A Study of Features, Functions and Factors Affecting the Selection of Warehouse Management System Software

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the features and functions of a warehouse management system software (WMS software), which is necessary in managing warehousing activities, and to investigate the factors that influence the selection of WMS software by collecting data from 100 medium and large manufacturing companies in Bangkok, which have different WMS software use histories. The study was conducted by exploring the features, main functions, and extra functions of the software. Factors to consider when purchasing software products and factors to consider when choosing software vendors were tested by 2-way ANOVA; ANOVA was used to determine whether the size of the industry and use history are important on the tested factors. From the survey results, the 4 groups of respondents perceived WMS
software features as important to most important. Functions of WMS software are vital at the medium to highest level. Extra functions are important components at the medium to high level. The respondents perceived the factors to consider when buying a WMS software product and to choose the suppliers as important to most important. The large industry groups and the group already possessing WMS software gave a higher score than the medium industry without WMS software in almost all issues. The investigation showed that the majority of the factors had no significantly different impact on the survey results, except for the picking system recommendation and put away system recommendation. Software can be used with every activity in a warehouse and can work with existing software/hardware as well as any ERP and structure or size of the software vendor.