Labor shortages in warehousing – how WMS reduces training and maximizes workforce impact

Increase inventory management performance

Warehouses across the globe struggle to find and retain staff. Seasonal peaks intensify the problem, while new hires often require weeks of training before they can contribute. Customers expect faster delivery, but labor gaps make it harder to meet demand. A smart WMS reduces the dependency on scarce labor by building intelligence into daily workflows. This is how labor shortages in warehousing gets reduced with BizBloqs. 

 

Faster onboarding with built-in guidance

Traditional training relies on shadowing experienced workers. This consumes time and leaves new hires uncertain. A WMS changes the model by guiding each step on handheld devices. Pickers see aisle, bay, and quantity directly on screen. Scanning confirms every move. New employees learn by doing and become productive within days, not weeks.

With a WMS, every action becomes simple and repeatable:

  • Pickers see aisle, bay, and quantity directly on screen.

  • Scanning confirms each move before they continue.

  • Errors are flagged immediately, so corrections happen on the spot.

  • Tasks follow a consistent workflow, no matter who is on shift.

This structure allows new hires to become confident and productive within days rather than weeks.

 

Standardize tasks to simplify work

When processes vary by shift or supervisor, confusion grows. Workers receive different instructions depending on who is in charge, which leads to inconsistent results and unnecessary mistakes. A WMS removes this uncertainty by standardizing workflows so that every user follows the same rules every time. Whether employees pick, put away, or count, the system directs them consistently and leaves no room for interpretation.

By enforcing one version of the process, the WMS reduces the dependency on tribal knowledge. Those unwritten shortcuts and personal habits that only experienced staff know. New employees no longer need months of observation to learn the “real” way of working; they simply follow the same digital prompts as everyone else. This consistency minimizes errors from inexperience, builds trust between teams, and ensures that the operation runs smoothly regardless of who is on shift.

 

Support multi-lingual and flexible teams

Labor often comes from diverse backgrounds. A WMS supports multiple languages, uses simple prompts, and minimizes text with icons. Seasonal workers or temporary staff adapt quickly. Flexibility helps you ramp up teams during peaks without massive training efforts.

With a WMS in place, you can:

  • Display system instructions in the worker’s preferred language.

  • Replace long text with clear icons and symbols that anyone can understand.

  • Provide step-by-step prompts that guide tasks without confusion.

  • Train temporary or seasonal workers in hours instead of days.

This adaptability allows warehouses to respond to labor fluctuations while maintaining accuracy and speed.

 

Boost productivity with fewer people

Even when headcount is limited, WMS-driven efficiency raises output across the warehouse. The system optimizes pick paths so employees spend less time walking and more time fulfilling orders. Balanced wave releases distribute tasks evenly, keeping pickers productive without overwhelming them. By managing work in real time, the WMS prevents bottlenecks at staging areas and ensures that goods keep flowing smoothly from aisle to dock.

 

Employees cover more ground with less effort because the system eliminates unnecessary steps and directs them to the right location the first time. They pick accurately, avoid duplicate work, and maintain a steady pace throughout their shift. In many cases, companies see productivity improvements of 200 to 300 percent compared to paper-based methods. What once required a team of twenty can now be handled by ten or twelve, allowing managers to do more with fewer people while maintaining high service levels.

 

Reduce turnover with supportive technology

Employees often quit when jobs feel chaotic or when they lack the tools to succeed. Confusion about tasks, constant rework, and unclear priorities create stress that drives turnover higher. A WMS addresses these frustrations directly by giving employees clear, step-by-step guidance so they always know what to do next. When the system reduces repetitive errors and prevents wasted effort, workers feel more in control of their day.

 

Recognition also plays a role in retention. A WMS tracks performance data transparently, making it easier for managers to acknowledge strong results and coach employees where needed. Workers see their progress, receive constructive feedback, and gain confidence in their abilities. This supportive environment fosters loyalty and pride in the job.

 

As a result, employees stay longer when they feel capable and supported, and warehouses reduce the hidden costs of turnover. Lower recruitment and training expenses, combined with a more stable and experienced workforce, create lasting efficiency and consistency on the warehouse floor.

 

Build a resilient workforce strategy

Labor shortages may not disappear, but warehouses can adapt and even thrive despite them. Instead of relying solely on hiring more staff, managers can redesign processes with the help of a WMS. Smarter workflows eliminate wasted movement, automate repetitive decisions, and balance workloads so that every employee contributes at their highest potential. Real-time visibility makes it easy to spot bottlenecks, reassign tasks instantly, and prevent small problems from escalating into major slowdowns.

