Choosing a WMS for SMEs: why deployment time matters

Are you an SME looking for a WMS? Explore 6 reasons why deployment time matters when weighing up your options.



For many warehouse leaders, the benefits of a cloud-based warehouse management system (WMS) don't need repeating.

The question isn't why you would want to make the change. Instead, the two key questions are:

1. How much is it going to cost?
2. How long will it take to deploy?
   
   

The second question is relevant because not all WMS solutions take the same amount of time to deploy. And the difference isn't just between entry-level solutions and more complex, customisable solutions. There are also differences between different kinds of entry-level solutions.

When choosing a product that's right for your SME, deployment time matters. That's not to say it's all that matters. But when comparing the market, deployment time should undoubtedly be a key consideration.

At Minster WMS, we offer CORE. This is an entry-level, cloud-based WMS for small businesses that's packed with features to boost accuracy, productivity and visibility.

So, what makes it better than our competitors? For one, it can be deployed fast. And by fast, we're talking days, not weeks. If your requirements are simple, it can even be up and running within 24 hours.

This speed of deployment is good for one obvious reason – it helps you reap the benefits of the solution sooner rather than later. But that's just one reason among many why faster is better.

Why WMS deployment time matters for SMEs: 6 key reasons

1. ROI

As with so many meaningful changes, a WMS only makes a return on investment when it's up and running. Until it's used to handle and analyse warehouse operations, it's adding about as much value as a shelf made from old, wet newspaper.

If a WMS takes months to deploy, the manager of an SME is likely to worry that time will be lost – and with it, money. A solution like CORE makes operations more productive, more accurate and more visible within days, not weeks.



2. Disruption

By definition, disruption is bad. But in the world of SMEs, it's not just a nuisance. It's also a big hole where money goes to die.

Long deployment times involve extended periods of testing, expensive training and even a sense of fatigue as the project drags on.

Quick deployments, by comparison, mean downtime is kept to an absolute minimum and staff adapt more quickly to their new, streamlined workflows.

3. Making life easier for the user

There's a good reason some modern cloud-based warehouse management systems can be deployed quickly (including our CORE solution). It's because they come with preconfigured best practices straight out of the box.

In some situations, of course, customisability is the name of the game. But for many SMEs, you just want improvements sooner rather than later.

By making life easier for users, quickly deployed WMS solutions make adoption smoother and improvements more quickly felt. Win-win!

4. Cost savings

It's a truism as old as money. The longer the project, the more it costs. And this applies even to the best-laid plans with the most finely-tuned budgets.

As a project drags on, you're more and more likely to call in (and pay) consultants and trainers to make meaningful changes and bring you closer to your goals.

This is reflected in the fact that two WMS solutions with similar upfront costs will have different total costs of ownership (TCOs) depending on their deployment time.

Shorter deployment time equals less money down the line. It's one of the clearest reasons why a fast deployment time matters to SMEs looking for the right WMS. 

5. Risk management

In businesses of all sizes, risk is inevitable. But the longer and larger the project, the more risks tend to proliferate. By the time the project is nearing a close, management's wrists are worn out from one too many rounds of Whack the Rat.

We're talking scope creep. We're talking over-spends. We're talking changes in focus and even changes in leadership.

All these risks make it harder and harder to pull the project together and make it deliver. A shorter deployment time is far less likely to introduce these spanners into the works.

6. Speed of scalability

Most SMEs want to grow. Perhaps your business wants to set up a new warehouse, add a new sales channel or simply shift more products.

Whatever your goals, you need a WMS that will hit the ground running – not limp on for weeks, months or years.

 How we compare to our competitors

Our CORE solution can be up and running within 24 hours. So, how does this compare to WMS solutions from other providers? Here are three examples.

1. SAP Extended Warehouse Management

SAP Extended Warehouse Management is often used in large manufacturing, retail and distribution companies. It takes between a couple of weeks for a pilot and six months or more for complex, automated operations. As the number of sites increases, so too does the project timeframe.

2. Manhattan Associates WMS

A popular choice for large retailers and 3PLs, Manhattan Associates WMS takes up to 12 weeks for an out-of-the-box deployment. It can take three months to more than a year for complex configurations.

3. Blue Yonder Warehouse Management

The standard, single-module version of this WMS tends to take between six and 12 months. By contrast, a complex, multi-module solution can take up to 24 months.

Is deployment time all that matters when choosing a WMS?

No. When choosing a WMS, you need to balance your deployment needs with operational capacity, scalability and cost.

In some situations, a long and complex deployment is desirable or even necessary. But for most SMEs, you just need a highly functional solution that works right out of the box. This is where CORE comes into its own.

Are you looking for a cloud-based WMS that provides end-to-end visibility of all warehouse operations? Book a demo today to learn more about CORE, our entry-level WMS that can be up and running within 24 hours.