CONSIDERATIONS WHEN CHOOSING 

A WAREHOUSE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM 

In the intricate and dynamic Australian business environment, where industries span from mining to agriculture and manufacturing, effective warehouse management stands as a critical determinant of organisational excellence. Given Australia's vast geographical expanse and the need for robust distribution mechanisms, businesses are continually seeking ways to enhance efficiency within their warehousing systems. At the forefront of this quest is the implementation of Warehouse Management Software (WMS). 

WMS plays a foundational role in optimising warehouse and distribution centre operations across Australia, a continent marked by its unique logistical challenges. As Australian businesses strive to cater to both densely populated urban centres like Sydney and Melbourne, as well as remote regions, the emphasis on streamlined inventory management, rapid order fulfillment, and comprehensive oversight becomes paramount. 

Warehouse Management Software provides Australian enterprises with the requisite tools to not only monitor but also optimise their inventory management systems. This ensures greater accuracy in order fulfilment, and enhanced real-time visibility, essential given Australia's vast distances and varied transport requirements. 

The core objective of a WMS is to augment the efficiency of resources within a warehouse or distribution centre. This is especially crucial in Australia's business milieu where, as per the Australian Bureau of Statistics, over a third of businesses experience supply chain challenges. By automating and enhancing several processes, WMS helps ensure that inventory is accurately tracked and positioned to respond to demand fluctuations. This reduces errors, curtails operational expenditures, and improves the overall efficacy of the warehousing segment. 

In an era where Australian businesses are navigating an increasingly globalised market, the transformative potential of Warehouse Management Software cannot be understated. It truly is the linchpin ensuring operational prowess within the domain of warehousing in the Australian business landscape.  

This guide is designed to provide an overall introduction to the top Enterprise WMS Software Vendors within the Warehouse Management space. It is tailored to your business size and scale you operate to help you narrow down the shortlist of Vendors that may be best suited to your company. You may also wish to complete our Software Shortlist request form to get a more detailed Vendor list from our 100% Independent Consultants.  

The primary objective of Warehouse Management Software is to optimise the utilisation of resources within a warehouse or distribution centre while minimising errors, reducing operational costs, and improving overall efficiency. WMS achieves this by automating and streamlining a multitude of tasks, ensuring that inventory is accurately tracked and readily accessible when needed. 

In essence, WMS is the driving force behind achieving operational excellence in the realm of warehousing. Many of the Vendors listed in this guide offer a suite of Enterprise Software for WMS or modules to tailor a solution aligned to your company objectives. It is recommended that companies undertake a Business Process Improvement project prior to selecting a Vendor or solution. This will help you get a system that will provide the greatest benefit to your organisation. 

Many of the Vendors listed in this guide offer a suite of Enterprise Software for WMS or modules to tailor a solution aligned to your company objectives. It is recommended that companies undertake a Business Process Improvement project prior to selecting a Vendor or solution. This will help you get a system that will provide the greatest benefit to your organisation.  

The choice between a "best of breed" (BoB) and an integrated WMS involves considering the advantages and disadvantages of each approach based on the specific needs and priorities of a business. Ultimately, the decision between BoB and integrated WMS depends on the business's priorities, the complexity of their Warehouse operations, and their appetite for managing multiple systems. Some companies might prefer the customisation and specialisation of BoB solutions, while others might value the simplicity and cohesion of an integrated WMS. It's important to thoroughly assess the specific needs of the organisation before making a decision. 

Companies have the option to go with an independent WMS solution, which can often be integrated with ERP or SCM solutions, though integration complexity may vary depending on the vendor and architecture. While WMS is primarily focused on internal logistics, some solutions may offer trade documentation features or integrate with dedicated GTM systems to support cross-border requirements. Alternatively, there are also less comprehensive WMS solutions that exist as components within ERP and SCM suites.  

For companies seeking the best Enterprise WMS solution, it is essential to identify the specific size your organisation and the functional expectations set out for the expected solution. 

