Supply, labor, and shipping challenges resulting from the pandemic have led to companies adopting more modern methods to running their distribution facilities over the past year — but doing so cautiously.
Modern Materials Handling
Modern Materials Handling investigated these trends and recently released its annual survey of over 100 readers on their implementation and usage of automation and software to improve their overall warehouse management.
The following are some of the key findings:
When asked how the current economic climate changed their company’s approach to adopting materials handling management software, 26% of responders noted they were investing in new software this year, while 20% were upgrading their existing software instead. However, 28% of the companies responded that they do not plan to expand their software purchases in 2022. Read next: 5 Reasons to Invest in WMS.
Warehouse Management System
Warehouse management system (WMS) software remains the top software application in use by warehousing and distribution facilities, however dropping by 10% from 2021 to 2022. Transportation management software (TMS), labor management software (LMS), supply chain management and planning (SCP) software, and asset tracking software round out the top five most used software types in 2022.
It is important to note that warehouse execution or control systems (WES/WCS), have become more prevalent in the past two years for respondents. These control the robotics and automation that many warehouses are moving to. Read more: Transform Your Business with Technology.
Order management, procurement, and inventory visibility are the main reasons cited for adopting a WMS. Read next: It’s Time to Re-think Inventory Levels.
While only 10% of companies have had a WMS for less than one year, 59% have had it from one to ten years. Most companies reporting have upgraded their software in the past one to five years. Shockingly, 15% of respondents have never upgraded their WMS leaving their systems susceptible to continual problems and delays. Security is noted as a key reason for WMS cloud implementation while providing the best scalability options. Read next: ASC’s series on Identifying Warehouse Threats.
ASC Software is committed to working with our customers to provide the best growth flexibility options for their warehouse management. To learn more, contact us.
* (data provided by Peerless Media Group)
