You work with Exact Online and are looking for a solution to digitalise your warehouse processes. You have probably noticed that Exact Online is excellent for your financial administration and inventory management, but that working in the warehouse itself — receiving, picking and shipping goods — is not optimally supported from the desktop. You need a warehouse app. But which one?
Why you need a warehouse app
Exact Online is designed as an ERP system that you manage from your computer. But warehouse work does not happen behind a desk. Your employees are in the warehouse, receiving goods, picking orders and moving stock. They need a mobile solution that communicates directly with Exact Online.
Without a warehouse app, the process is inefficient. Employees note information on paper, walk to the computer to make bookings in Exact Online and return to the warehouse. This back-and-forth costs time, introduces errors and causes delays in your inventory administration.
A good warehouse app brings Exact Online to the warehouse. Your employees have all the information they need on their smartphone or scanner and can process goods movements directly — real-time, error-free and paperless.
Option 1: a full WMS
A Warehouse Management System (WMS) is a comprehensive software solution for warehouse management. A WMS offers advanced features such as:
- Slotting optimisation (placing items in the optimal location)
- Wave picking and batch picking
- Labour management and performance monitoring
- Cross-docking
- Advanced location management with zones and aisles
- Integration with transport management systems
A WMS is powerful, but also has drawbacks. Implementation typically takes 3 to 6 months and costs tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of euros. The software is complex and requires extensive training. And integration with Exact Online is often custom work, which brings additional costs and maintenance.
For large distribution centres with complex logistics processes, a WMS may be the right choice. But for most SMBs working with Exact Online, a WMS is overkill.
Option 2: a lightweight warehouse app
A lightweight warehouse app offers the essential functions you need in the warehouse, without the complexity and cost of a full WMS. The Barcode Scan App is exactly such a solution — specifically built for Exact Online.
Direct integration with Exact Online
The Barcode Scan App is specifically developed for Exact Online and uses the official API. This means all data — items, warehouses, locations, orders, stock levels — is directly available in the app. No middleware or custom integration is needed.
All essential warehouse functions
The app supports all daily warehouse processes:
- Goods receipt: Receive goods on purchase orders by scanning barcodes. Quantities are automatically checked.
- Order picking: Pick sales orders with scan verification. Multi-order picking saves walking time.
- Goods delivery: Book deliveries directly in Exact Online after picking.
- Stock transfers: Move items between warehouses and locations with a scan.
- Stock counting: Count your inventory and process differences directly in Exact Online.
- Warehouse transfers: Transfer stock between warehouses in Exact Online.
Batch and serial numbers
The app fully supports working with batch and serial numbers in Exact Online. When scanning a GS1 DataMatrix barcode, the item number, batch number and optionally the expiry date are automatically read and processed.
Immediately deployable
Unlike a WMS, the Barcode Scan App is immediately deployable. No months-long implementation project, no expensive consultants, no complex configuration. Download the app, connect to your Exact Online account and you can start right away. Most businesses are productive within an hour.
Making the right choice
How do you choose between a WMS and a lightweight warehouse app? Ask yourself these questions:
- How many orders do you process per day? For fewer than 500 orders per day, a lightweight app is almost always sufficient.
- How complex are your logistics processes? If you do not need cross-docking, wave picking or advanced labour management, a WMS is overkill.
- What is your budget? A WMS easily costs €50,000+ in implementation plus monthly licence fees. The Barcode Scan App costs a fraction of that.
- How quickly do you want to start? A WMS implementation takes months. With the Barcode Scan App you start the same day.
- Do you use Exact Online as your primary system? The Barcode Scan App is built for Exact Online and offers the best integration.
Why the Barcode Scan App
For SMBs working with Exact Online, the Barcode Scan App is the ideal warehouse app. You get all essential warehouse functions, direct integration with Exact Online, support for all scanning methods (camera, Bluetooth, industrial scanner) and an intuitive interface that employees understand within minutes.
The app is continuously developed based on user feedback and is always up to date with the latest Exact Online functionality. And with a free trial period, you can extensively test the app in your own environment before you decide.