Advice from true warehouse experts
Issue link: https://resources.pathguide.com/i/816297
Page 3 PathGuide Technologies ● 22745 29 th Drive SE, Suite #150, Bothell, WA 98021 ● www.pathguide.com ● clientservices@pathguide.com One of the most popular features of PathGuide's Latitude WMS is its ability to keep track of materials that are cut to order for customers, such as hose, electrical cable and chain. Many competing systems only track items by basic SKU numbers, so employees often get an inaccurate view of what is available, leading to a lot of wasted materials. With the growing popularity of 3PL and eCommerce fulfillment, many distribution centers are seeking added value from their WMS purchases, such as the ability to cater for advanced product labeling, return labels and customer-specific packing lists. A good WMS will easily accommodate these and many more customizations. Arrested Development By this point, you may be sold on the benefits of implementing a WMS, but you may also have lingering fears about the potential for workflow disruption. This is where planning and expertise are vital. Having a smooth implementation really boils down to making sure that everyone shares the same vision for success, and having the right people fill the right roles. Nobody is more important than the person assigned to be the "warehouse champion." This person doesn't have to be a project manager, but he or she will need to develop the strongest working knowledge of the WMS to ensure that best practices are being implemented and followed. This person will also need adequate time and resources to perform warehouse setup and employee training. The Importance of Bullet -Proof Support Keeping a tight rein on the implementation process is challenging, but this is where the WMS vendor can become your best ally. Apart from supplying the software, the WMS vendor's role throughout this stage is to maintain order and help customers 'eat the elephant' one bite at a time. There are a lot of parts to keep organized and sequenced correctly, and this is where the vendor's implementation team can provide true value. A smart WMS vendor will never let the customer feel alone in this process. The vendor will keep implementations on track and stress levels low by providing clearly defined steps and milestones, along with realistic deadlines.