Infor WMS Review 2024

What is Infor WMS?

Infor has established itself as a major enterprise software provider with industry-specific cloud suites that address the complete business requirements of target sectors. Infor WMS operates within this ecosystem, providing warehouse management capabilities that integrate with Infor ERP, supply chain planning, and other business applications. The platform's value is amplified for organizations committed to the Infor technology stack.

Infor's industry cloud strategy differentiates the company from horizontal ERP vendors. Rather than offering generic functionality that requires extensive customization, Infor delivers pre-configured solutions for specific industries including manufacturing, distribution, healthcare, food and beverage, and retail. The WMS inherits this industry focus, with functionality and configurations aligned to sector-specific operational requirements.

The platform is available through Infor CloudSuite for cloud deployment or through traditional on-premise installation. Cloud deployment through AWS (Amazon Web Services) provides modern infrastructure advantages while maintaining enterprise-grade security and compliance. Organizations using other Infor CloudSuite applications benefit from native integration that reduces connection complexity compared to heterogeneous system environments.

Core Features and Capabilities

Warehouse Execution

Infor WMS provides comprehensive warehouse execution capabilities covering the full spectrum of distribution operations. Receiving functionality processes inbound inventory with configurable inspection, quality holds, and putaway optimization. The system directs storage assignments based on product characteristics, zone rules, and storage type compatibility while considering downstream picking efficiency.

Order fulfillment leverages wave planning, task optimization, and directed work execution to maximize operational efficiency. Multiple picking methodologies including discrete, batch, zone, and cluster picking are supported with algorithm selection based on order characteristics. Pick path optimization minimizes travel while voice-directed and RF-based confirmation options improve accuracy.

Outbound operations include pack verification, cartonization optimization, and multi-carrier shipping integration. Dock scheduling coordinates outbound activities with carrier appointments and warehouse capacity. The system generates shipping documentation and tracks carrier pickup confirmation.

Labor Management

Integrated labor management enables workforce optimization through productivity measurement, performance tracking, and resource planning. The system establishes engineered standards for warehouse activities and compares actual performance for productivity calculation. Supervisory dashboards provide real-time visibility into workforce activity that supports operational decision-making.

Task interleaving optimizes individual worker productivity by intelligently sequencing activities to minimize travel and maximize productive time. Labor forecasting anticipates staffing requirements based on expected workload, supporting shift planning and temporary labor decisions.

3D Warehouse Visualization

Infor's 3D visual warehouse capabilities provide intuitive representation of warehouse layout, inventory positions, and operational activity. Visual representation helps operations managers quickly identify congestion, space utilization issues, and workflow problems that might be difficult to detect in tabular data. This visualization supports both operational monitoring and strategic layout optimization.

Supply Chain Visibility

Integration with Infor Supply Chain Planning provides end-to-end visibility that connects demand forecasting, inventory planning, and warehouse execution. This integration enables more accurate demand signals to inform warehouse operations while providing planning functions with actual inventory and capacity information.

Analytics and Business Intelligence

Infor Birst integration provides embedded analytics that transform warehouse data into actionable insights. Pre-built dashboards and reports address common operational questions while self-service analytics enable custom analysis. The platform tracks key performance indicators and supports trend analysis that identifies improvement opportunities.

Industry-Specific Solutions

Manufacturing

Infor's strength in manufacturing extends to WMS functionality that addresses production-oriented warehouse requirements. Raw material management, work-in-progress tracking, and finished goods handling integrate with manufacturing execution. Kitting support assembles components for production consumption while warehouse operations coordinate with MES for production line feeding.

Distribution

Wholesale distribution operations benefit from high-volume order processing, cross-docking capabilities, and sophisticated inventory management. The platform handles complex distribution scenarios including make-to-order, configure-to-order, and distribution requirements planning integration.

Food and Beverage

Food and beverage requirements including lot tracking, FIFO/FEFO management, expiration control, and temperature zone management are addressed through industry-specific configurations. The platform supports compliance with FDA regulations and food safety requirements including traceability for recall management.

Healthcare

Healthcare distribution requires specialized handling for regulated products, serialization, and compliance with DEA requirements for controlled substances. Infor's pharmaceutical and healthcare industry solutions address these requirements with appropriate controls and documentation.

CloudSuite Integration

Organizations using Infor CloudSuite benefit from native integration between WMS and other business applications. Data flows seamlessly between ERP, supply chain planning, transportation, and warehouse management without the integration complexity of heterogeneous system environments. This integration provides:

• Synchronized master data across finance, operations, and supply chain applications
• Real-time inventory visibility from warehouse execution to enterprise planning
• Integrated order management from customer order through warehouse fulfillment
• Coordinated transportation and warehouse operations for optimal logistics execution
• Unified analytics across the business process ecosystem

This integration advantage is most significant for organizations committing to Infor as their enterprise platform. Organizations using other ERP systems can still implement Infor WMS, but the integration effort increases and some integration benefits are reduced.

