Know what your warehouse management system has to do before vendors tell you.

Accurate inventory by location is the foundation of every other warehouse process. Real-time tracking, cycle counting, lot and serial control and low-stock alerts decide whether the system can be trusted when an order comes in.

In the research, the 9 vendors score from 81 to 91 out of 100 on this section.

1. Implement real-time inventory tracking.Implement real-time inventory tracking.
2. Provide tools for inventory forecasting.Provide tools for inventory forecasting.
3. Enable integration with supply chain systems.Enable integration with supply chain systems.
4. Ensure accurate inventory reporting.Ensure accurate inventory reporting.
5. Provide alerts for low stock levels.Provide alerts for low stock levels.
6. Support for multi-location inventory management.Support for multi-location inventory management.
7. Implement a barcode scanning system.Implement a barcode scanning system.
8. Provide training on inventory management best practices.Provide training on inventory management best practices.
9. Ensure secure handling of inventory data.Ensure secure handling of inventory data.
10. Offer tools for inventory optimization.Offer tools for inventory optimization.

Picking, packing and shipping are where a warehouse meets its customers. Wave, batch and zone picking, packing rules and carrier integration decide how fast and how accurately orders leave the building.

In the research, the 9 vendors score from 74 to 86 out of 100 on this section.

1. Implement a real-time order tracking system.Implement a real-time order tracking system.
2. Provide tools for managing order processing.Provide tools for managing order processing.
3. Ensure integration with shipping and logistics providers.Ensure integration with shipping and logistics providers.
4. Provide alerts for order delays.Provide alerts for order delays.
5. Implement a feedback loop for order fulfillment improvements.Implement a feedback loop for order fulfillment improvements.
6. Ensure secure handling of order data.Ensure secure handling of order data.
7. Provide training on order fulfillment best practices.Provide training on order fulfillment best practices.
8. Enable customization of order workflows.Enable customization of order workflows.
9. Ensure scalability of order fulfillment solutions.Ensure scalability of order fulfillment solutions.
10. Offer tools for managing returns and exchanges.Offer tools for managing returns and exchanges.

Receiving, putaway, replenishment, slotting and labor management run every shift. A WMS that directs this work well cuts travel time and keeps space and people used efficiently.

In the research, the 9 vendors score from 80 to 89 out of 100 on this section, one of the three closest in the report.

1. Implement a real-time warehouse management system.Implement a real-time warehouse management system.
2. Provide tools for managing warehouse resources.Provide tools for managing warehouse resources.
3. Ensure integration with supply chain systems.Ensure integration with supply chain systems.
4. Provide training on warehouse management best practices.Provide training on warehouse management best practices.
5. Implement a feedback loop for warehouse improvements.Implement a feedback loop for warehouse improvements.
6. Ensure secure handling of warehouse data.Ensure secure handling of warehouse data.
7. Provide tools for monitoring warehouse performance.Provide tools for monitoring warehouse performance.
8. Enable customization of warehouse workflows.Enable customization of warehouse workflows.
9. Ensure scalability of warehouse solutions.Ensure scalability of warehouse solutions.
10. Offer tools for managing warehouse inventory.Offer tools for managing warehouse inventory.

Conveyors, sorters, autonomous mobile robots and automated storage only pay off when the WMS can direct them. Support for automation determines how far a warehouse can grow without adding headcount.

In the research, the 9 vendors score from 66 to 86 out of 100 on this section.

1. Implement automated workflows to reduce manual intervention.Implement automated workflows to reduce manual intervention.
2. Integrate robotic process automation (RPA) for repetitive tasks.Integrate robotic process automation (RPA) for repetitive tasks.
3. Ensure compatibility with existing automation tools.Ensure compatibility with existing automation tools.
4. Provide real-time monitoring of automated processes.Provide real-time monitoring of automated processes.
5. Support for AI-driven decision-making.Support for AI-driven decision-making.
6. Enable customization of automation scripts.Enable customization of automation scripts.
7. Ensure scalability of automation solutions.Ensure scalability of automation solutions.
8. Provide training for staff on new automation technologies.Provide training for staff on new automation technologies.
9. Ensure compliance with industry standards for automation.Ensure compliance with industry standards for automation.
10. Offer robust error-handling mechanisms.Offer robust error-handling mechanisms.

Warehouse work happens on handheld scanners and tablets, not at desks. Mobile apps, barcode and RFID scanning and remote access for managers keep the floor productive and the data current.

In the research, the 9 vendors score from 41 to 71 out of 100 on this section, one of the three widest gaps in the report.

