Top 5 WMS Integration Types

As we all know, warehouse management system (WMS) software is an essential tool for warehouse operations, setting the foundation for warehouse technology stacks. Our industry research supports this: WMS implementation has continued to hold the top spot as the most popular technology solution for third-party logistics (3PL) warehouses since our first 3PL Benchmark Report in 2020.

However, having a WMS alone does not allow the software to operate at its full potential. One of the biggest advantages to cloud-based WMS is its ability to integrate seamlessly with other technologies and software to automate and streamline warehouse processes. But, neglecting to use WMS integrations results in underutilizing this technology.

What are the top integrations for WMS software? Warehouse management systems allow countless integrations with different hardware and software, but some integration types are more common (and arguably more useful) than others.

This article explores the definition, benefits, and types of WMS integrations, showcasing how businesses can leverage these solutions. From enhancing operational efficiency to diving into the top 5 most impactful WMS integrations, we outline how Extensiv's integration platform as a service (iPaaS) solution acts as a catalyst for scalable growth and operational excellence.

Benefits of WMS Integrations

By choosing WMS integrations that support your specific workflows and business goals, you can unlock greater efficiency, accuracy, and scalability to drive growth, improve customer satisfaction, and streamline business processes.

For 3PLs, the benefits of WMS integrations span operational efficiencies and client service enhancements:

• Enhanced Visibility: Systems integrations provide a 360-degree view of warehouse operations, material handling, inventory levels, and customer interactions.
• Operational Efficiency: WMS integrations automate, streamline, and optimize warehouse operations such as order entry, inventory updates, and billing while minimizing manual data entry.
• Improved Customer Service: Real-time data sharing between your WMS and your clients’ systems allows for faster order processing and more accurate delivery timelines, boosting customer satisfaction.
• Cost Reduction: Many WMS integrations like mobile barcode scanning reduce labor costs and minimize waste by optimizing inventory management.
• Scalability: Systems integrations facilitate easier scaling of operations to accommodate growth or adapt to seasonal fluctuations without significant additional costs or disruptions.
• Regulatory Compliance: Better record-keeping and automated reporting tools simplify compliance with industry regulations.
• Enhanced Decision Making: WMS integrations often enable comprehensive analytics and reporting capabilities, enabling more informed decision-making and strategic planning.

Top 5 Types of WMS Integrations

WMS integrations empower 3PL providers to streamline operations, enhance efficiency through automation, and ensure accuracy across all warehousing and fulfillment processes. By integrating WMS with various platforms, businesses can achieve a cohesive, automated workflow that aligns with their operational goals.

Here’s a closer look at some of the different types of WMS integrations, each designed to tackle specific challenges within warehouse management:

Accounting and ERP Integrations

Accounting tools or enterprise resource planning software, more commonly called ERP systems, are critical to maximizing warehouse profits. How long does it take you to create invoices for billable events in the warehouse, and how long does it take you to get paid for those invoices? Probably not as quickly as you would want, considering the longer it takes you to create and send invoices, the longer it takes you to receive payment for services.

Extensiv 3PL Warehouse Manager tackles the first issue of creating invoices with intelligent billing automation. Extensiv’s WMS solution for 3PLs includes our robust Billing Manager, which captures all billable events—like storage fees, pick/pack fees, shipping fees, and more—and automatically generates invoices at the end of the billing period.

This functionality is a real timesaver and helps immensely with accuracy as no billable events go unnoticed, but without integrations to an accounting platform like Quickbooks, your software may only tackle half of the job. With integrations to accounting systems, you can instantly transfer these invoices and organize them, consolidate them into a single monthly statement, and use this data for detailed financial forecasting.

Shopping Carts/Marketplace Integrations

Ecommerce trends over the past few years make adopting these integrations a must for any 3PL looking to stay ahead of the competition. As ecommerce continues to grow, shopping cart and marketplace integrations that connect via application programming interface (API) connections to automate ecommerce fulfillment improve warehouse efficiency by streamlining order management.

Rest API connections allow ecommerce channels and your WMS to communicate and send information back and forth regarding orders and inventory levels. For example, all the leading shopping carts and marketplaces—Shopify, WooCommerce, Amazon, Ebay, and more—connect to Extensiv’s WMS via API and automatically push orders through to the WMS when they come in with all order information included. These ecommerce integrations also allow your WMS to sync inventory levels in your 3PL with these platforms to avoid overselling.

EDI Integrations

Electronic data interchange (EDI) is an important integration type for supporting customers’ retail operations and fulfillment. Whereas API and shopping cart platforms integrate to allow different software platforms to communicate with each other, EDI enables document exchanges between retailers, warehouses, and manufacturers. The documents most used in EDI include purchase orders and advance shipping notices (ASNs), which 3PLs use to “receive against ASN” to check inbound accuracy.

