mobile phones, wireless LANs (Local Area Networks),
and possibly Radio-frequency identification (RFID). After the data has been processed, it is
either batch synchronised with, or wirelessly transmitted in real time to a central database.
After that, the database will generate reports on the status of products in the warehouse.

The main purpose of a warehouse control system is to accept data from a higher-level host
system, most commonly a warehouse management system, and translate it for daily
operations. A common aim is to ensure that warehouse workers never have to retype
information because it is already stored in one system or is automatically collected. On an
organisational level, a warehouse control system is typically the interface that is used to
handle operations, staff, and equipment.

Based on warehouse control system, there are three types of warehouse management systems:

1. BASIC- Only stock and position control are likely to be supported by this method. It
is primarily used to keep track of data. The device can generate storage and picking
instructions, which may be displayed on RFterminals. The warehouse management
data is straightforward and primarily concerned with throughput.
2. ADVANCED- An advanced WMS can schedule resources and activities to
synchronise the movement of products in the warehouse, in addition to the features
provided by a simple WMS. The WMS analyses throughput, inventory, and ability.
3. COMPLEX- The warehouse or group of warehouses can be configured with a
complex WMS. Each product has information about where it is (tracking and tracing),
where it is going, and why it is going there (planning, execution and control).
Furthermore, a complex system provides additional features such as transportation,
dock door, and value added logistics planning, all of which aid in the overall
optimization of warehouse operations.

Warehouse management systems may be standalone or integrated into an ERP (Enterprise

Resource Planning) or supply chain management package. A warehouse management system
(WMS) is used to monitor the transfer and storage of products within a warehouse. The WMS
can be paper-based, RF/wireless-based, or a hybrid of the two.

7
THE APPLICATIONS OF WAREHOUSE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

Today's warehouses are under pressure to lift their targets for inventory accuracy, timely
delivery service, individualised order fulfilment, flexible value-added service, and
responsiveness to unique customer requests as the demand for impeccable customer service
grows. To achieve these high-performance targets, a solution must be found to remove all
waste from the warehouse, streamline processes, and increase warehousing productivity in all
areas. One of the most proactive ways to do so is to use a warehouse management system
(WMS), which is designed to increase order processing time, inventory accuracy, provide
real-time order status information, control warehouse space, and boost labour productivity.
Based on the results of our exploratory analysis of selected US firms, this paper aims to assist
firms in determining the magnitude of WMS benefits for warehouse operations and their
effect on competitiveness, as well as developing realistic recommendations for effective
WMS implementation. Warehouses play an important role in assembling unfinished goods
and items according to consumer demand at the right time when they have a large quantity of
goods in stock. They play an important role in maximising business opportunities by
delivering finished goods to the market with appropriate packaging, marking, and other
details for appropriate occasions such as festivals. The results show that warehouse
management systems (WMS) have become an essential part of warehouse operations and
supply chain processes.

FUNCTIONS OF A WAREHOUSE MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Here are a few of the core functionalities that a warehouse management system performs to
help you understand how effective and profitable it can be for your transportation and
logistics business.

1. Trading Stock- One of the most important tasks of warehouse management systems is the
accurate monitoring of stocks that enter the warehouse and are later dispatched to their
designated locations. This role provides the manager with the information needed to
accurately calculate and know stock availability, as well as when the best time is to restock
the warehouse. The use of minimum and maximum stock levels present and expected in the
market assists businesses in controlling their stock and ordering it in the right amount at the
right time. Stock shortages can be effectively eliminated as a result of this, and overstocking
is no longer necessary. It also provides sufficient space for other materials to be stored in the
warehouse.

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2. Picking and Shipping- The picking and shipping activities of a warehouse are the second
most important feature of a warehouse management system. As a result, it ensures that the
WMS is solely responsible for ensuring that the correct product is obtained and shipped. Due
to the existence of a manual system, missing data and unreliable monitoring often resulted in
the uncertainty of missing or incorrect product receiving and shipping. You will now have the
advantage of tracking it down and managing everything in your records thanks to a
warehouse management system. It ensures that orders are sent to the appropriate clients
within the specified time frames. This also introduces basic retrieval techniques, making the
whole process much simpler. There are no longer any costs associated with incorrect order
stocking and delivering to mismatched customers, and then sending it back to be transported
correctly.

