When should you customize your WMS and why?

Customizing a WMS to fit your business needs sounds great in theory, but the high costs and potential risks involved make it a decision worth careful consideration.

Here are four chief thoughts on WMS customization, when it might make sense, and when you should check in with your vendor before barreling ahead.

1. When it’s easy

Some customizations are straightforward and can significantly enhance your daily operations. These customizations usually focus on workflow adjustments and process orders that are unique to your operations, or on making visual changes to reports and other interfaces.

Cosmetic changes like layout and design adjustments (where you’re not altering the data or core functionality) tend to be easy, affordable, and avoid scope creep. These types of changes are smart because they help your business appear more professional with minimal risk.

2. When you need more integration

If you need to integrate your custom WMS with a customer’s platform to secure their business or to grow your own, it's typically a worthwhile customization.

Integration needs may arise from your team recognizing the advantage or from customer requests. However, before embarking on this path, talk to your WMS provider.

Build a budget for new WMS software (and factor in customization costs) using our comprehensive WMS pricing guide

WMS vendors are continuously working on new and improved integrations. For example, if multiple customers request integration with a popular platform like QuickBooks, the vendor might start working on that integration.

Check if the one you need is already in development and inquire about the timeline. Your vendor might complete it before your team can, saving you money and providing native support for the integration.

When considering integration customizations, ensure you understand the potential impact on your overall system performance and future upgrades. Talking these through with your provider can help you steer clear of common problems.

3. When you can afford it

Customization can be a long and arduous process, so you need a smart plan with a large budget.
There are countless tales of caution and woe when a customization project didn’t work, or when a company hadn’t planned on it taking months and securing the assets they needed to test it on part of the network before going live.

It can also be expensive, especially for legacy systems. If you need specialized features, factor that into your budget early on. If you’re aiming to achieve industry standards, consider whether switching to a different WMS might be more cost-effective.

Don’t let your customization process go off the rails with a scope that is unfixed. Define your needs and goals clearly in the initial phase. Additional features can always be added after ensuring the foundation is solid.

How much does it typically cost to customize a WMS?

The cost of customizing a  WMS varies widely based on the complexity of the changes and the age of your existing platform. It’s crucial to budget carefully and anticipate potential overruns.

4. When you absolutely must

If you have a WMS that your team likes, but it doesn't quite do everything you need it to, customization could be your best bet. Sometimes, businesses require a specific function or core platform advancement, making it more feasible and affordable to customize rather than replace the entire WMS.

Whether it’s remote terminal support, custom field development, industry-specific regulatory compliance, or data-driven application screens, start your customization process only after confirming that your WMS provider doesn’t offer a module that meets your needs.

When all is said and done, your WMS customization should either be a low-cost, cosmetic enhancement or a business-critical necessity that has been thoroughly vetted and budgeted to ensure success.

Is it better to customize an existing WMS or purchase a new one?

This depends on the specific needs of your business. If the current WMS meets most of your requirements and only needs minor adjustments, customization might be more cost-effective. If extensive changes are needed, investing in a new WMS might be the smarter choice.

Final thoughts

Take the time to decide when and why to customize to ensure it supports your business goals, keeps costs in check, and reduces risks.

Make sure your WMS customization plans are clear, and your budget is prepared for any unexpected challenges.