Testimonial
Below is a summary of our findings.
1. PO Check-In / Receiving
Barcoders
Purchase orders are created in Extensiv (SKUBANA) Order Manager.
When inventory arrives, the PO can be accessed directly from the handheld scanner by either scanning the PO barcode or entering the PO number.
Items can be received directly through the handheld device.
The receiving location can be selected at the time of receipt. We use Bin R for receiving.
After the inventory is scanned into the handheld, we then log into the Barcoders website to verify what was received against what was expected on the PO.
Once verified, the inventory is pushed to Extensiv Order Manager and appears in the inventory tab under Location R.
This two-step process is important to us. The handheld scan records what was physically received, while the Barcoders website allows us to verify that what was scanned matches what was expected.
This provides an additional check and balance against receiving errors, which helps reduce the risk of incorrect inventory quantities and, ultimately, overselling product.
Veeqo / Other WMS Vendors
Veeqo and the other WMS systems we investigated handle receiving differently. Once inventory is received, it goes directly into available stock.
Veeqo does not provide the same receiving-bin process where inventory can first be scanned into an "R" receiving location, verified against the purchase order, and then transferred to its appropriate warehouse location.
This distinction is important because we want a clear separation between physically received inventory and inventory that has been verified and placed into its permanent location.
2. Inventory Management by Bin / Pick Slot
Barcoders
Barcoders allows us to maintain multiple inventory locations for the same SKU.
For example, inventory can exist in:
A primary pick slot
Overstock
Receiving (R)
Other designated warehouse bins
The handheld device can be used to move, add, or remove inventory between these locations. Barcoders also allows us to create and manage bin locations and provides specific location information such as aisle, shelf, and slot.
This is extremely important for our warehouse because we may have the same SKU physically located in multiple areas.
Veeqo / Other WMS Vendors
This was one of the biggest limitations we found with Veeqo.
Veeqo essentially maintains one inventory quantity for each SKU rather than inventory quantities by individual bin/pick slot. If we have the same SKU in multiple physical locations, the system does not provide the level of location-specific inventory management we need.
That means we would essentially have to remember where the inventory is physically located and rely on our own processes to make sure inventory isn't misplaced.
It also means we cannot scan inventory into an R receiving location and then transfer that inventory into the appropriate pick slot or overstock location.
For our warehouse operation, that creates a significant inventory-control issue.
3. Inventory Locking / Reserving Stock
Another important difference we found is inventory locking.
With Barcoders, we can effectively control inventory that we do not want immediately available for sale.
For example, if we have a pending purchase order or are selling a particular SKU very quickly, we may want to set aside 10 units so that they cannot accidentally be oversold. If necessary, those units can later be unlocked and returned to available inventory.
Veeqo does not provide this type of inventory-locking functionality.
The workaround would essentially be to physically remove the inventory from available stock. We would then have to maintain our own record of what was removed and why, and manually add the inventory back into the system when it should become available.
That is not a practical or reliable long-term business process and creates another opportunity for inventory discrepancies.
4. Pick / Pack Process
Barcoders
We prints orders in batches, including the corresponding shipping labels and packing slips.
We create a pick list and associate it with the shipping labels and packing slips for that batch.
The picker scans the pick-list barcode with the handheld device to begin the batch pick.
The handheld guides the picker through the mapped warehouse and identifies the required items and quantities.
Once the cart is picked, each order is verified during the packing process by scanning the packing-slip barcode.
The handheld displays the required SKU and verifies that the correct item has been scanned before the order is packed and prepared for shipment.
Veeqo / Other WMS Vendors
The other systems we investigated did not provide the same combination of batch printing, warehouse-directed picking, and scan-based verification that Barcoders provides.
The verification processes we saw were generally more cumbersome and, in our assessment, created greater potential for shipping errors.
5. Serial Number / Amazon Transparency Code Collection
This is one area where Veeqo is actually very strong.
Veeqo does offer serial-number and Amazon Transparency code scanning, which was a significant advantage compared with most of the other WMS systems we investigated.
However, Barcoders provides this functionality while also giving us the warehouse-management capabilities we need.
