Is your WMS still enough? Why 3PLs need to look beyond for success
We all know how crucial it is to keep everything running smoothly. Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) have been the go-to solution for managing inventory and operations. But in today's environment, can you really rely solely on your WMS to stay competitive?
Here’s why sticking with just a WMS might be holding you back, and what you can do about it.
The limitations of relying only on your WMS
A WMS is great for core logistics like managing inventory, orders, and basic warehouse functions. But the logistics world has changed, especially with the explosion of e-commerce. You’re no longer just managing warehouses, you’re managing ecosystems. And, unfortunately, most WMS platforms were not built to handle the growing complexity of today’s supply chain.
Here are some of the common challenges when relying solely on a WMS:
1. Lack of real-time visibility: Your WMS might be telling you what’s happening right now, but can it give you a 360-degree view of your warehouse's future needs? Probably not. Without real-time insights, you're always reacting instead of proactively optimising.
2. Inflexibility: A lot of WMS platforms are legacy systems that can’t easily adapt to new business models, customers, or types of products. Looking to expand your service offerings or enter new markets? Achieving that efficiently can be challenging with an outdated system in place.
3. Limited integration: A WMS often functions in a silo, managing internal operations but struggling to connect seamlessly with external platforms. If your systems aren’t talking to each other in real time, whether it’s e-commerce, or ERP, you’ll find yourself wasting time and missing opportunities.
4. Manual workarounds: You might have found yourself creating manual processes just to fill the gaps that your WMS leaves behind. That’s not scalable. And worse, it’s error-prone.
As 3PLs evolve, the challenges you face are bigger than what traditional systems were designed to handle: juggling thousands of SKUs, managing multi-client operations, and integrating with e-commerce platforms all while trying to reduce costs and boost efficiency. A WMS alone just can’t handle this level of complexity.
Time for a smarter approach
Rather than relying solely on a WMS, 3PLs should adopt a more modular, technology-driven approach that enhances their existing systems. Here's what that could involve:
A modern WMS to manage core operations such as order processing, stock movements, and warehouse workflows. While a WMS remains essential, connecting it to a more flexible and integrated solution is key.
Real-time inventory visibility across all operations, allowing 3PLs to swiftly adapt to demand fluctuations and evolving customer needs.
Automation and advanced analytics to not only monitor warehouse performance but also predict and optimise it—whether it’s improving order fulfilment, increasing stock accuracy, or maximising space utilisation.
By adopting a comprehensive technology ecosystem that leverages AI, robotics, and real-time data integration, you can shift from being reactive to proactive. This approach reduces the need for firefighting operational issues and enables businesses to focus on providing exceptional service and driving growth.
Enter DexoryView: Your all-in-one warehouse intelligence platform
DexoryView is not just another system, it’s a complete warehouse intelligence platform designed to give you unparalleled visibility and control over your operations.
Real-time data capture: Our fully autonomous stock-scanning robots collect and process data 24/7, scanning over 10,000 locations per hour. This real-time visibility means you can identify discrepancies before they become issues.
99.9% accuracy: The platform instantly compares collected data with your existing systems, so you can act on discrepancies as soon as they appear, ensuring your inventory is always up-to-date.
Actionable insights: With DexoryView’s advanced analytics, you can optimise everything from space utilisation to stock movement, helping you minimise waste, boost productivity, and increase order accuracy.
Rapid deployment: Up and running in just two weeks, DexoryView doesn’t require any capex investment, system integration headaches, or infrastructure changes. You get all the benefits with none of the disruption.
And Dexory has been named a 2024 Cool Vendor by Gartner®!
Revolutionising distribution efficiency: Maersk and iB Cargo’s success with DexoryView
Maersk and iB Cargo embarked on a transformative project to enhance the Bolintin-Deal distribution centre (DC) in Bucharest, Romania, aimed at serving one of the largest global furniture and interior decoration companies. This marked a significant milestone as it was the first collaboration between Maersk and iB Cargo in Romania, demanding an efficient and robust operational process.
The primary challenges included optimising resource utilisation and improving operational efficiency to meet high client standards. To tackle these issues, the teams deployed DexoryView's advanced robotic technology and AI-powered analytics.
The integration of 'Neo,' a state-of-the-art robot, enabled daily scanning of over 100,000 pallet locations, while DexoryView’s analytics enhanced operational efficiency through real-time insights and volumetric analysis.
This innovation led to a tenfold reduction in locating misplaced pallets, a 4% improvement in inventory accuracy within two months, and a remarkable increase in throughput, from managing 150 to 10,000 locations per hour.
The bottom line
Relying solely on a WMS is no longer sufficient. To stay competitive and meet the increasing demands of e-commerce and customer expectations, companies, especially 3PLs, need to embrace advanced solutions that offer real-time visibility, operational resilience, and actionable insights.
DexoryView empowers you to take full control of your warehouse operations with unmatched accuracy and efficiency. By integrating seamlessly with your existing systems, DexoryView helps you optimise resources, reduce costs, and ensure smooth, uninterrupted operations. With rapid deployment and no infrastructure changes required.
Is your warehouse ready for the next level? Book a demo with us today
