How to Evaluate Warehouse Technology Vendors Before You Sign
Vendor demos are built to look effortless. The integration headaches, the six-month install, and the five-year contract don't show up until after you sign. By then, you're locked in. This post walks you through the questions and criteria that separate real warehouse technology fit from a polished pitch -- before the RFP closes. What Should You Ask Before the Demo Ends? The right vendor answers hard questions without hedging. Ask about integration timelines with your specific WMS, not in general. If the answer is "it depends" with no follow-up, budget months. Ask how fast a pilot runs with real orders. Ask what the exit looks like if the system doesn't deliver. If a vendor can't give you a go-live estimate in the first meeting, that timeline will be a surprise after you sign. Get these answers in writing before any contract closes: Integration timeline with your current WMS Pilot setup time and cost Contract length and cancellation terms Hardware support scop...