3. Layout Design- It is important for a warehouse to maintain a well-organized layout design.

A warehouse management system can assist you in drawing the proper layout template for
your warehouse. With a logical setting running in its algorithm, it allows you to position the
items inside the planned structure in a much more efficient manner. Accessibility, demand,
and weight are the variables that have resulted in this systematic interface design. This not
only makes for smooth processes, but it also ensures that the goods are correctly positioned in
the warehouse.

4. Managerial Information- WMS is designed specifically to provide productive perspectives,

and it is one of the most important fundamentals for making the foundation of warehouse
management solid. A warehouse management system, which is a pillar of the shipping and
logistics industry, provides a wealth of vital business data that can be compiled into reports.
These reports are essential for warehouse managers to assess the current wave of operations
and identify the changes that are most urgently needed to be implemented. Customer order
data is one of the most important managerial data that a warehouse management system can
provide. Customer order data assists warehouse managers in effectively forecasting and
strategizing business plans. This also sheds light on some types of alternatives that should be
considered when making critical decisions in the context of the entire supply chain operation.
A WMS will play a critical role in a transportation and logistics company's ability to achieve
its trading goals, which is a core goal.

5. Real-time Insights- A warehouse management system is critical to accessing real-time

information because it is specifically developed software that focuses on providing important

9
information. Managers and supervisors will use the facts and figures obtained in real-time
from various forms of warehouse management systems to provide a major boost to the
company. More than just allowing real-time inventory processing, it also tests improved
accuracy, which can be a factor in the company sales while reducing unnecessary expenses. It
is important to remember that a warehouse management system with sophisticated hardware
and software systems must be integrated to accomplish this.

6. Labour Management- Since a warehouse is owned, operated, and supervised by a diverse

group of people, staff management is an important topic to discuss. A WMS will look at and
track the different outputs shown by warehouse personnel as an advanced mode of
controlling warehouse operations. This could be considered a primary performance measure,
and its use in the warehouse could be beneficial in terms of labour management. Having real-
time data on and employee's productivity and results is critical for overseeing the operations
that are currently being processed in the warehouse. Warehouse management also helps with
staff management by making it possible for logistics and transportation companies to create
reward policies that focus on increasing employee engagement and, as a result, reducing
employee burnout.

As a result, with warehouse management systems being so important to the logistics

and transportation industries, failing to integrate one would be a huge loss for your business.
Being left behind in this day and age of rivalry is not something your company can afford to
see at this stage. An advanced warehouse management system will undoubtedly increase your
capital outlay, but you can rest assured that you are making the right investment for your
business, one that will maximise potential returns.

WAREHOUSE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN INDIA

The Indian Warehouse Management System market is much newer than that of many other
countries, owing to a lack of knowledge and a desire for a fast return on investment.
However, Indian companies are catching up in terms of WMS adoption, with logistics,
industrial, and retail companies leading the way. The eCommerce industry is expected to
drive future growth in this market, as more and more eCommerce business owners follow the
omnichannel strategy of sale. The more verticals of distribution you have, the more consumer
demand you can see. Manual management of activities in warehouses would be decreased
exponentially to meet high demand and counter increased workload.

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According to a survey, India's warehouse management systems market is expected to rise at a
Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 16.2 percent from $231 million in 2019 to $488
million by 2024. The rapid growth of eCommerce in India, the relaxation of FDI policies, and
the introduction of initiatives such as "Make in India" are all major growth drivers for the
industry.

In today's omnichannel world, the ability to respond quickly with a WMS programme and an
industry-standard warehouse management system in India is critical for optimising fulfilment
capabilities with a focus on quality, performance, accuracy, and cost reduction.

WAREHOUSE MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGY:

PROS AND CONS

The warehouse management system has developed tremendously in recent years and
continues to do so today. As a result, determining how emerging innovations interact with the
automation mechanism is challenging. Vendors of warehouse management systems have
made significant progress in navigating user interfaces in 2019. Not only that, but they've
made significant progress in deploying the system's functionality across a wide range of
mobile devices. This included a large number of cloud offerings that aided in the
implementation and support of the respective companies' systems. Customers have become
more interested in warehouse management investments as a result of the continuing
cloudification of WMS. To supplement the baseline warehouse management system software,
AI and analytics were gathered to improve warehouse managers' decision-making criteria.
This also assisted them in working properly with large-scale warehouse automation. All of
these WMS Company elements and moves were critical in overcoming the warehouse market
pressures that the warehouses were facing. Here are some of the most significant warehouse
management system pros and cons.

