Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) have become an integral part of Industry 4.0 – acting as a powerful catalyst of digital transformation. Gone are the days when warehouses had no way out of struggling with business-critical tasks like workforce allocation, error-prone manual processes, and inventory spillage. Driven by AI and cloud-based technologies, WMS fixes a common issue that plagues all these challenges – enabling unified and seamless system-to-system communication. Given the amount of data that flows through warehouses, this can unearth opportunities to automate and accelerate important warehouse processes.
As Gartner puts it, WMS is “a software application that helps manage and intelligently execute the operations of a warehouse or distribution center.”
Today, the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Warehouse Management Systems comprises solution providers that can build and manage end-to-end warehouse operations while navigating through digital transformation journeys. It brings to light important questions to ask, such as:
- Do they understand the WMS market – with a clear roadmap for next-gen WMS?
- Do they have a proven track record and positive brand reputation, along with sufficient clients?
- Are they financially strong enough to meet Total Cost of Ownership goals?
- Is their WMS architecture adaptable and extensible?
- Is there a guarantee of long-term vendor and product viability?
- Does their product provide competitive differentiation?
- Do they offer multiple cloud deployment models?
- Can they support global deployments?
- Are they a part of a growing partner ecosystem?
When the smoke settles, it comes down to whether the vendor is best-suited to their WMS functionalities align the enterprise’s business goals. That’s why application mega-suite vendors are emerging to be reliable and future-proofed WMS solution providers. Visionary leaders like Oracle have made their way into Gartner’s Magic Quadrant for Warehouse Management Systems for their end-to-end capabilities in handling key processes (ERP, SCM, CRM, etc.).
Gartner Magic Quadrant for Warehouse Management Systems
Oracle WMS provides Level 1 to Level 5 warehouse functionalities that empower enterprises to digitally transform while unearthing new growth opportunities. It offers a single 360-degree view of the entire warehouse operations – delivering core capabilities that include receiving, putting away, storing, picking/counting, packaging, distributing, etc. Thus, it becomes easy to manage slotting, yard management, dock scheduling, labor management, etc. Oracle WMS can also be integrated with non-Oracle applications.
Some of the key features of Oracle WMS:
Multichannel Fulfillment
Oracle WMS covers inbound and outbound execution, dock and to-store management, yard management, and reverse logistics. Its robust multichannel capability enables warehouse and logistics fulfillment for all browser-based devices.
Optimized Inventory Management and Fulfillment
Oracle WMS enables smooth inventory management in all locations, including stores and stock rooms. It provides accountability and visibility of inventory from receiving through the entire inventory cycle of stock replenishment, omnichannel fulfillment, etc.
Workforce Management
Oracle WMS manages workforce performance while measuring it against quantifiable goals. It has a user-friendly and configurable interface to maximize in-store operations of the warehouse – extending through the supply chain.
Supply Chain Analytics
Oracle WMS proves deep-dive insights by giving access to real-time operational analytics about the supply chain ecosystem. The dashboard offers summaries of key performance metrics that help make important warehouse-related decisions.
Why Oracle WMS is a six-time Quadrant Leader
According to Gartner, Oracle has “one of the most coherent SCM cloud strategies and the most mature cloud WMS offerings.” Backed by a global industry reputation for cloud delivery excellence, Oracle WMS has been named a Leader in Magic Quadrant for Warehouse Management Systems for the 6th consecutive year. It is powered by a proven track record of enabling clients to seamlessly transform warehouse operations across multiple locations.
Key differentiators of Oracle WMS
- Powered by Oracle Cloud Infrastructure’s Autonomous Database
- Deep maturity – ensuring zero downtime
- REST API-friendly WMS technical architecture
- Expertise in fulfillment-intensive industries
- One of the fastest-growing partner ecosystems
Oracle WMS also has a fast-growing ecosystem of partners and is exceptionally strong in the retail and consumer goods industries. As one of the leading partners of Oracle WMS Implementation, Aspire Systems has certified consultants with the expertise to implement or build integrations with Oracle EBS. With predefined Oracle WMS templates, we help meet implementation deadlines in a cost-effective manner.
PMP certified and passionate about ERP,CX transformation. He is the author of “A Practical CIO Guide for Modern Business Applications”, an iBook articulating next gen application sustenance or maintenance needed by organizations embarking on digital transformation. He is also the Founder and President of “Oracle Applications Forum” (OAF)focusing on latest modern business applications.
At Aspire Systems he also plays a role of account manager for large accounts and heads Enterprise Business Application practice.
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