WMSs play a vital role in aiding supply chain executives in handling unexpected disruptions and minimising potential risks. As the requirements evolve and the WMS market grows larger, the landscape of vendors becomes increasingly crowded and intricate. Leaders in supply chain technology can utilise this research to assess the WMS market effectively. Here are ten (10) key points SMC recommends you consider when making your decision:

SMC highly recommends organisations do a comprehensive analysis to understand what issues you are trying to solve with a new Warehouse Management System, and to identify the business-critical opportunities you are trying to achieve. In doing so, you will have a clearer view of your organisations business and strategic process, data and people requirements and will be better able to determine which software tools are best suited to achieving these.

 At SMC we call this understanding your Digital Transformation Blueprint.   

ENTERPRISE SOFTWARE COMPARISON FOR WAREHOUSE MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE IN AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND. 

Warehouse Management Software comprises a set of critical features and functionalities, each contributing to the seamless operation of a warehouse. These may include: 

Real-Time Inventory Tracking 

Without live inventory tracking, stock discrepancies, misplaced products, and inaccurate order fulfillment become inevitable. This lack of insight can lead to overselling or running out of critical stock, slowing operations. A fit-for-purpose WMS tackles this by providing up-to-the-minute inventory updates through barcode scans, RFID, and system integrations, yielding high accuracy rates. Continuous inventory visibility ensures orders are fulfilled correctly and on time, improving customer satisfaction across the supply chain. 

Warehouse Layout and Slotting Optimisation 

Many ANZ warehouses struggle with suboptimal layouts and item slotting, which hampers efficiency. If fast-moving SKUs aren’t placed in prime “golden zone” locations, pickers waste time criss-crossing aisles and congestion occurs in busy areas. Poor slotting contributes to longer travel paths, bottlenecks, and even safety risks in the warehouse. A best-of-breed WMS with slotting optimisation analyses product velocity, size and frequency data to recommend ideal storage placements. By strategically placing items and dynamically re-slotting based on demand, the WMS cuts travel time and errors, ultimately minimising picker travel and increasing overall productivity. This data-driven layout optimisation yields faster order processing and better space utilisation. 

Mobile Functionality in the Warehouse

 Manual processes introduce data lags and entry errors, hindering real-time decision-making. A modern WMS with robust mobile functionality (RF scanners, handheld devices, tablets) transforms this scenario. Workers receive task instructions on mobile devices and confirm each action via barcode scan, instantly updating inventory and order status. This mobility boosts accuracy and responsiveness. Staff have the latest information at their fingertips and no longer need to shuttle back and forth to a workstation. By capturing data at the source, a mobile-enabled WMS eliminates paperwork, reduces errors, and accelerates throughput on the warehouse floor. 

Dynamic Workflow Balancing / Directed Task Monitoring 

Without system-directed task management, some workers may be idle while others are overloaded, and urgent picks or put-aways can be overlooked. A best-of-breed WMS brings order to this chaos through directed task monitoring and dynamic interleaving of tasks. All work (picking, replenishment, put-away, loading) is queued and prioritised in one system, which then assigns tasks to workers in real time based on priority and proximity. This ensures optimal workflow balance, minimising idle time. 

Wave Management

Coordinating high volumes of orders for on-time dispatch is especially challenging without proper wave planning. Many ANZ warehouses picking orders one-by-one experience congestion and last-minute scrambling to meet cut-off times. Wave management in a WMS enables smarter order release. The system groups orders into efficient waves (by shipping time, route, or zone) and releases them for picking at scheduled intervals. This approach minimises picker travel and prevents too many staff in the same aisle at once, thus reducing congestion. By using wave picking strategies, warehouses can fulfill more orders in a shorter time with greater accuracy. A fit-for-purpose WMS’s wave management tools ensure that orders are picked, packed, and staged in sync with carrier schedules, improving efficiency, on-time shipping rates, and labour productivity during peak fulfilment periods. 

Dock Scheduling and Staging 

Managing inbound deliveries and outbound shipments at the dock is a logistics headache if not well-coordinated. Without an organised scheduling system, trucks can arrive all at once or wait in long queues, straining warehouse resources. Improper staging of goods can also lead to loading delays or errors. A best-in-class WMS offers dock scheduling and staging functionalities to solve these issues. It allows warehouses to assign dock appointment slots for carriers, so each truck is handled promptly on arrival. The WMS also tracks outbound loads through staging locations, ensuring orders are marshalled and verified before loading. The result is shorter truck wait times, smoother cross-docking, and a more orderly flow of goods through receiving and dispatch areas, all contributing to lower demurrage costs and improved partner relationships. 