PROS

Implementing a Warehouse Management System in your company can be highly helpful, as it

has the ability to combine with inventory management, order fulfilment, and accounting to
ensure a more productive working environment. If these issues are resolved, you will devote
more of your resources to reducing mistakes, enhancing customer service, reducing costs, and
so on.

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1.Reduced Operating and Processing Expenses-

One of the most critical advantages of implementing a warehouse management system is that
it will significantly reduce the operational costs. Manual labour costs can be greatly reduced
since this is an automated operation. The warehouse manager does not have to deal with
paperwork, enter details, or consider where they should go next.

With the introduction of a well-designed warehouse management system, processing costs

can be greatly reduced. Processing orders and receiving deliveries will take much less time
thanks to barcode scanning and robust integrations, and goods will be selected and packaged
much faster, lowering the processing costs. Processing orders and receiving deliveries will
take much less time thanks to barcode scanning and robust integrations, and goods will be
selected and packaged much faster, lowering the processing costs.

2. Improved Inventory Visibility

Since the programme offers real-time data by barcoding, serial numbers, and other means,
using a warehouse management system for your company will increase inventory visibility.
These features enable users to keep track of each object as it enters the warehouse, as well as
its movements inside the warehouse and during transportation from one place to another. The
visibility aids business owners in developing demand forecasts, which helps them determine
the goods to invest in and which are no longer relevant in the market.

3. Reduced Mispicks

When every step of a process is automated, from picking goods to shipping them, the risk of
product mispicking is greatly reduced. Your workers would not be asked to manually insert
barcode numbers or SKUs. A warehouse management system also ensures that the employees
are alerted right away if they scan the wrong object, giving them ample time to correct the
mistake.

4. Improved Customer Relations

A warehouse management system benefits not only the enterprise, but it also benefits the
customers. When a company has good inventory visibility, it can automatically predict
consumer demands, ensuring that enough goods are available for the customer. Customers
benefit from a warehouse management system because it improves order fulfilment, reduces

12
inventory and distribution inaccuracies, and so on. With such a structure in place, the
company's credibility will undoubtedly increase among your customers.

5. Effective Labour

A warehouse management system can help allocate the right job to the right individual at the
right time by taking into account employees' skill levels, location in the warehouse,
equipment, and available warehouse tasks. One of the most significant advantages that the
WMS can bring to increased labour utilisation is the reduction of travel time inside the
warehouse. The WMS will direct labour to the tasks that have the greatest effect while also
identifying the best labourer for the job. The system will delegate jobs on a daily basis and
effectively design schedules using labour forecasting. Scanning products at the point of entry
into a warehouse, as well as during their movements, will eliminate the need for double-
checking, saving time and expediting the recording process. Scanning increases pick
precision and decreases mispicks, resulting in improved customer service. KPIs may also be
used to evaluate staffing, which is important because one of the most expensive aspects of
warehouse operations is labour. Reasonable job assignment improves labour productivity,
machinery efficiency, and room efficiency.

6. Traceable Materials

Using lot, batch, and serial numbering, warehouse management systems can easily monitor
inventory materials. The serial number identifies a particular object, while the lot/batch
number identifies the category in which materials were manufactured. As previously stated,
WMS inventory monitoring allows for maximum traceability by matching individual
lot/batch or serial numbers with incoming receipts and outgoing shipments. This ability to
track products reduces redundancy, allows for precise inventory preparation and allocation,
and provides current retrievable data for future traceability, service maintenance, or recall
situations.

7. Optimised Supply Chain

A warehouse management system improves the internal operations of a warehouse, which

can then be extended to the rest of the supply chain. A warehouse management system
(WMS) automates the entire warehouse process, from inbound receipts to outbound
deliveries, increasing operating efficiencies and lowering costs. By reducing or removing
unnecessary or non-productive operation, warehouse workers may achieve quick and reliable

13
shipments. These time and cost savings, as well as enhanced processes and data, can be
passed on to internal and external stakeholders, allowing them to develop their own
operations. Improved inbound receiving, for example, speeds up delivery times by allowing
delivery partners to better use their equipment and resources and shippers to better manage
inventory levels. Improved data can help shippers, manufacturers, and consumers minimise
risk and improve reliability. Data may be exchanged with an ERP or a customer, as well as a
TMS (Transportation Management System). Product will reach its final customer faster,
enabling upstream partners to boost their planning. Inventory fulfilment can be linked to
inventory control, allowing for more efficient operations and lower inventory carrying costs.

