Technology development and application is a steadily growing trend in the supply chain business, especially for warehouse management systems (WMS).

This was according to supply chain execution software solu- tions provider Accellos senior VP and shareholder Jose Couto, who delivered a presentation at logistics software solutions provider Dovetail’s WMS roadshow in Johannesburg last month.

Accellos has been in partnership with Dovetail for the last five years to offer its products and services to third-party logistics providers in South Africa.

Couto noted that using analy- tics or key performance indicators for the review and collection of goods in warehouses were increasing.

“We are seeing a shift to monitoring workloads at your desk or even at many other locations, owing to technology applications,” he said.

The technology trends in WMS include the adoption of mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets, as well as radio- frequency devices with built-in cameras.

Computer technology company Dell Africa mobility specialist Llewellyn Chame agreed with Couto, noting that the motivators which were shaping mobility adoption included a smart workforce, of which he estimates that 350-million will use smartphones worldwide by 2016.

Other motivators for the adoption of mobile devices include an anytime, anywhere connectivity that results in higher productivity.

Meanwhile, service-orientated architecture, solutions with built-in analytics and an increase in warehouse automation using robotics are also increasing technology trends.

Going green is also an important factor in WMS and the new trends are resulting in sprinkler systems being replaced by systems that manage warehouse oxygen levels, and light-emitting diode systems to reduce energy and carbon footprint being deployed.

The evolution of WMS includes the expanding scope of core WMS principles and the development of easy and cost-effective solutions to meet end-customer needs.

“In terms of innovation, we are also noticing a trend where competitors are collaborating to reduce their logistics costs and carbon footprint,” Couto said.