Certain retailers require EDI usage, so adopting EDI can open up business partners for your 3PL, but there are more benefits of EDI integrations. The EDI document exchange increases warehouse efficiency by automating transactions that would otherwise require error-prone manual entry, like purchase orders, as well as accuracy because EDI documents require a particular format for processing.

Additionally, EDI increases communication between retailer and warehouse: the retailer can send an ASN to let the warehouse know what inventory is coming in a shipment, and then the warehouse can receive against ASN to let the retailer know what the actual counts of received inventory are so all parties are on the same page regarding inventory levels. Like API, EDI digitally automates many of the transactional processes of the warehouse for faster and more precise processing.

Mobile Barcode Scanning

Mobile barcode scanning is unique as the only hardware integration in our top five. Given that the majority of 3PL warehouses already use mobile barcode scanning, it’s safe to say that you’re likely already aware of its benefits in improving efficiency and reducing errors. But, if you’re not already using mobile barcode scanning integrations, you could be wasting a lot of time and money on inefficient processes.

Mobile barcode scanning like Extensiv’s SmartScan integrates with a WMS to enable the system to receive and understand scanned barcodes as inputs in various fields throughout the platform. For example, at pick time, you only have to scan the barcode of the item you are picking for the system to mark it as picked; there is no need to write down long SKUs, UPCs, or serial numbers that a single scan records.

At pack time, you again just scan the barcode on the item you are packing, and the system verifies that the item is correct, significantly reducing manual errors that result in shipping the wrong item to a consumer. You can even scan the packaging you are using for a shipment so the system can record the size and weight of a shipment to price out shipping fees for your customers.

Mobile barcode scanning also comes in handy verifying receipts, receiving against ASN, cycle counting, auditing inventory for quality, and more. In warehousing, time is money, and mobile barcode scanning integrations are timesavers in many warehouse processes, making them a key tool to maximize profitability.

Shipping Carrier Integrations

The shipping industry has changed drastically in the past 3-5 years and so, too, has the underlying technologies that support this process. In the old world, warehouses generally shipped directly with one of USPS, UPS, or FedEx. This was a simple process that warehouses might not even use software for—it was a land of spreadsheets and paper.

As ecommerce volumes have risen, those “Big 3” carriers concluded they could not support all of this volume themselves directly and have consistently raised their rates each year. Additionally, these companies stopped giving volume discounts to smaller shippers, essentially “firing” these customers. This section of the market is now served by a variety of resellers, including Pitney Bowes and BUKU Ship. These companies purchase shipping labels from USPS and others in bulk and resell them into their customer base. Collectively, they are creating a new ecosystem of transportation resellers, and that ecosystem continues to evolve to meet the specific needs of each niche in the shipping market.

Extensiv’s Small Parcel Suite stands out as a powerful facilitator this shipping ecosystem, utilizing shipping carrier integrations to connect directly to different carrier accounts to make shipping packages a breeze. Once you pack a package, you can use Small Parcel Suite to get exact shipping rates for each carrier account loaded into the system, which uses your 3PL’s negotiated rates for rate shopping.

Once you choose a shipping service, all you have to do is press a button, and the system generates shipping labels ready for printing as well as tracking numbers for the shipment. Managing shipping carrier integrations with Small Parcel Suite reduces the amount of software platforms you need to use to get shipments out the door, improving efficiency by offering an all-in-one shipping solution.

Maximize Your WMS Integrations with Extensiv

Extensiv simplifies WMS integrations with hundreds of out-of-the-box included integrations and customizable API integrations for major ecommerce platforms, transforming complex processes into straightforward, scalable solutions. Automate workflows, synchronize data in real time, access insightful analytics, and unlock maximum operational efficiency with Extensiv’s solutions for 3PLs and powerful WMS integrations.

• Ease of Use: Access our intuitive platform to quickly set up and manage integrations without needing deep technical expertise. It's designed to be accessible for all users, ensuring you can swiftly adapt to your operational needs.
• Customizable Integrations: Choose from the wide selection of Extensiv’s included integrations for leading ecommerce platforms and marketplaces. Tailor your setup with customizable options to fit your unique business requirements perfectly.
• Operational Excellence: Automate workflows and ensure real-time data synchronization across your systems. From inventory levels to order processing and shipping details, minimize manual entry and errors for enhanced operational efficiency.

Technology is a must in today’s third-party logistics industry, but having the right WMS is only half the battle. To succeed in today’s market, you need to maximize how you use your technology by leveraging integrations and taking advantage of all that your WMS has to offer.

Extensiv’s platform is the secret ingredient to unlocking your full potential, scalable growth, and dependable success in the logistics landscape. Interested in learning more? Request a demo today!