The Satellite Review Magazine The Satellite Review Magazine Vol 1 | Page 28

6 Important Factors... (cont.)
frequently overlooked — considerations when acquiring
WMS/WCS software. For many years, customer service
was an afterthought. Today, it is a critical factor that sets
companies apart. Successful vendors know that word-ofmouth reputation is vital, and one bad experience can make
or break a firm. Do not be afraid to ask for references and
speak candidly with current vendor customers.
To understand the support model a provider offers, start
by looking at the level of support and service a vendor is
willing to give before, during and just after product
installation. Review how the provider handles customer
training as well. Is the vendor willing to do hands-on
training? Are they willing to come on site and work with
staff to not only understand the application but also how
the application runs in the customer’s unique environment?
Evaluate the availability of support as well. Is the vendor
always available (24/7) or accessible only on a 24/5 basis?
Does the vendor charge more for after-hour support? Above
all, determine whether the vendor can get you what you
want when you need it — or at least provide a credible
timeline for receipt. Honesty and integrity are two of the
most important characteristics a vendor should possess in
its dealings with its customers.
Factor #3: Software Features
WMS/WCS software can provide a variety of features.
Clearly, the core features encompass areas such as:
inventory management, lot or batch tracking, order
processing functionality, and product movement tracking.
Beyond these offerings, the application should run on
multiple platforms.
Remember, WMS applications deal more with the
administrative tasks of a warehouse, such as managing
product and its turn, lifecycle and placement. WCS software
is directed more toward equipment control, storage
optimization, and processes for optimal product retrieval.
Factor #4: Cost

Of course, all companies must consider return on
investment (ROI) or how long it takes to pay back the
capital investment. Most firms consider a good investment
to be one in which ROI occurs within one to five years. The
return can come in many forms, including labor savings
and economies available through inventory reduction. The
accuracy of the information a WMS/WCS provides—and
the business advantage such data offer—is an often
overlooked consideration that adds to ROI. It’s not strictly
about headcount reduction, and dollars and cents.
Factor # 5: Consistency
In an ideal world, businesses would prefer a streamlined
system to run all the logistics of warehouse operations
seamlessly. Having one vendor’s enterprise resource
planning (ERP) system and another’s WMS/WCS, etc., can
create issues. Yet, each application serves a unique purpose,
and different organizational units possess distinct
preferences and separate purchasing efforts. So, the ability
to integrate the candidate WMS/WCS across an enterprise
is important.
Here again, the reliability of the information output is a
concern. When information exchange between the ERP and
the WMS/WCS is optimal, the entire supply chain performs
better. And, more and more, businesses are focusing on
optimizing their complete supply chain.
Factor #6: Long-Term Supportability
Most experts estimate that annu [