Guide to Distribution Software

Evaluate your warehouse management software needs with those of your trading partners

Your warehouse management systems’ needs are greater than your own facilities. In choosing warehouse distribution software, create a list of the needs outside your warehouse. These needs can be internal – such as the need to integrate with e-business order-taking tools – or external – such as connecting with suppliers and vendors through electronic connections. Those distributors who ship to large retailers such as Wal-Mart or Target also need RFID capabilities in their warehousing and distribution software.

I recommend: Sage Software, which offers distribution management software and provides an excellent warehouse management software checklist you can download to help you zero in on the best warehouse management systems.

Determine whether your financial software has useful warehouse management software

If you use ERP software, you can may be able to buy your warehouse management software from your ERP vendor. According to AMR Research, warehouse management system software from ERP vendors “has matured significantly in recent months,” but the number of implementations are few, so it may be difficult to find a reference from a company that can offer any hints to the strength of these warehouse systems. The advantage of course, is the bulletproof integration between your warehouse software and your financials tools.

I recommend: If you use SAP, Oracle or QAD ERP software, you can purchase your warehouse management software from them. Find additional ERP software vendors at Business.com.

Find distribution software that integrates into all your related systems

Distribution management software no longer lives on an island inside the enterprise. Warehouse systems now have to connect to customers and vendors via Electronic Data Interchange as well as connecting to e-business systems, customer relationship management systems and ERP systems. Connectivity to outside systems has become just as important as pick, pack and ship functionality. Make a list of the connectivity points that are critical to your operation, then score warehouse system vendors on their ability to make these connections.

I recommend: Consult the directory of warehouse management software vendors at Business.com to begin your search.

Buying from resellers

Working with a warehouse distribution software reseller has advantages since resellers have worked with many customers across a variety of warehouse systems.

I recommend: Resellers such as Sage Software or IDII can help buyers identify their needs and match those needs with recent warehouse management systems developments.

Match your industry with the right warehouse management system

Each industry has its individual distribution management software needs. The pharmaceutical industry and the consumer package goods industries are both turning to solutions that include RFID – but for different reasons. Pharma needs to track and trace its goods through the supply chain. Consumer goods companies need RFID to comply with customer mandates.

I recommend: Many warehouse management software vendors can accommodate the needs of multiple industries. These include HighJump Software,  Infor, Logility, Manhattan Associates and RedPrairie. More warehouse management resources are available at Business.com.