1. Ensure mobile compatibility of all solutions.Ensure mobile compatibility of all solutions.
2. Provide a secure mobile app for remote access.Provide a secure mobile app for remote access.
3. Implement multi-factor authentication for remote access.Implement multi-factor authentication for remote access.
4. Ensure data encryption for mobile devices.Ensure data encryption for mobile devices.
5. Provide training on mobile security best practices.Provide training on mobile security best practices.
6. Enable remote access to all critical systems.Enable remote access to all critical systems.
7. Ensure seamless integration with mobile devices.Ensure seamless integration with mobile devices.
8. Provide tools for monitoring mobile access.Provide tools for monitoring mobile access.
9. Implement a mobile device management (MDM) solution.Implement a mobile device management (MDM) solution.
10. Offer support for a wide range of mobile devices.Offer support for a wide range of mobile devices.

A WMS sits between ERP, ecommerce platforms, marketplaces and carriers. Prebuilt connectors and open APIs decide how much custom integration work the project needs and how reliably orders and inventory flow between systems.

In the research, the 9 vendors score from 57 to 81 out of 100 on this section.

1. Ensure seamless integration with existing systems.Ensure seamless integration with existing systems.
2. Provide APIs for third-party integrations.Provide APIs for third-party integrations.
3. Support for data synchronization across platforms.Support for data synchronization across platforms.
4. Enable integration with popular CRM and ERP systems.Enable integration with popular CRM and ERP systems.
5. Provide tools for monitoring integration performance.Provide tools for monitoring integration performance.
6. Ensure secure data transfer between systems.Ensure secure data transfer between systems.
7. Offer training on integration best practices.Offer training on integration best practices.
8. Provide documentation for integration processes.Provide documentation for integration processes.
9. Implement a feedback loop for integration improvements.Implement a feedback loop for integration improvements.

Managers need to see throughput, accuracy, labor productivity and inventory health. Dashboards and reports that answer those questions without exporting data make the warehouse easier to run and improve.

In the research, the 9 vendors score from 66 to 81 out of 100 on this section.

1. Provide real-time data analytics tools.Provide real-time data analytics tools.
2. Enable custom report generation.Enable custom report generation.
3. Ensure integration with existing data sources.Ensure integration with existing data sources.
4. Provide training on data analysis best practices.Provide training on data analysis best practices.
5. Implement a feedback loop for reporting improvements.Implement a feedback loop for reporting improvements.
6. Ensure secure handling of analytics data.Ensure secure handling of analytics data.
7. Provide tools for data visualization.Provide tools for data visualization.
8. Enable role-based access control for reports.Enable role-based access control for reports.
9. Ensure scalability of analytics solutions.Ensure scalability of analytics solutions.
10. Offer tools for predictive analytics.Offer tools for predictive analytics.

Many people use a WMS across shifts and sites. Role-based access, single sign-on and audit trails protect inventory and customer data and show who did what.

In the research, the 9 vendors score from 52 to 77 out of 100 on this section.

1. Implement role-based access control.Implement role-based access control.
2. Provide tools for monitoring user activity.Provide tools for monitoring user activity.
3. Ensure secure handling of user data.Ensure secure handling of user data.
4. Provide training on security best practices.Provide training on security best practices.
5. Implement a feedback loop for user management improvements.Implement a feedback loop for user management improvements.
6. Ensure compliance with data protection regulations.Ensure compliance with data protection regulations.
7. Provide tools for managing user permissions.Provide tools for managing user permissions.
8. Enable integration with existing security systems.Enable integration with existing security systems.
9. Ensure scalability of user management solutions.Ensure scalability of user management solutions.
10. Offer tools for managing user authentication.Offer tools for managing user authentication.

Volumes swing with seasons and growth, and new sites and channels get added. The system should handle peaks, more users and more facilities without a re-implementation.

In the research, the 9 vendors score from 72 to 82 out of 100 on this section.

1. Ensure compatibility with cloud-based solutions.Ensure compatibility with cloud-based solutions.
2. Ensure solutions can scale with business growth.Ensure solutions can scale with business growth.
3. Provide tools for flexible resource allocation.Provide tools for flexible resource allocation.
4. Enable customization of scalable solutions.Enable customization of scalable solutions.
5. Provide training on scalability best practices.Provide training on scalability best practices.
6. Implement a feedback loop for scalability improvements.Implement a feedback loop for scalability improvements.
7. Ensure secure handling of scalable solutions.Ensure secure handling of scalable solutions.
8. Provide tools for monitoring scalability performance.Provide tools for monitoring scalability performance.
9. Enable integration with scalable infrastructure.Enable integration with scalable infrastructure.
10. Offer tools for managing flexible work arrangements.Offer tools for managing flexible work arrangements.

Cloud or on-premises, uptime, performance and how the vendor keeps the platform current decide the system's reliability and the IT effort needed to run it.

In the research, the 9 vendors score from 57 to 82 out of 100 on this section.

