With the e-commerce boom, the need for better warehouse management systems has never been greater, and they are no longer just a nice-to-have but an essential tool to optimize supply chain operations.
A well-built Warehouse Management System (WMS) improves productivity, reduces costs, and streamlines processes. It enhances visibility into real-time inventory data and optimizes the usage of space in your warehouse to reduce storage locations and pick and pack operations.
The best WMS systems also come with many features like automation, scalability, analytics, and transportation management to give you an end-to-end view of your supply chain. So, if you’re looking for a warehouse management system to improve your business operations, we recommend the 6 best ones in this article.
What Is a Warehouse Management System (WMS)?
A warehouse management system is a software application that supports the day-to-day operations in a warehouse. A warehouse management system can track inventory levels, orders, and deliveries.
The main goal of a warehouse management system is to help businesses optimize their stock control and improve overall efficiency. A typical warehouse management system should include features such as order management, inventory management, shipping and receiving, and more.
On the modern battlefield of business, time is money. So it’s crucial that you have a WMS in place to help you optimize your warehouse operations and get products out the door as quickly as possible. The right WMS can save your company time and money while improving efficiency and accuracy.
Buyers Guide for Best Warehouse Management Systems
Choosing a system that is right for your business’s needs will go a long way in making the implementation process more manageable and the system more beneficial to your company. When looking for a WMS, you will want to consider the following factors:
Customizability
A good WMS should allow you to customize your warehouse management system to fit your business’s needs. You will want to look for a WMS that allows for flexible system configurations and plug-and-play features. This will allow you to make the system work the way that is most beneficial for your company.
Functionality
You will want to consider the functionality of the WMS when choosing a system for your warehouse. Some features you should look for include order management, inventory management, shipping and receiving, and more. Ensure that the system has the necessary features to run your warehouse efficiently.
Reliability
You also want to ensure that your selected warehouse management system is reliable. Selecting a reliable warehouse management system can run your warehouse more easily and efficiently.
Ease of use
The last thing you want is for your warehouse employees to be confused by the system they are using. A good WMS will allow you to configure the system to your warehouse workers’ skill levels. The WMS’s user interface is important for employee training and adoption, so a good WMS should have a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate.
Look for a system with an intuitive design that will make it easy for your employees to learn and use the system.
Customer Support
It is essential to have a WMS provider that offers good customer support if you have any questions or problems with the system. You should be able to contact customer support and get the timely assistance.
Pricing
The price of the WMS is another important factor to consider. The system should be affordable and offer a good return on investment.
Reviews of the Best Warehouse Management Systems
Manhattan Associates WMS
Best Overall Warehouse Management System
Manhattan Associates WMS is a comprehensive warehouse management system that offers features such as order management, inventory management, shipping and receiving, and more. Manhattan Associates WMS is an excellent option for small businesses and startups as it is scalable and can be customized to fit your specific business needs.
It was launched in 1990, and today, Manhattan Associates WMS is used by over 1,200 businesses worldwide. It was named a leader in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Warehouse Management Systems in 2019.
Features
- It has order management features such as order picking, packing, and shipping.
- It offers inventory management features such as real-time inventory visibility, cycle counting, and stocktake.
- It has transportation management features such as route optimization and freight bill processing.
- It features inventory optimization, warehouse performance measurement, and labor management, which helps to improve productivity.
- Barcode scanning and RFID are supported.
Pros
- Comprehensive feature set
- Designed to improve efficiency
- Leader in Gartner Magic Quadrant for Warehouse Management Systems
- Solid customer support.
Cons
- It can be expensive for small businesses
- Complicated to set up and use.
Pricing
Contact Manhattan Associates for a custom quote.
SkuVault WMS
Best for Startups
For any startup looking for a comprehensive and affordable warehouse management system, we recommend SkuVault WMS. Skuvault has an easy-to-use interface and is integrated with popular eCommerce platforms such as Shopify, BigCommerce, and WooCommerce.
It features Important WMS components which are perfect for any business size. SkuVault WMS was launched in 2013 and is used by over 1,000 businesses worldwide.
