Today, a warehouse management system (WMS) is much more than a simple technological tool – it’s a genuine strategic lever capable of radically transforming your supply chain. In an economic environment where responsiveness and precision make all the difference, the WMS is the cornerstone of high-performance, competitive logistics.
At BHI Consulting, a management solutions integrator and consulting firm since 2010, we help companies optimize their supply chain by deploying WMS solutions that are perfectly integrated into their IT ecosystem, with particular expertise in JD Edwards.
What is a WMS and why has it become indispensable ?
The Warehouse Management System (WMS) is a sophisticated piece of software that orchestrates all operations within a warehouse – from goods receipt to dispatch. According to a Gartner study, companies using a modern WMS reduce their operating costs by an average of 25%.
At the heart of its architecture, the WMS relies on a centralized database that maintains real-time inventory status, product location and movement history. This logistical intelligence makes it possible to :
- Automate repetitive and time-consuming tasks
- Drastically reduce human error
- Optimize use of space and resources
- Improve the traceability of each item
Essential features of a high-performance WMS
Advanced inventory management
According to a study by the Warehouse Education Research Council, the use of a WMS can reduce safety stocks by 20% while maintaining the same level of service. This optimization is based on :
- Real-time monitoring of stock levels
- Precise and reliable SKU management
- Full traceability of batches and serial numbers
- Automatic alerts for critical thresholds
- Intelligent expiration date management
These features enable inventory accuracy of 99.8%, compared with an average of 85% with traditional methods.
Location mapping and optimization
The location management module precisely maps the warehouse and automatically suggests optimal positions according to :
- Product rotation (ABC analysis)
- Physical characteristics of items
- Proximity to shipping zones
- Specific constraints (weight, volume, accessibility)
This spatial optimization can improve storage space utilization by up to 30%, as confirmed by industry case studies.
Intelligent order management
Order picking becomes a fluid, optimized process with :
- Automatic order reception and validation
- Intelligent prioritization of picking orders
- Algorithmic optimization of picking rounds
- Efficient grouping of similar orders
- Integration of quality controls at every stage
Shipping control
The shipping module automates the entire outbound process :
- Automatic generation of shipping documents
- Carrier-compliant labeling
- Intelligent consolidation of shipments
- Interface with transport systems (TMS)
WMS integration into your digital ecosystem
To maximize the value of a WMS, seamless integration with existing systems is essential. BHI Consulting stands out for its expertise in ERP solutions such as JD Edwards, Oracle e-Business Suite…
Our specialized JD Edwards solution for the WMS is one of our major assets. We don’t just implement the software, we support our customers in the complete business deployment, adapting the solution to the specificities of their business sector and organization.
This integration offers :
- A unified, consistent view of logistics information
- A drastic reduction in manual data entry and associated errors
- Better coordination between supply and demand
- Consolidated reporting for informed decision-making
Demand planning : the strategic brain of your supply chain
If the WMS represents the operational nervous system of your logistics, demand planning is its strategic brain. As Mecalux explains, “demand planning is the process used by companies to analyze, anticipate and plan future demand for their products or services.”
This approach feeds the WMS with accurate forecasts, offering considerable benefits:
- Significant reduction in stock-outs (up to 40% according to LogisticsIQ)
- Reduced costs linked to unsold stock or obsolescence
- Increased profitability thanks to better adaptation to market fluctuations
- Simplified strategic decision-making thanks to access to reliable data
The combination of WMS + demand planning creates a powerful synergy: the WMS provides precise data on actual movements, while demand planning projects future needs, enabling proactive adjustment of logistics resources.