1. Ensure compatibility with existing infrastructure.Ensure compatibility with existing infrastructure.
2. Provide tools for monitoring infrastructure performance.Provide tools for monitoring infrastructure performance.
3. Implement a feedback loop for technology improvements.Implement a feedback loop for technology improvements.
4. Ensure secure handling of infrastructure data.Ensure secure handling of infrastructure data.
5. Provide training on technology best practices.Provide training on technology best practices.
6. Enable integration with cloud-based infrastructure.Enable integration with cloud-based infrastructure.
7. Ensure scalability of technology solutions.Ensure scalability of technology solutions.
8. Provide tools for managing infrastructure resources.Provide tools for managing infrastructure resources.
9. Implement a disaster recovery plan.Implement a disaster recovery plan.
10. Offer tools for managing technology upgrades.Offer tools for managing technology upgrades.

Every warehouse has its own processes. How far workflows, rules and screens can be configured without custom code decides whether the system fits the operation or the operation has to fit the system.

In the research, the 9 vendors score from 51 to 83 out of 100 on this section, one of the three widest gaps in the report.

1. Provide a user-friendly interface for customization.Provide a user-friendly interface for customization.
2. Enable configuration of workflows and processes.Enable configuration of workflows and processes.
3. Support for custom branding and themes.Support for custom branding and themes.
4. Ensure compatibility with third-party plugins.Ensure compatibility with third-party plugins.
5. Provide tools for custom report generation.Provide tools for custom report generation.
6. Enable role-based access control for configurations.Enable role-based access control for configurations.
7. Offer training on customization options.Offer training on customization options.
8. Ensure scalability of custom solutions.Ensure scalability of custom solutions.
9. Provide a sandbox environment for testing configurations.Provide a sandbox environment for testing configurations.
10. Implement version control for customizations.Implement version control for customizations.

Food, pharmaceutical, hazardous and regulated goods bring traceability, recall and documentation obligations. The WMS should support lot tracking, expiry management and the records an auditor asks for.

In the research, the 9 vendors score from 50 to 76 out of 100 on this section.

1. Ensure adherence to GDPR and data protection laws.Ensure adherence to GDPR and data protection laws.
2. Maintain up-to-date records of compliance certifications.Maintain up-to-date records of compliance certifications.
3. Implement regular compliance audits.Implement regular compliance audits.
4. Provide training on regulatory requirements for staff.Provide training on regulatory requirements for staff.
5. Ensure documentation is accessible and up-to-date.Ensure documentation is accessible and up-to-date.
6. Implement a system for tracking regulatory changes.Implement a system for tracking regulatory changes.
7. Ensure compliance with industry-specific regulations.Ensure compliance with industry-specific regulations.
8. Provide tools for reporting compliance status.Provide tools for reporting compliance status.
9. Implement a whistleblower policy.Implement a whistleblower policy.
10. Ensure secure storage of compliance-related data.Ensure secure storage of compliance-related data.

Licensing, implementation, hardware and ongoing fees add up differently for each vendor. Understanding the full cost, and the tools the system offers to control warehouse costs, avoids surprises after signing.

In the research, the 9 vendors score from 52 to 79 out of 100 on this section.

1. Implement a budgeting tool for project expenses.Implement a budgeting tool for project expenses.
2. Provide real-time cost tracking and reporting.Provide real-time cost tracking and reporting.
3. Enable cost forecasting and analysis.Enable cost forecasting and analysis.
4. Integrate with existing financial systems.Integrate with existing financial systems.
5. Provide alerts for budget overruns.Provide alerts for budget overruns.
6. Support for multi-currency transactions.Support for multi-currency transactions.
7. Enable cost allocation to different departments.Enable cost allocation to different departments.
8. Provide tools for vendor cost management.Provide tools for vendor cost management.
9. Implement cost-saving initiatives.Implement cost-saving initiatives.
10. Ensure transparency in cost reporting.Ensure transparency in cost reporting.

A warehouse that cannot ship loses revenue by the hour. Support hours, response times and escalation paths matter when something fails during a shift.

In the research, the 9 vendors score from 51 to 76 out of 100 on this section.

1. Ensure high availability of support services.Ensure high availability of support services.
2. Implement a customer relationship management (CRM) system.Implement a customer relationship management (CRM) system.
3. Provide training for customer service representatives.Provide training for customer service representatives.
4. Offer multi-language support options.Offer multi-language support options.
5. Implement a feedback loop for service improvement.Implement a feedback loop for service improvement.
6. Ensure secure handling of customer data.Ensure secure handling of customer data.
7. Provide tools for tracking customer interactions.Provide tools for tracking customer interactions.
8. Implement a loyalty program for repeat customers.Implement a loyalty program for repeat customers.
9. Offer proactive support through AI-driven insights.Offer proactive support through AI-driven insights.
10. Ensure seamless integration with other customer service tools.Ensure seamless integration with other customer service tools.