 

With these improvements, fewer people achieve more without burning out. Teams work with greater confidence because the system provides structure, consistency, and support in every task. Onboarding new staff also becomes faster and more reliable, as the WMS guides them step by step from their very first shift. This combination of efficiency and empowerment creates a workforce strategy that not only overcomes labor shortages but also builds a stronger, more resilient warehouse operation for the long term.

 

How BizBloqs helps

QuickStart WMS offers intuitive, scanner-driven workflows to make new hires productive in days. FlexFit WMS adds workflow configuration and multi-lingual prompts to support diverse teams. Enterprise WMS Suite provides advanced automation, labor management, and analytics to maximize workforce efficiency across complex operations.

 

Are you ready to overcome labor shortages with smarter systems? Request a demo or talk to an expert today.

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Picture of Willem Ten Asbroek

Willem Ten Asbroek

CEO, Bizbloqs Management Solution B.V.

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PRODUCT SELECTOR

Welcome to the BizBloqs product selector. This is a tool we designed to guide you to the right subscription for your business.

If you are not sure how to answer a question, or you are not comfortable with the recommendation, please simply contact us and discuss it with one of our experts. It is our duty and pleasure to guide you to the best of our ability, making sure you arrive at the right well-informed choice that suits your needs perfectly.

INTRODUCTION

BizBloqs offers Business Processes as a Service (BPaaS) and has created a range of subscriptions that service the specific needs of customer profiles we have encountered often in the market.

Our solutions are designed in such a way that we can service the smallest businesses for their basic needs, while the same platform can service the most complex and elaborate logistic requirements as well. This level of scalability allows all our customers to make their subscription grow with their needs, no matter how rapidly they grow or increase the complexity.

STATEMENT 1

I only need very basic features and care most about my outbound process.

GAMBIT

Gambit is our entry-level solution that covers the basic needs for companies that are looking to digitize their order fulfilment processes.

The emphasis of this subscription is on the outbound processes, handling all common requirements with ease. Gambit includes the ability to integrate a web shop on the frontend or an ERP system in the backend.

Furthermore, you can connect your Gambit solution to a supported transporter of your choice. Your order fulfilment and stock management have never been easier.

STATEMENT 2

I only need basic features, but inbound and outbound processes are both very relevant for my requirements.

PAWN

Pawn is the second-tier subscription of BizBloqs. It offers all the capabilities of Gambit, but also adds full control over the purchasing process. If you are looking to take your business to the next level by digitizing all your warehouse processes altogether, Pawn is the right solution for you.

It offers location management out of the box, supporting one location per article as the standard. All basic processes any small or medium business might need are included, all based on the years of experience and elaborate expertise of BizBloqs. We have taken the best practices of implementations in the past so you can benefit from the best of our capabilities.

STATEMENT 3

I need some advanced features; my situation requires location management and/or we need digital support for batch picking. You could say my needs resemble a wholesaler, reseller or large web shop.

KNIGHT

Knight takes your digital logistic capabilities to the level you might see at large companies with a professional setup. In fact, BizBloqs services several companies at this level with its Knight solution. It offers the possibility to manage an article across multiple locations and offers digital management for your batch picking.

Knight is the right solution for you if you need to optimize fairly complex processes or large operations. If location management is a big part of your business, Knight is the right subscription level for you. This solution is popular amongst wholesalers, resellers and web shops in particular.

STATEMENT 4

I want a standard solution, but with all the bells and whistles. I manage multiple locations and zoning across my warehouses and deal with a lot of orders.

BISHOP

Bishop is the ultimate standard subscription with a wide range of features beyond the capabilities of Knight. It allows for dynamic location management, which allows you to keep track of your stock on the move at all times.

You can manage multiple locations and assign various location zones as per your requirements. Bishop can handle a great number of orders without effort. If this ultimate subscription still doesn’t meet your needs, you would need to consider a custom solution that is tailored specifically to your requirements.

CUSTOM

Clearly it will not be possible to make a straightforward recommendation for your needs. That’s perfectly fine, we have the expertise and experience to address your challenges. You will need to work with our experts to digitize your processes and define your workflow.

Our solutions are designed in such a way that we can service the smallest businesses for their basic needs, while the same platform can service the most complex and elaborate logistic requirements as well. We can do this without development in almost all cases, simply by configuring our solutions to reflect your situation perfectly.