WMS (Warehouse Management System)
Definition
Software that runs warehouse operations: receiving, putaway, bin locations, picking, packing and counts. Most 3PLs run one and give you access to it.
Want a deeper explanation?
For many brands, the 3PL's WMS is the most accurate record of physical inventory. It should be part of your monthly inventory reconciliation.
Getting a reliable monthly export from it is worth setting up early. Watch for: WMS quantities that never get compared with your accounting inventory.
Example
Your 3PL's WMS shows 4,920 units of a SKU across three bin locations, which you compare with your own records during month-end.