The first months decide whether a WMS is adopted. Implementation help, data migration and go-live support shape how quickly the warehouse gets back to full speed.

In the research, the 9 vendors score from 63 to 74 out of 100 on this section.

1. Provide a user-friendly onboarding process.Provide a user-friendly onboarding process.
2. Implement a knowledge base for self-service support.Implement a knowledge base for self-service support.
3. Offer multi-channel support (email, chat, phone).Offer multi-channel support (email, chat, phone).
4. Ensure 24/7 customer support availability.Ensure 24/7 customer support availability.
5. Provide training for support staff.Provide training for support staff.
6. Implement a ticketing system for support requests.Implement a ticketing system for support requests.
7. Offer personalized onboarding experiences.Offer personalized onboarding experiences.
8. Provide feedback mechanisms for continuous improvement.Provide feedback mechanisms for continuous improvement.
9. Ensure quick response times for support queries.Ensure quick response times for support queries.
10. Implement a customer satisfaction survey.Implement a customer satisfaction survey.

Warehouse teams change often, and new staff need to be productive quickly. Training materials, certification and an interface that is easy to learn reduce errors and onboarding time.

In the research, the 9 vendors score from 41 to 70 out of 100 on this section, one of the three widest gaps in the report.

1. Provide a comprehensive training program for new hires.Provide a comprehensive training program for new hires.
2. Implement a feedback loop for training improvements.Implement a feedback loop for training improvements.
3. Ensure training materials are up-to-date.Ensure training materials are up-to-date.
4. Provide tools for tracking training progress.Provide tools for tracking training progress.
5. Offer multi-language training options.Offer multi-language training options.
6. Ensure training is accessible to all employees.Ensure training is accessible to all employees.
7. Provide tools for managing training resources.Provide tools for managing training resources.
8. Implement a mentorship program for new hires.Implement a mentorship program for new hires.
9. Ensure training aligns with company goals.Ensure training aligns with company goals.
10. Offer tools for managing onboarding processes.Offer tools for managing onboarding processes.

A vendor's customer base, references and standing in the market are signals of how long the product will be supported and how well it is proven in operations like yours.

In the research, the 9 vendors score from 30 to 40 out of 100 on this section, one of the three closest in the report.

1. Implement a brand monitoring tool.Implement a brand monitoring tool.
2. Provide tools for managing online reviews.Provide tools for managing online reviews.
3. Ensure consistent brand messaging across channels.Ensure consistent brand messaging across channels.
4. Offer training on brand management best practices.Offer training on brand management best practices.
5. Implement a social media management tool.Implement a social media management tool.
6. Provide tools for competitor analysis.Provide tools for competitor analysis.
7. Ensure compliance with advertising regulations.Ensure compliance with advertising regulations.
8. Offer tools for managing public relations.Offer tools for managing public relations.
9. Provide feedback mechanisms for brand improvement.Provide feedback mechanisms for brand improvement.
10. Implement a customer advocacy program.Implement a customer advocacy program.

Requirements differ between ecommerce, 3PL, food and beverage, manufacturing and retail distribution. A vendor with depth in your industry brings workflows and experience that a general system lacks.

In the research, the 9 vendors score from 67 to 75 out of 100 on this section, one of the three closest in the report.

1. Company Size Compatibility for SMB<p>Evaluate whether the vendor's solutions are tailored to accommodate the specific needs of small businesses. Consider ease of use, budget, and scalability in their offerings to ensure they can support growth and expansion.</p>
2. Industry SpecializationAssess the vendor's expertise and experience in servicing specific industries. Look for case studies, testimonials, and references that demonstrate their success in similar industry environments.
3. Market AdaptabilityDetermine the vendor's ability to adapt their solutions to various market conditions and industry trends. This includes their responsiveness to regulatory changes and technological advancements within the industry.
4. Client Portfolio AnalysisReview the vendor's existing client portfolio to understand the diversity and size of companies they currently serve. This can provide insights into their capability to handle different business scales and industry demands.
5. Industry-Specific FeaturesIdentify any unique features or functionalities in the vendor's solutions that cater specifically to the needs of particular industries. This includes compliance with industry standards and the ability to integrate with industry-specific tools and platforms.
6. Company Size Compatibility for Enterprise<p><span>Evaluate whether the vendor's solutions are tailored to accommodate the specific needs of enterprise businesses. Consider scalabilty, integration, support, and security in their offerings to ensure they can support large multi-national companies.</span></p>
7. Company Size Compatibility for Mid-Market<p><span></span><span>Evaluate whether the vendor's solutions are tailored to accommodate the specific needs of mid-market and mid -size businesses. Consider scalabilty, integration, support, and security in their offerings to ensure they can support growth and expansion for growing companies.</span><br></p>