6 Pillars of KiboERP WMS
The WMS module covers the entire operational warehouse cycle, from physical storage to shipment, with lot-by-lot traceability that meets pharmaceutical and food industry compliance requirements.
1. Physical Zones and Locations
Model your warehouse exactly as it exists: buildings, aisles, racks, levels and bins. Each location has a unique scannable code. Storage rules (product type, max weight, temperature) are configurable per zone. The system automatically suggests the optimal location at receiving.
- Unlimited hierarchy: site → warehouse → zone → aisle → rack → level → bin
- Dedicated, shared or quarantine locations
- Volumetric and weight capacity per location
- Visual warehouse map accessible on mobile
2. Wave Picking
Wave picking groups multiple orders into a single zone-optimized pick run. One picker travels each aisle once to collect items for dozens of orders simultaneously. The result: 30 to 60% less walking distance compared to order-by-order picking.
- Automatic grouping by zone, carrier or shipping window
- Pick list optimized by shortest path
- Partial picking and real-time shortage handling
- Picker assignment by zone or by wave
3. Scan-Verified Packing
Each item is scanned at the packing station before being boxed. The system compares the scanned contents against the original order in real time and immediately alerts on any error or missed item. Shipping labels are automatically generated in the carrier format.
- Item-by-item or batch verification
- Automatic block if item does not match the order
- Label generation (GS1-128, PDF417, QR)
- Delivery note and transport document generated upon validation
4. Barcodes and RFID
The WMS natively supports 1D/2D barcodes (EAN-13, GS1-128, QR, Data Matrix) and UHF RFID tags. RFID reading enables fast inventory counts without line-of-sight — ideal for high-density warehouses or carton-packed items.
- Compatible with Zebra, Honeywell, Datalogic scanners
- UHF RFID reading via tunnel or fixed antenna
- Label printing on Zebra ZPL printers
- GS1 compliance for export and EDI
5. Lot Tracking, Serial Numbers and FEFO
Every item can be traced by lot or serial number from supplier receipt through to customer delivery. FIFO, FEFO and LIFO rotation rules are automatically enforced by the picking engine, with no manual intervention required from the picker.
- Automatic FEFO for pharmaceutical and food items (expiry date / best-before)
- Alerts at D-30, D-15, D-7 before expiry
- Automatic quarantine for suspect lots with picking block
- Full supplier traceability (instant recall)
- Unit serial numbers for equipment and tools
6. Delivery Notes and Inter-Warehouse Transfers
Inter-warehouse transfers use a two-step process: transfer order (shipment) followed by scan-confirmed receipt. Delivery notes are generated as PDFs with traceability barcodes. Carrier integration enables real-time tracking of outbound shipments.
- Inter-warehouse transfers with two-step validation
- Delivery notes in A4 or thermal format
- Cycle counts without stopping warehouse activity
- Automatic post-count reconciliation
Basic Stock Module vs WMS: Which Do You Need?
KiboERP offers two levels of inventory management. Choosing the right tool — or combining both — depends on the complexity of your physical flows.
Picking and Packing: The Operational Flow in Detail
Order preparation is the most time-consuming activity in any warehouse. KiboERP WMS optimizes every step, from wave release to parcel departure.
Wave Release
Validated orders are automatically grouped according to configurable rules: same carrier, same shipping window, same geographic zone or volume threshold. The warehouse manager validates the wave manually or lets the system trigger it automatically at a set time.
Optimized Pick List
The algorithm calculates the shortest path through the warehouse, accounting for aisle topology, FEFO/FIFO priorities and weight constraints (heavy items at pallet bottom). Each picker receives their list on a mobile terminal or printed sheet.
Packing Verification
At the packing station, the picker scans each item. The system validates or rejects in real time. Substitutions and shortages are flagged to the sales team before dispatch. The carrier label is automatically printed when the box is closed.
Lot Tracking and Expiry: FEFO for Pharma and Food Distribution
Lot management is critical for regulatory compliance in pharmaceutical distribution and the food industry. KiboERP WMS includes a complete rules engine.
Automatic FEFO
When an item is configured with FEFO (First Expired, First Out), the WMS automatically selects the lot with the nearest expiry date during picking. The picker does not decide — the system enforces the correct lot on their terminal.
Alerts and Quarantine
Alerts are triggered at D-30, D-15 and D-7 before expiry. A suspect lot (supplier return, quality issue) can be quarantined with one click: it immediately disappears from picking suggestions and a quality control ticket is generated.
Supplier Traceability and Product Recall
In the event of a product recall, searching by supplier lot number returns in seconds the list of affected customer orders, remaining stock by location and already-shipped items. The traceability report exports to PDF for regulatory authorities.
Mobile App and Scanners: Operating Without Constant Connectivity
In the African operational reality, Internet connectivity inside a warehouse is rarely guaranteed at 100%. KiboERP WMS is designed to operate in degraded mode without data loss.
Offline Mode
The mobile app downloads the current pick wave at terminal startup. Scans performed offline are stored locally and automatically synced when connectivity is restored. Conflicts (stock changed during disconnection) are detected and surfaced to the warehouse manager.
