How to compete in eCommerce with WMS

We all know the world of eCommerce is an ever-changing landscape in which businesses must adapt. You can have a shiny logo or the best product on the market, but if you don’t have a software solution to keep up with consumer demands, it’s all for nothing.  

You need a solid warehouse management software to keep up with the competition. Let’s take a look at how to compete in eCommerce with the features and benefits of using warehouse management software.

 Software Integrations

A key feature of warehouse management software is its ability to act as a hub and connector for other eCommerce software. The WMS connects all eCommerce channels together so that your quantities can stay updated across channels or your sales receipts can stay housed with your inventory reports, for example. Because eCommerce is online, you need a warehouse management software that will allow you to connect to the right online channels so you may compete with other sellers in the appropriate space.

Software integrations are also important for new and different developing business models. If you’re a multi-channel fulfillment business, you not only need a WMS that can handle sales across different marketplaces, but also one that has the capability to fulfill in-house. Or if you’re an omni-channel retailer with multiple distribution centers, you need a WMS to handle the location and quantities of inventory at each location and across each sales channel (both on and offline).

Scaling

It’s important to choose a warehouse management software that will grow with your business. Just because you might be small now doesn’t mean you’ll be small forever. If you know you want to expand across marketplace channels or turn your store into a chain, you need a solution that is built with features to handle that kind of demand.

Warehouse management software is great at creating efficient workflows and picklists. If you want to succeed and scale your business, creating these workflows inside a WMS is essential to compete against others. Your organization needs to be in order in-house before it can reach store shelves.

Plan your WMS implementation successfully with our comprehensive guide 

Customization

On a similar note, choose a warehouse management software that is customizable to your needs. The more you can make a solution unique to your needs, the better you can become the expert in your market and stomp the competition. Work with the software’s service team to implement the features and integrations you need right now. They may change in the future, but at least for now you know what you need and what you don’t. Don’t overcomplicate things.

Technology

Just as eCommerce is evolving, technology is evolving more rapidly. When you’re searching for a warehouse management software, ask them how much they value their tech and development department. You want a solution that believes in the power of technology, not one that is resistant to change. The most up-to-date technology will help you against the competition on many levels, including quantity syncing across channels and open API customization.

Features

Of course, we have to talk about warehouse management software features. A WMS should be built with the standard inventory tracking features and software integration capabilities, but it should also deliver new features to accommodate industry changes. This goes along with the last point about technology. The WMS you choose should be in tune with industry changes and react accordingly. The development of new features to meet consumer demands will undoubtedly make you shine against the competition. And the earlier you can implement them the better.