WMS Training: Success vs Chaos in the Warehouse

Jessica

WMS Training Making an Impact

Published: April 17, 2013 – Updated: June 2020

A huge chunk of a Warehouse Management System (WMS) Implementation project is focused on development and optimization to create a powerful and dynamic system. The system should have all the value-added features and do everything under the sun except bring you your morning coffee. However, at the end of the day, the value-added is lost if little to no effort is put into training. Training Managers, Supervisors, SME’s, and Floor Personnel is an area that is time and time again overlooked during a project.

Transitioning to a new system is often a difficult change for everyone involved. Having a robust training program will prepare your workforce for the transition in a comfortable and confident manner.

Key Points

To breakdown the chaos, an implementation may cause a business the five W’s and an H assist in building out a training program.

WHO: Anyone who will be using BlueYonder’s (formerly JDA) WMS:

  • RF Operators who will be receiving and picking
  • Supervisors who will be supporting RF Operators, shipping and receiving clerks, Subject Matter Experts, trouble-shooters
  • Personnel who will assist during the Go-Live

WHAT: Once your processes are clearly defined, it is time to start planning for training. The topics that will be covered will depend on the position you are training. Different training plans are created based on groups and roles.

WHERE: A dedicated training room would be ideal but is not always feasible. The next best thing would be to set up a “conference room” training room or any other big office space that can hold a few people comfortably.

  • Remember that training should always be completed away from the user’s usual workspace. This way, they can focus without interruption by their routine day-to-day activities.

WHEN: You will want to train your SME’s early on in the process. This way, they will have enough time and hands-on experience to get a good understanding of how the system works and how it is configured. They will also have the knowledge to validate your SOPs and assist in Testing and UAT. As for your RF personnel, it is recommended to start training a few weeks before a go-live, so that they will be able to retain all this new information better.

WHY: There is a lot of complex functionality in a BlueYonder WMS. The better your staff is prepared, the more comfortable they will feel about adapting new methods and technology. Your team will have better morale and motivation, better efficiency, and productivity, all of which lead to cost savings!

HOW:

  • Plan ahead to be sure that all users will receive a sufficient amount of training.
  • Set up your classroom with individual computers where the users can each get hands-on training.
  • Prepare your scenarios for training precisely as they will be performed in real life.
  • Use RFs or Scanners when possible. Create barcoded data so the users can scan as they would in real life.
  • Use existing paperwork to reference in your training; this gives the users a point of reference.
  • Keep classrooms smalls, on average, 5-6 people.

Success with WMS Training

Practicing is the hardest part of learning, and training is the essence of transformation. There are no shortcuts when it comes to training. Invest in your employees and watch it pay off.

By: Anna Lambidonis 

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