A warehouse is an execution engine. The job of a WMS is to make daily tasks predictable, fast and accurate: receive goods, putaway, move stock,
pick and pack orders, dispatch on time, keep bin inventory correct, and maintain a complete audit trail.
Stok.ly provides barcode-led warehouse execution with Android and Windows warehouse apps, designed for
multi-location warehouses and distribution centres supporting retail, wholesale and manufacturing operations.
What a WMS should do ·
Multi-location warehouse & DC management ·
Automation of daily warehouse tasks ·
Barcode scanning apps (Android + Windows) ·
Goods in, putaway and returns ·
Stock moves with full audit trail ·
Automated sales order processing ·
Pick rules, batch picking, packing and dispatch ·
Bin inventory management ·
Automated pick-face replenishment ·
Variance management ·
Stock takes and cycle counting ·
WMS for retail, wholesale and manufacturing ·
AI to optimise warehouse workflows ·
Custom reports for warehouse teams ·
Overview video ·
Explore related pages ·
FAQs
Warehouse performance improves when execution is scan-led and policy-driven: every receipt, move, pick and dispatch is validated, traceable, and connected to the inventory truth that sales and planning rely on.
Related: Pick, pack and despatch ·
Multi-location inventory ·
AI functionality
A WMS exists to keep inventory accurate while increasing throughput. The “must-haves” are operational discipline and traceability: who did what, when, where, and why.
Many businesses run multiple warehouses, DCs, stores, or manufacturing sites. The WMS must maintain a location-level inventory truth across the network.
Foundation: Multi-location inventory management
A high-performing warehouse runs on standardised workflows. Stok.ly is designed to automate repetitive tasks and guide teams through exceptions.
Automate routine actions like receiving, putaway prompts, transfer processing, replenishment triggers and pick generation—so work is created without spreadsheets.
Variances, shorts, damages, returns, and stock discrepancies require structured handling to protect inventory integrity.
Warehouse teams need clear queues: what must be received, moved, replenished, picked, packed and dispatched today.
Scan-led execution prevents errors and creates traceability. Stok.ly supports warehouse workflows using handheld devices and desktop workflows where appropriate.
Accuracy starts at the dock. Receiving must confirm the right products and quantities, then put them into the right bins so picking stays reliable.
Scan receipts against purchase orders (or transfer receipts) to prevent over/under receiving and ensure immediate inventory availability.
Putaway to bins with scan validation so the system reflects physical reality—reducing “it says we have it but we can’t find it”.
Process returns with controlled disposition (restock, quarantine, refurbish, scrap) while keeping an audit trail and maintaining inventory integrity.
Every movement should be traceable. Stok.ly records stock moves with an audit trail so discrepancies can be investigated and eliminated.
Related: Stock It · Inventory-Centric ERP
Warehouse work begins with orders. The best WMS does not wait for humans to create work—it automatically turns orders into pick tasks based on rules and priorities.
Convert sales orders into warehouse tasks automatically, prioritised by dispatch date, channel, service level or route.
Picking should be based on reliable availability and allocation rules so the warehouse is not chasing stock that is already committed elsewhere.
Support orders from ecommerce, POS and B2B trade workflows through one fulfilment operating model.
Related: Multi-channel ecommerce · B2B order management
Pick rules should create efficient work. Stok.ly supports batch picks and packing workflows using handhelds or PC stations—and integrates dispatch with label printing.
| Stage | What happens | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Pick rules | Rules create pick tasks (including batch picks) based on priorities and warehouse structure. | Improves throughput and reduces wasted walking time. |
| Batch picking | Pick multiple orders in one run using handheld scanning or printed pick lists. | High impact for small-order parcel fulfilment. |
| Packing | Pack verification confirms the right items are shipped; exceptions are handled immediately. | Reduces mis-ships and customer service issues. |
| Dispatch | Print courier labels, complete dispatch and keep order status aligned across systems. | Ensures accurate tracking, invoicing and customer notifications. |
Related: Pick, pack and despatch
Bins are the foundation of warehouse accuracy. Bin discipline reduces search time and enables scan-led picking at speed.
Putaway to bins and pick from bins with scan validation so system stock matches physical stock.
Move stock between bins with audit trail capture (user, time, reason).
Knowing exactly where each item is stored increases throughput and reduces variance.
Pick faces run empty first—especially in high-volume fulfilment. Stok.ly supports replenishment triggers to keep fast-moving SKUs pickable.
Planning link: AI inventory planning & replenishment
Variances are inevitable; unmanaged variances become systemic. A good WMS makes variance visible and forces resolution.
Receiving discrepancies, pick shorts, damages, returns disposition, bin drift, and unrecorded movements.
Record, investigate, adjust with authorisation, and capture reason codes so root causes can be eliminated.
Use variance data to improve training, bin design, pick rules and replenishment logic.
Cycle counting keeps inventory accurate without shutting the warehouse down. Full stock takes become simpler when counting is continuous.
Warehousing is shared infrastructure across operating models. Stok.ly supports warehouses that serve retail stores, wholesale trade operations, and manufacturing-led inventory flows.
Store replenishment, inter-branch transfers and omni-channel fulfilment.
See: Retail ERP · POS
High-throughput picking for small orders and pallet/bulk orders, plus dispatch discipline and invoicing alignment.
Raw material receiving, component picking/issue, WIP movements, and finished goods receipt with yield/reject capture.
See: Manufacturing ERP · Manufacturing
AI planning is only valuable when it becomes executable work. Stok.ly links planning outputs—forecasting, replenishment and balancing—into the warehouse workflows that actually move inventory.
Warehouse managers need operational reporting, not generic dashboards. Stok.ly supports reporting designed to run daily execution and continuous improvement.
Picks due today, picks completed, dispatch performance, exceptions and bottlenecks.
Variances by reason, bin drift hot spots, cycle count results, and repeat discrepancy items.
Throughput by user/team, pick rates, pack station performance and workload forecasting.
Related: AI functionality · Inventory-Centric ERP
A short overview of how Stok.ly supports inventory-led operations, including warehouse execution.
WMS focuses on warehouse execution: receiving, putaway, bin control, picking, packing, dispatch, returns and counting. ERP covers the wider business operating model.
Stok.ly is inventory-centric, connecting WMS execution directly to purchasing, sales, inventory truth, allocations and planning.
If accuracy and throughput matter, yes. Scan-led workflows reduce mis-picks, improve bin discipline, and create an audit trail that helps eliminate root causes of variances.
By tracking inventory by location and bin, and controlling transfers with pick/ship/receive workflows. This ensures stock moves are recorded and traceable, keeping availability accurate for sales and planning.
Cycle counting prevents inventory drift by continuously validating stock levels in bins and resolving variances. It reduces reliance on disruptive full stock takes and increases confidence in availability.
Yes—when AI outputs are translated into executable tasks such as replenishment priorities, transfer actions and stock positioning decisions that reduce exceptions and improve throughput.