The measurable benefits of a well-implemented WMS
Operational benefits
According to industry case studies, concrete benefits include :
- 30-35% reduction in labor costs
- 90-95% reduction in picking errors
- 15-25% improvement in overall productivity
- 20-30% optimization of space utilization
Strategic benefits
- Real-time visibility of logistics performance
- Ability to anticipate peaks in activity
- Precise control of logistics costs
- Reliable data for informed decision-making
Enhanced customer experience
- Order preparation times reduced from 48 hours to 4 hours in some cases
- Accuracy of delivered orders (up to 99.9%)
- Complete traceability of order life cycle
- Rapid response to specific requests
The BHI method for a successful WMS project
On the strength of our experience with over 120 customers in a wide variety of sectors, we have developed a proven methodology based on four essential pillars :
1. Listen & Analyze
Our first step is to gain an in-depth understanding of your business challenges :
- Detailed audit of existing processes
- Identification of friction points and opportunities for improvement
- Analysis of current and future needs
- Definition of clear, measurable objectives
2. Offer & Configure
We then design a customized solution :
- Selection of the right WMS for your context
- Precise configuration of workflows and management rules
- Definition of interfaces with your existing systems
- Drawing up a realistic deployment plan
3. Surprise & Optimize
Our expertise goes beyond simple implementation :
- Algorithmic optimization of processes
- Integration of advanced functionalities (AI, predictive analytics)
- Configuration of customized dashboards
- Implementation of relevant performance indicators
4. Co-construction & Support
The success of a WMS project depends on its adoption by teams :
- In-depth user training
- Change management support
- Local support during start-up
- Skills transfer for lasting autonomy
Business deployment with BHI Consulting
At BHI Consulting, we ensure complete business deployment, adapting solutions to the specificities of your sector and organization. Our 42 experienced consultants have in-depth knowledge of industry-specific issues, and can help you :
- Optimize your business processes in line with industry best practices
- Configure your WMS to meet your specific business requirements
- Train your teams not only in the use of the tool, but also in operational best practices
- Transfer skills to enable your teams to become autonomous quickly.
Our business-oriented approach translates into a high adoption rate and accelerated ROI on your WMS projects.
WMS trends to watch in 2025
AI for logistics prediction
Artificial intelligence algorithms are revolutionizing warehouse management by :
- Anticipating replenishment needs
- Dynamically optimizing resources
- Detecting anomalies before they impact operations
- Suggesting continuous process improvements
- Intelligent automation
Integration of the WMS with automation technologies enables :
- Centralized control of picking robots
- Coordination of automated conveyor systems
- Optimization of inventory drones
- Synchronization of AMRs (Autonomous Mobile Robots)
The cloud-native WMS
WMS are evolving towards cloud architectures offering :
- Continuous updating of functionalities
- Instant scalability to cope with peaks in activity
- Secure access from anywhere in the world
- Significant reduction in total cost of ownership
WMS and sustainable development : a winning duo
The WMS plays a crucial role in reducing the environmental footprint of warehouses. A Deloitte study shows that logistics optimization can reduce CO2 emissions by 25% through :
- Reducing waste through precise management of expiration dates
- Optimizing travel by calculating optimal routes
- Reducing unnecessary packaging
- Efficient management of returns (reverse logistics)
Companies using a WMS to optimize their environmental impact achieve average energy savings of 30% and a 40% reduction in waste.
BHI Consulting’s BUILD & RUN approach
Our support philosophy is built around two essential pillars :
- BUILD : We build and deploy WMS systems perfectly adapted to your business and organizational singularities, ensuring their harmonious integration with your ERP ecosystem, in particular with our JD Edwards expertise.
- RUN : We improve the efficiency and cost of ownership of your solution thanks to our support (TMA) and application expertise, guaranteeing sustainable performance of your supply chain.
Conclusion : the WMS, a strategic investment for your supply chain
Beyond its technological dimension, the WMS is above all a strategic transformation lever for your company. As industry studies have shown, the ROI of a well-managed WMS project is generally achieved within 18 to 24 months, with benefits increasing over time.
At BHI Consulting, our expertise in the integration of ERP management solutions (with a particular focus on JD Edwards) and EPM enables us to approach your WMS projects with a global vision of your value chain. Our human approach, combined with our technical expertise in market-leading solutions and our ability to ensure full business deployment, guarantees a successful transformation of your supply chain.
Would you like to transform your supply chain with a high-performance WMS that is perfectly integrated into your management ecosystem ? Contact our BHI Consulting experts to get started on your project and gain a decisive competitive edge.