Technology Platform

Cloud Infrastructure

Infor cloud deployment leverages AWS infrastructure, providing reliable, secure, and scalable operations. Multi-tenant architecture enables efficient resource utilization while maintaining appropriate data isolation. Regular updates deliver new features and improvements without disruptive upgrade projects.

User Experience

Infor's emphasis on user experience extends to WMS interfaces that are designed for efficiency and ease of use. Role-based workspaces present relevant information and actions for different user types. Mobile interfaces enable warehouse floor operations while supervisory dashboards support operational management.

Extensibility

Infor OS provides platform services that support extension and integration. APIs enable connection with external systems while the Integration Hub provides pre-built connectors for common scenarios. Organizations can extend functionality through configuration, scripting, or custom development as requirements dictate.

Implementation Considerations

Project Timeline

Infor WMS implementations typically span 5-12 months for enterprise deployments. Organizations already using Infor CloudSuite may achieve faster deployment due to existing infrastructure and pre-established integration patterns. Greenfield implementations and complex integration scenarios may extend towards the longer end of timeline ranges.

Implementation Approach

Infor's implementation methodology emphasizes fit-to-standard approaches that leverage pre-configured industry functionality rather than extensive customization. This approach reduces implementation risk and enables access to standard upgrade paths. Organizations should carefully evaluate where standard functionality meets requirements versus where extension is truly necessary.

Partner Ecosystem

Infor implementation services are available through Infor's direct consulting organization and certified partner network. Partner selection should prioritize industry experience and Infor certification status. Reference checks with similar organizations provide insight into partner capability.

Pricing Structure

Infor WMS pricing follows cloud subscription or perpetual licensing models depending on deployment approach. CloudSuite deployment typically involves subscription pricing based on transaction volumes, user counts, and module selection. Enterprise subscriptions often range from $75,000 to $200,000 or more annually for WMS functionality.

Implementation investment ranges from $150,000 to $1 million or more depending on complexity, integration scope, and customization requirements. Organizations already using Infor applications may benefit from reduced integration costs and potentially bundled pricing. Total cost of ownership should consider ongoing subscription, support, and optimization costs.

Strengths and Advantages

• Industry specialization: Pre-configured solutions for specific industries reduce implementation effort and provide sector-relevant functionality
• CloudSuite integration: Native connection with Infor ERP and supply chain applications provides seamless data flow for Infor customers
• AWS infrastructure: Cloud deployment on proven infrastructure provides reliability, security, and scalability
• Visual capabilities: 3D warehouse visualization provides intuitive operational monitoring and optimization support
• Analytics integration: Birst embedded analytics transform warehouse data into actionable business intelligence
• User experience: Modern interfaces and role-based workspaces support efficient user interaction

Limitations and Considerations

• Infor ecosystem value: Greatest benefits are realized within Infor CloudSuite; standalone deployment reduces integration advantages
• Market position: Less visibility than largest WMS vendors (Manhattan, SAP, Oracle) in some analyst coverage
• Best-of-breed competition: Organizations prioritizing WMS excellence over ERP integration may find specialized vendors more capable
• Industry focus: Organizations outside target industries (manufacturing, distribution, F&B, healthcare) may find less pre-built functionality

Best Fit Scenarios

Infor WMS is ideally suited for organizations that:

• Use or plan to adopt Infor CloudSuite as enterprise platform
• Operate in Infor's target industries including manufacturing, distribution, healthcare, or food & beverage
• Value industry-specific pre-configuration over extensive customization
• Seek integrated suite approach rather than best-of-breed point solutions
• Prefer cloud deployment on proven AWS infrastructure
• Require strong analytics and business intelligence integration

Infor WMS vs. Alternatives

• SAP EWM - Enterprise alternative for SAP-centric organizations
• Oracle WMS Cloud - Cloud enterprise alternative for Oracle environments
• Körber WMS - Best-of-breed alternative with 3PL strength
• Top 10 WMS Systems - Comprehensive comparison

Getting Started

Organizations considering Infor WMS should:

1. Evaluate current Infor relationship and CloudSuite roadmap
2. Assess alignment between Infor industry solutions and organizational requirements
3. Define warehouse management priorities and improvement objectives
4. Request demonstrations focused on industry-specific capabilities
5. Develop business case with our ROI calculator

Use our RFP template and request quotes from qualified implementation partners.