Business Automation and Software Blog

Choosing the right value-added reseller is an important aspect of a successful WMS selection and implementation. Even though it may be tempting to eliminate the “middle man” in your system purchase, there are numerous reasons why you should work with a local reseller to optimize your distribution automation.

When you have decided to switch or upgrade to a new warehouse management system (WMS) to improve your distribution automation, it is important to follow detailed steps in order to achieve your goals. A WMS has a long expected life span and switching costs can be high, so making the best decision the first time is vital. Even so, there will be a time when the benefits of switching outweigh those costs. We discussed indicators that it is time to switch or upgrade in last week’s blog “Knowing When to Implement a New Warehouse Management System”; now let’s look at the steps you should take to select a new WMS.

How do you know when it is time to upgrade your current warehouse management system (WMS)? Your distribution automation strategy should include a WMS integrated with your enterprise resource planning system (ERP). If you have implemented a WMS like Sage 300 inventory modules in your facilities, you have already attained tremendous benefits. You have realized cost savings, improved customer satisfaction and achieved higher sales. But a time will come when you should upgrade your current system or implement new software.

Managing talent is a critical piece of any business strategy. If 80% of a company’s valuation is based on intangible employee assets, as one study suggests, then people are a company’s only true sustainable, competitive advantage. In addition, as the economy improves, the competition for the most skilled workers will increase. Thus, it is important to treat your workforce as a valuable investment that needs to be protected and strengthened.

Absenteeism has a significant effect on company finances and costs US companies billions of dollars a year. On average, unscheduled absences cost 9.2% of total payroll. As this percentage is expected to rise with the aging population, it is important to find new ways to combat absenteeism. Companies can monitor, reduce and react to absenteeism through intelligent investments in wellness programs and technology.

Employee turnover costs are higher than most organizations recognize. When you factor in added expenses and lost productivity, studies show the cost to replace employees range from 20% to a staggering 400% of their salary. In order to improve your Return on Employee Investment^® (ROEI^®), you must increase employee retention and reduce turnover costs. A comprehensive system like Sage 300 Human Resource Management System will enable you to increase employee retention, decrease turnover costs and thereby improve ROEI^®.

Your workforce is a valuable asset that requires investment to achieve its greatest potential. Rather than looking at the workforce as an opportunity for cost savings, you should consider how to increase your Return on Employee Investment^® or ROEI^®. Part of that investment should include technology that helps drive success and profitability.

Workforce mobility is the number one technology priority among manufacturing companies. Driven by the explosion of personal handheld devices, the usage of mobile devices is on the rise on the manufacturing floor and across all spheres of business. There are tremendous benefits in implementing mobility, connected to an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, as a part of your manufacturing automation. At the same time, mobility raises challenges that need to be addressed.

A mobile ERP is one of the most valuable technology tools for warehouse management to enable distribution automation. As the need for speed increases, mobility provides the person-to-person communications and collaboration required to increase productivity through more efficient processes and better data. Mobile technology is especially effective where business models rely on rapid inventory turns, tight schedules and thin margins. 

As we reported last week, workforce mobility has become a requirement to remain competitive in today’s business world. Mobile Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) applications will impact any area where employees work more effectively away from their desk. Key areas impacted include: