A warehouse can measure its efficiency by picking and tracking certain relevant metrics. But data points mean little unless they are compared to something. Benchmarking is the practice of setting expectations and goals for each metric and key performance indicator (KPI). Once set, managers can gauge progress and success based on how close the warehouse comes to the target.  Think of benchmarking as creating a point of reference for competition. Sometimes that competition is the warehouse’s own past performance in regards to a certain metric. Other times it might compare its performance ..read more

At Infoplus, we're thrilled to wrap up 2023 with a slew of achievements and accolades from industry-leading platforms. Our Warehouse Management Software has been making waves and received prestigious recognition from trusted sources like Capterra, Software Advice, and GetApp across various software categories. Here's what our users have to say ..read more

Many companies use an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system to manage their inventory and warehouse space, often through the use of additional “modules” that extend the capabilities of a given ERP. But are those modules really as good as dedicated warehouse management software? We’ve found that this is rarely the case. Let’s be clear: ERPs can be a powerful tool for many businesses, especially as they grow and scale. However, the modules that many ERPs use for warehouse management sometimes leave warehouse managers wanting more. In fact, we often speak with businesses that are frustrate ..read more

Inventory management and fulfillment tend to get a lot of attention in logistics circles, while receiving and put-away—in other words, slotting—are much less discussed. Together, all of these are necessary for the steady flow of products through the warehouse. Warehouse slotting is the intentional, strategic organization of the inventory in a warehouse or distribution center. Items are arranged to optimize accessibility, picking speed, accuracy, and storage capacity. The overall goal is to make both fulfillment and replenishment as efficient as possible. To understand the concept of warehouse ..read more

Customers worry about loss of control and transparency when it comes to using a 3PL. But the right warehouse management tools can give your clients the transparency they need—and give you a competitive advantage ..read more

Like any big change in a business, switching warehouse software doesn’t happen overnight. First, the warehouse manager needs to recognize that there are things in the warehouse that a new WMS can fix. Next, they’ll need to analyze their current data and crunch the numbers to convince the CFO that the investment is worth it.  But before the “powers that be” sign off on the deal and allocate the budget, there are a few more questions they’ll want answered: How will switching warehouse software impact operations? Will we need to stop work? What if the new system doesn’t work? The goal is to ..read more

Let’s face it. Your Mom’s brother’s second wife, Aunt Betty, doesn't know you as well as she thinks she does. She got you a gift that was, well, not great. We all acknowledge that there are times when we need to return an item that might not have met all the expectations the giver had hoped.  According to Statista, holiday retail sales increased 5.3% between 2021 and 2022 from $889.3 billion to $936.1 billion. Simultaneously, retailers saw an uptick in holiday returns for that same time period. It’s reasonable to think that higher sales volume would translate into higher returns, but is ..read more

If you are a warehouse manager, you must be open to the possibility that a faulty warehouse layout could be at the core of the inefficiencies you are seeing. Here are 12 warning signs of a bad warehouse layout and setup ..read more

Even a very small company might see the need to improve how it gets its products out the door, or get a better handle on what’s in stock. Many businesses start using an Order Management System (OMS) to improve their order fulfillment, especially if they intend to take digital orders.   For those who are automating parts of their fulfillment process for the first time, there are many low cost OMS options that can help streamline things for both the company and its customers. In some cases, software with other uses (QuickBooks accounting software is one example) have an order manageme ..read more

Warehouse management software (WMS) is a great way to manage your inventory, but it can be costly— anywhere from $5000 per year on up. To make sure you get the most out of your investment in warehouse management, and in the software that drives it, you need to calculate the return on investment (ROI).  It would be rational to spend, say $2,000 a month, on software that can save you an extra $3,000 a month. But you wouldn’t spend even $200 a month for software that doesn’t impact your bottom line. The cost of software is relative to the actual value it brings. The breakeven is the point w ..read more