ERP Consultant Blog

Is Your Business Ready for a Warehouse Management System (WMS)?

Written by Greg Miles | Wed, Jan 18, 2017

Guide for Building a Business Case to Purchase a Warehouse Management System (WMS)

There are several important benefits that lead to a growing distribution company to make the investment in a Warehouse Management System (WMS). A successful WMS implementation typically results in a substantial cost savings and gains in efficiencies that result in a Return on Investment (ROI) within 18-24 months. Implementing a WMS system also serves as a platform to roll out a culture of continuous improvement with on-going annual benefits ranging from 5-10%. For some companies, justification to purchase a WMS system is dependant on the future success and survival of the business. In today’s economy with demanding customers, shrinking profits and complex supply chains, it’s not enough to just have the right inventory available at the right place and at the right time is no longer enough.

In today’s economy, here are some Warehouse Management System (WMS) requirements that may come up:

  • Compliance Labeling
  • Floor Ready Displays
  • Advanced Ship Notices (ASN)
  • Postponement
  • Light manufacturing
  • Collaboration
  • Unique Customer Demands
  • And More!

Leading companies are realizing information has a specific shelf life value that diminishes over time, often by the hour or minute. Many of the processes and activities being managed and monitored by Supply Chain Event Management (SCEM) applications relate directly to warehouse operations. As the focus on SCEM applications continues to grow, the need for real-time activity tracking and inventory visibility offered by a WMS becomes even more critical to your organization.

Regardless of your perceived need for a WMS, an effective campaign to procure and implement a new system could depend on a solid business case. A good business case will include both tangible quantitative dollar justifications and the qualitative, intangible benefits difficult to enumerate. This paper introduces a tool to use when developing a project justification, identifies benefit categories for potential inclusion in the business case, and discusses areas of opportunity within the various benefit categories.

A sound business case is critical to obtaining the management and employee support so important to a successful system implementation. The business case will consist of two components;

1) A Financial Business Case
2) Narrative explaining the assumptions behind justification estimates and providing an accurate picture of the intangible benefits.

A business case is a cost/benefit analysis aligning the project goals, costs, and risks to the company’s business objectives and financial expectations. The bottom line, the value of the benefits over the life of the project, normally 3-5 years, should exceed the total investment of the project over the same planning horizon.

This detailed 27 page guide will review both the tangible and intangible benefits associated with Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) in addition to Return On Investment (ROI) financial considerations - published by HighJump Accellos WMS: The Business Case for Warehouse Management Systems

Posted by iCepts Technology Group, Inc. - An Accelos and Microsoft Dynamics NAV Partner in Pennsylvania

About iCepts Technology Group, Inc. Middletown, PA

We are a Microsoft Dynamics NAV Partner offering implementation, service, and support for Microsoft Dynamics NAV in: PA, DC, DE, MD, NC, NJ, NY, OH, VA, WV, and the entire Mid-Atlantic Region. We also offer implementation, service, and support for Accellos One Warehouse Management Systems in: PA, DC, DE, MD, NC, NJ, NY, OH, VA, WV, and the entire Mid-Atlantic Region.

As experienced SCM, WMS and ERP consultants and value added resellers (VARs), we provide start to finish services for the solutions we represent Microsoft Dynamics NAV for Distribution and Manufacturing, Accellos Warehouse Management System (WMS), Server virtualization, open source VOIP phone systems and infrastructure and security. We provide services that cover process analysis, implementation, training, security and networking. Naturally, we also provide full ongoing support for years after implementation to help our clients succeed. We are your one stop shop for your business technology needs.

Contact us for additional information by clicking HERE or...
Phone: 717.704.1000
Email: info@icepts.com

 

Another version of this article was previously posted by iCepts Technology Group, Inc.- A Pennsylvania Accellos WMS and Microsoft Dynamics NAV Reseller on December 21, 2016 - Guide for Considering Warehouse Management Systems

Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net - "cardboard boxes" by portfolio of "yodiyim"

This guide was published by: HighJump Accellos WMS for redistribution by iCepts Technology Group, Inc.