eCommerce is growing faster than ever, and everyone is working to find the latest and greatest way to overcome their competitors. The application of supply chain technology is essential to maintaining a competitive advantage in the height of eCommerce growth. Warehouse Managers need to understand the challenges of maintaining a competitive advantage, how technology can help, and a few best practices in leveraging technology.

Challenges of Maintaining Competitive Advantage in Today’s World

Maintaining a competitive advantage in the world of eCommerce can be almost impossible. Amazon continues to assault supply chains around the globe, and the big box retailers, like Walmart and Target, are rapidly developing robust eCommerce platforms to create a more comprehensive and seamless customer experience. Within eCommerce, replenishment and vendor management are significantly more complex, says Oliver Rhodes of LinkedIn. A single Warehouse Manager may be working with thousands of potential vendors, and manufacturers, sending product to an equally high number of business-to-business resellers, shipping directly to consumers, and handling returns management processes. These demands result in increased risk for errors and require an advanced means of handling all processes.

Modern Technology Is the Solution

Think about what makes up a winning eCommerce supply chain strategy and positive customer experience. It all goes back to supply chain components working in harmony to provide the best service possible, the correct product price points, integration between supply chain service providers, coordination between manufacturers and vendors, faster picking and packaging, and more. While multiple systems may exist in each process, centralized controls within a WMS and eCommerce platform can streamline overall management. This is where technology comes into play. As explained by Russ Meller of Supply Chain 24/7, some of the benefits of using technology within WMS and eCommerce order fulfillment include:

• Later order cut-off times.
• Faster fulfillment.
• Faster order processing to reduce expediting fees.
• Lower inventory carrying costs.
• Optimized throughput asserts Brian Barry of Multichannel Merchant.
• Product storage and space savings.
• Improved in-warehouse traffic.

Best Practices to Leverage WMS to Maintain Competitive Advantage

Using a WMS can help Warehouse Managers and supply chain leaders maintain a competitive advantage without sacrificing proprietary processes or resources. Finding the best way to leverage a WMS is not TradeGecko, simple best practices to use a WMS to increase competitive advantage in eCommerce include:

• Use of Cross Docking.
• Leveraging technology to track brick-and-mortar and eCommerce inventory both as independent channels and as a single unit.
• Develop strategic vendor and supplier partnerships.
• Take advantage of existing brick-and-mortar locations, as well as other physical locations that could serve as pick-up points, such as regional and local distribution centers.
• Consider using new carriers or processes, including using an advanced transportation management system (TMS) for transportation needs.

Put the Power of WMS and eCommerce to Work in Your Facility Today

New services and offerings by Amazon are forcing Warehouse Managers and supply chain leaders to rethink how their organizations maintain a competitive advantage. Those that understand the use of supply chain technology can leverage the growth of cloud-based WMS and eCommerce applications to maintain a strong advantage and stay competitive with Amazon and the big box retailers. Learn more about what your organization can do to succeed by contacting Veridian at 1-770-225-1750 or completing the contact form below.

Veridian, a Manhattan Associates, HighJump, and JDA warehouse management system implementation company, can help you realize your supply chain success. Fill out the contact information below in order to schedule a consultation call with one of our supply chain professionals.