WMS vs. WCS: What to Pick for Your Supply Chain Business?

One of the core pillars of a successful supply chain and logistics business is having the right system in place. You need the right balance for your operations. No technology or legacy systems and you will miss out on the important information to keep operations running smoothly. Much advanced technology and you will face financial challenges besides creating disparate systems that cause silos and increase complexity.

What will keep businesses thriving in today’s digital economy is increased data control and reduced operational complexity. Wondering where to start as a supply chain leader? Consider looking at warehouse technology.

Two staple systems that can help you streamline your warehouse operations;

Warehouse management system (WMS)

Warehouse control system (WCS)

Each of these systems plays a distinct yet pivotal role in facilitating your warehouse operations. In this article, we will look into the functionalities of these systems and how they can improve the efficiency and productivity of your distribution center.

Warehouse Management System:

WMS allows supply chain leaders to control and manage daily operations within warehouse facilities. This system, primarily, covers the flow of inventory within and out of the warehouse. A core purpose involves how you receive, store and pick inventory items and when to forward the requisition for more items. In addition to knowing where the raw and finished goods are at all times, a WMS can also be used for order returns, defective products, and quality assurance.

For small-scale retailers, things are more feasible to handle. However, the large-scale distributors with complex business needs and challenging inventory management chores should consider investing in scalable WMS. Here are some WMS functions to help you make the right decision.

Verifying order receipts

Putting away inventory

Replenishing assets for fulfillment

Orders consolidation on a dock

Creating pack slips

Creating bills of lading

Retail compliant labels

RFID scanning devices

WMS is one of the most mature, intelligent, and widely used systems because it manages inventory flow, order fulfillment and labor tasks, but it lacks performing more granular functions; for example, equipment and automation control. Now, at this point, the warehouse control system (WCS) enters the game.

Warehouse Control System:

This real-time and fully integrated warehouse control solution helps manage the flow of items, pallets, and cartons. As these inventory assets travel on different types of automated equipment such as conveyors, robots, AS/RS (automated storage & retrieval systems), sorters, and more. It usually works deep down on the assets level and is a great system to manage and control your warehouse operations. Here are some WCS functions to help you decide whether or not you need this solution for your business.

Automated goods to person management

Picking and shipping sort management

Multi-batch order picking

Single and batch order picking

Pick-to-light management

Put-to-light management

Fixed and mobile scanner integration

For a highly automated distribution center requiring effective communication, WCS is a great choice. Though it lacks key WMS functions such as managing inventory interface, transportation management, and support labor, etc. it is best for warehouse optimization, real-time communication, and command processes.

Conclusion:

Each warehouse technology has its own set of advantages and downsides. So, it is important for supply chain leaders to have a firm understanding of their warehouse’s prime priorities and which warehouse management solution will cater to all those priorities more effectively.

Whether you are a big-scale distributor with an automated facility that necessitates WCS or any-scale retailer with inventory needs fulfilled by WMS, it is important to invest in the right warehouse technology. Have a partner like MWI Solutions to help you through the process, ensuring success from selecting and all the way through implementing the right warehouse technology.