WMS 2024
“Our system is rarely a standalone application running in a silo. There are usually multiple integration points into various platforms, everything from ERPs to shopping carts to ASRS, robotics, and other technologies,” says David Castanon, senior director of consulting for Datex. Datex Footprint WMS was built and is supported on Wavelength , a low-code application platform (LCAP). Footprint WMS is essentially three components: the web-based desktop tool, the mobile app, and a client portal for 3PLs to share with their clients. Wavelength ( Footprint ’s foundation) combines an application builder, a graphical workflow generator, and a robust API integration layer. The LCAP layer enables citizen developers to tailor the application to fit the user experience as it relates to a specific process for a specific client, reducing the risk of data entry errors and missed operational procedures. For example, a dry-goods shipper doesn’t need the same compliance functions as a food producer. Footprint WMS can support regulated products, including food, medical devices, and
Datex Footprint WMS can handle heavy transaction volume and large numbers of users. Highly configurable, the Footprint WMS can grow with an organization as needs change.
Warehouse operators may search for a new WMS for many reasons. One reason is that their current system could be at the end of its useful life without ongoing vendor support for software and hardware and may be challenging to integrate with. NEW MARKETS REQUIRE WMS UPGRADES Moving into new markets is another common trigger for a WMS upgrade. The existing WMS may be built for pallet-in pallet-out operations with mass inventory tracking. Expanding into ecommerce fulfillment requires connection with shopping platforms, the ability to rate shop parcel carriers, implement advanced pick methods, and tool configuration according to requirements. “Companies need more than what their current WMS offers. It’s like trying to go from a two-seater car to a minivan and eventually to a sports car as the company grows without having to keep changing systems,” Castanon adds. When a company considers a new WMS, there’s a balance between efficiency and accuracy. The big question is if the WMS will help ship more boxes in the same amount of time. With a leading WMS, better inventory controls boost order accuracy without compromising efficiency. Shipping more orders accurately improves the bottom line. “Companies want to know how the WMS will deliver value by shipping more boxes with the same people and within the same time frame, as well as compliance and customer constraints,” Castanon says. n
pharma, with strict compliance with tracking and traceability standards. Highly configurable, the Footprint WMS can grow with an organization as needs change. A 3PL can enable the components required for their operations. As requirements change, additional components are ready to go. “The beauty of the architecture is that it allows components to be configured and deployed without source code changes, minimizing the business impact of deploying new functionality when the operation requires it,” says Castanon.
WMS LEADERS
Datex | www.datexcorp.com/wms-solutions The Datex WMS helps companies save time, labor, and operational costs. Developed specifically to meet the needs of third-party logistics providers, Datex Footprint WMS easily handles complex operations and any kind of inventory. The 3PL WMS helps enable businesses to meet the needs of a wide range of customers. Extensiv | www.extensiv.com 3PL Warehouse Manager from Extensiv can help deliver sophisticated fulfillment strategies to customers, reducing costs and delivery times. The cloud-based WMS connects seamlessly with the systems your customers use, allowing you to gain visibility and control. It offers real-time inventory tracking, mobile picking and scanning, and automated billing. SnapFulfil | www.snapfulfil.com/us/ SnapFulfil is a cloud-based, Tier 1 warehouse management system with flexibility at its core. It delivers cutting-edge technology at a fraction of the cost of traditional installations and is quick and easy to implement, providing a rapid return on investment. Once up and running, SnapFulfil is highly configurable and can adapt to meet evolving fulfillment demands.
84 Inbound Logistics • September 2024
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