Selecting Warehouse Management System for Dynamics GP

WMS software licenses and barcode scanners cost might be comparable or even higher than Microsoft Dynamics GP licenses investment.  Considering that fact, you do not really want to make a wrong decision and this is why homework is required in Warehouse Management brand selection.  Let’s review typical WMS functionality, how it is mapped to Great Plains Dynamics (this is historical name of Microsoft Dynamics GP, as it is often referred by existing customers) transactions and WMS technical implementations.  Warehouse Management System depends on Barcoding technology, and Barcode scanners should be compatible with your final WMS platform, this is why you should not rush into their purchase prior to making final decision on WMS.  If you are large wholesaler or distributor, we recommend you to have dedicated project manager, who is responsible for Warehouse Management System selection activity, and who is familiar with barcoding technology (best options would be somebody who got degree in Supply Chain Manager and Logistics):

1. WMS functionality and its mapping to Dynamics GP modules and transactions.  In classical scenarios you should expect Sales Order Fulfillment, Inventory Transfer and Adjustments, and Merchandise Replenishment (often referred as restocking).  All these functions are available in native Dynamics GP, where Order Fulfillment is Order Line Manual Allocation (SOP transaction entry screen, or the same is possible in Fulfillment Order form).  Inventory adjustments (and Cycle counts) have similarly named transaction windows in Great Plains Inventory Control module.  And finally Inventory restocking is realized in Purchase Order Processing module in Purchase Receipt document.  As you can expect so far, Microsoft Dynamics GP has all the required functionality, but it is not really Barcoding enabled application (as it is rather Corporate ERP, MRP, and Accounting system).  This is why you need Warehouse Management application to enable Barcoding originated transactions to be integrated to Great Plains

2. Warehouse Management System realization technologies.  If you would like general view, there are two approaches.  First one is self-contained external WMS, which has integration modules or even connectors to major Accounting applications, such as Dynamics GP, AX, Oracle Applications, Accpac, Platinum, SAP Business One, Navision, Solomon, etc.  And the second approach is Dynamics GP WMS extensions, where Warehouse Management System works directly with Great Plains tables.  Here we should warn you that decision making on the External versus Extensions is very difficult and tough.  We have only good words to say about both WMS platforms and we would like to give you positive and negative points for each one, not being critical, but giving you highlights to decide on what is the best for you

3. External WMS – as the positive comment, here you typically expect rich functionality, very large number of installations across the USA, Canada and internationally (meaning that most of the software bugs are fixed and you are not the beta testing victim).  However there are costs to be universal – you typically have to pay for the same functionality in Warehouse Management Applications (you already paid for Dynamics GP Distribution set of modules: Sales Order Processing, Inventory Control and Purchase Order Processing).  We also heard some complains from Great Plains Warehouse oriented customers, that WMS integration is not working out of the box and requires unexpected consulting hours

4. Dynamics GP Warehouse Management System Extensions.  As positive comments, integration is not an issue (as it works directly in Great Plains DB scope), you do not have to pay twice for software licenses.  However to give you some caution, the installation base is narrower.  Here in Alba Spectrum we offer your WMS extensions module and we encourage you to call us for executive and technical presentation

5. Dynamics GP WMS and Great Plains versions.  If you have to implement Great Plains Warehouse Management System, our recommendation would be to in the current version (Dynamics GP 2010/11.0) or at least one version behind (Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0)

6. What to do if your WMS implementation failed or is currently in limbo?  First of all – it is possible scenario and you are not the first one and not the last one.  Please, relax, life is wonderful and feel free to give us a call: 1-866-528-0577, help@albaspectrum.com.  Local service in Illinois, Michigan, California, Texas.  We are positioned to do remote support for Dynamics GP implementations and Warehouse Management System user training

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The core of QC Enterprise is the QC Navigator. The QC Navigator directs real-time data management and interface responsibilities of the material handling system as well as provides common user interface screens for monitoring, control and diagnostics.

As the focal point for managing the operational aspects of the material handling system, QC Navigator provides the critical link between the non-real time host and the real-time Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) based material handling system. It coordinates the various real-time control devices to accomplish the daily workload. At each decision point, QC Navigator determines the most efficient routing of the product and transmits directives to the Equipment Controllers to achieve the desired result. The decision making process in controlled by two separate utilities, the Sort Manager and the Route Director.

The Sort Manager controls high speed sorting devices such as cross-belt, sliding shoe, tilt-tray, and wheel style sorters. This tool is utilized in environments where single source scan points are required.

The Route Director is utilized in more complex environments where multiple scanners are required during the routing process and provides for priority based route sequencing. This utility is easily configurable based on individual business rules and allows for complex routing and zone skipping.

The QC Navigator is a flexible and scalable module within the QC Enterprise system that ensures an environment that functions at the highest efficiency and the lowest total cost of ownership.

QC Software is the leading provider of Tier 1 warehouse control systems to the warehousing and distribution industries. Since 1996, QC Software, utilizing state of the art technology combined with extensive research, development, and rigorous testing, has developed the QC Enterprise suite of products. Designed to be modular in nature, easily configurable, and platform independent, this highly scalable solution satisfies the needs of any size warehouse.

The solutions provided by QC Software (www.qcsoftware.com) enables companies to streamline their warehouse operations with the lowest total cost of ownership in the industry ensuring increased corporate profitability. With a commitment to total customer satisfaction QC Software is the obvious choice for warehouse control, order management, and inventory management needs.

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QC Software is the leading provider of Tier 1 warehouse control systems to the warehousing and distribution industries. Since 1996, QC Software, utilizing state of the art technology combined with extensive research, development, and rigorous testing, has developed the QC Enterprise suite of products. Designed to be modular in nature, easily configurable, and platform independent, this highly scalable solution satisfies the needs of any size warehouse.

ConnectShip’s goal is to make shipping management as easy as possible. Distributors who ship product via the world’s system of small package carriers are able to utilize a product line to ship efficiently including:

• ConnectShip Warehouse – A shipping management application designed for companies with mid to high volume shipping needs; ConnectShip Warehouse provides reliable and efficient small parcel and LTL shipment manifesting for distribution operations.

• ConnectShip Advisor – A shipment rating application designed to assist shippers with carrier/service selection decisions. ConnectShip Advisor provides comprehensive shipping advice and allows integration with order management, ERP and other backend systems.

• ConnectShip ChainLink – A suite of browser-based applications that support shipping functions throughout the enterprise, ConnectShip ChainLink includes shipping applications to support desktop shipping requests, customer service inquiries, and small parcel and LTL shipment manifesting.

• ConnectShip Merchant – An electronic routing guide for traditional and online order entry systems, ConnectShip Merchant provides functionality to determine preferred shipping methods and accurately calculate shipping charges at time of order entry.

According to Rich Hite, co-founder of QC Software, “Being a ConnectShip reseller is vital to our clients because it gives us total visibility as the outbound floor manager for the distribution facility, which allows us to provide a complete, rather than disjointed, system to our clients. ConnectShip is a flexible, extremely customizable product that allows us to meet each client’s unique needs and requirements. Additionally, the ConnectShip suite supports multiple major carriers which allow customers more shipping choices and flexibility.”

The solutions provided by QC Software (www.qcsoftware.com) enables companies to streamline their warehouse operations with the lowest total cost of ownership in the industry ensuring increased corporate profitability. Clients include Tommy Hilfiger, Under Armour, and Arbonne. To see if WCS software is appropriate QC has developed testing methodology at http://qcsoftware.com/wcs_factors.html.

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