Hardware Compatibility
- Zebra TC-series terminals (Android)
- Honeywell CT40, CK65
- Any Android smartphone with camera (degraded mode)
- Zebra FX9600, Impinj R700 RFID readers
- Zebra ZD/ZT label printers (native ZPL)
Field-Ready Interface
The mobile interface is designed for gloved use: large buttons, high contrast, haptic feedback on each validated scan. Night mode is available for cold storage warehouses with low lighting.
Use Cases by Industry
Food Wholesaler
Management of full pallets and loose items in the same warehouse. Mandatory FEFO on fresh and dry products with expiry dates. Wave picking for daily reseller deliveries. Cycle counts by product family without stopping activity.
Pharmaceutical Distributor
Mandatory lot traceability. Separate cold storage zones from ambient zones. Automatic quarantine on receipt if the lot is under supplier recall. Delivery note with lot numbers for pharmacovigilance compliance.
Multi-Store Retailer with Central Warehouse
Inter-warehouse transfers from central warehouse to each point of sale. Two-step validation (central dispatch + store receipt confirmation). Real-time stock level monitoring per site from the central dashboard.
E-Commerce with Dedicated Warehouse
Order integration from the online store. High-cadence wave picking for order spikes (promotions, peak season). Scan-verified packing to reduce shipping errors. Carrier labels (DHL Africa, GIG Logistics) automatically generated.
Construction — Equipment and Tooling
Mandatory serial numbers on power tools and equipment. Management of jobsite loans and returns. Maintenance zones with "awaiting repair" status. Serial number inventory at jobsite handover.
Factual Comparison: KiboERP WMS vs Reflex, Manhattan, SAP EWM, Odoo
Enterprise WMS solutions like Reflex WMS, Manhattan SCALE or SAP EWM are sized for warehouses with tens of thousands of SKUs and dedicated IT teams. KiboERP WMS targets SMBs and mid-market companies with fast deployment and controlled costs.
SaaS or On-Premise: Choosing the Right Deployment
WMS SaaS — Get Started Fast
SaaS WMS is hosted on KiboERP infrastructure. Live in 48 hours, automatic updates, accessible from any terminal. Recommended for warehouses with reliable fiber or 4G connectivity, and organizations without internal IT teams.
- No servers to manage
- Automatic updates included
- Daily cloud backup
- Remote access for management dashboards
WMS On-Premise — For Critical Constraints
On-premise deployment is recommended for warehouses with industrial scanners on a local network (latency < 10 ms critical for high-cadence picking), organizations with local data sovereignty requirements, or sites with insufficient or costly Internet connectivity.
- Installation on your Linux or Windows Server infrastructure
- Direct scanner connection on local network (Wi-Fi 6 or wired)
- Data hosted locally — GDPR/local compliance
- Custom integrations with existing ERP via local API
- VPN option for multi-site access
Frequently Asked Questions about KiboERP WMS
What is the difference between the Stock module and the WMS module in KiboERP?
The Stock module handles accounting-level inventory: WACC valuation, reorder alerts, and in/out movements. The WMS handles physical warehouse operations: zones, rack locations, wave picking, and scan-verified packing. Both modules can run simultaneously — which is the recommended setup for wholesalers and distributors with a dedicated warehouse.
Does KiboERP WMS work with barcode scanners and mobile terminals?
Yes. The WMS mobile app is compatible with Zebra, Honeywell and any Android device with a barcode reader or RFID module. It also works offline with deferred sync — critical for warehouses with partial network coverage.
Does KiboERP WMS support FIFO, FEFO and LIFO?
Yes. Each zone or product category can be configured independently. FEFO is the default mode for items with expiry dates (pharmaceutical, food). FIFO applies to standard consumables. LIFO is available for specific use cases.
Can I manage multiple warehouses in KiboERP WMS?
Yes. The WMS manages inter-warehouse transfers with automatic transfer order generation, two-step validation (shipment + receipt confirmation), and full movement traceability between sites.
What is wave picking and how does it improve warehouse efficiency?
Wave picking groups multiple orders into a single optimized pick run by warehouse zone. One picker collects items for dozens of orders in a single pass down each aisle, reducing walking distance by 30–60% compared to order-by-order picking.
Is KiboERP WMS available as on-premise software?
Yes. On-premise deployment is recommended for large warehouses using industrial scanners on a local network, organizations with data sovereignty requirements, or sites with insufficient Internet connectivity. KiboERP on-premise installs on your Linux or Windows Server infrastructure and connects to scanners via your local network.
How does quarantine work in KiboERP WMS?
Items placed in quarantine are isolated to a dedicated zone and blocked from any outbound movement until quality validation. The WMS automatically generates a quality control ticket. Upon review, items are released to their normal location or written off.
Which KiboERP plans include the WMS module?
The WMS module is available from the Business plan onwards. It can be combined with the Stock module (included from Essentiel) for full accounting-level + physical warehouse coverage. See the Pricing page for details.
Go Further
Your warehouse deserves a real WMS
Deploy SaaS in 48 hours or on-site depending on your network and data sovereignty requirements.