NetSuite WMS Lite explained: Features & Benefits

For educational institutions, effective warehouse management is crucial to maintaining inventory control and ensuring timely delivery of resources such as textbooks, lab supplies, sports equipment and furniture. A Warehouse Management System (WMS) streamlines these operations, providing comprehensive visibility into inventory from receipt to delivery. NetSuite WMS is a sophisticated software that guides inventory receiving and put-away, optimizes picking and shipping of orders and advises on inventory replenishment.

Supporting day-to-day operations in a warehouse, a WMS minimizes user error and speeds up the process of order fulfillment. Warehouse Management Systems can differ widely based on the size and nature of the organization. These systems can be standalone, or a module in a larger ERP suite. An example of the latter is NetSuite's WMS Lite, which is perfect for small businesses. NetSuite also offers WMS Advanced for larger, more complex businesses. WMS Lite expands on NetSuite's native inventory and warehousing functionalities and offers mobile RF handheld scanning. WMS Lite helps speed up operations, reduce error and automate processes for smaller warehouses, stockrooms and storage facilities where WMS Advanced capabilities would not be applicable.

NetSuite WMS Lite is ideal for less complex warehouses where optimization strategies are not required, retail stores, and mobile inventory where trucks, trailers or non-traditional environments can serve as distribution centers.

Key benefits of NetSuite WMS Lite for businesses

• Quick deployment: The WMS Lite module can be added to an existing NetSuite implementation within the matter of a few weeks without major disruptions or process changes
• Bar code scanning for greater efficiency: This feature replaces and automates manual warehouse scanning with a RF mobile scanner
• Improved customer satisfaction: WMS Lite speeds up order fulfillment rates and increases accuracy while reducing shipping errors
• Gain visibility: WMS Lite allows users real-time access into transactions and inventory movements as they occur in the warehouse

Key Features of NetSuite WMS Lite

WMS Lite comes jam-packed with a number of features that can streamline operations and fit seamlessly into the larger NetSuite platform. Some of its key features are:

• Bar code scanning
• Wireless RF/mobile handheld devices
• Cycle counting
• Single and multi-order picking
• Inventory moves and transfers
• Work orders and assemblies
• Returns
• Serial number tracking
• Multiple UPC codes
• Lot/batch number with FIFO and FEFO
• User-defined Putaway and Pick strategies
• Integrated advance ship notice
• GS1 label and packlist printing
• Warehouse activity dashboards

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FAQs

1) What is the difference between NetSuite WMS Lite and full NetSuite WMS?
NetSuite WMS Lite offers essential warehouse tools like barcode scanning and basic picking, but full NetSuite WMS includes advanced capabilities such as complex picking strategies, wave planning, and detailed space optimisation.

2) Are there any prerequisites that companies should keep in mind before using NetSuite WMS Lite? 
To use NetSuite WMS Lite effectively, a company should already be using NetSuite's inventory management features. WMS Lite builds on inventory tracking, so the inventory module must be enabled first.

3) How does mobile device support worth with NetSuite WMS Lite? 
NetSuite WMS Lite functions with mobile RF(Radio Frequency) scanners or handheld devices that connect wirelessly to NetSuite.  

4) What type of businesses can benefit the most from NetSuite WMS Lite? 
NetSuite WMS Lite is especially useful for small warehouses, retail stockrooms, and businesses with straightforward distribution needs, places where basic scanning and inventory tracking deliver most of the value without advanced setup.

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Does your educational institute need an inventory management solution that fits into your NetSuite platform seamlessly? Tvarana's Inventory Count SuiteApp might be just what you're looking for! You can read more about it here. Reach out to our team for an Inventory Count demo today!