How to Get the Most Out of Your WMS Software and Provider Services

Warehouses and 3PLs are constantly looking for ways to get the most out of their warehouse management system (WMS) software. However, happiness doesn’t just come from well-running inventory tracking software. It also includes the services that a professional 3PL WMS software provider can offer to make the integration process easier, resulting in the best operational efficiency

for your business. In this blog post, we’ll highlight provider services that are important to the overall success of your WMS software and ultimately, your warehouse or distribution center.

Pre-planning for Your WMS Software Seamless Integration

Nobody knows your 3PL, growing facility, or warehouse better than you do.  An exceptional WMS software services provider like Argos Software will visit your facility and thoroughly research your company’s background. They will also work directly with you to gather company sales and operational history, key performance indicators, pain points, and ‘must haves’ to provide you with the best solutions for your inventory management and logistics objectives.

As a premier WMS software provider, Argos will even assign a professional services team staffed by industry experts to suggest potential areas where your warehouse operations can be improved. One such example would be to analyze your warehouse flow patterns to determine if reorganizing the warehouse is needed to increase efficiency. Because our staff work with customers on a daily basis, we have significant exposure to industry knowledge and best practices that can help optimize your inbound and outbound operations.

Customization for Your Company’s Specific Needs

Every third-party logistics provider and warehouse is different, and it is important for potential warehouse management system software providers to recognize those differences and accommodate your unique needs. WMS software should meet your specific inventory management needs and may require customization by adding modules or developing fields and reports to provide you with the best operational efficiency. Reporting tools are even available to identify which things are most picked or shipped together on the same day and move inventory closer to the docks. In-warehouse kitting is one such area Argos can customize to help your company with its daily inventory management and warehouse operations.

Warehouse Management Software Implementation and Training

Before implementation and training take place, a change management process should be developed. The process can address the order of implementation across the company, employee competencies, hardware configuration, and testing. It’s not just about having great warehouse management system software – you also need a strong team that can work together to implement it and provide training for everyone on how best to use the WMS software tools for inventory control and more. Your project team should include key employees and experts from your WMS software provider. It is important that you choose dedicated employees that will ultimately be responsible for implementation and support for your warehouse and office employees – not just members of management. When Argos works with a new customer to implement our software, we assign a project coordinator dedicated to your company to work with you and your team members during the transition phase.

Business Process Improvement Assistance

Your WMS software provider’s services should continue after initial implementation. An article from Logistics Management on optimizing your WMS states, “Just because WMS has been around for roughly four decades, doesn’t mean these systems can be put in place and left to fend for themselves as the business world around them changes and morphs at the speed of light. To be most effective in today’s fast-paced fulfillment environment, these specialized business applications should be regularly reviewed, updated, and optimized in a way that aligns with the business’s current needs.” Purchasing another company? Adding multiple warehouses? Focusing on warehouse processes to boost productivity? As your business needs change, it’s good to know that software from Argos can change as well. By sharing knowledge from professional in-house WMS software experts, Argos can help your warehouse or 3PL grow alongside emerging trends and technologies to improve your business processes for the ever-changing supply chain.

Customer Support and Upgrades

WMS vendors should also provide exceptional customer support after installation. Support can come in many forms:

• Help Desk Support
• Software Updates
• Support Portal
• E-Support Notices
• User Events
• Regular Software Updates
• Developing New Features

Argos customer support is a core aspect of our business and we take customer satisfaction seriously. This combined with feedback from 3PL warehouses, growers, SMBs, trucking companies, and others who use our system as their enterprise software solution allows us to continually improve the software to function at its best.

If you’re in the market for a new WMS software solution, be sure to keep in mind the importance of quality professional services from the provider to get the most out of your investment. Argos Software offers the best warehouse management software with extended services like pre-planning, customization, implementation and training, business process improvement assistance, and continual customer support and upgrades. This extra help can make the warehouse software integration process and continual software use much smoother and easier for your business – resulting in better operational efficiency. Contact us to find out more! 

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I maximize the value of my WMS investment?

Maximize value through thorough implementation, comprehensive staff training, and ongoing optimization. Use all relevant features rather than just basic functionality. Leverage reporting capabilities for continuous improvement. Stay current with software updates and new features. Engage with your provider for best practices and configuration improvements as your needs evolve.

What should I expect from WMS provider support services?

Expect responsive help desk support for issues and questions, regular software updates with new features and fixes, and access to training resources. Quality providers offer implementation guidance, configuration assistance, and strategic consulting. Understand your support agreement terms including response times, coverage hours, and included services.

How often should WMS software be updated?

Apply security patches and critical fixes promptly when released. Schedule feature updates based on your operational calendar, avoiding peak periods. Most providers release updates quarterly or annually. Plan time for testing updates in a non-production environment before deploying. Regular updates ensure you benefit from improvements and maintain vendor support.

What training do warehouse staff need for WMS effectiveness?

All users need training on their specific functions within the system. Provide initial training during implementation and ongoing training for new employees and feature updates. Develop internal experts who can support daily questions. Refresher training addresses skill decay and reinforces best practices. Well-trained staff use the system more effectively and make fewer errors.

How do I evaluate if my current WMS is meeting business needs?

Assess whether the system supports your current processes efficiently and can scale for planned growth. Evaluate user satisfaction, system reliability, and vendor support quality. Compare your operations against industry benchmarks. Review total cost of ownership including licensing, support, and operational costs. Consider whether available features address your challenges or if alternatives might serve you better.