Why information systems is important to warehouse?

A complete information systems analysis is needed to ensure rapid project delivery and optimal return on information management investment. 

Six reasons why information systems are so important for Warehouse And business today include: 1. Operational excellence 2. New products, services, and business models 3. Customer and supplier intimacy 4. Improved decision making 5. Competitive advantage 6. Survival Here is onother answer to this questionThe emegence of a global economy, transformation of industrial economies, transformation of the business enterprise, and the emergence of digital firm make information systems essential in business today. Information system is a fondation for conducting business today. In many businesses, survival and the ability to achieve strategic business goals is difficult without extensive use of information technology. There are six reasons or objectives why businesses use information system: 1. Operational excellence. Business improve the efficiency of their operations in order to achieve higher profitability. Information systems are important tools available to managers for achieving higher levels of efficiency and productivity in business operations. A good example is Wal-Mart that uses a RetailLink system , which digitally links its suppliers to every one of Wal-Mart's stores. as soon as a a customer purchase an item , the supplier is monitoring the item , knows to ship a replacement to the shelf. 2. New products, services, and business models. Information system is a major tool for firms to create new products and services, and also an entirely new business models. A business model describe how a company produces, delivers, and sells a product or service to create wealth. Example: Apple inc transformed an old business model based on its iPod technology platform that included iPod, the iTunes music service, and the iPhone. 3. Customer/supplier intimacy. When a business serves its customers well, the customers generally respond by returning and purchasing more. this raises revenue and profits. The more a business engage its suppliers, the better the suppliers can provide vital inputs. This lower costs. Example: The Mandarin Oriental in Manhattan and other high-end hotels exemplify the use of information systems and technology to achieve customer intimacy. they use computers to keep track of guests' preferences, such as their preffered room temperature, check-in time, television programs. 4. Improved decision making. Many managers operate in an information bank, never having the right information at the right time to make an informed decision. These poor outcomes raise costs and lose customers. Information system made it possible for the managers to use real time data from the marketplace when making decision. Example: Verizon Corporation uses a Web-based digital dashboard to provide managers with precise real -time information on customer complains, network performance.. Using this information managers can immediately allocate repair resources to affected areas, inform customers of repair efforts and restore service fast. 5. Competitive advantage. When firms achieve one or more of these business objectives( operational excellence, new products, services, and business models, customer/supplier intimacy, and improved decision making) chances are they have already achieved a competitive advantage. Doing things better than your competitors, charging less for superior products, and responding to customers and suppliers in real time all add up to higher sales, and higher profits. Example: Toyota Production System focuses on organizing work to eliminate waste, making continues improvements, TPS is based on what customers have actually ordered. 6. Day to day survival. Business firms invest in information system and technology because they are necessities of doing business. This necessities are driven by industry level changes. Example: Citibank introduced the first automatic teller machine to attract customers through higher service levels, and its competitors rushed to provide ATM's to their customers to keep up with Citibank. providing ATMs services to retail banking customers is simply a requirement of being in and surviving in the retail banking business. Firm turn to information system and technology to provide the capability to respond to these. Information systems are the foundation for conducting business today. In many industries, survival and even existence without extensive use of IT is inconceivable, and IT plays a critical role in increasing productivity. Although information technology has become more of a commodity, when coupled with complementary changes in organization and management, it can provide the foundation for new products, services, and ways of conducting business that provide firms with a strategic advantage.

From inventory control, shipping and receiving, to order fulfillment, a Warehouse Management System (WMS) is vital to improving the efficiency of a company's warehouse operations. Barcoding, Inc., offers warehouse management software packages that can be customized to fit the needs of companies of any size. By combining a warehouse management system with a wireless network, mobile computers, radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, and voice picking applications, Barcoding can help fully extend your enterprise to the mobile worker, while increasing operational efficiencies and enhancing customer service

the information not necessary for warehouses only , it's a basic in any scope on our life , the information mean knowledge , power , without information you take any correct decision and can't manage your team and your work , and maybe you  exceeded the legal  limits if you haven't a correct information 

Information system represent Just-in-Time for information delivery.

you can not have successful Supply chain without information integration between supply chain members.

This includes Warehousing management system and inventory management.

Best Regards 

Effective information Systems  in WMS is focused on efficient flow of goods through the distribution channel with the help of Information flow with lowest possible cost. Timely and accurate information is critical owing to the following reasons:

1.    Information related to order status, product availability, delivery etc.

2.    Information through supply chain is very essential as this can minimize demand uncertainty

3.    There is more flexibility with information as there is clarity as to how, when and where

      resources may be utilized to gain strategic advantage throughout the Supply chain.

Fundamentals of WMS:

·         Transaction Analysis - Initiates and records individual logistics activities. Activities include

order entry, selection, inventory assignment, shipping, pricing, invoicing and customer

enquiry. In this system, the customer order performance cycle is completed though a

series of information system transactions.

·         Management Information Systems - Focus is on performance measurement and reporting.

Performance measurement provides management feedback regarding the service level

and resource utilization. Customer service, productivity, financial and quality indicators are

the commonly used performance measures with coordination of Supply Chain Managers.

reports past performance, it is also essential that exceptions are identified as and when

they are processed.

·         Decision analysis – Focuses on decision applications to assist managers to identify,

evaluate and compare  strategic and tactical alternatives, vehicle routing and

scheduling, facility location cost – benefit analysis etc. Evaluates future tactical.

Functions of WMS:

Planning Function

- Management of stock by product and location

- Demand forecast

- Strategy planning

Customer Service Function

- Inbound shipment status

- Customer order status

- Availability of inventory by product 

- Control Function and stock location

- Customer service levels

- Vendor, carrier and system performance

Co – ordination Function

- Production scheduling

- Sales or marketing planning

Hi,

Information system is an effective tool which aims to support operations, management and decision making.

For a warehouse, communication of  right information at right time is very important for operational excellence and profit maximization. in today competitive world strong information system will help in business development and  effective use of resources. 

A strong information system will help a lot in decision making process.

thank you,

Regards,

Naveen 

Well answer given by all the experts

The work to update the information through the computer system

Warehouses in urgent need of follow-up operations for the system accuracy and validity of all materials within the warehouse

To facilitate inventory also

AGREED WITH EXPERTS.......................................