Maximizing the Power of TWL

In today’s fast-paced supply chain environment, warehouse operations are under more pressure than ever to be fast, accurate, and efficient. Customers expect real-time updates, same-day shipping, and flawless execution. For businesses that rely on Infor’s Total Warehouse Logistics (TWL), the system isn’t just a tool—it’s a strategic asset. But to realize its full potential, TWL must be used intentionally and to the best of its functionality.

Here’s why optimizing TWL is critical for operational success—and how businesses can leverage it to drive performance, accuracy, and profitability.

What Is TWL?

Total Warehouse Logistics (TWL) is an advanced warehouse management system (WMS) developed by Infor, designed to streamline and automate key warehouse operations such as receiving, picking, packing, shipping, and inventory control.

TWL integrates deeply with Infor’s ERP systems (like SX.e), providing real-time visibility and control across your warehouse. It’s built to support high-volume, high-complexity environments, and when used to its full potential, it eliminates inefficiencies, reduces errors, and increases throughput.

Why It’s Critical to Use TWL to Its Full Functionality

1. Warehouse Efficiency Is a Competitive Advantage

Your warehouse is no longer a back-office function—it’s a customer-facing operation. TWL can transform how you manage time, space, and labor. But this only happens when businesses fully implement its capabilities like:

• Zone and wave picking

• Directed putaway

• Task interleaving

• Slotting optimization

• Real-time performance metrics

When companies only use TWL for basic picking and shipping, they leave performance—and profit—on the table.

2. Data-Driven Decisions Require Accurate Input

TWL is built to give you real-time data: inventory levels, employee productivity, order accuracy, and more. But if you’re not consistently capturing and analyzing this information, you can’t make smart operational decisions. Full utilization of TWL means treating it as the central source of truth for your warehouse.

3. Scalability Depends on Solid Processes

As your business grows, your warehouse must scale with it. TWL supports complex operations, multiple warehouses, and diverse product lines. But scalability only works if your team is trained, processes are standardized, and you’re using features like license plating, RF-directed tasks, and dynamic replenishment.

Partial usage leads to patchwork solutions, bottlenecks, and growing pains.

4. Labor Shortages Make Optimization Essential

With labor costs rising and skilled workers in short supply, every movement in the warehouse matters. TWL’s labor management and task optimization tools allow businesses to do more with less. Fully utilizing the system helps reduce travel time, balance workloads, and automate repetitive tasks—reducing reliance on manual labor and improving morale.

Common Pitfalls That Undermine TWL’s Value

• Undertraining: Employees can’t use tools they don’t understand. Ongoing training is critical.

• Customization overload: Excessive customizations can make upgrades difficult and slow performance.

• Ignoring analytics: TWL provides powerful reporting—don’t let insights go to waste.

• Lack of ownership: Assign clear roles for system maintenance, data quality, and continuous improvement.

  
  

How to Get the Most Out of TWL

1. Invest in end-user and leadership training

2. Audit your current usage—identify features not being used

3. Align TWL capabilities with strategic goals (e.g., reducing shipping errors, improving inventory accuracy)

4. Standardize SOPs and document best practices

5. Schedule regular reviews and upgrades to stay current with functionality

6. Work with experienced consultants who understand both the technology and your business

7. 
   

Final Thoughts

TWL is more than a warehouse system—it’s a business-critical tool that can drive efficiency, reduce costs, and improve customer satisfaction. But like any technology, its value is directly tied to how well you use it.

If your organization is only scratching the surface of what TWL can do, now is the time to take a closer look. The ROI is already in the system—you just have to unlock it.

Need help optimizing TWL? Let’s connect and turn your warehouse into a strategic advantage.