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making decisions as well as making sure that mistakes are not repeatable, it���s really important to these type of operations.��� Additionally, in the event of a recall, a company can effectively locate and assess what products are potentially contaminated and where they were sent. 2. Accuracy and Visibility: Warehouse management systems offer better visibility into the warehouse along with a boost in order and shipment accuracy. Through a centralized software system, managers are able to view the movement of their inventory and ascertain the accuracy of the shipments. 3. Increased Throughput With Integration: Integration with other software solutions and automation systems helps boost throughput in the warehouse. ���What we���re seen in both food and beverage is they���re very focused on speed,��� says Eric Lamphier, senior director of product management, for Atlanta, Georgia-based Manhattan Associates. ���You���ll go into a very high-end fresh operation and they���re moving fresh fruits and vegetables and other fresh products through that facility in just a couple of hours.��� WMS provides optimized functionality to handle high levels of complexity and volume throughput. 4. Improved Labor Productivity: Warehouse management systems can also leverage the power of labor management solutions. These solutions can track warehouse workers��� day-to-day activities, including the work they complete. ���We can understand what their expected time is for what they���re asked to do [versus] the actual time,��� says Lamphier. ���Then we can compare them and rate them based on their work for the day and have a really nice understanding of how the workforce is performing. You have associates that will hustle and really make some incremental pay based on working harder against the standards that have been outlined.��� 5. Reduced Paperwork: As mentioned earlier, food and beverage companies can be hindered by their manual or paper-based processes. Reports that were prepared manually can now be managed electronically. According to Dan Radunz, senior vice president of product development for Minneapolis,��Minnesota-based HighJump, a WMS can ���significantly reduce the paperwork traditionally associated with warehouse operations, as well as ensure timely and accurate flow of inventory and information.��� Additionally, creating electronic reports will boost a company���s sustainability efforts, www.foodlogistics.com by creating a greener footprint and lessening the need for paper. 6. Better Space Utilization: Food and beverage warehouses can improve space utilization due to a speedier fulfillment process with the use of WMS. With less inventory in the warehouse, holding costs will decrease drastically. ���Space utilization can help with ensuring that we optimally use the space in the facility, which can eliminate their need to buy more facility space,��� says Tom Kozenski, VP indus- try strategy of Scottsdale, Arizona-based JDA Software (formerly RedPrairie). Customer success stories Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC), the second largest alcohol beverage distributor in the U.S., uses Manhattan Associates��� warehouse management solutions in their operations. According to Stefan Kirshenbaum, VP and director of distribution and logistics at RNDC, there were some challenges during the initial implementation FOOD LOGISTICS ��� JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 47