EDI Capability 

Warehouses in Australia and New Zealand often need to exchange data with external systems, from retailers sending purchase orders to suppliers expecting ASNs (Advanced Shipping Notices). Handling these exchanges manually via emails or spreadsheets is slow and error-prone. Lack of Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) capability can even jeopardise partnerships, as many big-box retailers require suppliers to use EDI for order and shipping documents. A fit-for-purpose WMS can integrate with EDI platforms or include native EDI capabilities to automate these data flows. Orders, shipping notices, invoices, and inventory updates can be transmitted system-to-system in standardised formats without human re-keying. This not only eliminates data entry errors but also speeds up the order-to-cash cycle. 

Real-Time Performance Reporting & Analytics 

In today’s data-driven supply chains, warehouse managers need immediate insight into operational performance. Yet many still rely on end-of-day reports or gut feel, which can hide issues like bottlenecks or declining pick rates until they have caused damage. This is a significant challenge across ANZ warehouses aiming for continuous improvement. A best-of-breed WMS addresses this with real-time reporting and analytics. It continuously collects data on inventory movements, order processing times, labour productivity, etc., and presents it in user-friendly dashboards. Managers can monitor key metrics (e.g. orders picked per hour, dock-to-stock time, accuracy rates) live and get alerts for anomalies. Advanced WMS analytics can even highlight trends; for example, identifying recurring order accuracy issues or forecasting demand spikes based on historical data. With such tools, warehouse teams in ANZ can make quick, informed decisions to reallocate resources or tweak processes on the fly. 

ANZ Local Support 

Implementing and maintaining a WMS is not just about software, it’s also about having reliable support and local expertise. Warehousing teams in Australia and New Zealand often find that generic, overseas support can lead to frustration due to time zone gaps and a lack of understanding of local business conditions. ANZ local support is therefore a crucial factor. A WMS vendor or partner with a strong local presence can provide on-site consulting, faster response times, and knowledge of regional requirements.  

We have compared the top ERP systems for Warehouse Management and collated this information into the following comprehensive buyers guide comparison table. 

1. BLUEYONDER (FORMALLY JDA) 

A leading WMS platform known for its comprehensive capabilities in complex, high-volume warehouse environments. It has been recognized as a Leader in Gartner’s Magic Quadrant for WMS for over a decade. 

Blue Yonder WMS offers end-to-end functionality, including real-time inventory tracking, advanced pick/put-away logic, wave and task management, and integrated labour management. The system’s depth is evident in its support for diverse requirements, from temperature-controlled storage and shelf-life management to omni-channel order orchestration. For ANZ warehouses, Blue Yonder brings robust out-of-the-box best practices across industries, yet remains configurable to specific workflows. 

It empowers users with real-time transaction processing and optimised storage strategies to boost accuracy and efficiency. Blue Yonder’s strong partner ecosystem and local support network further enhance its suitability for mid-to-large Australian and New Zealand operations looking for a proven, scalable WMS solution. 

In our experience as independent consultants, engaging the right implementation partner for your digital transformation journey or Enterprise software project is critical to success. Conversely, select the wrong implementation partner and your initiative could be destined to fail from the outset. 

Software vendors may not provide the best guidance either. Often, they encourage you to assess all the different companies out there as best you can and make your own decision. As a result of helping companies day in, day out with selections of Enterprise Software solutions and implementation partners, we have built up a knowledge base of the capabilities and experience of the vast majority.  

2. INFOR  WMS

A powerful, feature-rich warehouse management system well-suited to mid and large warehousing operations, especially those seeking rich integration and analytics. 

Part of Infor’s broader supply chain suite, this WMS delivers advanced capabilities like embedded labour management and 3D visual warehouse analysis. These features give managers unparalleled visibility into inventory, orders, equipment and people. 

