WMS

WMS is an acronym used for more than one technology field. In logistics and warehousing, it commonly refers to a Warehouse Management System, a software application designed to optimize and control daily warehouse operations. In geospatial information systems, WMS stands for Web Map Service, a standard method for delivering map imagery over the internet. The context usually makes the meaning clear.

A Warehouse Management System tracks and coordinates inventory and tasks within a warehouse. Its goal is to improve accuracy, speed, and transparency of material handling. Typical features include receiving and put-away, inventory management and cycle counting, order picking and packing, shipping, labor management, slotting and replenishment, and sometimes yard and dock scheduling. WMS often integrates with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and transportation management systems (TMS), as well as barcode or RFID scanning and warehouse automation equipment.

Implementations can be on-premises, in the cloud (SaaS), or in hybrid configurations. Benefits commonly cited include higher inventory accuracy, shorter order cycle times, better space utilization, reduced labor cost, improved customer service, and enhanced reporting and analytics. WMS projects may require data cleansing, process redesign, and change management to align with operational practices and automation.

Web Map Service is an inter-operable protocol defined by the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) for serving georeferenced map images over HTTP. A WMS server responds to requests such as GetCapabilities (service description) and GetMap (image retrieval). Requests specify layers, styles, output format, coordinate reference system, and a geographic bounding box. WMS supports multiple layers, transparency, and on-demand composition, enabling web and desktop GIS applications to display up-to-date map data from centralized servers.

Because WMS has different meanings in different domains, it is important to determine the intended reference in a given discussion.