Warehouse Software Systems: The Brains Behind the Operation

The Battle of Retail Sales

There is a bloody battle taking place in the world of retail sales, and it’s a fight to the death to win customers.

Whether you operate in cyberspace trying to attract e-commerce buyers or are focused on getting warm bodies into bricks-and-mortar stores, the struggle is intense.

The radical transformation of the retail environment over the past several years is leaving no room for complacency or inaction.

E-commerce is a juggernaut powered by Amazon’s dominance and it’s changed just about every aspect of retail operations.

Not only has e-comm speeded everything up, with consumers now expecting same day or next day deliveries, it has also driven the demise of many a traditional retail outlet.

Stores are closing, and retailers are facing massive costs to keep up with the demand for home delivery.

Amazon itself admitted that it will spend US$1.5 billion MORE than anticipated to up its delivery game from two days to one.

As Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos said in explaining the move;

“It’s a big investment. And it’s the right long-term decision for customers.”

If Amazon and Bezos are taking a hit bigger than the GDP of many countries so that they can meet consumer demands, how are smaller retailers supposed to survive? It’s not going to be easy, that’s for certain.

Upping Your Technology Game is Key to Survival

If you’ve been reading our retail series, you may have already seen our papers on Automation, Emerging Technologies, and Artificial Intelligence.

Choosing the right technology is the recurring theme in the battle for retail survival. It’s like knowing which piece on the chessboard will make the move you need to stay in control of the game.

This time we are going to look at the absolute fundamental importance of the software systems that underpin DC operations;

• Warehouse Management Systems (WMS)
• Warehouse Execution Systems (WES) and
• Warehouse Control Systems (WCS)

These systems are the brains that help retail operations stay ahead of the competition, by enabling the addition of new automated systems.