WMS 2024
Here are some leading WMS providers that offer solutions to position shippers to adapt to new supply chain challenges and create opportunities to drive efficiency and customer service improvements. SNAPFULFIL WMS: A CONFIGURABLE SOLUTION TAILORED FOR 3PL SUCCESS Third-party logistics (3PL) providers must be ready to handle a wide variety of products, so configurability is a critical feature that makes SnapFulfil stand out from its peers. Unlike a first-party warehouse that may rely on an ERP system to drive the business, a warehouse management system is the backbone for 3PL operations. “For a 3PL operator, the WMS becomes the center point of all the systems,” says Brian Kirst, chief commercial officer at Synergy Logistics, provider of the SnapFulfil WMS . “Efficiency and profitability are going to drive the successful deployment of a good WMS.” Kirst owned a 3PL for years and knows firsthand the value of configuring a solution to meet each customer’s unique needs. “The first customer might be shipping electronics, but the 10th customer might be shipping food, which has wildly different processes, so you need to be able to configure the WMS for each one,” he says. The 3PL space is a highly competitive, fast-growing arena, so a flexible, scalable WMS positions a 3PL to accelerate its growth by being able to accommodate a wide variety of customer situations. In many cases, the 3PL is the last touchpoint with the consumer. “The responsibility lies with the 3PL to ensure orders are processed efficiently and accurately,” Kirst says. As a shipper adds ecommerce channels or brick-and-mortar fulfillment to their online presence, a 3PL requires a WMS solution that can be set up for multiple configurations with little to no
As shippers add ecommerce channels and brick-and-mortar fulfillment to their operations, 3PLs seek a flexible warehouse management solution such as the highly configurable SnapFulfil WMS .
outside technical resources required. “ SnapFulfil is built on a low-code rules engine that allows for self-configuration for users who have the resources and the expertise to do that,” Kirst adds. Shippers and 3PLs seek out a new WMS solution that is well equipped to manage the increasing complexity of multiple sites and expanding distribution channels. “Every time a 3PL adds a new customer, it could be a new implementation with very different requirements from the existing customer base,” Kirst says. “Being able to spin up quickly on their own timelines with internal resources is an extremely valuable option.” One often overlooked WMS feature vital to 3PLs is revenue recognition. 3PLs frequently don’t capture tasks and activities they do on behalf of their clients, leading to revenue leakage. SnapFulfil offers an advanced 3PL billing module that can create a charge for any activity in the warehouse. “The 3PL can create charge lines specific to each customer as an automated process to recognize revenue,” Kirst adds. Automation is becoming a critical factor for mid-market 3PLs who are implementing tools like automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS), autonomous mobile robots (AMRs),
Synergy Logistics provides SnapControl for this purpose.
SnapControl is automation agnostic, Kirst says, creating a bi-directional data conversation between the WMS and the automation. The data feeds business intelligence tools to drive dashboards that display the activity and resources within the warehouse. At the same time, SnapControl has the ability to intelligently analyze operational data and make recommendations in case of interruption of human or automated equipment. “It creates orchestration among the resources, so the workflow never stops in the warehouse,” Kirst says. A WMS is more than a technology solution; it’s the key to managing inventory, labor, and other resources. Companies that don’t use a WMS to its full capability effectively give up operational efficiencies and strategic decision-making that could impede the company’s growth potential. “If you don’t manage your inventory lifecycle, you don’t know what inventory is old and aging, you can’t understand inventory turns, and you lose track of your products,” says David Bretey, senior 3PL consultant for Extensiv. Effective inventory control is crucial for maintaining profitability in any business. Pre-purchasing inventory requires capital, and misjudging stock needs can complicate cash flow. EXTENSIV WMS: A FOUNDATION FOR SUPPLY CHAIN GROWTH
smart conveyors, and more. New technology known as multi-agent orchestration allows businesses to
efficiently orchestrate and automate tasks across multiple tools and devices through the entire warehouse.
80 Inbound Logistics • September 2024
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