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About the Author Kevin Murch is the professional services manager at PathGuide Technologies Inc., a provider of warehouse management systems for distributors. He has more than 25 years of experience in software engineering, project management, and working directly with customers to help solve workflow and process challenges. About PathGuide Technologies PathGuide Technologies, Inc., a privately held company founded in 1989, is a leading provider of warehouse management solutions for industrial and retail distributors across North America. PathGuide's software and services help suppliers increase productivity and order accuracy, improve customer service, and lower labor costs – ultimately driving greater profitability. www.pathguide.com ● clientservices@pathguide.com They Raised Their Hand Implementing a WMS can be a daunting process for a new customer, and there is often a lot of unfamiliar territory (and terminology). Don't hesitate to contact the WMS provider's implementation specialist when a question or concern arises. They Were Open to Process Changes It's common to get excited about all the new benefits and features of a WMS – but reverting to old processes can be tempting. It's important to keep in mind that some old processes will no longer be needed because of the increased accuracy and efficiency that a WMS will bring to your business. Being open-minded when it comes to the dialogue with the implementation specialists about how certain warehouse processes may change with the new system is key. The Project had Dedicated Resources Like having a project champion, it is imperative to ensure that proper resources are dedicated to making the WMS implementation successful. It's not unusual for us to become so busy with our day-to-day work that we don't have time to focus on the implementation itself. Whether it's removing some tasks from team members' plates so they can focus on the project, or even contracting with an outside project manager that will be dedicated to the implementation, project champions will want to make sure they and their teams have the all the necessary resources to make the rollout as smooth as possible. They had Fun in the Sandbox As implementation teams work to fine-tune new processes, users are encouraged to "play" as much as possible in their test environment. This is a great way to tweak those processes in a controlled trial setting before rolling them out into the live environment. Great things happen when you finish what you start. There's a psychological science, as well as an economical one, that essentially says, "Here's why it's really important to start, continue and finish." Not doing so can effectively kill your motivation and leave your business in the dust while the competition races ahead. Or rather, to cast an equally true but more positive light on this sentiment, perhaps the American poet and educator Henry Wadsworth Longfellow sums it up best: "Great is the art of beginning, but greater is the art of ending."

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