WMS - Warehouse Management System

What is a WMS?

A Warehouse Management System is a software system that helps you manage all processes in your warehouse. It keeps track of inventory, optimizes picking routes, handles incoming goods and coordinates shipments. For webshops with their own warehouse, a WMS is essential for efficient order management and minimizing errors.

Core features of a WMS

• Inventory management: Real-time overview of inventory, locations and stock levels. You always know what you have and where it is.
• Order management: Automatically assign and prioritize orders based on rules (e.g. speed, shipping method or order time).
• Picking: Optimized pick routes and pick lists that minimize walking distance and time spent. Batch picking of multiple orders at the same time.
• Packing: Guidance for correct packing, automatic shipping labels and packing lists.
• Receiving: Registration of incoming goods with barcode scanning and quality control.
• Reporting: Statistics on inventory turnover, delivery times, error rates and employee productivity.
• Inventory counting: Systematic counting with barcode scanner to ensure the system matches the physical inventory.

When do you need a WMS?

A WMS makes sense when:

• You ship more than 20-50 orders per day and spend too much time on manual handling.
• You have many different products (SKUs) and it's difficult to keep track of inventory.
• You experience errors in orders - wrong products, wrong quantities or missing items.
• You have multiple warehouse employees that need to be coordinated efficiently.
• You want to scale your business without hiring proportionally more warehouse staff.

Types of WMS

• Standalone WMS: Dedicated warehouse management software that integrates with your webshop and shipping providers.
• ERP-integrated WMS: WMS as part of a larger ERP system (e.g. SAP, Microsoft Dynamics).
• Cloud-based WMS: SaaS solution running in the cloud with ongoing subscription.
• Shipping solutions with WMS: Shipping platforms that have expanded to include warehouse management.

Popular WMS solutions for Danish webshops

• Shipmondo: Danish platform that combines WMS functionality with freight book management. Popular among Danish webshops.
• Ongoing WMS: Scandinavian WMS with strong e-commerce integration.
• ShipBob: International solution that combines WMS with 3PL services.
• Consignor: Nordic freight platform with logistics functions.

WMS and Shoporama

Shoporama can be integrated with external WMS systems via the REST API. Orders can be automatically sent to your WMS when they are created or paid, and stock status can be synchronized back to your webshop so your product pages always show the correct stock status. You can also use webhooks to receive notifications of order changes in real-time.

Implementation tips

• Start with the basics: Implement the core features first (inventory management and order management) and add advanced features gradually.
• Barcode scanning: Invest in handheld scanners - it significantly reduces errors compared to manual entry.
• Warehouse structure: Organize your warehouse with clear locations and zones before implementing WMS.
• Test thoroughly: Run the new system in parallel with the old for a transition period.