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Managing a warehouse can be complex and challenging, but having an effective warehouse management system can make all the difference. This post will outline the steps to creating a warehouse management system that will streamline operations, improve efficiency, and ultimately lead to a more successful warehouse. Whether you’re just starting or looking to improve your current system, these tips and strategies will help you create a warehouse management system that works for your business.
What is a warehouse management system?

A warehouse management system (WMS) is a software application that helps manage and control the day-to-day operations in a warehouse. It includes inventory management, order fulfillment, picking, packing, and shipping. A WMS helps to optimize warehouse processes, improve accuracy, and increase productivity.
To create a warehouse management system, you will first need to assess your warehouse’s specific needs and requirements. This includes understanding the volume of inventory, the types of products being stored, and the frequency of orders and shipments. Once you clearly understand your warehouse operations, you can start to design a system that meets those needs.
The next step is to choose a WMS that aligns with your warehouse requirements. Many different WMS options are available, so it’s essential to do thorough research and select a system that offers the features and functionalities essential to your operations.
After selecting a WMS, you will need to implement and integrate it into your warehouse. This may involve training staff on how to use the system, setting up barcoding or RFID systems, and integrating the WMS with other business systems, such as ERP or CRM software.
Once the WMS is up and running, monitoring and evaluating its performance is important. This includes tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) related to inventory accuracy, order fulfillment time, and overall warehouse efficiency. By regularly assessing the system, you can identify areas for improvement and make necessary adjustments to optimize your warehouse operations.
How many warehouse management systems are available?
Numerous Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) are available in the market, each catering to different business needs and scales. Here’s a list of some popular WMS solutions:
Major Commercial WMS Solutions
- SAP Extended Warehouse Management (EWM)
- Oracle Warehouse Management Cloud (WMS)
- Manhattan Associates WMS
- JDA Software (now Blue Yonder)
- Infor Warehouse Management
- HighJump (now part of Körber Supply Chain)
- Epicor WMS
- Microsoft Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management
- Sage X3 Warehouse Management
- IBM Sterling WMS
Mid-Market and SMB Solutions
- NetSuite WMS
- Fishbowl Inventory
- 3PL Central
- Softeon WMS
- TECSYS WMS
- SnapFulfil
- Deposco
- Peoplevox
- SphereWMS
- Logiwa WMS
Specialized and Industry-Specific Solutions
- AscendTMS (for transportation and logistics)
- E2open
- Clear Spider
- Datex FootPrint WMS
- Latitude WMS by PathGuide
- Magaya WMS
- ShipBob (focused on e-commerce)
- ShipHero
- Orderhive
- EZOfficeInventory
Open Source Solutions
- Odoo WMS
- OpenBoxes
- ERPNext
- OpenWMS
- Warehouse Management System (WMS) by openMAINT
Cloud-Based and SaaS Solutions
- Zoho Inventory
- Unleashed
- TradeGecko (now part of QuickBooks Commerce)
- SkuVault
- QuickBooks Commerce
Which warehouse management system is most used?

The most widely used Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) are those offered by large, well-established vendors with extensive functionality, scalability, and strong integration capabilities. Large enterprises and growing mid-market companies often choose these systems. Here are some of the most commonly used WMS solutions:
1. SAP Extended Warehouse Management (EWM)
2. Oracle Warehouse Management Cloud (WMS)
3. Manhattan Associates WMS
4. Blue Yonder (formerly JDA Software)
5. Infor Warehouse Management
6. HighJump (now part of Körber Supply Chain)
7. NetSuite WMS
8. Epicor WMS
5 Best Warehouse Management Software and their advantages
Here are five of the best Warehouse Management Software (WMS) solutions, along with their key advantages:
1. SAP Extended Warehouse Management (EWM)
Advantages:
2. Oracle Warehouse Management Cloud (WMS)
Advantages:
3. Manhattan Associates WMS
Advantages:
4. Infor Warehouse Management
Advantages:
5. NetSuite WMS
Advantages:
How do you create a warehouse management system?
Creating a Warehouse Management System (WMS) involves several steps, from planning and design to development, testing, and deployment. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you create a WMS:
Requirements Gathering
Identify Business Needs:
Define Functional Requirements:
Define Non-Functional Requirements:
Planning and Design
Project Planning:
System Architecture:
Database Design:
User Interface Design:
Technology Stack
Frontend:
Backend:
Database:
Additional Tools:
Development
Set Up Development Environment:
Database Implementation:
Backend Development:
Frontend Development:
Integration:
Testing
Unit Testing:
Integration Testing:
User Acceptance Testing (UAT):
Performance Testing:
Deployment
Set Up Production Environment:
Deploy the System:
Data Migration:
Training:
Maintenance and Support
Monitor the System:
Regular Updates:
Support:
Sample Basic Features of a WMS
Sample Database Schema
Here’s a basic example of what the database schema might look like:
CREATE TABLE Products (
ProductID INT PRIMARY KEY,
Name VARCHAR(100),
Description TEXT,
Price DECIMAL(10, 2),
Quantity INT
);
CREATE TABLE Orders (
OrderID INT PRIMARY KEY,
OrderDate DATE,
CustomerID INT,
Status VARCHAR(50)
);
CREATE TABLE OrderItems (
OrderItemID INT PRIMARY KEY,
OrderID INT,
ProductID INT,
Quantity INT,
FOREIGN KEY (OrderID) REFERENCES Orders(OrderID),
FOREIGN KEY (ProductID) REFERENCES Products(ProductID)
);
CREATE TABLE Locations (
LocationID INT PRIMARY KEY,
Name VARCHAR(100),
Description TEXT
);
CREATE TABLE Inventory (
InventoryID INT PRIMARY KEY,
ProductID INT,
LocationID INT,
Quantity INT,
FOREIGN KEY (ProductID) REFERENCES Products(ProductID),
FOREIGN KEY (LocationID) REFERENCES Locations(LocationID)
);
Final Word
Creating a Warehouse Management System requires careful planning, robust design, and diligent execution. Following the steps outlined in this guide, you can develop a system that meets your warehouse’s needs and significantly enhances operational efficiency. With a well-implemented WMS, you can achieve better inventory control, streamlined operations, and improved customer satisfaction.
FAQS
A warehouse management system is a software application that helps manage and control the day-to-day operations in a warehouse, including receiving, storing, and shipping inventory.
Key features of a WMS include inventory management, order fulfillment, picking and packing, receiving and shipping, barcode scanning, and real-time tracking of inventory.
To create a WMS for your warehouse, you must first assess your warehouse operations and identify your business’s needs and requirements. Then, you can either develop a custom WMS solution or purchase and customize WMS software from a vendor.
Implementing a WMS can improve inventory accuracy, increase efficiency in warehouse operations, improve order fulfillment, reduce labor costs, and enhance customer satisfaction.
Challenges may include the initial cost of implementation, integration with existing systems, training employees on how to use the system, and potential resistance to change.
To ensure a successful implementation, key stakeholders should be involved in the decision-making process, employees should be thoroughly trained on how to use the system, and the system should be continuously monitored and evaluated.
Many WMS solutions are designed to support multi-warehouse operations, allowing businesses to manage inventory and operations across various locations.
Some popular WMS software options include Oracle WMS, SAP Extended Warehouse Management, Manhattan Associates WMS, and HighJump WMS. Researching and evaluating different options is essential to find the best fit for your business.
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