Define an integration between WMS and ERP with reservation, separation, divergence and dispatch. See how to test stock status and orders before hiring.
Index
The ERP can record the order while the WMS controls the work in the warehouse. If the states are not aligned, sales sees one promise and logistics executes another. Integration must represent physical progress without treating each message as a definitive stock write-off.
Decision this guide helps you make: Maintain coherent ordering and inventory as the physical operation progresses.
Combine the meaning of each state
Order released, reserved, separated, checked and shipped are different events. Document who initiates each transition and which system confirms it. Also define when the balance becomes unavailable for another sale. This conversation with logistics and sales prevents development from choosing an inventory rule just for the ease of the API.
Include separation divergences
Missing item, partial quantity, replacement and damage need explicit treatment. The system must indicate who decides and how the order returns to the flow. A divergence cannot disappear because the next message has arrived. Preserve the connection between items ordered and actually shipped so that customer service can explain the delivery.
Sequence control and reprocessing
Events may be delayed or repeated. Request a demo with shipment resent, reservation canceled and communication unavailable. Resumption needs to preserve identifiers and prevent duplicate moves. Set up a conference between the systems to find operations that were left without confirmation, respecting the limits and particularities of the suppliers.
Accept the flow with a complete operation
Track an ERP order to warehouse confirmation and review the resulting balances. Also use a partial order and a cancellation. The test must involve those who operate the stock, not just developers. Correct interfaces can hide incompatible business decisions between products.
- Documented states and responsible parties.
- Separation exceptions with decision path.
- Balance check and order at destination.
A scenario to check out in the demo
Hypothetical example: an order for ten units is partially separated due to a physical shortage of two. The ERP and customer service need to know what has been shipped and what is still pending. The test must check the reservation, balance and order status, in addition to the message transmitted. An integration that marks everything as complete eliminates the information needed to resolve the delivery.
Briefing to request a proposal
- Order and stock states adopted by each system.
- Partial shipping, replacement and cancellation rules.
- Samples of operations checked by the warehouse team.
Define the pilot warehouse
Quantum9 can evaluate documentation, volumes and dependencies to design a first integration. Start with a representative unit and order types. The budget must include initial monitoring and handling of failures, in addition to sending messages.
Discover the scope of Systems integration and deepen the context in related guide.