There’s a Better Way to Do a WMS Go Live

“That was awful!”
“We barely survived!”
“Never again!”

These are just a few things I’ve heard at the end of so-called successful WMS Go Lives. If you’ve been there, you know the feeling. A WMS Go Live—the moment a warehouse management system is pushed to production—usually follows months (or years) of preparation, testing, and stress. Yet too often, success is measured in degrees of pain, not performance.

After 15+ years in the trenches of warehouse technology implementations, I’ve seen firsthand how broken the process can be—and how much better it could be. It’s time we rethink how we do this.

There’s a better way to do a WMS Go Live.

Let’s Acknowledge the Problem

For years, I worked tirelessly, often hundreds of hours per week, to deploy increasingly advanced solutions using outdated processes and tools. The juxtaposition of deploying expensive, modern systems with Perl scripts, Excel files, and minimal user testing never made sense to me.

We must continuously evaluate and evolve our implementation practices to match the systems we support.

Execution systems are complex, no doubt. But companies like Netflix, Amazon, and Walmart are proving that automated, accelerated deployments are possible. According to TechBeacon, Amazon deploys code every 11.7 seconds on average.

Let’s admit there’s a problem so we can start solving it.

There’s no silver bullet, but I believe the industry can reach comparable deployment goals if we acknowledge the issue and take action. Like any challenge, acceptance comes in stages.

Using Andy Grove’s diagram from High Output Management, I’d argue we’re stuck in the “Blame others” stage. The pain of these projects is undeniable. I haven’t met anyone who denies the challenges. Still, many point fingers instead of owning a piece of the problem.

We’re Stuck in the Blame Stage

Let’s talk about responsibility. No single party in the supply chain execution (SCE) space is solely at fault. But as an industry, we must accept that the process is broken and that every player has a role in fixing it.

Balancing people, process, and technology is key to driving real change.

People: The Root of Communication Breakdowns

Large enterprise systems are built, configured, and deployed by teams—often multiple organizations. These may include the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), third-party implementors, and customers who own and run the business processes.

Too often, poor communication, unclear requirements, and misunderstandings create bugs and defects. These issues can arise at any phase—from pitching the solution to how OEM developers communicate intent or how implementors interpret and configure the system.

As with software defects, the earlier we catch miscommunications, the cheaper they are to fix. We can reduce them by improving how we define and document business requirements.

But sometimes we don’t spot the miscommunication until users test the change. That’s why getting changes into the hands of real users quickly—then collecting feedback and iterating—is so important.

Traditional deployments often save testing for the final phase, when it’s too late to prevent costlier miscommunications.

Process: Shrink the Cycle, Shrink the Risk

Call it waterfall, scrum, agile, kanban—whatever fits. The world doesn’t pause for long projects. The longer it takes to deliver changes, the higher the chance that requirements shift, systems evolve, or we’re operating on flawed assumptions.

We must refine our processes. Adopt flexible principles that work across contexts. Use modern tools. Prioritize smaller iterations and shorter lead times to validate assumptions and gather feedback earlier.

That means rethinking how we budget, plan, and execute projects.

Technology: The Case for Test Automation

Faster, smaller cycles get results into users’ hands quicker. They also cut time wasted on wrong assumptions. But adding cycles increases pressure on phases like testing—unless we automate.

Manual testing alone can’t support the speed or consistency required. It creates bottlenecks.

Test automation helps allocate resources wisely. It ensures consistency in test coverage and approach. It also frees teams to focus on high-value work.

Final Thoughts: The Better Way Exists

Change starts when we all agree it’s needed. The good news? Other industries already show what’s possible. If we accept responsibility, we can roll up our sleeves and fix WMS Go Lives.

Doing the same thing and expecting different results won’t cut it.

In 15 years of SCE system deployment, I’ve seen the industry shift. We now have tools that simplify and accelerate our work. By combining test automation, CI/CD pipelines, containers, modern deployment practices—and most importantly, new mindsets—we can reach new heights.

There’s no excuse not to improve. Make time for this change. It matters to your coworkers, vendors, partners—and to you.

A better way exists. You probably know that already. Maybe the first step feels overwhelming. But meaningful goals take time—and they start with one small step.

Take it. Your industry and your team will thank you.

Ready to transform how you go live? Explore our test automation solutions, read our customer success stories, or talk to our team to get started. 

This post was written by:
Josh Owen
Founder, President and Executive Chairman

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