ERP and WMS Co-Existence: When System Worlds Collide
Joseph J. Strub - June 17, 2003

Introduction

Typically, after the enterprise resource planning (ERP) software has settled in, you may start to investigate ways to improve your warehouse management and operations through the use of a warehouse management system (WMS). Unless you’re faster than a speeding bullet and can leap tall buildings in a single bound, normally you do not install both ERP software and a WMS at the same time. Regardless of your approach, early on you will notice an overlap in warehouse functionality between the ERP software and a WMS. When comparing the warehouse functions and features embedded in ERP software against those in a WMS, the ERP software usually comes out on the short end of the measuring stick. So your path is obvious; use the WMS for inventory related functions. Not so fast big fellow...