How to Choose a WMS for a Growing Business.
Successful growth often brings operational challenges, especially when it comes to warehouse management. That’s where a warehouse management system (WMS) comes in. A WMS can help streamline operations, boost efficiency, and prepare businesses to scale effectively. But choosing the right WMS for growing companies isn’t a simple decision. With countless options available, how do you ensure you select the right solution to meet your needs today and tomorrow?
This guide will walk you through the steps to choose scalable warehouse software tailored to your growing business.
Key Takeaways:
- A WMS helps optimise inventory management, improve order fulfilment, and streamline operations.
- Understanding your unique business needs is critical before considering vendors.
- Features like scalability, integration capabilities, and reporting functionality are essential for growing businesses.
- Choosing a vendor with industry expertise and support, such as Balloon One and Infios WMS (formerly Körber WMS), can ensure long-term success.
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Understanding Your Business Needs.
Assess Current Operations.
Start by taking stock of your existing warehouse operations. Which processes are working smoothly, and where are the bottlenecks? Are manual processes slowing down order cycles? Is inventory management prone to errors? This internal audit will help you identify the specific improvements you need from a WMS.
Identify Pain Points and Inefficiencies.
Common challenges include:
- Lack of real-time inventory visibility
- Slow order processing
- High error rates in picking and shipping
- Difficulty implementing changes as demand grows
By pinpointing these issues, you can prioritise the features your WMS must include.
Set Clear Objectives.
Define what success looks like for your WMS deployment:
- Do you want to reduce order inaccuracies by 30%?
- Are you aiming to scale operations without increasing staff numbers significantly?
- Is improving customer satisfaction through faster shipping times your primary goal?
These objectives will guide your decision-making process.
Key Features to Look For in a WMS.
A growing business needs a WMS that adds value now and scales with future demands. Here are the key features to prioritise:
Inventory Management.
An effective WMS should provide real-time visibility into your stock levels, ensuring sufficient inventory to meet demand without overstocking.
Order Fulfilment.
Faster, more accurate order fulfilment is non-negotiable. Look for systems that optimise picking, packing, and shipping processes to reduce delays and minimise errors.
Reporting and Analytics.
Data is power. Systems like the Infios WMS offer detailed analytics, enabling you to make informed decisions by identifying trends and potential optimisation opportunities.
Integration Capabilities.
It’s essential your WMS integrates seamlessly with your existing enterprise resource planning (ERP) software, such as SAP Business One. This ensures end-to-end visibility and optimised workflows across departments.
Scalability and Flexibility.
Look for solutions designed to grow with your business. A scalable WMS adapts to increased volumes, new product lines, or even expansion into new markets. Balloon One’s partnership with Infios ensures access to flexible solutions tailored to businesses of all sizes.
Evaluating WMS Vendors.
Not all vendors are created equal. Here’s how to find the right partner:
Research and Shortlist.
Explore platforms like Gartner Peer Insights for WMS reviews. Look for vendors with proven expertise in supporting businesses at your scale and within your industry. Balloon One stands out here for its deep understanding of supply chain technologies and exclusive Infios WMS solutions in the UK.
Request Demos and Case Studies.
Seeing is believing. Request product demonstrations to ensure the WMS’s features align with your needs. Additionally, ask for case studies that demonstrate the vendor’s success with similar businesses. For example, Jellycat grew from a £10 million company in 2010 to over £200 million in 2025 by implementing Infios WMS through Balloon One.
Check for Tailored Solutions.
Your warehouse is unique, and your WMS should reflect that. Ensure the vendor offers bespoke customisations and support to suit your exact requirements.
Implementation and Training.
Plan for a Smooth Rollout.
Rolling out a WMS is a significant project requiring meticulous planning. Develop an implementation timeline with key milestones to track progress and avoid unexpected delays.
Train Your Team.
The best system in the world won’t succeed without staff buy-in. Provide comprehensive WMS training to empower your employees and encourage them to adopt the new system fully. Many vendors, including Balloon One, offer ongoing support to make the learning curve less steep.
Test, Deploy, and Optimise.
Before going live, test the system thoroughly to ensure it meets your needs. Once implemented, actively monitor its performance and make adjustments as necessary.
Lessons from Growing Businesses.
Real-world success stories provide valuable insights into the benefits of a WMS:
- Jellycat collaborated with Balloon One to implement Infios (formerly Körber) WMS and SAP Business One from 2010, enabling the business to scale from £10 million to £200 million in turnover.
- Virgin Wines improved efficiency and reduced warehouse costs through Infios WMS’s streamlined inventory and order management tools.
- Huel, a popular UK-based nutrition brand, successfully scaled its in-house warehousing to meet global demand by using Balloon One’s customised solutions.
Each of these businesses faced unique challenges but found scalable, flexible WMS solutions to help them grow.
Take the Next Step Towards Better Warehouse Management.
Choosing the right WMS for your growing business can feel overwhelming, but the rewards are worth the effort. The right system doesn’t just optimise your operations; it transforms your business into an efficient, scalable powerhouse prepared to tackle future growth.
Discover how Balloon One can help streamline your operations with tailored Infios WMS solutions. Book a consultation and explore how we can help your business thrive.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
A warehouse management system (WMS) is software designed to optimise inventory control, streamline order fulfilment, and digitise manual processes. It becomes vital for businesses experiencing growth to handle increased demand and minimise inefficiencies.
Scalable WMS solutions, like Infios, allow businesses to handle higher order volumes, add new users, and integrate with additional tools as operations expand.
Timelines can vary depending on the complexity of your business and the WMS solution. On average, implementation can take a few months, but detailed planning and vendor support can help accelerate the process.
Costs depend on the system’s complexity, the number of users, and any necessary customisations. However, the return on investment is often seen through improved efficiency, reduced errors, and enhanced customer satisfaction.
Integrating a WMS with ERP systems like SAP Business One provides end-to-end visibility of your operations, ensuring your warehousing processes align seamlessly with procurement, finance, and sales.
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