When it comes to real-time orchestration of fulfillment center processes, warehouse execution system (WES) software has come to the forefront as a system that promises a nimbler way of releasing and managing work to create a productive operational flow. WES software uses its near real-time ties into automated materials handling and control systems to gauge issues like machine availability, as well as order fulfillment progress and service level cut off times, to decide how to release orders and sequence work through a facility. But is "real time" all that WES is cracked up to be? Can WES solutions evolve into something more predictive in terms of how processes and resources need to be adjusted so warehouse flow stays productive, while new orders dropping into the process will hit shipment cut-off times? Some vendors say WES is already getting more predictive and gaining richer analytics, though WES dashboards and metrics that show what is happening in the here and now remain essential.
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