With internet speeds becoming mind-numbingly quicker by the day, cloud-based applications are becoming more and more popular among organizations, no matter what their size and where they’re located. All this information needs to be stored somewhere — so where does it all go?
A cloud-based Warehouse Management System (WMS) stores digital content on a remote server maintained by your service provider and provides access through an active internet connection.
Cloud-based WMS comes with multiple modules that can be tweaked according to the requirements of the company. Thanks to the connection between remote servers, enhancements to the existing system can be made far more easily, without having to physically visit the individual premises, and creating the advantage of convenience for vendors and clients alike. Read five more advantages of adopting a cloud-based WMS courtesy of DEAR Systems.
Advantages of cloud-based WMS
Economical
An on-premises WMS drains the companies’ coffers with installation and maintenance costs. Since this isn’t a core activity for them, companies often end up hiring additional support staff to take care of the servers, which only adds to the costs. This extra spending can be avoided simply by choosing a cloud-based WMS.
Cloud-based services require minimum participation from the client’s end as most of the installation and management is done remotely by the service provider.
Companies must bear the burden of upfront installation charges and software costs for installing a warehouse management system at their premises. All of these costs are mitigated or can be paid monthly or yearly by preferring a cloud-based WMS system.
Companies, especially startups and micro, small, and medium businesses (MSMEs), benefit from these expenditure cuts and keep their finances efficient.
Rapid implementation
An on-premises WMS may take months or even years to get fully implemented, and your business might not have the time or space to house WMS. The time it takes to employ a cloud-based WMS, on the other hand, is only a matter of days or weeks. Thanks to your service provider taking care of all the onboarding activities and configuring the entire system, your business will gain more time to devote to performing core activities (like sales and marketing) and increased productivity.
Scalability
The scalability of a WMS refers to the ability to increase or decrease the number of workstations and how quickly it can be done.
With traditional, on-premises WMS, scalability is cumbersome and costly. While scaling up, you need to ensure that you have the necessary hardware and software resources to handle the number of SKUs that are to be processed. Furthermore, expanding to multiple warehouses requires the installation of potentially expensive workstations and servers on-site to process the increased traffic. When scaling down, you are left with an unwanted inventory of pricy electronic devices that you must dispose of.
However, these scaling obstacles are easily avoidable with a cloud-based WMS. The vendor takes care of all your scaling requirements and adjusts the resources as per the projected traffic. If you need additional licenses or require more storage space, all of it can be done almost instantly.
Cloud computing is system agnostic, meaning it doesn’t have specific hardware or software requirements. Your WMS can be run via any decent computer with a stable internet connection. This means you can simply set up multiple workstations across all your warehouse according to your needs.
Ease of use
A cloud-based WMS is much more user-friendly compared to an on-premises one. There are multiple reasons for this. The primary reason is that it doesn’t require the end-user to be well-versed and experienced in the technicalities of installation and maintenance.
To get the system up and running, simply register with a vendor, pay the subscription fees, and have a steady internet connection.
Most cloud-based WMS today also have mobile applications for all the leading mobile operating systems (OS) and are accessible from anywhere in the world. This has completely revolutionized warehouse management and enhanced data storage to the ever-evolving business world.
These systems also come with thousands of possibilities to automate your warehouse operations. We at DEAR Systems have powered our customers to fully leverage the true potential of automation and have created seamless backend management solutions for hundreds of businesses.
Security
One of the greatest fears that organizations have is data theft and breach of privacy. Setting up an on-premises WMS requires the company to take the necessary steps to protect the data and ensure that no threat can penetrate the system.
Since cybersecurity is not the primary function of most companies, it requires you to outsource and hire consultants in the field. Since so many companies cannot afford cybersecurity services, their servers are prone to data breaches.
However, a vendor that provides cloud-based WMS has multiple clients using the service, making it far more affordable to execute sophisticated cybersecurity measures compared to an individual company. As a user, you benefit from superior cybersecurity mechanisms put in place by your vendor without having to pay extra to maintain physical and virtual WMS infrastructure.
Warehouse management through DEAR Systems
A cloud-based warehouse management system empowers a business to manage the inventory operations efficiently and holistically. It frees them from having to install huge servers and all the costs and intricacies associated with them.
This allows them to focus on their core activities like manufacturing, sales, and marketing. This is why most companies, right from the very beginning, should choose cloud-based WMS for their warehouses.
If you are interested in implementing a cloud-based warehouse management system, try a free 14 day trial of DEAR Systems.
