Five of the best WMS for enterprise-level companies

Enterprises turn to their warehouse management systems to better track the movement and optimize the usage of their goods across multiple warehouses, distribution centers, and other inventory locations. The greater their control over goods and related data, the more efficiently they can run operations, cut costs, and reduce risk.

With those characteristics in mind, here are just a small set of the enterprise-level WMS brands that should be on any shortlist when your operations are large, complex, and have a variety of 3PL and logistics partners.

1. JDA Warehouse Management

Enterprises need partners with a strong history because they can’t rely on a platform that will disappear one day. JDA has been around for more than 20 years, consistently buys leading technology and service providers (like RedPrairie and i2 Technologies), so it is a reliable partner who is worthy of large investments.

When it comes to the WMS itself, JDA focuses on making complex supply chains simple and is a leader is operating on a global scale for omnichannel operations. It has its hands in every sector and that means integrations or custom modules for a wide range of custom needs.

JDA also delivers some of the most robust inventory management and data when using massive warehouses, all while reducing labor costs in each location.

2. IBM Sterling WMS

The Sterling Warehouse Management System from IBM was initially created to enhance operations and improve productivity for high-traffic warehouses. Modules focus on centralized inventory management as well as broader resource planning and easing of administrative burdens.

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The cloud system offers all the tools you’ll need for your operations plus an architecture that users say can work well with customer-defined applications. It also connects with IBM’s other supply chain products including vendor portals and compliance systems.

It’s flexible, powerful, and upgrades tend to be smooth even for enterprises that have a large set of customizations, say users.

3. Aptean Catalyst WMS

Aptean offers an interesting WMS build for enterprises, because it can be introduced as a single system or a series of standalone modules that integrate with existing enterprise solutions. It may be one of the better tools for an enterprise to use if they already have a variety of custom software or existing logistics software in place.

Users say integration is straightforward and support is high-quality. It’s a very rules-based nature and should be familiar to most developers an enterprise will already employ. Options include a WMS as well as dynamic route planning, slotting, broader labor management, yard and asset management, and cross-dock planning.

4. SAP SCM

SAP offers a broader supply chain management platform that includes a WMS but also provides a deep well of analytics and inventory tools that are focusing on the latest in technological advancements in other areas, especially the Internet of Things (IoT).

The SAP SCM is an extremely expansive platform and offers cloud solutions as well as S&OP capabilities and inventory optimization. Enterprises that want on-premise deployments can work with SAP’s Extended Warehouse Management tool.

Everything also integrates well with other SAP platforms. So, if you’re already using SAP for existing systems, the SAP SCM might be your best bet.

5. Snapfulfil

Snapfulfil is a name you might not be as familiar with as the others on the list, but it provides a solution for the complex nature of enterprise warehouses, with tools to assist a variety of other industries.

Enterprises that have much of their business focused on e-commerce, B2B distribution, 3PL, and manufacturing activities will get some custom solutions from Snapfulfill. The Enterprise flavor of its WMS can support large operations and has plenty of forecasting tools for labor and scheduling.

It also places emphasis on automating task priorities, which is useful on a large scale. It’s a more affordable option for enterprises who are growing and may want to try new commerce-focused solutions like kiting while also getting the core WMS features they need.