What is a Warehouse Management System (WMS) and How Does It Benefit Drinks Logistics?

One of the most common and effective ways to streamline drinks operations and increase picking accuracy is using a Warehouse Management System (WMS). Many third-party logistics providers, as well as in-house drinks operations, utilise a WMS and have seen great success from it.

But- what is a WMS and why is it so beneficial in drinks logistics?

In this blog, we’ll explore:

1. What is a Warehouse Management System (WMS)?
2. What can a WMS do?
3. What is the best WMS?
4. How does using a WMS benefit drinks logistics?

What is a Warehouse Management System (WMS)?

A Warehouse Management System (WMS) is software that is designed to control, manage and optimise warehouse operations.

A WMS provides real-time visibility of stock levels, their locations in the warehouse and order status. This helps to:

• Ensure picking accuracy
• Improve picking efficiency
• Provide traceability of goods entering and leaving the warehouse

In the drinks industry, products vary by SKU, batch or packaging/container type. This is where a WMS could help, ensuring:

• Stock is managed accurately
• Stock is rotated correctly (e.g using 'first in, first out' stock movement)
• Stock is dispatched on time to meet customer expectations

What Can a WMS Do?

Some key functions and benefits of a modern WMS include:

• ‍Inventory tracking (real-time inventory tracking and SKU visibility)‍
• Optimised order picking and packing
• Automated low-stock alerts
• Barcode scanning and labelling
• Stock rotation rules (e.g FIFO)
• Returns handling
• Integration with eCommerce and courier platforms
• Smart stock picking: stock can be picked according to different SKU markers, such as Best Before Date (BBD) to help reduce stock wastage

These WMS features help drinks logistics providers and in-house functions handle high SKU volumes and multiple packaging formats (such as kegs, casks, cans and bottles) requirements with confidence.

What is the Best WMS?

Choosing the right WMS depends on your drinks operation's size, complexity and product type.

Here are four top Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) known for serving drinks logistics and fulfilment:

1. Clarus WMS

Clarus WMS is well-know for working well in the drinks industry. It supports bonded warehousing, duty management, multi-client inventory control and direct integration with platforms like Shopify and BigCommerce. It's especially renowned for offering support and warehouse solutions for third-party logistics (3PL) providers and is therefore a popular option with drinks 3PLs.

Tap'in 3PL uses Clarus WMS for optimised drinks warehousing and logistics. Tap'in operates next-day, on-trade drinks deliveries into London, Brighton and Home Counties, delivering into London 4 days a week. Our drinks logistics offering works for drinks producers delivering 3,500 litres of drink or more per month.

Contact our expert logistics team to find out more.

2. Cin7 Core (formerly DEAR Systems)

Cin7 Core offers WMS features alongside production and inventory management. It’s great for drinks producers who want integrated software covering sales, purchasing and warehousing.

Cin7 Core provides specific solutions for the food & beverage industry, helping drinks producers manage demand across channels and anticipate demand to restock smarter.

3. Peoplevox by Descartes

Peoplevox is built for ecommerce warehouses and works well for drinks brands selling direct-to- consumers (DTC). This software streamlines pick-and-pack workflows and integrates with key ecommerce platforms like Shopify and Amazon.

Peoplevox offers expertise in ecommerce only to focus purely on DTC drinks fulfilment. Their 100% remote approach and flexibility are some of their key pain-point alleviators.

How Does Using a WMS Benefits Drinks Logistics?

A well-integrated WMS can offer direct benefits for drinks producers operating their logistics in-house, as well as drinks 3PLs:

1. Improved Inventory Accuracy

Using real-time visibility, producers can avoid stockouts, overstocking and expiring inventory.

WMS platforms can track by key product features such as batch and expiry date- which is highly beneficial for quality control.

2. Fast and Accurate Order Fulfilment

Through the use of barcode scanning and intelligent pick-routing, warehouse teams can pick faster and more accurately with a WMS. This is especially useful when managing mixed cases or multi-format orders.

3. Optimised Drinks Storage and Space Usage

A WMS helps optimise space by directing where drink products should be stored based on their weight or product turnover- ideal for managing fragile wine cases, heavy pallets or chilled products.

4. Better Demand Planning and Forecasting

By integrating a WMS with your ERP or sales systems, you receive clearer insights into customer trends, helping drinks brands produce and distribute their product in a smarter, more intuitive way.

This, on top of easy integration with industry-leading route-planning software like MaxOptra, makes streamlined drinks logistics easier than ever before.

Final Thoughts: Why a WMS is Beneficial for Drinks Logistics

Whether you're storing thousands of beer cases or shipping premium gin to DTC customers, A WMS can transform your drinks operation from reactive to proactive.

By reducing human error, you can increase customer satisfaction while scaling more efficiently.

For drinks producers and fulfilment partners alike, investing in the right WMS can make all the difference for a smooth-running supply chain.

Tap'in 3PL - Drinks Warehousing and Fulfilment using Clarus WMS

Tap'in 3PL is a drinks logistics partner operating next-day deliveries into London, Brighton and Home Counties.

We offer drinks warehousing and logistics powered by Clarus WMS. You might benefit from our service if:

• ‍You're a drinks producer: Tap'in works with breweries, wineries, distilleries and no-and-low alcohol producers. We do drinks and drinks only- making us experts in drinks logistics.‍
• You deliver a minimum of 3,500 litres per month: our Minimum Order Quanitity (MOQ) helps us provide a cost-effective, all-inclusive logistics service for our clients. ‍
• You're looking for next-day drinks delivery into key London and South East postcodes: Tap'in deliver drinks to venues next-day, delivering into London 4 days a week and Brighton and Home Counties twice a week. Keep ahead of the demand by placing next-day orders with Tap'in.

Contact our expert drinks logistics team using the form below, or contact us directly:

Call: 0203 436 0140

Check out our latest blogs:

1. How Can Drinks Brands Manage Increased Sales During Seasonal Demand?
2. How Does Drinks Fulfilment Work With a 3PL? Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions
3. How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Warehouse in the UK for Drinks Storage?