A warehouse management system (WMS) is software that knows where every unit in your warehouse physically is (which bin, which batch, which expiry) and runs the work of moving it: receiving, putaway, picking, packing, dispatch and returns.
WMS vs ERP vs Shopify
Your storefront knows how many units you can sell. Your ERP knows what they're worth. A WMS knows where they are and which one to ship next.
| Question | Storefront | ERP | WMS |
|---|---|---|---|
| How many can I sell? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Which bin is it in? | No | No | Yes |
| Which batch expires first? | No | Sometimes | Yes |
| Was the right item packed? | No | No | Yes |
The core jobs of a WMS
- Inbound: receive against purchase orders and split good from damaged.
- Putaway: decide which bin each carton goes to. A good WMS uses product and bin dimensions; see volumetric putaway.
- Inventory: track lots with the attributes you care about, such as batch, expiry, size or shade.
- Picking: generate picklists that follow your rotation rule. Read FEFO vs FIFO.
- Packing and dispatch: scan-check every unit, generate the AWB and print labels.
- Returns: grade returns and put them back where they belong.
Signs you need one
- You've oversold during a sale. See how to stop overselling.
- Pickers rely on memory, and new staff take weeks to get up to speed.
- Short-dated or wrong items reach customers.
- Nobody can explain why stock on the system doesn't match the shelf.
What to look for in India
GST-ready documents, marketplace connectors for Amazon.in and Flipkart, pincode-based routing across warehouses, and a team that can go live on your floor rather than over email.
We built Waretech after 20+ years of running warehouses. See how it works or book a demo.