As one of the ways of improving logistics, we
have warehouse management system (WMS). By automation
of managing operation process of work progress and stock, improvement
of quality or productivity, and as the benefits of above all, efficiency
such as visualization of stock or work are expected.
However on the other
hand, there are caution points at the implementation. This time we will
introduce the subjects which apt to occur at the
implementation and it’s solutions as well as the
benefit of WMS.
About necessity of promoting personnel
training at the implementation period of WMS.
By implementing WMS, it’s going to be
advanced all at once, from personnel overemphasis
operation depending on the ability of operators, to the system that anyone can
operate easily and does not depend on individual ability. Therefore, personnel
fluidity gets improved and also operating efficiency develops remarkably.
However, what will be important at the implementation
is the ability to respond to the new system at the work site. No matter how good the WMS is, without
common purpose to utilize it at the work site and the skill about the operation,
it will be hard to find out the benefit. There will be a necessity of personnel
training as the purpose of improving skills ahead of implementing WMS.
So once again, we would like to describe
about the benefits of personnel fluidity by implementing WMS.
WMS Benefit #1: Reduction of work = Increase of human resources.
The first thing to pick up is to reserve
human resources by reduction and efficiency of human work. By utilizing WMS, the
operations which always require numbers of people are streamlined, and it
enables to distribute excess human resources to other operations by reduction
of mistakes such as inputting data associated with man-hours and operations.
WMS Benefit #2: Improvement of efficiency by standardizing
operational processes.
Next, because operations
can be standardized by implementing WMS, even in case of having multiple
warehouses, it’s possible to manage them with the same methods. If without WMS,
it is common that the work process have firmed because of the work site custom,
the cases can be seen here and there of which all the managing methods are inconsistent.
Standardizing of
operation by implementing WMS. Because of not only enabling anyone to operate
with constant levels but also saving time of sparing irregular support, it will
be possible to improve efficiency in the entire operations.
WMS benefit #3: Improvement of visibility.
After implementing
WMS, it’s going to be possible to either check stock status in real time or
manage multiple warehouse status. By implementing WMS, not only stock status,
of course, but also achievement for “visualization (‘how it is going?’ or ‘where
the improvement points are?’)” of warehouse status for business-wise, such as
indicating the progress of each warehouse operation and difference between
target and results, will be able to be seen.
One of the biggest
benefit point of WMS, “Visualization”. There are indicators for visualization, “Key
Performance Indicator (KPI)” for measuring work progress status and “Key Goal
Indicator (KGI)” for measuring achievement level of operations. By using WMS
including these functions, it’s going to be possible to run improving cycles as
the results of systemized operations, as well as to be possible to check the
stock status in real time, or manage the status of multiple warehouses.
What are the caution points at implementing WMS and
the solutions?
As we mentioned
above, WMS shows us advantage for reducing labor costs or efficiency of
warehouse management. However there are some caution points for the implementation.
Caution Point #1: Whether it’s possible to customize.
Even with actual implementation
of WMS, it doesn’t always perfectly fit to the business policy or IT literacy
of workers. It’s necessary for ensuring whether it’s possible to do WMS customizations
which suit the requirement of the company such as screen configurations or what
kind of numbers to measure.
Caution Point #2: Whether the
continuous operational supports are provided.
It is important to
select the vendor who provides WMS which is guaranteed for operational support.
Especially at the term of implementation, there are some cases that troubles by
unfamiliar operations or unexpected necessary (or unnecessary) functions are
found during operations.
If it happens to
innovate (contract with vendor) unsupported WMS because of low cost of implementation
at that time, it’s going to be hard to respond flexibly. LSM also provides continuous
operational support, adjusting WMS depending on the situation of the work site
or enabling to be adaptive to business changes.
Caution Point #3: There
is a case of decreasing productivities at the implementation
We would like to pay attention for
productivity decrease which apt to happen just after implementing WMS. Unfamiliar
operations for the new system can’t help to be continued, or there can be the
case which problems occur in the system. The structure, which recovering
operation such as quick change of specifications or operations are smoothly held,
will be necessary.
By anticipating this caution point, it is
also effective, of course, to set up personnel structure with a little more
capacity just after WMS has been introduced. Before and just after implementing
WMS, we would like to prevent the affection to the general operations by
considering personnel assignment in advance as well as understanding system
status and operation flow cooperating with the WMS vendor.
Streamlining entire logistics business with
WMS.
It costs a lot for implementation and also
there are those caution points as above. However it’s also the fact that WMS is
essential for reduction of labor costs, efficiency of personnel assignment, or
improvement and acceleration of operations. How about implementing the
warehouse improvement which gives the impact to the entire logistics operations
(business) cooperating with highly experienced consultants or system vendors.
References：
6 Tips to Avoid a
Failed WMS Implementation
Solving Common Problems in Warehouse
Management
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