Introduction to Warehouse Management Systems

In today's competitive environment, understanding the crucial role of a Warehouse Management System (WMS) is a vital component in your organization.



Two major trends that are reshaping the entire industry are; timely delivery of information and JIT (Just In Time) inventory. Clients, both internal and external, are expecting timely and accurate information, and they are expecting better service from warehouse personnel, both in performance and accuracy.

They expect orders to be filled quickly, and they expect the incidence of incorrect picks - wrong items, or wrong quantities to be low or non existant. Paper based systems are no longer capable of meeting those needs.

A flexible and reliable WMS will empower your employees to do their jobs more productively and efficiently. In turn, empowering your employees will help move your business one step further ahead of your competition.

The problem

Many smaller warehouses, have not been able to justify the implementation of a full fledged system. Whether the warehouse is a small local distribution centre, or a 3PL (third party logistics) operation, the ROI has until now been difficult to justify.

But clients are becoming more demanding. There is an expectation that orders can be placed on the web, that picking and shipping operations can be followed in real time on the web, and that current inventory listings can be viewed on the web.

The solution

WHiPPET is a wireless system that provides real-time updates and access to your valuable data. It is designed for small-to-medium sized warehouses to provide a wide array of functionality to support warehouse and distribution applications. In a time of increased demand and JIT inventory tracking becoming the norm, WHiPPET optimizes productivity, efficiency, and accuracy of your warehouse.

WHiPPET usually operates with a web interface, which can be used to access the system locally, or via the web.

Hand held units are used to direct operations and confirm correct operation, and these can operate wirelessly, or where constraints (including security) make this inappropriate, can operate in batch mode.


Items being processed are identified by bar codes, or, where appropriate by RFID.

WHiPPET provides the standard functions of receiving, put away, picking and shipping, and can generate appropriate paperwork, including shipping manifests and commercial invoices. Processing of paperwork as required by Customs authorities is simplified.

In our experience, most clients need some modification of the system to fully meet their specific operating requirements. This can be a great advantage in reducing training times, improving acceptance, and improving efficiency. SageData can work with you to determine and implement upgrades as appropriate for your specific needs.

WHiPPET is designed to operate as a stand-alone system, or can be implemented with customized Oracle, FreeBalance, Access, Spreadsheet or SAP data interface connections. Note that some of the warehouse and stores features of WHiPPET are now included with our BassetPro application. Contact SageData to see which solution is more appropriate for your situation.

Click here, for our Warehouse Management White Paper

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