At the core of your business is the warehouse, where efficiency directly impacts customer satisfaction. Most modern ERP systems already have robust warehouse management functionality that for some businesses is enough. To improve even more, the right integrations can boost these built-in features to new levels.
The winning strategy for 2025 starts with using your ERP's warehouse management system as a solid foundation. From there, add specialised tools where you need enhanced features and connect these systems seamlessly through modern REST APIs.
These REST APIs (Representational State Transfer Application Programming Interfaces) serve as digital bridges between different software systems. Using simple HTTP methods, they enable your ERP and external tools to communicate and exchange data in a standardised, efficient, and scalable way - creating a cost-effective and integrated ecosystem that maximises your operational capabilities.
This flexibility helps you add new technologies, automate workflows, and quickly adjust to changing business needs. You can do all this without disrupting your core systems.
Connecting specialised warehouse applications to your core ERP through REST APIs has never been easier. For larger operations, integration with third-party robotic systems is possible through APIs, enabling fully automated warehousing solutions. Recognising that warehouse management requirements vary significantly based on warehouse size and branch network complexity is important.
Fortunately, connecting specialised warehouse applications to your core ERP through REST APIs has become remarkably straightforward. This integration method creates new efficiencies without the technical barriers that used to make connections hard. It allows businesses of all sizes to improve their warehouse operations based on their specific needs.
Warehouse management means different things to different people. Most modern ERP systems come with built-in warehouse features alongside the other essential tools you need to run your business effectively. These warehouse features can provide a solid base for your business, regardless of size. Typically, these include:
This may be enough to satisfy your warehouse management requirements. They also maintain a seamless connection with your sales, purchasing, and accounting processes - giving you complete visibility across your business.
Leigh, our Senior ERP Consultant, explained in a recent interview: "Sitting at the centre of the wheel is the hub, which would be your ERP. Everything's being fed in or fed out, so all the information is contained within it. This central position means your warehouse operations aren't isolated, they're seamlessly integrated with your sales, purchasing, and accounting processes, giving you that complete visibility without needing additional systems. "
Before we explore enhancement opportunities, let's be clear about what we mean by 'integration' when we discuss business systems.
Your system should already have the basics – financials, sales order processing, operations, CRM, online selling options, and mobile access.
Integration is about extending these capabilities with specialised tools that excel in specific areas, offering significant added value e.g. specialised business intelligences tools, design platforms for kitchens or warehouse robotics, as mentioned above. It's not just about fixing problems. It's about improving a strong foundation to meet business needs or improve customer service.
Your ERP’s native warehouse management functionality may already work for you, and that’s ok! However, certain integrations can offer significant advantages if your business has specific needs or growth aspirations.
Here are our top three areas where smart improvements can provide great value. These features should be available from your current vendor.
If you sell online, linking your e-commerce platform to your ERP system is hugely beneficial. This connection removes manual order processing and speeds up fulfilment.
Leigh described the efficiency of proper e-commerce integration: "The order comes in via e-commerce. It arrives in the outstanding order book. It allocates stock, processes the money, and then goes immediately to pick. Nobody has touched it, and it has now arrived in the handheld device. An operator then runs around the warehouse to grab the products."
Whether you're using Shopify, Magento, or platforms like Intact Cliqx, this integration creates a seamless workflow that benefits both your team and your customers.
The days of printing pick lists, manually marking items, and then having to update the system should be long gone!
When your ERP connects with portable handheld devices, your warehouse staff can see what to pick. They can also find where to get it and the best route to take. All this information updates in real-time as orders come in.
The transformation can make a real difference. Gavin Brett, Operations Director at Choice Stores/Brett Supplies and an Intact customer, shared: "I've never seen the warehouse as clean. The speed of picking has really improved. People are also doing different things now because they have the time to work on other areas of the business. The information we need is in front of us and we know exactly what we need to do."
But the benefits go beyond speed. Michael Dowling from Strahan Timber talks about precision. He says, "Dealing efficiently in hardwood is very important for us. Before Intact, I wouldn't have been able to tell if we had 12ft of mahogany in stock, all I could tell you is that we had mahogany. Now I can tell you what lengths we have it in and what widths etc across both premises."
Purpose-built portable handheld scanners are still important for busy warehouse operations. However, modern ERP systems now offer this function without needing special equipment.
Solutions today can transform ordinary smartphones and tablets into powerful warehouse tools. This means your warehouse operations can continue uninterrupted regardless of location.
Staff can access the system from their mobile devices. They can do this anywhere in the warehouse or off-site during deliveries. This allows for barcode scanning, inventory checks, and order processing while on the go.
This flexibility shows the future of warehouse management. It frees your team from fixed workstations. It also extends your system's capabilities beyond your facility. This ensures everyone stays connected and productive, no matter where they work.
As your business grows or your warehouse operations get more complex, you may need special features. These features might go beyond what your ERP system provides. This is where third-party integrations become valuable.
Leigh, our Senior ERP Implementation Consultant, suggests solutions like Fishbowl, Netstock, Cin7, TradeGecko, and EazyStock. These tools can enhance your current ERP by adding more features in specific areas.
Your ERP may manage basic inventory tasks. However, connecting it with Netstock can improve demand forecasting. This integration considers seasonality and market trends. It helps you keep the right stock levels all year.
These integrations offer a balance between using standard ERP features and having a separate warehouse management system. They let you improve certain parts of your warehouse operations. This is done without the cost and trouble of replacing everything.
Many businesses still have trouble getting products from the warehouse to their customers' doors. This is a key step for customer satisfaction.
Leigh pointed out that courier integration finishes the automation process. “After an order is picked and packed, the system automatically schedules the courier for next day delivery.” The entire process from pick to dispatch happens with minimal manual intervention. Only the picker needs to interact with that order, and everything else happens automatically."
You can automatically choose the best shipping option for each order. This includes generating labels, scheduling pickups, and giving customers tracking information. With integrations to services like DPD or Ship Station, this is standard.
"PGR Timber set up a system that sends orders to branches with stock near the customer." Uses location services (Google) to calculate actual route times rather than simple distance. Improves customer experience by minimising wait times."
One strong benefit of having your warehouse operations in your ERP system is a central data repository. This is often called a "single source of truth."
As Steve England from Healthxchange Pharmacy noted: "We operate multi-company, multi-branch sites, multi-jurisdiction and multi-currency and we've seen that as a strong point in Intact. We've got no hesitation in anything we wish to do for the company in the future. Adding additional warehouses or trading in different parts of the world wouldn't phase us at all."
This centralisation eliminates the all-too-common scenario where different systems show different inventory levels, leading to customer disappointment and operational chaos. When your warehouse software integrates properly with your ERP, everyone - from sales to finance to customer service - works from the same accurate information.
The most successful businesses in 2025 won’t have the biggest warehouses or the most staff. They will be the ones that connect their ERP systems with specialised warehouse management software capabilities. These connections will help create smooth and automated operations.
Leigh said that businesses can improve their daily operations. They can do this by giving access to information in real time. This information should be in one central place. This also helps them adapt, compete, and grow in a fast-paced, data-driven world.”
The question isn't if you need special warehouse management software or new technology. It's about which integrations will give the most value for your business challenges.
Begin with one connection. Measure the results. Watch your warehouse change from a cost centre to a competitive advantage.