Microservices 101: What Warehouse Managers Need to Know
Microservices 101: What Warehouse Managers Need to Know
You’ve probably heard the term “microservices” bandied around in tech meetings or software upgrade discussions. It sounds complex, but actually, it’s one of the most practical concepts that you could consider if you need your warehouse to keep up with the breakneck pace of modern logistics.
But rather than running something up the flagpole and engaging in some blue sky thinking, keep reading to find out what microservices actually are (in the context of a WMS), and why they matter for your warehouse now… and in the future.
What Are Microservices?
Imagine your warehouse management system as a building. In the past, this building has been constructed from one massive solid block of concrete. Which is great, because it’s strong, and stable. But if you wanted to add an extension or fix an internal issue, it’s always been expensive and disruptive. And you’ll never be able to match that old wallpaper.
Microservices are different.
Imagine building your warehouse system from LEGO. Each brick (or microservice) does a specific job: inventory management, pallet handling, voice picking, billing etc. and slots in with all of the others. The beauty here is that when you need to replace, upgrade, or improve one of the bricks, you don’t have to knock down the whole building and start again.
Instead, you take out the brick you want to change and replace it with something else.
Microservices effectively break down your WMS into smaller, independent modules that can run, be updated, and scaled individually without impacting the entire system.
Why should you care?
Well, because they give you a lot more flexibility:
You can have faster upgrades with minimal disruption. No more system-wide shutdowns for updates. Microservices mean that parts of your system can be upgraded while other operations carry on as normal.
You get to integrate new technology with ease. Maybe you want to add robotics, voice picking, or advanced reporting? Microservices architecture means that it’s easier to integrate new functionality without having to rip out your existing setup.
You reduce your downtime risk. If one module has a problem, or you need something new to accommodate upgraded tech, it can be changed in isolation, and without affecting the rest of your WMS.
You get scalability on demand. Because of the way the licensing is arranged, when peak season hits, microservices let you scale specific functions to handle increased load efficiently.
Why Microservices are going to matter during the next 5 years
The warehouse landscape is changing very quickly:
- Automation and robotics are becoming standard in modern operations. Customer demands for same-day, or next-day delivery need ultra-reliable, flexible systems.
- Retail and omnichannel models keep on evolving, and you’re going to need faster system updates to stay competitive.
- Cybersecurity and operational resilience are under scrutiny like never before.
Implementing Microservices means that your warehouse management system can adapt to these changes without costly rebuilds. As you look to integrate robotics, things like voice picking, or new distribution models, a microservices-augmented WMS is only going to make the process smoother and faster.
Which will keep you competitive and future ready.
Ready to Futureproof Your Warehouse?
If you’re planning upgrades or exploring how to best integrate automation into your warehouse, understanding what microservices can offer you is the first step. Since its creation, in 2013, Socius24 has pioneered Blue Yonder approved microservices that integrate with Dispatcher WMS to give our customers flexibility, resilience, and speed.
Want to see how this could give your warehouse the edge? We’re always happy to chat: info@socius24.com
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