Features
- It offers multiple warehouse support
- Its inventory management features include real-time inventory visibility, cycle counting, and stocktake
- Order management that includes order picking, packing, and shipping
- It also has transportation management features such as route optimization and freight bill processing
- Mobile access is possible
- It supports third-party integrations.
Pros
- Integrated with eCommerce platforms
- Inexpensive
- Suitable for small businesses and startups because of its comprehensive features
- Customer service is very responsive.
Cons
- It can be repetitive when used with other shipping software
- Multiple warehouse functionality is limited.
Pricing
- Starting price: $329.00 per month
- Free trial: Not available
- Free version: Not available.
3PL warehouse manager
Best for E-Commerce Retail, Manufacturing
The 3PL warehouse manager is a software solution designed to manage warehouses for eCommerce retailers and manufacturers. It has an intelligent order management system that optimizes stock levels and fulfillment processes. The software includes inventory management, shipping and receiving, transportation management, and more.
Features
- Receiving and shipping management features help streamline the process of receiving and shipping products.
- Its inventory management features help to ensure that stock levels are kept at an optimum level, which can help to improve fulfillment processes and overall efficiency.
- 3PL Management feature allows you to manage your warehouses for eCommerce retailers and manufacturers.
- It has a billing & invoicing feature that ensures transactions are accurately tracked and that bills can be easily generated.
- Reporting/Analytics and statistics features help track your warehouse performance and progress. These features can help you to identify areas where you may need to make changes or improvements to improve your warehouse operations.
- It has supplier and tracking Status Management features.
Pros
- It provides an efficient order management system.
- The software is easy to use and understand.
- It includes all the features required to manage a warehouse.
- All real-time updates of stocks and levels, locations, and fulfillment processes are available.
- Billing and invoicing are straightforward and easily generated.
Cons
- It does not have a free trial period
- The price is on the high end
- Customer service could be better.
Price
There is no price information available on the 3PL warehouse manager’s website. You can contact them for a quote.
Zoho Inventory
Best for business operations
Zoho Inventory gives business owners total control over their inventory management system, whether they have one warehouse or multiple locations. Zoho Inventory is unique because it offers a high degree of customization, so businesses can tailor the software to fit their specific needs.
It helps simplify and automate all inventory management tasks, from product and customer tracking to sales and purchase orders. And it integrates with all major eCommerce platforms, accounting software, and shipping carriers.
Features
- It has received/putaway management to ensure that products are easy to find and that the warehouse is organized.
- It has Inventory management features that help to keep track of stock levels.
- It offers multi-Channel Management.
- It also has eCommerce integrations, so businesses can easily manage their inventory and sales across all channels.
- Its reporting/analytics features help track warehouse performance and progress.
Pros
- The software can be accessed through mobile devices remotely.
- It provides the generation of reports for real-time analysis.
- It helps to track and manage supplies efficiently.
- Integrations are easy to set up for automated processes.
Cons
- Integration can be complicated, especially with a third-party platform
Price
- Free Edition: $0 per month billed annually, including 50 orders, 50 shipping labels, 50 Aftership trackings, 1 Warehouse, and 2 Users.
- Standard: $59 per organisation/month billed annually, including 1500 orders /month, 1500 shipping labels/month, 1500 Aftership tracking/month, 2 Warehouses, and 3 Users.
- Professional: $99 per organization/month billed annually, Including 7500 orders/month, 7500 shipping labels/month, 7500 Aftership tracking/month, 5 Warehouses, and 5 Users.
- Premium: $159 per organization/month billed annually Including, 15000 orders / month, 15000 shipping labels/month, 15000 Aftership tracking / month, 7 Warehouses and 10 Users.
- Elite: $239 per organization/ month billed annually Including, 25000 orders / month, 25000 shipping labels / month, 25000 Aftership tracking / month, 15 Warehouses and 15 Users.
Oracle WMS
Best for Enterprises
Regarding Team Management, Oracle WMS is the best in class. This intuitive system is designed to help you manage inventory and improve order fulfillment. You’ll be able to see where your inventory is at all times to make smart decisions. If you’re looking for a comprehensive solution, Oracle WMS is the way to go.