8. Internal Automation Benefit

Within a warehouse, warehouse management systems allow the use of additional automation
technologies. Internal job assignments can be automated, and mobile devices can help with
the transition from paper to electronic work and activity tracking. This simplifies procedures,
allowing them to scale more easily and ensuring data accuracy. Since access can be given by
handheld mobile devices, mobile pairing with the WMS system can enable the input process
to be extended. Via enhanced techniques, automation aids in the continuous development of
existing operations. There are various levels of automation available, including automated
picking and packing, robotics, analytics-driven movements, and artificial intelligence (AI).
These techniques are supported by warehouse management systems, which provide the
foundational elements for capturing, recording, and communicating activity. Sensors,
barcoding, pick-to-light, speech, and automated carousels, for example, can all help a WMS
improve throughput by tracking picking and packing operation. Robots and automated
conveyors can help to streamline processes and eliminate bottlenecks.

9. Ongoing Improvement

Warehouse management systems are designed to allow continuous improvements as a

powerful technical tool. The system can be introduced in stages to allow for continuous
updates with newly created features, allowing warehouses to stay productive while keeping
up with current changes. This also helps the warehouse to adapt to new processes and
developments as they emerge. Furthermore, if the warehouse management system is cloud-
based, it can upgrade in real time, reducing the need for big, costly IT teams.

CONS

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1. High Initial Investment

The initial investment needed for a Warehouse Management System is the biggest drawback.
The instruments used in this automated workflow method are a little pricey. Furthermore, the
cost of training to operate these devices, as well as the cost of software, will easily outweigh
the cost of the devices.

2. Requires Expert Knowledge

To properly manage the instruments, such a system necessitates professional expertise, which
can be a difficult task given the difficulty in locating appropriately qualified resources. You
can't run such a sophisticated machine with people who aren't experts in the field.

3. Tight Security

Last but not least, in order to operate a warehouse management system effectively, you must
enforce strict security and controls. Since protection systems are costly, this could cost you a
lot of money.

4. Unsuccessful Implementation

This investment, like all others, carries some risk. To prevent a failed implementation,
conduct a thorough review of your requirements, choose a capable software house, consult
your project with your employees on how the application should be designed, and set aside
time to properly train your workers on how to use the application. We pay attention to and of
these aspects when working with our clients so that you can be confident in the project's
progress.

As we can see from the above explanation of advantages and disadvantages of

Warehouse Management Information System that there are more benefits than the
disadvantages. But it is not a one size fit all approach, companies need to evaluate their costs
and benefits and on the basis of that, make their decision. The advantages of using a
warehouse management system (WMS) for your company must clearly outweigh the
disadvantages. A well-designed warehouse management platform is essential if you want to
rapidly scale your company and increase profitability. Since it necessitates a financial
investment, it's important that you take the time to find the ideal forum for your business that
can fulfil your needs. However, the sooner you invest in one, the sooner your company will
begin to expand rapidly. As the wave of complexity around faster order fulfilment merges,

15
the analyst believes that more business operations will recognise the value that warehouse
management systems provide.

RESULTS

WMS is a software programme that allows users to see inventory levels and positions in real
time. It may also provide features other than inventory management. Directed picking, labour
monitoring, kitting (licence plating), and product traceability are all additional advantages. In
this multitude of industries, the unparalleled surge of next-generation technologically
enhanced warehouses is introducing unexpected real-time data insight into organisational
properties, transactions, and people: from cautious manufacturers in the automotive,
machinery, and electronics industries to beverage and food firms, pharmaceutical and
healthcare sectors, and many more. Nonetheless, everything has a certain level of difficulty,
but if the system's bitter taste can be dealt with, the company enterprise will be on its way to
success in no time.

