How cloud WMS enables real-time fulfillment visibility in the supply chain

The growing complexity of modern supply chains and inventory management has increased disruptions, necessitating the need for real-time visibility into fulfillment operations. Discover how a cloud-based warehouse management system like Logiwa helps you achieve the real-time fulfillment visibility necessary in today’s fast-paced supply chain landscape.

The importance of real-time visibility in fulfillment

Here’s why real-time visibility is increasingly becoming a mainstay in modern fulfillment operations:

Tightening consumer expectations

Modern consumers expect more transparency throughout their purchase journey. They want to know exactly where their order is from click to delivery. This expectation is partially driven by ecommerce giants like Amazon, which’ve transformed real-time fulfillment visibility from a luxury service to a standard for all consumers.

To deliver on these expectations, warehouse managers need accurate, up-to-the-minute order information at every stage of the supply chain process.

Operational efficiency

Real-time fulfillment visibility gives warehouse managers access to live information on inventory levels, order status, and the movement of goods through the supply chain. This enables them to identify and resolve bottlenecks before they escalate into bigger disruptions. For example, if picking rates fall below required thresholds during busy periods, managers with real-time fulfillment visibility can immediately redirect workers to bottleneck zones mid-shift.

Competitive advantage

When supply chain disruptions occur, fulfillment operations that maximize real-time visibility instantly respond, ensuring streamlined order flows even during periods of market volatility. For instance, when ports are congested, a fulfillment center using real-time visibility would see this as it happens and reroute its shipments to the next most efficient port. The result? Orders are delivered to the customer as promised.

Tech-enabled fulfillment networks further offer the transparency consumers demand, which improves their competitive positioning. Moreover, real-time visibility allows 3PLs to outmaneuver competitors who lack this level of operational intelligence.

Challenges in achieving real-time visibility

Many fulfillment operations struggle to achieve real-time visibility due to:

• Legacy systems: Many warehouses still run on traditional management systems that rely on manual data entry, typically done at the end of the day or overnight. This introduces human errors that hinder operational efficiency. It also creates gaps between actual warehouse activities and reported status.
• Data silos: Legacy warehouse management systems exist separately, whereby inventory management, order processing, shipping, and return departments each have their software. This creates data silos that hinder real-time visibility, and consequently, efficient operations. For instance, when inventory management and order processing departments don’t share real-time data, teams may continue accepting orders for products that are no longer available.

Scalability issues: Siloed departments, fragmented warehouses, and manual processes create blackout zones where orders, inventory, and customer trust vanish.

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How cloud-based WMS enables real-time fulfillment visibility

Cloud-based warehouse management systems are built on distributed computing resources that facilitate real-time visibility into warehouse processes through:

Centralized data management

Cloud-based WMSs boast application programming interface (API) capabilities that allow the integration of disparate warehouse software systems. This means that information from receiving, inventory, order processing, and shipping across all warehouses and departments is consolidated into a single, accessible database. As a result, when new information enters any part of the system, it becomes immediately available throughout the platform.

Real-time inventory tracking

Modern cloud WMS platforms integrate with physical warehouse technologies, allowing real-time inventory management. For instance, while good at their job, traditional barcode scanners rely on manual uploads to update inventory records. This creates delays and potential for errors in data transfer. However, when integrated into a cloud-based WMS via the Internet of Things (IoT), these scanners become intelligent and wirelessly transmit scanned data to the central cloud database. This allows for continuous inventory monitoring, eliminating discrepancies such as stockouts.

Order processing automation

Cloud-based fulfillment systems can be set up to automate multiple steps in order processing workflows. For instance, automated routines can validate incoming orders and assign picking paths. This reduces manual touchpoints in traditional order processing procedures and the human errors that come with them. It also improves processing speed and, eventually, a warehouse’s output while simultaneously reducing labor costs.

Shipping and delivery monitoring

Cloud WMS systems integrate with external real-time inventory tracking solutions such as carrier software and transportation management platforms. These integrations allow continuous updates on shipment location, estimated arrival times, and potential delivery issues.