Oracle WMS gives you the tools you need to manage your workforce effectively. With its real-time tracking capabilities, you’ll always know where your employees are and what they’re doing. You can also use the system to create task lists and assign tasks to specific employees.
Features
- With its receive and put away inventory feature and barcode scanning capabilities, it is easy to quickly and accurately scan items as they come in and then automatically create new inventory records and update your stock levels.
- Its order management system is easy to use and helps to keep track of orders.
- It also offers mobile access to stay productive even on the go. You can use your smartphone or tablet to scan barcodes, view orders, and more.
- It has Cross Docking feature, which helps to speed up the process of getting products from the warehouse to the sales floor.
Pros:
- Excellent team management features
- State-of-the-art inventory tracking
- Oracle WMS makes it easy to keep your customers informed about their order status.
- Reduces labor costs by comprehensive
- It also provides an actionable analysis of localization, utilization, and inventory fragmentation
- It can be integrated with other Oracle products.
Cons:
- It can be complex to set up and use
- The subscription fee can be expensive for some businesses.
Price
For information about the price, companies will need to contact Oracle for a price quotation.
HighJump WMS
Best for Scalability
Highjump is a versatile warehouse management system that can be customized to the specific needs of your business, whether a small warehouse or a large distribution center.
The system is appropriate for companies in a wide range of industries, from food and beverage to high-tech. With HighJump, you can optimize all phases of your operation, from receiving and putaway to order picking and shipping.
Features
- It has a mobile app that allows workers to scan items and check inventory levels from anywhere, which can help speed up the fulfillment process and improve accuracy.
- It has real-time tracking of inventory and order features, showing what’s in stock and where.
- It integrates with several third-party applications like warehouse management systems, shipping applications, ERP systems, barcode scanners, and RFID readers.
- It has full HTML5 support, so you can access your data and make updates from any device, whether in the warehouse or at your desk.
- Supply Chain AnalyticsSupply Chain AnalyticsThe HighJump warehouse management system also includes powerful supply chain analytics tools that can help you to optimize your entire operation.
Pros
- It can be customized to specific business needs.
- Offers mobile access on any browser, thereby creating easy warehouse management for users
- Has a wide range of integrations.
Cons
- More expensive than some other options
- It may require extra training for some users and may be too complex for some companies
- Some users have reported that customer service could be improved.
Price
On request, Highjump charges a fee. You may obtain a price quote by contacting them.
FAQs
The best warehouse management system will depend on your specific needs and requirements for your business. The best warehouse management system is the one that’s right for your company’s business strategy, current operations, and future growth. However, some of the best warehouse management systems on the market include Manhattan Associates WMS, SkuVault WMS, and 3PL warehouse manager.
A best-of-breed warehouse management system (WMS) is a type of WMS designed to work with other software applications to provide a comprehensive warehouse management solution. A best-of-breed WMS is usually more expensive than a single-platform WMS, but it offers more flexibility and functionality.
WMS works by automating and optimizing the tasks and processes involved in warehouse operations. This includes receiving, putaway, order picking, shipping, and more. By automating these tasks, WMS can help improve accuracy and efficiency in the warehouse.
Using a warehouse management system has many benefits, including increased accuracy, efficiency, and productivity; reduced labor costs; and improved customer service.
There are many different software applications that can be used for warehouse management. Some popular options include HighJump, Manhattan Associates, and Oracle.
Wrap Up
By identifying the opportunities within your business and streamlining your operations, you can maximize your profits and use your resources. Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) are a perfect solution to help businesses save money, increase efficiency, and improve the overall quality of operations.
But there’s a catch: finding the right WMS for your company can be daunting with the number of options on the market and that’s why we have looked at various factors and chosen the 6 best warehouse management systems from the many available options based on their features, unique benefits, and overall value for money.
However, if you want to narrow down your options further, you can’t go wrong with Manhattan Associates WMS because of its comprehensive features, user-friendly interface, and excellent customer support. Whatever your choice is, the important thing is that you choose a system that will work best for your business.
