10 Signs it's Time to Switch to Another Warehouse Management Software
By Rise SA Team, June 18, 2024
Do you know that up to 30% of companies decide to stop using their current WMS after 1-2 years of usage? In this article, we tried to systematize the reasons for such decision. Keep on reading to find out when it's better to change your current WMS system to a new, more advanced one and why it is crucial for your business.
When you decide whether to keep or replace your current warehouse management system, pay attention to the following factors:
1. There are no or few updates.
If you notice that your current system's release notes are more about bug fixes than new features, think of it. Maybe your WMS provider will stop to support it at all one day. For a WMS to fit changing business requirements and address issues effectively, the provider needs to upgrade its functionality in a timely fashion. Otherwise, it'll become outdated very soon.
2. Poor customer support.
Are you satisfied with the support you receive from the current WMS provider? If the answer is no, ask yourself why you are still with them. Untimely and not fully resolved issues lead to lower workforce productivity, operational inefficiency, inaccuracy, and, after all, customer dissatisfaction. Do you really need this?
3. Workers use manual “workarounds” and/or paper based processes.
If this is the case, your WMS either does not satisfy your company’s business requirements or your workforce needs additional training. Using “workarounds” reduces system efficiency and accuracy and costs your business valuable labor productivity.
4. Inability to customize billing, labels, contracts, business processes, etc.
If you operate a 3PL, having the ability to meet the varying needs of each customer is essential to your business.
5. Lack of WMS system flexibility.
Many WMS systems can only accommodate changes using costly custom coding. This increases dependence upon the software vendor and can be quite costly in terms of time and money. Can your IT resources be trained how to adapt workflows to make changes to business processes? If not or if your WMS relies on custom coding, your business is less able to make changes quickly or cost effectively. This can limit your company’s ability to react to and adapt to today’s quickly changing markets. In turn, this may restrict your company’s ability to compete successfully to win new clients. Lack of flexibility can diminish your company’s ability to meet expectations and result in reduced customer satisfaction rates. This can also inhibit your company’s ability to adapt and support the business processes needed by your company and your customers.
6. Inability of your current WMS to communicate seamlessly with other systems.
Can your business operate “outside the four walls of the warehouse”? If your current warehouse management software cannot communicate harmoniously with material handling, transportation, shipping carriers, voice technology, ERP/MRP systems and other critical technology, your ability to win new business and work successfully with trading partners and shipping carriers is likely to be diminished. Your business does not operate in a vacuum so your technology should not either.
7. Inability to produce reports based on real time information.
Getting real time information when and how you need it is essential to making the best decisions possible for your business. Your warehouse management system should be able to provide a wide variety of standardized reports as well as customized reports in multiple formats. Your business should also have the ability to automate reporting functionality and delivery. This will save the time and trouble of having your staff produce what is needed, especially regularly needed information.
8. Hard to use system, not user friendly or intuitive.
Is it challenging to train employees how to use the system you currently have in place? With typically high rates of employee turnover, challenge in managing seasonal employees and crisis in locating qualified workers, having a hard to use WMS can cost your business thousands of dollars annually. Does your current WMS vendor help enable you to train new users more cost effectively using online training materials and videos? This can help minimize the cost of onboarding and training for your organization.
9. Inability to support company growth strategy.
If your current WMS is not scalable or if it is cost prohibitive for your growing business, you may want to consider a new inventory management system.
10. Limited master data.
As your business grows, you will likely need to add more users, items, partners, or even companies. This feature is crucible for the WMS system, as it ensures that your system remains scalable, adaptable, and capable of meeting evolving business needs as you expand your operations.
If most of these points are true, take a critical look at your current warehouse management system. Don't let outdated software hold your business back. Elevate your efficiency, accuracy, and productivity with an innovative inventory management system. Experience the power of Rise Business — a cutting-edge solution that revolutionizes inventory management with its advanced features and seamless integration. Stay ahead in this competitive landscape with Rise Business!
When you decide whether to keep or replace your current warehouse management system, pay attention to the following factors:
1. There are no or few updates.
If you notice that your current system's release notes are more about bug fixes than new features, think of it. Maybe your WMS provider will stop to support it at all one day. For a WMS to fit changing business requirements and address issues effectively, the provider needs to upgrade its functionality in a timely fashion. Otherwise, it'll become outdated very soon.
2. Poor customer support.
Are you satisfied with the support you receive from the current WMS provider? If the answer is no, ask yourself why you are still with them. Untimely and not fully resolved issues lead to lower workforce productivity, operational inefficiency, inaccuracy, and, after all, customer dissatisfaction. Do you really need this?
3. Workers use manual “workarounds” and/or paper based processes.
If this is the case, your WMS either does not satisfy your company’s business requirements or your workforce needs additional training. Using “workarounds” reduces system efficiency and accuracy and costs your business valuable labor productivity.
4. Inability to customize billing, labels, contracts, business processes, etc.
If you operate a 3PL, having the ability to meet the varying needs of each customer is essential to your business.
5. Lack of WMS system flexibility.
Many WMS systems can only accommodate changes using costly custom coding. This increases dependence upon the software vendor and can be quite costly in terms of time and money. Can your IT resources be trained how to adapt workflows to make changes to business processes? If not or if your WMS relies on custom coding, your business is less able to make changes quickly or cost effectively. This can limit your company’s ability to react to and adapt to today’s quickly changing markets. In turn, this may restrict your company’s ability to compete successfully to win new clients. Lack of flexibility can diminish your company’s ability to meet expectations and result in reduced customer satisfaction rates. This can also inhibit your company’s ability to adapt and support the business processes needed by your company and your customers.
6. Inability of your current WMS to communicate seamlessly with other systems.
Can your business operate “outside the four walls of the warehouse”? If your current warehouse management software cannot communicate harmoniously with material handling, transportation, shipping carriers, voice technology, ERP/MRP systems and other critical technology, your ability to win new business and work successfully with trading partners and shipping carriers is likely to be diminished. Your business does not operate in a vacuum so your technology should not either.
7. Inability to produce reports based on real time information.
Getting real time information when and how you need it is essential to making the best decisions possible for your business. Your warehouse management system should be able to provide a wide variety of standardized reports as well as customized reports in multiple formats. Your business should also have the ability to automate reporting functionality and delivery. This will save the time and trouble of having your staff produce what is needed, especially regularly needed information.
8. Hard to use system, not user friendly or intuitive.
Is it challenging to train employees how to use the system you currently have in place? With typically high rates of employee turnover, challenge in managing seasonal employees and crisis in locating qualified workers, having a hard to use WMS can cost your business thousands of dollars annually. Does your current WMS vendor help enable you to train new users more cost effectively using online training materials and videos? This can help minimize the cost of onboarding and training for your organization.
9. Inability to support company growth strategy.
If your current WMS is not scalable or if it is cost prohibitive for your growing business, you may want to consider a new inventory management system.
10. Limited master data.
As your business grows, you will likely need to add more users, items, partners, or even companies. This feature is crucible for the WMS system, as it ensures that your system remains scalable, adaptable, and capable of meeting evolving business needs as you expand your operations.
If most of these points are true, take a critical look at your current warehouse management system. Don't let outdated software hold your business back. Elevate your efficiency, accuracy, and productivity with an innovative inventory management system. Experience the power of Rise Business — a cutting-edge solution that revolutionizes inventory management with its advanced features and seamless integration. Stay ahead in this competitive landscape with Rise Business!
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