Page 12 - Logistics News - Issue 01 - 2024.indd

WAREHOUSE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

Will a WMS resolve your

supply chain issues?

By Michael Badwi, Chief Business Officer and Founder of Supply Chain Junction

Free your new warehouse management system (WMS) to deliver increased efficiency,
accuracy and inventory control, not just mild relief from your current problems.

enior management isn’t happy... expecting a drive significant benefits, but it isn’t the perfect panacea
pleasant stroll through your warehouse, they for all those upstream problems.
S found it an ordeal. After their string of speeches
and a distinct lack of listening, they share their finding. Help!
To you, it’s a simple statement of fact. This issue came up in a discussion with a group of
customers. They could all recount similar situations
“There’s a mountain of excess inventory and our from their junior careers. Their management teams
customer service levels are inadequate. It’s clogging launched into a new software implementation
our warehouse and hurting our business.” And their underprepared and they found themselves needing to
insightful conclusion? “It’s inventory mismanagement... correct an endless list of upstream problems. This was
but we’ll fix that.” on top of existing time and budget pressures. It pushed
internal and external team relations to the limit.
You try to explain, but are interrupted as they say: “A
new WMS will fix this mess!” In a second attempt to Their common view in hindsight was that a
explain, you’re interrupted again. “No need to thank seasoned WMS implementation team has seen many
us. We’re here to solve your problems.” Someone supply chains from the inside. Yes, they’re attuned to
shakes your hand and adds: “That’s why we’re in senior the issues, their drivers and their solutions. Yes, within
management.” reason they can give some fast, free and frank advice.
But, unless you request it, you don’t sign them up to fix
A panacea for all problems? all the issues in your supply chain.
Such an offer is great news. A new WMS will deliver
increased efficiency, accuracy and inventory control. They will set your warehouse up for success,
Each of these benefits you, your warehouse and your but you need to play your part. You need to give the
customers. But, a new WMS won’t fix any underlying implementation team and their WMS the oxygen they
problems. It might offer some mild relief, but not if there need to thrive. You need to fix your own problems first –
are serious upstream problems. They need fixing. the causes, not the symptoms.

Anyone with problems upstream has problems Which team are you on?
downstream. Problems in planning and procurement In the past, I have seen client teams at both extremes.
show up in inventory – either too much or too little in At one end, the calm, well-resourced and organised
the wrong place at the wrong time. A new WMS can operation. At the other end, the overworked, under-

10 I S S UE 01 – 2024 www .l o g ist i csn e w s .c o .z a