Systems and integration
A warehouse and the businesses around it run on software that each does one job. A WMS directs the work inside the warehouse, an OMS decides how orders are fulfilled across locations and sales channels, an IMS keeps track of stock levels, a WCS controls the machines, and a WES coordinates people and machines in between. All of them sit next to the ERP, the system of record for finance and purchasing.
These systems exchange information with each other and with customers, suppliers and carriers. That exchange is integration: EDI and its message standard EDIFACT, platforms that connect applications (iPaaS), and order orchestration across them. BPaaS describes a way of buying such capability as a service rather than as software to install.
Terms in this topic
BPaaS — Business Process as a Service
BPaaS (Business Process as a Service) definition: cloud delivery of an entire business process, not just software.
EDI — Electronic Data Interchange
EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) definition: structured B2B message exchange between trading partners.
IMS — Inventory Management System
IMS (Inventory Management System) definition: software that tracks stock levels, movements and valuation. A WMS directs the work of moving that stock.
iPaaS — Integration Platform as a Service
iPaaS explained simply: an online service that connects your business apps so data moves between them by itself. With an example for small companies.
OMS — Order Management System
OMS full form and meaning: OMS stands for Order Management System, software that decides which stock is promised to which order and from where it ships.
Order Orchestration
Order orchestration definition: the OMS logic that decides how, where, and when each order is fulfilled.
Warehouse execution system — WES
Warehouse execution system explained simply: software that decides minute by minute what each machine and station does next. When it pays off.
WCS — Warehouse Control System
WCS meaning: a warehouse control system is the real-time software that runs conveyors, sorters and other warehouse automation on instructions from the WMS.
WMS — Warehouse Management System
WMS (Warehouse Management System) definition: software that manages inbound, storage, picking, packing, and shipping in a warehouse.
Also relevant to this topic
Other topics
- Inventory and stock controlKnowing what you hold and where: SKUs, lots, stock takes, safety stock.23 terms
- Inbound: receiving and putawayFrom dock to shelf: receiving, putaway, slotting and cross-docking.6 terms
- Outbound: picking, packing and shippingFrom order to carrier: picking methods, packing, cut-off times, despatch.17 terms
- Warehouse automation (MHE)Machines that store, move and sort goods, and the technologies that guide the work.19 terms
- Retail and supply-chain standardsGS1 identifiers, barcodes and the messages trading partners exchange.9 terms
- Metrics and KPIsThe numbers that show how stock and warehouse work are performing.5 terms
Ready to see BizBloqs on your own process?
Book a demo and we will walk your warehouse and order flow end to end — inbound, storage, picking, shipping, returns — and tell you honestly what BizBloqs would change.
Two questions about your own operation
How many of your articles sit in a pick location they empty less than once a month?
Part one: Laying out a warehouse does not start with the racking
After your last integration, how many systems hold a stock quantity for the same item? Name them.