Open-Source Warehouse Management Systems Myths Dispelled

Warehouse management software falls into three primary categories: hosted WMS software, commercial off-the-shelf WMS software and proprietary WMS software.  For all of these types, the vast majority of software is what information technology (IT) solutions providers would call closed source systems.  A closed source system is one where the licensing of the source code, the programming language calls and functions, is not generally available.  Modifications to the warehouse management system that is a closed source system requires a contract for services with the software vendor. 

If you are looking to engineer a warehouse management system of your own, using open-source software may be your solution.  One such open-source implementation is called  myWMS. This solution is an open-source project and modular framework for the development of Warehouse Management Systems. Open-source projects provide the source code and can be used and enhanced by anyone to create a product of their own.

An open-source WMS project IS a framework for implementers offering a platform for the development of a WMS including most standard warehouse operational features.  Using such an open-source project allows developers to design and implement a system that is independent of the computer operating system.  In addition, numerous non-proprietary interfaces are available. 

An open-source WMS project IS NOT a full-featured warehouse management system.  Typically, the libraries of a framework and the documentation for a framework are the building blocks for a commercially viable WMS.  Another myth about open-source software is that it's free.  Although the license fees for open-source WMS software are insignificant to the costs associated with commercial off-the-shelf WMS software, these fees are still payable to the authors if the source code is to be used in a commercial application.

If your enterprise has an IT department, and is willing to staff or outsource the technical resources required to design, code and implement a WMS, the open-source route may be for you.