The average lifespan of a Warehouse Management System (WMS) is 10+ years, which means that selecting the right solution can make or break your company’s long-term success. But with hundreds of vendors claiming to offer the right solution for you, the task of identifying the best option can quickly get overwhelming. This is where the expertise of a WMS consultant becomes invaluable.
To get a better understanding of the value WMS consultants bring to the table, we recently sat down with experts from the Brecham Group , Bricz, enVista and Made4net. We spoke in detail about how a WMS consultant can help you define your unique business requirements, introduce you to best practices, mitigate pitfalls in the selection process, facilitate communication between stakeholders and vendors, and more.
Here’s what they had to say about the specific expertise a WMS consultant brings to the table that can benefit a company during the WMS selection process.
Chris Dahm Director at Brecham Group emphasized the breadth and depth of knowledge that WMS consultants bring to the table. With exposure to various industries, company sizes, and operational models, consultants have a panoramic view of the WMS landscape that the average customer lacks. Drawing from lessons learned across different sectors, consultants can offer insights and solutions that transcend industry boundaries. Their depth of experience is also a significant asset. While clients may go through one or two WMS implementations in their careers, consultants handle these projects daily. What may seem like a massive disruption to a client is just another day at the office for a seasoned consultant.
Amit Kirpalani, Vice President, Supply Chain Solutions at enVista highlighted the importance of thorough due diligence in the WMS selection process. Consultants, having navigated numerous implementations, have a methodology and a set of accelerators that enable them to delve deep into a client’s requirements. From analyzing current processes to envisioning future states, consultants guide clients through every step of the selection process. They facilitate scripted demos that allow clients to visualize their solutions in a vendor’s environment, ensuring a tailored fit for their needs. Additionally, consultants assist with negotiation and vendor selection, ensuring clients get the best possible outcome.
Tyler Linderman, Vice President, Strategy & Growth at Bricz shared how consultants help define the unique requirements of a business when evaluating WMS options. By understanding the breadth of the industry and drawing from multiple examples, consultants can identify industry-specific requirements and tailor solutions accordingly. Whether it’s optimizing picking methodologies or implementing specialized features like image capture or lot control, consultants ensure that clients’ unique needs are addressed. By incorporating special criteria such as temperature control for specific industries like pharmaceuticals, consultants set clients up for success from the outset of the project.
Want to learn more about the benefits of working with a WMS consultant?
Watch our on-demand panel discussion
All panelists agree that the expertise that WMS consultants bring to the table is multifaceted. From their breadth and depth of industry knowledge to their ability to define unique business requirements and guide clients through the selection process, consultants play a crucial role in ensuring the success of WMS implementations. By leveraging their experience and methodology, WMS buyers can make informed decisions that drive efficiency, productivity, and long-term growth in their warehouse operations.
You can access the full panel discussion recorded live at MODEX 2024, here.
