An Objective Guide to Selecting a WMS

Strategies for Maximizing your WMS Investment


BOSTON, MA--(Marketwire - January 13, 2011) - Between October and November 2010, Aberdeen Group, a Harte-Hanks Company (NYSE: HHS), surveyed 158 companies documenting their processes and capabilities regarding their warehouse management practices, technology, and software preferences. The survey data, case studies, and experiences from industry users were utilized to create An Objective Guide to Selecting a WMS.

"Any evaluation of the option to install or enhance warehouse management software needs to be evaluated against a range of other options available to improve warehouse performance and efficiency relative to company-wide improvement and capital plans. To gauge the overall level of company interest across a full suite of options companies were asked to complete the investment return solutions matrix which is foundational to any improvement initiative," explained Bob Heaney, Senior Research Analyst Supply Chain Management, Aberdeen. The data reveals that most companies have a WMS currently (over 68% citied that they have an in-house or commercial solution). Yet, the data indicates that 41% of those companies are currently seeking to install / upgrade / enhance their WMS systems.

"The right WMS can be the piece of enabling technology that allows companies to achieve these goals, meet investment return expectations and improve their profitability. A failed WMS implementation, however, has the potential to put a company out of business in a worst-case scenario. Some companies have also been disappointed to see that their WMS implementation involved more resources than anticipated to implement, and took more time than budgeted. Additionally, a poorly fitting WMS can cost a significant amount of ongoing money to maintain and upgrade," said Ian Hobkirk, Distinguished Market Analyst, Commonwealth Supply Chain Advisors.

The report provides an objective guide that a company can use to select/upgrade/enhance their WMS solution consistent with their needs and their specific investment requirements.

A complimentary copy of this report is made available due in part by the following underwriters: RedPrairie Corp., and SphereWMS. To obtain a complimentary copy of the report, visit: http://www.aberdeen.com/link/sponsor.asp?spid=30410182&cid=6950&camp=2

Find out where your company's sales and operations planning capabilities rank among the top performing companies. Take our Warehouse Management Excellence Assessment Tool: http://assessment.aberdeen.com/8K6USwg6a0/index.aspx

Visit Aberdeen.com for additional access to complimentary Supply Chain Management Research.

About Aberdeen Group, a Harte-Hanks Company

Aberdeen provides fact-based research and market intelligence that delivers demonstrable results. Having queried more than 30,000 companies in the past two years, Aberdeen is positioned to educate users to action: driving market awareness, creating demand, enabling sales, and delivering meaningful return-on-investment analysis. As the trusted advisor to the global technology markets, corporations turn to Aberdeen for insights that drive decisions.

As a Harte-Hanks Company, Aberdeen plays a key role of putting content in context for the global direct and targeted marketing company. Aberdeen's analytical and independent view of the "customer optimization" process of Harte-Hanks (Information - Opportunity - Insight - Engagement - Interaction) extends the client value and accentuates the strategic role Harte-Hanks brings to the market. For additional information, visit Aberdeen or call (617) 854-5200, or to learn more about Harte-Hanks, call (800) 456-9748.

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