Gartner defines distributed order management (DOM) as the software that orchestrates and optimizes the order fulfillment process. DOM utilizes inventory throughout the supply chain network to deliver targeted service levels for order fill rate, and provides optimal on-time, cost-effective order fulfillment. Order orchestration is based on the configuration of business rules in a hierarchical manner that provides flexibility in the optimization by channels, consumers, geographies and other criteria as needed by the business. Additionally, the software utilizes inventory levels for both available-to-promise and available-to-ship, and tracks order status throughout the supply chain.
Supply Chain Management refers to products and services that enable the planning, execution, monitoring, and optimization of supply chain activities across sourcing, logistics, and fulfillment. This category includes markets that focus on procurement, transportation, warehouse and inventory management, supplier collaboration, sustainability, and supply chain analytics-empowering organizations to improve operational efficiency, cost-effectiveness, resilience, and customer service across global supply networks.
Gartner defines supply chain planning (SCP) solutions as platforms that provide technological support to enable a company to manage, link, align, collaborate and share its planning data across an extended supply chain. An SCP solution supports planning, ranging from demand planning through detailed supply-side response planning, and from strategic planning to execution-level planning. It is the planning decision repository for a defined end-to-end supply chain. It is also the environment in which end-to-end-integrated supply chain decisions are managed. It establishes a single version of the truth for planning data and decisions, regardless of the underlying execution technology environment.
Gartner defines transportation management systems (TMSs) as software that supports multimodal planning and execution of the physical transport of goods across the supply chain. It allows a shipper to manage varying levels of transportation complexity across multiple transport modes and geographic regions. TMS solutions are utilized by shippers of differing sizes, operational complexity, industries and geographic locations.
Gartner defines unified commerce platforms anchored by point of sale (POS) for Tier 1 retailers as composable, experience-led central hubs that leverage real-time data exchange, event-driven MACH (microservices, API-first, cloud-native SaaS, and headless) architecture, and edge computing services to deliver scalable and seamless customer experiences in and across all retail touchpoints. Tier 1 retailers operate many channels, including a significant portfolio of stores, and generate annual retail revenue of at least $3 billion.
A Warehouse Labor Management System (WLMS) is a purpose-built solution that enhances the efficiency and productivity of warehouse operations by systematically managing and optimizing workforce performance. It achieves this by enabling precise labor planning, establishing flexible labor standards tailored to operational conditions, and providing real-time visibility into individual and team performance. WLMS supports continuous improvement by identifying performance gaps and streamlining workflows, while also incorporating incentive management mechanisms to drive employee motivation and accountability. Through these integrated capabilities, WLMS ensures that warehouse labor is utilized effectively, consistently meets performance expectations, and contributes to overall operational excellence.
Gartner defines a warehouse management system (WMS) as a software application that helps manage and intelligently execute the operations of a warehouse, distribution center (DC) or fulfillment center (FC). WMS operations natively exploit mobile devices along with bar codes and potentially RFID or other scanning/sensing technologies, to form the transactional foundation of warehouse management. This enables efficiencies of directed work activity (optimization) and the delivery of accurate information in near real time. Core WMS capabilities address, among others, the needs to receive, put away, store, count and pick, pack and ship goods. Gartner also includes additional integrated functionality offered by WMS providers beyond core WMS. These extended WMS capabilities can include more advanced capabilities, such as managing labor or optimizing the locating of inventory within a facility.
A yard management system (YMS) supports the efficient flow of work, equipment and materials through the normally enclosed area outside of a warehouse, distribution center or manufacturing facility (known as the yard). A yard management system (YMS) provides an overview of yard operations and supports the planning, direction, monitoring and control of activities. These include scheduling, moving, parking, inspecting and reassigning trucks, trailers and containers in the yard. YMSs are typically used to oversee the gate/kiosk, the yard itself and the inbound and outbound dock door scheduling activities. YMSs are often sold as extended modules of a warehouse management system (WMS) or as an independent suite, and sometimes as part of a transport management system (TMS). The gate, yard and dock components may be sold independently or as a combined solution.