In part one of this two part blog, we shared the first seven types of systems that can be integrated with a modern warehouse management system (WMS). A supply chain systems integrator, like Veridian, can bring these systems together.
Without further delay, below are the remaining supply chain technology platforms that integrate with a WMS.

7. Pick-to-Light and Put-to-Light Systems

Your WMS may also integrate with pick-to-light or put-to-light systems. Pick-to-light systems involve pulling inventory out of an illuminated location, while put-to-light systems involve placing inventory into the illuminated location.

8. Voice Picking and Vision Picking

Voice picking has been a proven way to improve labor efficiency within distribution centers and it is improving with recent advancements in voice recognition software. Soon, visual picking, using augmented reality to show pickers what items are required for an order, will also require integration with your WMS.

9. Labor Systems

Since the WMS determines the amount of labor necessary for a given time, it makes sense to integrate labor systems with WMS. This enhances cost ownership and improves accountability and accuracy in profit margins and price setting.

10. Sortation Systems, Goods-to-Person, and Robotics

Sorters are nothing new to warehouses, and many of today’s modern fulfillment centers have incorporated a type of Material Handling Equipment (MHE) called a Goods-to-Person stations. The concept is simple. Limit travel travel-time by bringing the product to a picker. The picker selects product from a presented tote and places it into an outbound carton. When an outbound carton is complete, it is pushed onto a conveyor where it will receive a packing slip, shipping label (if not already applied), dunnage, and be sealed for shipment. There are even robotics that are fully capable of selecting an individual unit from a group and moving it into a new tote, which would completely automate the fulfillment process.

As the use of robotics becomes more widespread in warehouses, their governing systems must integrate with your WMS.

11. Transportation Management System

Integration with the WMS must extend to your transportation management system (TMS), reducing the shipping costs and time to ship associated with each order. This will be key for staying competitive as Amazon continues its push toward dominance in the omnichannel setting.

12. Business Intelligence Systems

Business intelligence systems can involve risk management, demand forecasting, and much more. Integrating business intelligence with your WMS can derive a significant return on investment through decreasing costs and improve performance and life expectancy of equipment and assets in your facility.

13. Load Planning

Integrated systems improve load planning, helping your team understand when to expect incoming freight and how to improve outbound freight in less-than-truckload or white-glove service-level shipments. Better load planning is key to developing and using custom freight solutions.

Let Veridian Help You Figure Out Which Supply Chain Technology Platforms Integrate With Your WMS

Systems may not integrate easily, and a misstep in the process can cause extensive delays and increase total cost of ownership. Schedule a call with a senior member of our team today.

Schedule Call Here