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Could you, and should you, use a WMS without ERP integration?

To answer this question, we need to view the subject with a wider lens. Beginning with the core objective of any Warehouse Management System (WMS).

WMS systems are built to simplify and increase the efficiency of your warehouse processes. Also, how you measure increased efficiency depends on your industry and company targets - and can vary greatly.

In most well-established companies, an ERP system is already up and running. The ERP helps by collecting, sending, and managing master data, making various business processes smoother and more centralized across the organization. When you integrate the WMS with the ERP, you can avoid potential data silos and cut down on the number of systems your staff need to juggle every day. For instance, customers with high daily order volumes would find it quite challenging to keep up if they had to handle the WMS manually.

 

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Why not always integrate ERP with WMS?

You might now wonder, why not always aim for an integration between your new WMS and the exisiting ERP? Well, there are many scenarios where a standalone WMS makes perfect sense.

A few examples could be: 

  1. You have a low order volume but with high order values.

  2. You might find it tricky to keep track of your warehouse inventory, like knowing which items have been picked and how many are in stock. Did you accidentally sell the same item twice?

  3. Sending items from purchase orders straight to the outbound area because they've already been sold by utilizing cross-dock functionality in a WMS.

  4. Your company is part of a larger corporation, and it can be a bit challenging to get the HQ IT department's attention..

  5. If you're working with a tight budget, it might not be possible e to go for the best-of-breed solution.

In cases like this, we recommend starting without the integration between your WMS and ERP-system, and utilizing a standalone solution. 

There are plenty of situations where a standalone WMS is just the right choice. When it fits well, it can really boost the efficiency and effectiveness of your warehouse.

Benefits of a standalone WMS

Opting for a standalone WMS offers a variety of advantages that can significantly impact the efficiency and effectiveness of your warehouse operations.

Some benefits of using a WMS without an ERP integration include:

  1. The initial implementation can be less expensive than an integrated solution, making the standalone WMS system a more cost-effective option to start with.

  2. Faster implementation, depending on the complexities of an ERP integration.

  3. You can quickly take advantage of the easy wins - without adding to your internal IT team's workload.

  4. The ability to scale the solution at your own pace, with the option to create an integration later. 

 

Choosing your data transfer path

When it comes to deciding how to transfer your data, it is not a clear-cut choice. You do not have to choose between a standalone WMS or one with ERP integration. There is a middle ground that might suit your needs better.

  1. Semi standalone: Sending your warehouse data back to your ERP might be more crucial than setting up picking assignments there. Your IT team might see the integration from the WMS to the ERP as a smaller, more manageable project. So, it could be a good idea to handle things manually in the WMS but let it automatically send all the data to the ERP.

  2. Standalone with data export: The WMS sends out the data you need, which you can easily add to a central database or BI database. This helps the warehouse team work more smoothly and gives management and the BI team a clearer picture.

No matter which path you choose, it is important to select a WMS that you can scale and leverage during your digitalization journey. 

 

Bitlog WMS Standalone

Integrate-Green-3Did you know that you can use Bitlog WMS all by itself without needing to connect it to your ERP? Bitlog WMS standalone is perfect for warehouses that want to take advantage of a flexible WMS but aren't quite ready to integrate it with an ERP or E-commerce platform just yet. Enjoy all the great features without having to integrate with other systems.

And when you're ready, or if you need to, you can easily connect Bitlog WMS to your ERP.

 

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John Ramando
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John Ramando