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How To Choose The Best Supply Chain Optimization Software

Choosing a high-quality supply chain optimization software is no easy task. Even after choosing the software, implementing both the WMS and the ERP is no cakewalk either. You have to find a WMS that can functionally fit the requirements of your business processes while also integrating seamlessly into your ERP. Software implementations often fail because the setup process is rushed. If there is even the slightest problem with the setup of the new software, that will quickly become clear the day the system goes live. Even something as simple as a printer issue could mean hundreds of customers not getting their orders delivered.

To help you avoid those failed deliveries and tricky implementations, we’ve compiled a list of tips you might find useful when trying to find a solid supply chain optimization software. We also cover some of the major benefits of DATASCOPE’s supply chain software specifically, as well as certain things you can do without software to improve your supply chain performance.

TIPS FOR CHOOSING THE RIGHT SOFTWARE SOLUTION

  1. The look, feel and overall aesthetics of the software are important for the warehouse workers and employees who will be using it on a daily basis. Ask yourself a few questions before deciding on a WMS solution:
    1. Which software technologies were used to build the WMS architecture and how long was the product development process? 
    2. What hardware is used? 
    3. Is the software a standard plug-and-play solution with enough off-the-shelf functionality to meet your business requirements, or does it require lots of extra development time that could ultimately result in version control issues?
  2. Not only are you picking a suitable software to help run your operations, you’ll also want to assess the viability of a long-term partnership with the WMS reseller when deciding on a good software. Look at their financials from the last few years, goals they have for the future, and the overall level of professionalism within the organization. Is this who you want to partner with?
  3. Make sure you know all of the risks involved with choosing a new supply chain software and how to mitigate them. Business risks can be managed in a variety of ways but some best practices include:
    1. Holding weekly project meetings with detailed activity lists
    2. Guaranteeing formal classroom and on-the-job training for all WMS operators.
    3. Conducting a complete inventory count before taking the software live.
    4. Managing customer expectations and minimizing business interruptions, especially in the week immediately after going live.
  4. Figure out what key WMS functionality is necessary to strategically outmaneuver your competition. For instance, voice-directed picking is critical to high-volume apparel suppliers, but would likely be unnecessary for another operation.
  5. Pay close attention to your budget during the integration process. WMS and ERP integration is notoriously difficult and, oftentimes, a third-party will be required to perform the actual integration. Rarely do they agree on a fixed price for their services. Before making a final decision, consider all of the potential project costs, including both hardware and software costs, the cost of implementing the system, as well as any necessary licensing fees.

BENEFITS OF DATASCOPE SOFTWARE

With a number of different receiving strategies, warehouse movements and inventory transactions available, as well as our advanced stock take module, the DATASCOPE WMS features can be customized and used for any of your business needs. Here are some of the major benefits of choosing DATASCOPE as your supply chain optimization software:

1. CLOUD-BASED TECHNOLOGY

The future of ERP and WMS systems is in cloud-based technology. We’ve adopted SYSPRO’s Cloud First focus and we’re incredibly excited about its scalability, mobility, and cost-effectiveness. DATASCOPE has also been working hard to release our Microsoft Azure solution. Not only is our cloud solution fast, stable, and reliable, but with advanced cloud servers, security and network optimization have also become a priority. All of our future internal software testing and demos will be run on Azure and we fully support any client looking to make the move with us.

2. TAILORED WMS SOLUTION

DATASCOPE is able to tailor your custom WMS solution specifically to your business without the difficulties of customizing the core software solution. Gone are the days of the clunky “out of the box” solutions and expensive upgrades that require significant redevelopment every time a new iteration of the software is released. Instead, DATASCOPE was designed with a variety of tools your company can use to install the core software and integrate tailored solutions without compromising the integrity of the core software. Some of these tools include VB scripting, an E.NET API layer, and a range of triggers to facilitate automation.

3. BUILT WITH SYSPRO IN MIND

Finally, one of the biggest advantages of DATASCOPE’s software is that it has been built specifically for SYSPRO . The integration of DATASCOPE’s WMS and the SYSPRO ERP is seamless, with all transactions between the two systems taking place in the SYSPRO E.NET business object layer. We know that batch updates are difficult to control and easy to get out of sync, which is why DATASCOPE WMS has been created to avoid replicating SYSPRO data into new WMS tables. You get a 100% live solution without any of the ERP-WMS batch data updates.

OPTIMIZING YOUR SUPPLY CHAIN WITHOUT SOFTWARE

Low inventory costs and short lead times are the two primary goals of every manufacturer. An optimized supply chain and streamlined manufacturing process can be combined with strong network design, advanced analytics, and automation to eliminate any gaps within your processes and to reduce the likelihood of human error in your operations.

However, even without specific optimization applications, there are other steps you can take to improve your supply chain design manually. Start by integrating your current supply chain management system with other systems within your operation. Prioritize inventory management, organization and cycle counting. Increasing shipment deliveries while simultaneously trying to reduce cross-docking can have tremendous benefits for the efficiency of the demand and supply within your operation.

Enhance your warehouse operations by conducting regular audits of your distribution centers, training all employees thoroughly, and investing in reliable equipment. Last but not least, ensure you’re tracking company-wide data for each department and each point in your supply chain, not just in factories and warehouses. You should know how all parts of the supply chain work together and be able to easily identify problem areas that arise.

For more information about DATASCOPE’s supply chain optimization software, or if you’d like to get any of your burning supply chain questions answered, get in touch with us today. We’re always happy to help.

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