Implementing a warehouse management system (WMS) or an order management system (OMS) offers an opportunity for warehouse managers and supply chain leaders to understand more about their operations, improve inventory planning, and meet the unique challenges that may occur, enabling omnichannel distribution and effective supply chain management. Unfortunately, a haphazard WMS and OMS implementation will result in unintended consequences and reduce the likelihood of reaching stated outcomes. Delays may occur and the total cost of ownership (TCO) of the systems increase. To avoid these problems, supply chain leaders need to understand why having a team and a full suite of tools can effectively reach desired outcomes faster and more efficiently.

The Costs of Haphazard WMS and OMS Implementation

A haphazard WMS and OMS implementation can significantly increase the TCO of supply chain management systems. Without integration, supply chain leaders experience problems in the holistic visibility of their supply chain. Furthermore, recent SKU proliferation experienced by enterprise retailers and wholesalers makes tracking inventory more complex, and traditional systems have limited scalability and functionality. System limitations may come to light when a company attempts to simultaneously leverage analytics, robotics, automation, and new technologies. Since modern supply-chain technologies can speed order fulfillment and shipping, any technical limitations on inventory visibility could extend to customer service and continue downstream and have a negative impact on consumer satisfaction.

A modern WMS and OMS implementation can help ensure supply chain scalability of your systems. This drive is further augmented when a company opts for the use of external resources, such as Veridian, to aid in the implementation of the WMS and OMS. Poor implementation may also open the door to cybersecurity risks and lower customer service responsiveness. When attempting to complete a WMS and OMS implementation internally, it can be difficult to secure the proper dedicated resources with the right experience to be fully engaged throughout the duration of the project. Conflicting priorities between the project and day to day responsibilities may lead to sub-optimal participation, hindering the project’s overall success.

The Value of External Resources in System Implementation

Working with an expert WMS implementation company alleviates the problems created when attempting to complete an implementation internally. Instead of a company relying solely on existing resources and experience, supply chain leaders partner with objective experts in supply chain systems implementation, integration, and maintenance. Whole verticals of the supply chain software sector have risen to power in the age of cloud-based systems. The use of a WMS within the cloud significantly lowers the challenges and barriers to implementation, maintenance, and use of a WMS. Unfortunately, even with cloud-based systems, the opportunity for error will naturally lead to an increase in TCO, assuming a company overlooks something. External resources and consultants effectively become a third-party marketplace and project manager that works directly with a business to avoid these risks. Additional resources provided by third parties, such as the Veridian AutoMate platform, including both TestLead and ConfigBuilder, go a long way in reducing the delays during implementation and expediting software implementation.

How to Leverage New Tools and Consultant Services During Your Project

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to any implementation. When attempting to leverage new tools and consultant services, supply chain leaders should look for experts with these key qualities in potential consultants.

• Extensive experience in managing omnichannel supply chains and software implementation.
• Ability to work with multiple personalities and management styles, improving communication.
• Able to take an objective view of a project, looking at it from the customer, shareholder, and third-party perspectives simultaneously.
• Cultivates established relationships with major industry software vendors, including HighJump, Manhattan Associates, and Blue Yonder (formerly JDA).
• Availability to a portfolio of companies that have leveraged their skills and have shown a proven track record of success.
• Offers tools to speed time to deployment, such as ConfigBuilder, which effectively allows for the migration of complex system configuration elements across environments and reduces the amount of time necessary to replicate individual configurations for each system.

Furthermore, supply chain leaders should also follow these key implementation best practices to lower implementation costs as well as TCO:

1. Learn when to say ‘no’ to software vendors that wish to add unnecessary modifications to the system.
2. Always ensure the software meets the business requirements.
3. Set realistic time schedules for implementation.
4. Take the time to learn how to use the software properly.
5. Test the software in a secure, limited environment prior to the launch date.
6. Build rapport among workers by making a gradual shift to the inclusion of new software while slowly phasing out the original application.

Reap the Benefits of Faster, More Affordable Implementation

Supply chain leaders can lower the total cost of ownership of supply chain systems, especially during WMS and OMS implementation, by choosing an established supply-chain systems integrator like Veridian. Instead of hoping your implementation goes smoothly, improve outcomes by recognizing the potential costs of poor implementation practices, how external resources aid in implementation, and how to leverage new tools and consultant services during the project. Tap the power of experts by requesting a consultation with Veridian.