Designing for Success: 10 Must-Dos After WMS Selection
Welcome back to another edition of WMS Wednesday! This week, Mark Lewis sits down with Greg Utter, one of the Senior Managing Directors at Alpine, to dive into a topic that’s top of mind for many in the supply chain space: what happens after you select your Warehouse Management System (WMS)?
Top 10 Tips for WMS Design Success
1. Invest in Early Training
Get your team familiar with the software before diving into design. Most vendors offer basic classroom-style training—take advantage of it to build competence and confidence.
2. Plan for Modifications
Modifications are inevitable. Establish a governance model to evaluate mods based on ROI and necessity, especially with emerging tech like AI influencing operations.
3. Prototype Your Environment
Ask your vendor to build a working prototype tailored to your business—not a recycled setup from another industry. This ensures relevance and accuracy from the start.
4. Use an Agile Design Approach
Break down the design into digestible chunks (e.g., inbound, inventory control, outbound). It’s easier to manage and review in smaller pieces.
5. Log Future Requirements
If you plan to add automation like ASRS or goods-to-person systems later, document those needs now to avoid rework or limitations down the road.
6. Include Micro-Value Demos
Don’t just talk about functionality—show it. Ask vendors to demo specific workflows visually to help stakeholders understand and validate the design.
7. Align IT and Ops Early
Ensure IT and operations are on the same page from day one. Misalignment can lead to delays, added costs, and integration headaches.
8. Engage the Vendor's Tech PM Early
Bring in the vendor’s technical project manager to flag any unique integration needs or deviations from standard processes.
9. Define Success Metrics Up Front
Establish clear KPIs before implementation. You can’t measure success if you don’t know what you’re aiming for.
10. Use a Visual Process Maps
Skip the 400-page SRD. Create large-format process maps that make it easy to visualize workflows, identify inefficiencies, and collaborate on improvements.
Why Design Matters
As Greg emphasizes, the design phase sets the tone for the entire project. Whether you're dealing with complex operations or navigating cloud limitations, thoughtful planning and cross-functional alignment are key.
Need help optimizing your WMS implementation? Connect with Redwood to explore how we can support your journey.
