Any warehouse manager can probably tell you the busiest and slowest times of the year. For years, we have been able to use fluctuations in revenue to roughly estimate when a rush will hit and prepare for it. Today, Warehouse Management Systems improve warehouse efficiency by pinpointing these trends using advanced analytics and modeling.

Data Gathering

Warehouse management software offers a deeper look into the inner workings of your warehouse. Instead of depending solely on revenue and inventory to predict changes in volume, it tracks data all the way down to the individual part number. This microscopic look at your warehouse allows you to foresee changes in specific areas of your warehouse that may not be evident on the surface. In addition, by putting all of this data together, the WMS is able to draw a more complete picture of long-term trends that would be impossible to track using manual analysis.

Identifying Signs

To maximize warehouse efficiency, you need to be able to plan ahead for changes in both labor and inventory. If you wait until the next big rush is upon you, your efficiency may suffer short term, or you could lose business to companies that are better prepared. Your warehouse management software allows you to track data over time and can flag signs that change is coming before they hit. This allows you to adjust the number of staff members on your floor at any given time or stock up on specific products during a particular time of year. Ultimately, the WMS helps eliminate the panic-stricken cycle of suddenly putting everyone on mandatory overtime and having to place emergency orders for extra product with expedited shipping.

Planning for Slow Periods

A WMS is a great tool for helping you plan for sudden increases in workload, but it can be a very important part of weathering the slow periods as well. During these times, reducing costs by eliminating waste and keeping just enough inventory on hand is the way to go. Your Warehouse Management System can help you predict the length and depth of the slow period so that you can plan accordingly.

The data tracking and reporting used by the WMS gives you the ability to identify trends and connections that the human eye could never see across multiple reports. By analyzing all data together at once, in real time, the WMS is able to boost your warehouse efficiency more accurately and effectively than any other system available.