Trends to watch in warehouse management software

The three most important trends to watch in the warehouse management space in 2006 revolve around tools now being adapted by WMS suppliers to the supply chain execution space: Advanced inventory optimization, optimized execution and business intelligence.

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“Supply chain planning and supply chain execution systems are coming together,” says Matacunas. “When they do, planning systems create better plans and a DC has better forward visibility into what’s coming. That presents opportunities for the execution system to move things more efficiently.”

For now, merged planning and execution systems are focusing on inventory, an area of common interest. Read More

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But once those benefits have been realized, where does the next level of improvement come from? One answer might be optimized execution solutions that are now emerging.

These applications coordinate the activities of multiple execution systems that typically work independently of one another, like a warehouse and transportation management system.   Read More

Building the smarter WMS with business intelligence
Of all the new software, business intelligence (BI) solutions that provide real-time analysis may be the ones end-users are clamoring for most.

“I talk to 150 supply chain executives and distribution center managers a year,” says Steve Banker, service director, supply chain management, ARC Advisory Group. “If you want to get these guys going, ask them about how they’re measured and whether those metrics make sense. They are all looking for tools that will give them better real-time data and better decision-making tools.”

While business intelligence solutions have been commonplace for the financial side of the business for years, they are just now being adapted for the supply chain. Read More

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