Logiwa’s approach to real-time fulfillment visibility

Here’s how Logiwa cloud-based WMS transforms real-time operational visibility:

Advanced inventory management

Logiwa’s automated tracking capabilities and centralized dashboard mean that warehouse teams can instantly access inventory levels across all facilities. Furthermore, the system updates in real-time as transactions occur.

Logiwa’s putaway algorithms continually analyze product movement patterns and automatically identify the perfect spots for incoming inventory. This ensures fast-moving items remain easily accessible while maintaining logical organization throughout the facility, improving picking efficiency.

Fulfillment process automation

Logiwa’s WMS also boasts AI-driven workflows. This feature embeds intelligence directly into fulfillment processes. For instance, if the AI identifies a recurring picking pattern that causes congestion, it automatically suggests a revised workflow in real time. This allows managers to see what’s happening and why, enabling them to implement intelligent adjustments on the fly.

Mobile scanning capabilities further enhance both efficiency and visibility. As workers scan items during picking, packing, and shipping activities, the system instantly validates actions against expected procedures.

Multi-channel and multi-location support

Logiwa’s API integration capabilities allow warehouse managers to connect workflows across all their sales channels and warehouse locations. This integrated approach eliminates the visibility gaps typical when ecommerce platforms, marketplaces, and physical stores operate through separate systems. As a result, warehouse networks function as a cohesive entity rather than isolated facilities.

Benefits of implementing cloud WMS for real-time visibility

Supply chain enterprises that deploy cloud WMS enjoy live visibility throughout their operations. This leads to benefits such as:

Improved accuracy

Real-time visibility into warehouse operations directly results in reduced error rates throughout operations. This accuracy manifests most clearly in picking and shipping processes. Real-time inventory data ensures pickers are directed to the location of the order items. This prevents worker fatigue and errors that arise from manual product seeking.

Furthermore, pickers verify they have the right product using WMS-connected barcode scanners before removing it from the shelves. Moreover, these repetitive processes (picking and packing) can be automated using WMS-integrated robotics, which improves accuracy and processing speed.

Enhanced customer satisfaction

Cloud WMS platforms allow 3PLs to offer customers the real-time order visibility they demand in this era of online shopping. Furthermore, the real-time visibility into order processing and shipping processes allows warehouse managers to optimize labor and delivery routes, ensuring orders get to customers as promised. 

In instances beyond their control, such as when traffic snarl-ups slow down deliveries, the real-time fulfillment visibility made possible by cloud WMS enables them to see these issues as they happen and inform the customers right away. This enhances the customer experience and, ultimately, satisfaction.

Operational scalability

With comprehensive insights into current performance, warehouse managers increase or decrease throughput without sacrificing quality or customer experience. For example, thanks to real-time fulfillment visibility, a warehouse manager can determine when to expand into another warehouse guided by actionable data.

Similarly, thanks to AI-driven automation, warehouses can scale order processing capabilities by enlisting robotics to complement human workers. This allows them to meet demand during peak periods without the additional costs of human labor.

Data-driven decisions

When warehouse managers have immediate access to operational data, they identify trends, anticipate challenges, and implement improvements based on objective information rather than intuition. The resulting operational refinements compound over time, creating sustainable competitive advantages.

Gain a competitive advantage and scale effortlessly with Logiwa

Real-time fulfillment visibility is no longer a luxury limited to the big players in the supply chain space, but a requirement for competitive fulfillment operations. As customers’ expectations of transparency and efficient order deliveries continue rising and supply chain complexity increases, 3PLs who lack comprehensive insight into their operations will risk their competitive advantage and face mounting operational challenges.

Cloud-based WMS like Logiwa IO transform disparate fulfillment operations into unified, transparent, responsive systems capable of meeting market demands. This ultimately enables fulfillment businesses to meet customer demands and stay competitive. Request a Logiwa IO demo to experience how a cloud-based WMS can transform your fulfillment operations.
 

FAQs on real-time visibility with WMS