WMS 101: Guide to Warehouse Management Systems

corEfficient warehouse management is critical to maintaining accurate inventory, timely order fulfillment, and customer satisfaction. A Warehouse Management System (WMS) is essential for modern logistics and supply chain operations. It provides real-time inventory tracking, streamlines processes, and enhances operational efficiency.

This guide explores the fundamentals of WMS and how Datacor WMS can help optimize your warehouse workflows, reduce errors, and improve profitability.

In this post, we’ll cover:

• What WMS is and why it matters
• Key features of Datacor WMS
• Operational and financial benefits
• Implementation best practices

What is a Warehouse Management System?

A Warehouse Management System (WMS) is a mobile software solution that provides real-time visibility into inventory and product movement within your warehouse. It helps businesses manage their goods from the moment they arrive to the moment they ship out, ensuring accuracy, traceability, and speed.

Without a WMS, warehouse teams often rely on manual processes and paper-based systems, which introduce significant challenges:

• Lost productivity: Time spent searching for misplaced products or correcting inventory errors slows down fulfillment.
• Inaccurate inventory counts: Without real-time updates, materials may be overstocked or understocked.
• Manual errors: Misread handwriting and incomplete paperwork can lead to picking the wrong items or incorrect shipments.
• Lack of visibility: Office staff and procurement teams operate with outdated information, increasing the risk of delays and miscommunication.
• Customer dissatisfaction: Missed orders and slow turnaround times can damage your reputation and bottom line.

Datacor WMS digitizes warehouse workflows and connects seamlessly with your Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, eliminating these inefficiencies and giving everyone access to accurate, up-to-date inventory data.

Core Features of Datacor WMS

Datacor WMS delivers powerful functionality designed for process manufacturing and distribution environments, including:

• Real-time visibility into inventory counts and locations
• Physical inventory functions and cycle counting
• Purchase Order receiving
• Order picking and shipment staging
• Inventory movement and location transfers
• Inventory correction and repack
• Batch staging
• Inventory lookup via mobile device
• Seamless integration with Datacor ERP

Benefits of WMS

Implementing WMS helps businesses:

• Eliminate manual tracking with real-time digital updates
• Reduce physical paperwork across the warehouse
• Improve cycle times for shipping, invoicing, and planning
• Reduce inventory discrepancies and manual corrections
• Enhance planning and material availability insights
• Minimize the risk of obsolete or excess inventory
• Support quality control by validating raw materials before use
• Boost productivity by streamlining warehouse workflows

With Datacor WMS, warehouse teams can use handheld devices to scan barcodes and record inventory movement instantly, even from a forklift. That data feeds directly into the ERP system in real time, providing immediate visibility across the organization.

Traditionally, when an order comes in, it’s printed out by office staff, passed to the shipping office, and then handed off to a warehouse team member or forklift driver. They often spend valuable time searching for the required product, if it’s even in stock or in the correct location. These manual, paper-based processes are slow, error-prone, and difficult to manage at scale.

Datacor WMS eliminates these inefficiencies. Handheld scanning devices allow warehouse staff to go directly to the correct product location, scan barcodes, even from a forklift, and instantly update inventory in the system. This not only saves time and labor but also drastically reduces the likelihood of miscounts, misplaced items, or misread handwriting.

The result is greater accuracy, improved traceability, and more confident decision-making. Plus, with all inventory history securely stored, you're always ready to demonstrate compliance or track down data when needed.

Real-World Results from Our Customers

"Since we implemented the MES/WMS in April, we’ve actually saved more money in terms of inventory than we’ve spent on Datacor’s software... Every aspect of Datacor’s software is better for our business than what we had before in terms of manufacturing, inventory, and order entry. I can't speak highly enough about it."

— Lizzie Eisenhart, Head of IT Liaison and Data Integrity, Deveraux Specialties

WMS Implementation: What to Consider

Rolling out a WMS doesn’t have to be difficult, especially with the support of Datacor’s experienced implementation team. Here are some best practices:

Tips for a successful launch:

• Get your data in order: Clean and verify baseline data before setup. Make sure all inventory locations are clearly identified and barcoded.
• Gain team buy-in: Clearly communicate the goals and benefits of WMS to your team. Involve them in the process and provide training to ensure adoption.
• Designate a point person: Identify a WMS lead who will coordinate setup, answer questions, and serve as the go-to resource during rollout.

Choose a WMS Built for Process Manufacturers

Datacor WMS is purpose-built for manufacturers and distributors who need accurate, efficient, and traceable warehouse operations. Backed by over 30 years of industry expertise and fully integrated with Datacor ERP, our WMS gives you the tools to improve visibility, control costs, and deliver faster.

Want to see it in action?
Contact us to request a free demo and explore how Datacor WMS can help your business grow.