Infor WMS covers core needs such as directed put-away, wave picking, cartonisation, and voice picking to optimise each process step. It excels at real-time inventory tracking (including lot/serial control and expiry date management) to maintain accuracy. With options for cloud or on-premise deployment, and standard integrations to Infor ERPs and third-party systems, Infor WMS is designed for organisations that require a comprehensive, data-driven WMS.  

3. Infios's  WMS

Infios’s WMS (previously known as Körber) is renowned for its flexibility and adaptability to unique business processes. It offers a modular, process-based architecture where companies can tailor workflows and pick exactly the features they need. This makes Infios WMS highly suitable for mid-to-large ANZ warehouses that might have specialised requirements or complex operational flows. 

The system includes a modern HTML5 user interface accessible on any device, supporting mobility and ease of use for warehouse staff. 

Infios WMS covers all key functions like real-time inventory management, directed picking and put-away, and wave planning, and it extends into yard management, labour management, and slotting optimisation through its broader supply chain suite. It can be deployed on-premise or in the cloud, giving companies flexibility in IT strategy. Importantly, Infios has a local presence in ANZ and a history of supporting 3PLs, retailers, and manufacturers in the region. 

4. MANHATTAN  

Offers one of the most advanced WMS solutions on the market: Manhattan Active® Warehouse Management. It is a top-tier system built for large, complex distribution operations and has consistently been a Gartner Magic Quadrant Leader. 

Manhattan’s strength lies in its unified platform that elegantly combines warehouse execution with labour management, slotting optimisation, and automation management in a single solution. For ANZ warehouses handling high order volumes or omni-channel fulfillment, Manhattan provides sophisticated tools like order streaming, which enables real-time orchestration of simultaneous wholesale, retail, and e-commerce orders. This maximises picking efficiency and throughput by dynamically prioritising work. 

The WMS also integrates advanced algorithms for wave-less picking, optimised task interleaving, and robotics integration, allowing operations to scale and adapt rapidly. As a cloud-native, “versionless” solution, Manhattan Active WMS ensures continuous access to new features without traditional upgrades. Its presence in Australia/New Zealand is supported by a network of Manhattan experts and partners, making it a reliable choice for enterprises in the region.  

7. SSI SCHAFER  (WAMAS)

A globally recognised warehouse management software, particularly strong in environments requiring a tight integration of software with automated material handling systems. It provides Australian and New Zealand warehouses, especially those in manufacturing, FMCG, or 3PL sectors with high throughput, a robust platform to plan, execute, and optimise all intralogistics processes. 

WAMAS is known for its functional depth and broad applicability: it supports everything from simple manual warehouses to complex, fully automated multi-site warehouse networks within one standard software. This includes managing conveyors, AS/RS (automated storage and retrieval), sorters, and robotics alongside traditional tasks. 

The WMS covers all steps from goods-in through picking to shipping, and excels at inventory transparency and traceability. SSI Schäfer has ensured WAMAS is modular and future-proof, meaning ANZ customers can implement core modules and later expand as their operation grows. For ANZ warehouses aiming for a high degree of automation and looking for a reliable WMS to orchestrate both people and machines, SSI Schäfer’s WAMAS offers a solid, industry-agnostic solution that can scale from a single site to a global network while maintaining real-time control and efficiency.  

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5. MINTSOFT (BY THE ACCESS GROUP)

 A newer cloud-based WMS and order management platform that has quickly gained traction among 3PLs, e-commerce fulfillment providers, and wholesalers, including those in ANZ. It is designed to be easy to use and fast to deploy, with a focus on automating the time-consuming tasks of picking, packing, and shipping for online orders. 

As a SaaS solution, Mintsoft offers extensive out-of-the-box integrations (150+ pre-built connections) to marketplaces, shopping carts, couriers, and other systems. 

This makes it particularly strong in environments where omnichannel and multi-client order streams need to be managed from one central platform. Mintsoft’s feature set covers real-time inventory visibility (with a handy traffic light system for stock levels), barcode scanning via any Android device for paperless operations, and an advanced rules engine to handle order routing. For mid-sized ANZ warehouses or 3PLs looking to scale rapidly in the e-commerce space, Mintsoft provides a nimble, cloud-first WMS that addresses key needs like real-time tracking, integration, and automation, backed by a growing local support presence via The Access Group’s APAC investment.