Selecting Warehouse Management System for Dynamics GP

Let’s review typical WMS functionality, how it is mapped to Great Plains Dynamics (this is historical name of Microsoft Dynamics GP, as it is often referred by existing customers) transactions and WMS technical implementations.  Warehouse Management System depends on Barcoding technology, and Barcode scanners should be compatible with your final WMS platform, this is why you should not rush into their purchase prior to making final decision on WMS.  If you are large wholesaler or distributor, we recommend you to have dedicated project manager, who is responsible for Warehouse Management System selection activity, and who is familiar with barcoding technology (best options would be somebody who got degree in Supply Chain Manager and Logistics):
1. WMS functionality and its mapping to Dynamics GP modules and transactions.  In classical scenarios you should expect Sales Order Fulfillment, Inventory Transfer and Adjustments, and Merchandise Replenishment (often referred as restocking).  All these functions are available in native Dynamics GP, where Order Fulfillment is Order Line Manual Allocation (SOP transaction entry screen, or the same is possible in Fulfillment Order form).  Inventory adjustments (and Cycle counts) have similarly named transaction windows in Great Plains Inventory Control module.  And finally Inventory restocking is realized in Purchase Order Processing module in Purchase Receipt document.  As you can expect so far, Microsoft Dynamics GP has all the required functionality, but it is not really Barcoding enabled application (as it is rather Corporate ERP, MRP, and Accounting system).  This is why you need Warehouse Management application to enable Barcoding originated transactions to be integrated to Great Plains
2. Warehouse Management System realization technologies.  If you would like general view, there are two approaches.  First one is self-contained external WMS, which has integration modules or even connectors to major Accounting applications, such as Dynamics GP, AX, Oracle Applications, Accpac, Platinum, SAP Business One, Navision, Solomon, etc.  And the second approach is Dynamics GP WMS extensions, where Warehouse Management System works directly with Great Plains tables.  Here we should warn you that decision making on the External versus Extensions is very difficult and tough.  We have only good words to say about both WMS platforms and we would like to give you positive and negative points for each one, not being critical, but giving you highlights to decide on what is the best for you
3. External WMS – as the positive comment, here you typically expect rich functionality, very large number of installations across the USA, Canada and internationally (meaning that most of the software bugs are fixed and you are not the beta testing victim).  However there are costs to be universal – you typically have to pay for the same functionality in Warehouse Management Applications (you already paid for Dynamics GP Distribution set of modules: Sales Order Processing, Inventory Control and Purchase Order Processing).  We also heard some complains from Great Plains Warehouse oriented customers, that WMS integration is not working out of the box and requires unexpected consulting hours
4. Dynamics GP Warehouse Management System Extensions.  As positive comments, integration is not an issue (as it works directly in Great Plains DB scope), you do not have to pay twice for software licenses.  However to give you some caution, the installation base is narrower.  Here in Alba Spectrum we offer your WMS extensions module and we encourage you to call us for executive and technical presentation
5. Dynamics GP WMS and Great Plains versions.  If you have to implement Great Plains Warehouse Management System, our recommendation would be to in the current version (Dynamics GP 2010/11.0) or at least one version behind (Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0)
6. What to do if your WMS implementation failed or is currently in limbo?  First of all – it is possible scenario and you are not the first one and not the last one.  Please, relax, life is wonderful and feel free to give us a call: 1-866-528-0577, help@albaspectrum.com.  Local service in Illinois, Michigan, California, Texas.  We are positioned to do remote support for Dynamics GP implementations and Warehouse Management System user training