Optimizing Warehouse Operations with NetSuite WMS

Efficient warehouse management is crucial for businesses looking to reduce errors, save time, and improve customer satisfaction. NetSuite’s Warehouse Management System (WMS) provides mobile-driven functionality that streamlines core processes such as receiving, picking, and fulfillment. In our recent demonstrations, we showcased three key warehouse flows: Purchase Order Receiving, Picking with Wave Released, and Picking without Wave (Unreleased Orders).

Purchase Order (PO) Receiving

The receiving process is where accuracy begins. With NetSuite WMS, warehouse staff can use handheld devices to scan and confirm goods against purchase orders in real time. The steps are simple:

1. Log in to the WMS mobile app and navigate to Receiving → Purchase Order Receiving.
2. Scan or enter the purchase order number to view expected items.
3. Scan item barcodes and enter the received quantities.
4. Confirm or update the system-suggested putaway location.
5. Submit the receiving transaction to automatically update stock levels in NetSuite.

This streamlined approach reduces paperwork, eliminates manual errors, and ensures inventory visibility from the moment goods arrive.

Picking with Wave Released

For high-volume operations, wave picking is a powerful method to optimize order fulfillment. Instead of handling orders individually, WMS groups multiple sales orders into a single wave to maximize efficiency.

• Warehouse staff create or release a wave from eligible sales orders.
• Using handheld devices, pickers select the wave and follow the system-suggested path through the warehouse.
• Items are scanned and quantities confirmed at each bin location.
• Once all items in the wave are picked, the process is completed, and goods move to staging or packing.

This method ensures faster picking, reduced travel time, and better resource utilization, making it ideal for businesses managing large order volumes.

Picking without Wave (Unreleased Orders)

For businesses with lower order volumes or simpler operations, WMS supports order-by-order picking without wave release.

• Pickers navigate to Sales Order Picking and scan or search for the specific order.
• The system displays required items, which are then scanned and picked directly from storage locations.
• Once quantities are confirmed, the pick is submitted, and the order moves to the staging or packing area.

This approach is straightforward, fast to execute, and works well for warehouses that don’t require wave-based optimization.