Barcoders
Amazon requires Transparency code reporting on several of the products we sell, and our process requires serial-number reporting on certain high-value products.
Barcoders worked with us to create a database where specific SKUs can be designated as requiring serial and/or Transparency code collection.
When one of these SKUs is processed during packing/verification, Barcoders prompts the employee to scan the required serial number and/or Transparency code.
That information is recorded with the order and can be searched through the Order Lookup module. This allows us to determine when and by whom an order was picked and verified and, when applicable, identify the serial numbers associated with products sold by our company.
Veeqo
Veeqo has an advantage here because it is an Amazon company and has strong Amazon integrations. Its ability to automatically transfer and verify Transparency codes directly with Amazon is a feature that would be very beneficial to us.
However, the warehouse-management side of Veeqo does not provide the bin/pick-slot inventory control, receiving process, inventory movement, and inventory locking that we need.
So, in our evaluation, Veeqo has a very strong Order Management side, but its Warehouse Management side does not meet our operational requirements.
6. Reporting and Order History
Barcoders
Barcoders provides a variety of reporting and lookup capabilities, including:
Order searches for pick/pack activity
Serial-number searches
Receiving dates and quantities
Processed-order reports
Picked/unverified order reports
Employee activity reports
Additional reporting tools for inventory and operational management
These tools give us the ability to look back at what happened with an order or inventory item and determine who performed various warehouse activities.
Veeqo / Other WMS Vendors
We did not find the same level of warehouse-specific reporting and historical visibility in the other systems we evaluated.
Overall Assessment
After investigating 6+ WMS solutions, Veeqo was the closest overall fit, and we want to be fair about that. It has some excellent order-management capabilities, particularly its Amazon integration and Transparency code functionality.
However, the primary issue for us is that Veeqo's warehouse-management functionality does not provide the level of inventory control that our operation requires.
The biggest differentiators for us with Barcoders are:
Inventory by bin/pick slot rather than one overall inventory quantity per SKU.
Receiving into an R location before inventory is verified and moved into stock.
A two-step receiving/check-in process that provides an additional check against receiving errors.
The ability to move inventory between warehouse locations using the handheld.
Inventory locking/reserving capabilities.
Batch picking and scan-based pick/pack verification.
Serial number and Transparency code collection and traceability.
Detailed warehouse activity and order reporting.
These features are particularly important to us because they provide the inventory control, traceability, and checks and balances that we need to operate efficiently and minimize inventory and shipping errors.
One Other Thought
It might be worth exploring the possibility of integrating the Veeqo Order Management functionality with Barcoders' Warehouse Management functionality.
That would be a dream come true haha. Veeqo has some excellent order-management and Amazon integration capabilities, including the automatic transfer and verification of Transparency codes, while Barcoders provides the warehouse-management functionality that we need.>
Based on our search for other WMS systems, we were honestly amazed by how few solutions could even come close to what you are able to do and offer in terms of features, functionality, inventory control, and visibility.
Throughout our search, we kept asking ourselves, “There has to be someone else out there like us—someone who does this the way we do.” After all of the research we’ve done and the conversations we’ve had with other WMS providers, we’ve come to realize just how special and unique what you have really is.
Based on everything we've seen, we truly believe your WMS would be an incredible asset to any company with operations similar to ours—particularly companies that place a high value on inventory control, accuracy, and visibility. Those capabilities are incredibly important to an operation like ours, and we were genuinely surprised at how difficult it was to find another system that could provide anything even remotely comparable.
I'm not sure if you fully realize what you have there. You know the saying, “You don’t realize what you have until it’s gone”? Well, we certainly felt that during our search for another WMS solution.
Please don't sell yourself short on what you've built. It is AMAZING! Seriously!
If there is any potential opportunity to partner with Amazon or explore a relationship with them, we would be more than willing to share our experience and offer any insight we can to help make that happen.
Please let us know if there is any other insight we can provide or if you have any additional questions for us. We would be more than happy to help in any way we can.
We appreciate you and your WMS more than you know
Thank you again,
*Veeqo is a registered service mark/trademark of Amazon.