Keeping up with technology can be a challenge with warehouse management systems. If you understand these challenges, you can better overcome them and keep your system working efficiently.
Transition Planning
It’s important to have a data migration plan in place for the conversion of historical operating and customer data from your old system to a new WMS. For a seamless transition, you need to align your IT staff, IT vendors, consultants and executive stakeholders. The biggest challenge during this transition is the moment when the existing system is taken offline and the new one comes on. Your transition plan must include plans to intervene if bugs occur at this point.
Prioritise The Functions You Need
When updating or upgrading any system, there are going to be new features that will need to be customised to get the best return on investment.
Prioritise and master the basics of the new system first and then use it to build on your success. Prioritise the elements of the system that you will need immediately to keep you on schedule and on budget.
Don’t Ignore WMS Testing and Training
If timelines and budgets are tight, the testing and training stages are often the first things to be dropped. If a system is going to be successfully implemented, then it is essential that it is tested thoroughly. Employee training should also be a priority in order to ensure the continuity of business processes and to help keep staff morale high during the challenging transition phase.
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