Four signs it's time to replace your legacy WMS

Unlike other equipment, software doesn't show wear and tear, making upgrades tricky. But if your team struggles with efficiency or cost, it might be time for a change.

If your warehouse management system shows any of these four signs, it's time to upgrade. Embrace new tools and improvements to stay competitive.

1. New team members can’t figure it out

Growing businesses need to hire. Your new staff needs to use your systems effectively. An outdated WMS means a clunky interface, longer training, and more errors.

A difficult UI also limits feature adoption, reducing your ROI. It's not about aesthetics; it's about functionality. If warehouse pros can't easily use it, it's not working for your business.

2. It keeps your IT out of date

Hopefully, you don’t still hear dial-up sounds when you fire up your WMS.

The age of your WMS’s architecture and equipment dictates its lifespan. If your current WMS forces you to maintain outdated machines or POS systems, it's hurting your business.

Older platforms get expensive due to dwindling support and the increased custom coding needed for backward compatibility.

If you’re spending money to make newer tech work with an ancient platform, or if partners can no longer support it, it’s time for a new WMS.

3. Your vendor is less attentive or attractive

If your WMS vendor stops answering calls or struggles with support, it may be time to move on. Slow responses or poor ticket management could mean staffing issues, while irrelevant updates might signal cash flow problems.

Use our up-to-date WMS vendor directory to upgrade your current software

One vendor-based concern that warehouse managers often overlook is specialization. What if your vendor’s latest work all focuses on refrigeration and incorporates reefer truck data, but your business only deals in non-perishables?

If your vendor’s updates don’t touch on your industry and that trend continues for some time, you could be spending money on a platform that could neglect your needs in the near term. You want to benefit from the advancements your vendor is making.

4. Upgrading is a scary prospect

Trust your gut if it’s telling you to delay new features or improvements because it could disrupt or harm your WMS. That’s a red flag.

Instead, take action. If your WMS makes updates difficult, prevents new sensor or tag adoption, or causes costly downtime with each update, it’s likely time for a new platform.

Don’t let your WMS become a constant source of frustration. Whether you choose a custom platform or a vendor system, ensure your WMS simplifies management instead of holding you back.