What’s New in DRAMS 5?
A Smarter, More Capable System – Ready for What’s Next
DRAMS 5 marks a major evolution in mature spirits inventory management. Our advanced web-based platform brings together powerful new functionality with an intuitive user interface to help our customers manage operations with greater efficiency, precision, and control.
Developed in collaboration with a global network of spirits producers and warehouse service providers, DRAMS 5 addresses the unique challenges associated with the movement and maturation of bulk spirits and cask inventory.
DRAMS 5 provides data-driven insights into your warehouse environment, supporting more informed decisions for improved operational efficiency and sustainable business growth.
Following our previous article which outlined the ‘Journey to DRAMS 5’, we’re now going to focus on what’s new. Read our latest article to learn more about the enhanced functionality which is available to you in DRAMS 5.
A scalable web-based UI built for the long–term
DRAMS 5 has been developed as a web-based interface in a move that is more than just cosmetic.
Transitioning to DRAMS 5 removes the dependency on terminal services, such as Citrix, previously required to access the DRAMS Windows application. The web interface simplifies IT landscapes, reduces complex integrations and deployment costs.
Direct access from any web browser also supports spirits producers operating across multiple sites, providing more flexibility to access important data when it’s needed.
This means that DRAMS 5 is fully scalable to support your evolving needs and long-term business growth.
Streamlined Navigation
With DRAMS 5, new functionality builds upon familiarity. Core workflows have been enhanced in a way that allows users to quickly adapt to new features without a steep learning curve.
DRAMS 5 introduces a simple, tab-based interface which streamlines navigation. The transition away from traditional multi-window navigation provides a cleaner, more structured customer experience, allowing users to follow workflows and complete multiple tasks more efficiently. We have also added shortcuts to different functions from key screens. Common tasks such as processing transactions or reviewing inventory can now be achieved with less clicks and without switching between multiple screens, enabling our users to complete workflows with ease and more clarity.
Real-Time Notifications
A new Notification Centre keeps users informed of key importing and reporting activity in real time, without the need to resort back into reports or refresh the system. Combined with improved search and filtering functionality, important updates are surfaced clearly and promptly, improving data accessibility and reducing communication delays across teams.
Smart Grids That Work the Way You Do
Managing data should never get in the way of using it. With DRAMS 5, the new Smart Grid system enables users to personalise their workspace using custom layouts.
Users can filter columns and fields to create views that de-clutter screens and display only the necessary information. These custom views can be saved, re-used, and shared, helping to save time and reduce repetitive filtering.
Flexible reporting that adapts to your business
DRAMS 5 introduces a complete overhaul of reporting, built around speed, flexibility, and clarity. The new Report Instances feature allows users to save multiple versions of the same report, each with its own filters, columns, and formatting—so teams can generate tailored views each time without starting from scratch.
Reports can now be scheduled to run automatically, keeping key stakeholders informed without manual intervention. And with dynamic date ranges, reports can reflect the correct time period with minimal oversight.
The process of reporting on Parcel Export has also been improved. With new formatting controls and reusable templates, reports and parcel exports are cleaner, more consistent, and faster to generate—enabling teams to spend more time evaluating insights, and less time on manual data processing.
An unprecedented view of your warehouse
For many DRAMS customers, warehouse vacuity analysis sits at the core of business operations. DRAMS 5 brings new visibility into cask movement and storage with Warehouse Explorer; a real-time visual mapping tool that provides a clear overview of stock locations and available capacity. This powerful data visualisation feature enables improved tracking, optimised space management, and faster retrieval times.
Vacuity calculations have been improved to give a more in-depth understanding of capacity, tailored to different storage methods (racked, palletised, or dunnage). This helps businesses maximise warehouse capacity with smarter allocations, faster retrievals, and less unoccupied space.
Site Level data is presented to show vacuity across all stowable warehouse space at a chosen site, allowing comparisons between warehouses to be made.
The Warehouse Explorer also includes a Stock Locator mode which shows the distribution of stock matching your search criteria across a site (via a grid) and within a warehouse (via the graphical representation). This allows users to quickly visualise stock withdrawals or the distribution of stock for insurance purposes.
More Control, Less Risk
Alongside these operational improvements, DRAMS 5 offers enhanced security features with expanded user permissions and hierarchies of control. Managers can now set more refined parameters on the data that users or teams, can access to control business-critical transactions and protect sensitive information.
As teams expand, so does the need for controlled access. DRAMS 5 introduces role-based permissions that go far beyond traditional menu-level access.
DRAMS 5 offers the flexibility to define access requirements and determine exactly who can view, update, or remove individual fields based on user profiles.
Built for industry, backed by experience
DRAMS 5 reflects over 50 years of software development expertise and collaboration with some of the world’s most respected spirits producers. It’s not a reinvention – it’s a smarter, stronger evolution of what DRAMS already does best: helping businesses take more control over maturing spirits inventory management.
Ready to See It in Action?
For existing customers, moving to DRAMS 5 is a seamless process, designed to minimise disruption to daily operations.
The upgrade package includes:
- System readiness assessments to help with preparation
- Role-specific training sessions covering reporting, parcel export, and printers
- Dedicated support available from planning through to post go-live
Whether you are a long-time customer or exploring DRAMS for the first time, DRAMS 5 supports your bulk inventory management goals with proven capability and a platform built for what’s next.
To discover more, schedule a consultant call today.