As we can see from the above list of pros and cons of Warehouse Management Information
System, the advantages outnumber the drawbacks. However, it is not a one-size-fits-all
solution; businesses should evaluate their costs and benefits before making a decision. The
benefits of implementing a warehouse management system (WMS) in your business must
clearly outweigh the drawbacks. If you want to grow your business quickly and profitably,
you'll need a well-designed warehouse management platform. Since it requires a financial
commitment, it's important that you take the time to find the best forum for your company
that meets your requirements.

16
 DISCUSSION

In the manufacturing environment, product quality, price, and features are all addressed in
great detail. The value of a warehouse is seldom debated. The role of warehouse management
is undervalued, and it is barely discussed. The majority of people are unaware of the
warehouse, its importance, and its position in the Distribution Center's smooth operation.

In this term paper, a detailed discussion related to the Warehouse Management Information
System and Technology has been made, what is its role in revolutionising the supply chain,
what are the types of WMS, where this system can be implemented and the various ways or
areas where we can implement the Warehouse Management System, its scope in India, and
lastly the main focus was put in evaluating the various pros and cons of implementing and
using the Warehouse Management Information System and Technology.

A warehouse management system (WMS) is a database-driven computer programme that

directs cutaways and records warehouse transactions to increase warehouse productivity and
inventory accuracy. The main purpose of a warehouse control system is to accept data from a
higher-level host system, most commonly a warehouse management system, and translate it
for daily operations. Warehouse management systems may be standalone or integrated into
an ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) or supply chain management package. An advanced
warehouse management system will undoubtedly increase your capital outlay, but you can
rest assured that you are making the right investment for your business, one that will
maximise potential returns. Since it requires a financial commitment, it's crucial to take the
time to find the best forum for your company that meets your requirements.

17
The pros of WMS are reduction in operating and Processing Expenses, Improved Inventory
Visibility, Reduced Mispicks, Improved Customer Relations, Effective Labour, Traceable
Materials, Optimised Supply Chain, Internal Automation Benefit, and Ongoing Improvement.
Consequently, the cons for the same are High Initial Investment, Requires Expert
Knowledge, Tight Security, and Unsuccessful Implementation.

Through this discussion, we have made an attempt to understand the importance of

Warehouse Management Information System and Technology, its functions, its types, and
pros and cons.

CONCLUSION

A warehouse is a location where products are kept before consumers need them. It is a
location where inventory is stored and maintained; it is an integral part of the overall
company supply chain since it deals with the handling of products. A warehouse management
system (WMS) is used to monitor the transfer and storage of products within a warehouse.
The WMS can be paper-based, RF/wireless-based, or a hybrid of the two. Finally, warehouse
management system software's ultimate aim is to create a paperless environment that
automatically guides your workers on the best choosing, putting away, and shipping of your
goods. An advanced warehouse management system will undoubtedly increase your capital
outlay, but you can rest assured that you are making the right investment for your business,
one that will maximise potential returns.

Implementing a Warehouse Management System in your company can be highly helpful, as it

has the ability to combine with inventory management, order fulfilment, and accounting to
ensure a more productive working environment. If these issues are resolved, you will devote
more of your resources to reducing mistakes, enhancing customer service, reducing costs, and
so on.

If you want to quickly scale your business and maximise profitability, you'll need a well-
designed warehouse management platform. Since it necessitates a financial commitment, it's
important that you take the time to find the best platform for your company that meets your
requirements. The sooner you invest in one, however, the faster your business will develop.

18
As the uncertainty surrounding faster order fulfilment merges, the analyst predicts that
warehouse management systems will become more valuable to business operations.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to express my gratitude towards a lot of people because this work would not
have been possible without their support, advice, motivation, and assistance. First and
foremost, I would like to express my gratitude to Dr. Rudra Rameshwar, my course instructor
for the subject "Warehouse Management." I would not have learned what I needed to know
or been prepared to complete this dissertation without his constructive criticism, constant
help, excellent teaching, and motivation to do my best. I will be eternally grateful for the
opportunity to study under his guidance. It would have been difficult for me to complete this
research without the motivation, guidance, and friendship of my classmates.

REFERENCES

A, R., N. Subramanya, K., & M. Rangaswamy, T. (2012). Impact of Warehouse Management

System in a Supply Chain. International Journal of Computer Applications, 54(1), 14–20.
https://doi.org/10.5120/8530-2062

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