Warehouse Management Systems

The Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) market research study delivers current market analysis plus a five year market and technology forecast. The study is available in multiple editions including worldwide, all regions, and most major countries.

Direct-to-Consumer Fulfillment Needs and Warehouse Labor Constraints Propel Warehouse Management Systems Demand

Direct-to-consumer (e-commerce/omni-channel) fulfillment requirements remain the greatest factor contributing to the growth of the global Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) market. Furthermore, the need for expedited delivery has encouraged companies to adjust fulfillment capabilities or even relocate facilities closer to consumers, further contributing to demand for WMS functional enhancements or expanded licensing. Labor productivity is an ongoing objective for the implementation and use of WMS. However, labor constraints have become more severe over the last couple years. As COVID-19 recedes, economies continue to operate with a shortage of reliable warehouse labor in an inflationary environment. Labor reliability and cost are now of heightened importance, and warehouse operators are turning to WMS and WMS labor management/resource management solutions to assist with labor productivity, employee engagement, and the identification of more creative ways to increase warehouse performance. Many companies are turning to automation and robotics to help expand warehouse productivity. Warehouse management systems providers that support automation integration and orchestration are benefiting from the ability to manage both warehouse labor and automation capabilities in concert.

Warehouse Management Systems Strategic Issues

In addition to providing a five-year market forecast, the Warehouse Management Systems market research provides detailed quantitative current market data and addresses key strategic issues as follows.

Support Your Requirements

It is important for groups responsible for WMS purchasing to properly define their organization’s requirements, prioritize, and pay for what their organization requires most. Many organizations that purchase a WMS from their current ERP supplier place a premium on low total cost of ownership. In contrast, many organizations with complex warehouses place a premium on the depth and breadth of functionality. However, others realize that their business is in the midst of constant transition. These organizations place a premium on system adaptability. Finally, the WMS purchase decision by many organizations comes down to internal political clout and operations vs. corporate IT. This is suboptimal as the needs of many relevant stakeholders are overlooked.

Think Holistically

WMS suppliers have been competing based on a platform strategy for a number of years. This has allowed many customers to obtain value from synergies across applications. These organizations are deriving value from integrated workflows, cross-solution visibility, lower maintenance and upgrade costs, and improved business analytics. A cross-functional evaluation of system requirements can provide organizations with a holistic view of needs and enable them to prioritize and conduct a thorough cost-benefit analysis. A buyer should consider needs across business functions, over time, and even across partner relationships, and evaluate a WMS from within its operating context.