20-Point WMS Readiness Checklist for Indian Warehouses

Warehouses today are no longer just large spaces with racks and forklifts. They are hubs of complex operations, data-driven processes, and constant movement of inventory. But are Indian warehouses ready to embrace a Warehouse Management System (WMS) effectively and strategically? The answer lies in a comprehensive readiness approach that examines people, processes, technology, and strategy. A strong WMS readiness checklist provides clarity on what needs to be in place before you deploy, ensuring the transition is smooth, timely, and measurable. This blog answers that question and shows why AWL India Pvt Ltd is your best partner in achieving WMS readiness in a way that transforms warehouse performance from day one.

After reading this post, you will be able to answer:

• What does it mean to get ready for a WMS implementation
• What critical areas should focus on before implementation
• Key points to raise your success rates and avoid costly mistakes

People Readiness

1. Executive Alignment

• Does leadership understand what success looks like?
• Has AWL India Pvt Ltd helped define measurable KPIs and goals?
• Senior leadership must be on board to support change. [1]

2. Cross-Functional Team Formation

• Form a team with operations, IT, warehouse leads, and finance.
• AWL India’s experts assist in creating effective governance structures. [2]

3. Clear Change Management Plan

• Communicate why the WMS is important.
• Address resistance and anxiety about change.
• Involve your workforce early and consistently. [3]

4. Identify Champion Users

• Appoint warehouse champions to promote adoption and address issues.
• Champions act as liaisons between users and AWL India’s support teams. [4]

Operational and Process Readiness

5. Current Workflow Mapping

• Document all workflows, including exceptions. [2]
• AWL India specializes in mapping processes for Indian warehousing environments where complexities like labour shifts and seasonal peaks exist. 

6. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

• Update SOPs before launching the new system.
• Ensure workflows account for receiving, putaway, picking, packing, and shipping. [5]

7. Inventory Classification and Optimisation

• Classify SKUs using ABC, XYZ or composite methods for storage strategies.
• Valid inventory planning ensures your WMS delivers the right recommendations. [6]

8. Barcode and Label Standards

• Confirm labels meet global standards (GS1 recommended) to reduce scanning errors. [7]

Technology Infrastructure Readiness

9. Network and Wireless Coverage

• Ensure strong WiFi coverage across the entire warehouse.
• Weak wireless leads to data lags and scanning issues during peak operations. [8]

10. Mobile Devices and Scanners

• Decide on Android vs. Windows handhelds based on use cases.
• Ensure compatibility and battery life needs are met based on operations schedules. [8]

11. Reliable Data Storage and Security

• Implement access controls and secure backup policies.
• Protect sensitive operational data with encryption and multi-factor authentication where possible. [9]

12. Hardware Compatibility

• Ensure printers, conveyors, and sortation devices integrate and communicate effectively with the WMS. [8]

Data and Integration Readiness

13. Master Data Cleanup

• Cleanse SKU master data, stock levels, and warehouse locations before migration.
• Accurate data reduces errors and improves initial cycle counts. [6]

14. ERP and Third-Party System Integration

• Integrate your new WMS with your ERP, billing systems, and transport platforms.
• Test integrations early to mitigate issues during go-live. [4]

15. Data Access and Reporting Plans

• Define dashboards and reports that operations teams need.
• AWL India customises reporting templates for real-time insights.

16. Historical Performance Baselines

• Record baseline metrics for cycle times, order accuracy, and labour utilisation.
• These benchmarks help measure WMS's impact after go-live. [10]

Testing, Training, and Go-Live Readiness

17. Pre-Go-Live Testing

• Conduct system testing, integration testing, and user acceptance testing (UAT).
• Validate that all roles perform tasks without disruptions. [2]

18. Role-Based Training

• Train by roles: pickers, supervisors, managers, and admins.
• Use real scenarios and live data in simulation environments. [3]

19. Pilot or Phased Go-Live

• Start with a pilot area to validate readiness before company-wide deployment.
• AWL India recommends a phased go-live for complex warehouses. [8]

20. Hypercare Support

• Provide support immediately after go-live to handle issues quickly.
• Your team should feel confident under operational pressure.

• After go-live, measure SKU turnover, cycle times, and order accuracy.
• Adjust and optimise based on real data trends. [6]

Feedback Loops

• Set up routine feedback sessions with stakeholders.
• Use insights for iterative improvements. [5]

Quarterly Review Meetings

• Compare baseline metrics with current performance.
• Rework workflows that are still underperforming.

India’s warehousing sector is growing rapidly, with Grade A warehousing stock expanding across key cities and tier II / tier III regions thanks to demand from e-commerce, manufacturing, and 3PL providers. [11]

Yet, traditional godowns still lag behind in digital readiness due to fragmented processes and limited automation. A well-executed best warehouse management system enables:

• Near-real-time inventory control
• Enhanced picking accuracy
• Labour performance tracking
• Seamless integration with logistics partners

This translates into competitive advantages and operational excellence for businesses that modernise early.

• Warehouses that adopt WMS report up to 99% inventory accuracy, significantly reducing write-offs and customer complaints. [6]
• Upgrading to automated workflows can improve picking speeds by up to 35%, increasing throughput without adding labour. [6]
• With national efforts to build 100,000 new warehouses to reduce logistics costs, digital readiness will be one of the most critical success factors in the coming decade. [12]

According to a supply chain professional quoted by a reputable logistics resource:

“The biggest hurdle in any system deployment is not technology. It is people and process alignment.” [3][4]

This highlights the fact that readiness is not just a checklist of technical tasks but also an organisational mindset that prepares your workforce for change.

A WMS readiness checklist acts as a strategic compass, guiding warehouses through a structured deployment and ensuring that mistakes are avoided before, during, and after implementation. With the right partner like AWL India Pvt Ltd, your warehouse is positioned not just to adopt technology, but to thrive with it. From planning to execution, integration to optimisation, AWL India’s hands-on experience and tailored approaches make the transition smoother and more impactful than generic solutions in the market. Embrace readiness and elevate your warehousing operations today.

References

1. Harvard Business Review. Why Digital Transformations Fail. https://hbr.org
2. Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP). Warehouse Management Best Practices. https://cscmp.org
3. Harvard Business Review. Change Management and Technology Adoption. https://hbr.org
4. MIT Center for Transportation and Logistics. Digital Readiness in Warehouse Operations. https://ctl.mit.edu
5. Warehousing Development and Regulatory Authority (WDRA). e-Handbook on Warehousing Standards. https://warehousingindia.org
6. Barcode India. Benefits of Warehouse Management Systems. https://www.barcodeindia.com
7. GS1 Global. Global Barcode Standards. https://www.gs1.org
8. International Warehouse Logistics Association (IWLA). Warehouse Operations and Technology Reports. https://www.iwla.com
9. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Data Security Guidelines. https://www.nist.gov
10. World Bank Group. Logistics Performance Index. https://lpi.worldbank.org
11. Warehousing India. Indian Warehousing Sector Reports. https://warehousingindia.org
12. The Economic Times. India’s Warehouse Expansion and Logistics Cost Reduction. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com