Conducting a warehouse software scan to unearth new efficiencies

ENMAX engaged MNP to scan the market for a new software tool that could provide value to its warehouse operations and had the capacity to support the requirements of the larger organization.

MNP tested each vendor on size, features, and cost. After vendor testing was complete, MNP held multiple evaluation rounds to provide a shortlist of potential vendors to ENMAX that could meet its unique requirements.

ENMAX was encountering challenges with its current software tool — creating inefficiencies in its warehouse operations. It was using an asset management enterprise resource planning (ERP) system that had been modified with limited warehouse management system (WMS) features.

This modified software lacked the key features and functionalities required to fully support ENMAX’s warehouse operations and enable its team to work effectively. The software also did not have the capacity to support the requirements of the overall organization in addition to ENMAX’s medium-sized warehouse.

ENMAX engaged MNP to scan the market for a new software tool with features that could provide value to its warehouse operations and had the capacity to support the requirements of the larger organization. It was essential to find a WMS tool that could integrate within ENMAX’s complex enterprise environment as the new tool would not be replacing its current ERP system.

MNP started the process by holding a series of discovery meetings with key stakeholders to learn more about ENMAX’s requirements for a new WMS solution. MNP then began to scan the market to create a shortlist of potential vendors that could meet ENMAX’s complex needs.

The process to create the vendor shortlist included:

Vendor testing

MNP tested each potential vendor on the ability to meet ENMAX’s size, features, and cost requirements. The vendor testing process considered:

• Size — Evaluated the capacity of each potential software tool to provide value to ENMAX’s medium-sized warehouse operations as well as its overall organization.
• Features — Reviewed the features of each software tool to ensure the solution would fully support ENMAX’s warehouse operations and team.
• Cost — Assessed implementation and subscription costs to ensure that the new software tool was cost-effective and would meet ENMAX’s requirements.

Evaluation rounds

After completing the vendor testing process, MNP conducted multiple rounds of evaluation to create a vendor shortlist to provide to ENMAX. These evaluation rounds considered:

• Feature requirements — Evaluated all vendors to ensure the full satisfaction of ENMAX’s requirements for warehouse operations.
• Integrations — Tested each vendor’s ability to integrate within ENMAX’s complex enterprise environment to ensure compatibility with current systems.
• Best-fit analysis — Evaluated vendor reputation, experience, and support requirements to ensure the best fit for ENMAX’s needs.

MNP’s market scan enabled ENMAX to understand the type of software required to support both its warehouse operations and larger organization. The software assessment also considered factors beyond key features, such as scalability, cost-effectiveness, and integrations — giving ENMAX the insight it needs to select a vendor from the shortlist based on those requirements.

Additionally, MNP provided subscription and implementation pricing information to ENMAX to ensure the selected vendor meets its cost requirements. High-level implementation timelines were also included to help ENMAX understand the approximate level of effort required for each potential vendor solution on the shortlist.

ENMAX now has the knowledge to make an informed decision about the vendor it selects from the shortlist through the information provided by MNP. The organization can be assured that each vendor will meet its size, cost, and feature requirements through the vendor testing and evaluation process completed during the market scan.