The 11 Best Order Management Software Solutions for 2024
Order management software (OMS) helps businesses, large and small, streamline and automate key components in the ordering process to speed up fulfillment. With the right system in place, companies can improve customer satisfaction, reduce errors, and prevent stock issues.
In 2024, the market for external sales channels like Amazon, eBay, and other online marketplaces continues to grow. This makes it even more important that the order management software you pick is flexible in connecting with these and other platforms.
Standard features in leading order management solutions include:
- Order generation
- Invoicing
- Shipping Label creation
- Dispatch management
- Status updates
- Inventory management
- Integration with other platforms
With the right OMS, businesses can reduce fulfillment time and human error while keeping orders flowing smoothly.
We’ll review eleven of the best order management software solutions, provide insights for users, and help you better understand the drawbacks of each platform.
How does the order management process work?
Order management software helps throughout the complete order lifecycle. Every management system is slightly different, but the processes follow these general steps:
- A customer places an order using a business’s sales channel or an external marketplace.
- Processing begins with the OMS verifying the order data, products, inventory, prices etc and importing it in the order management system.
- After the order is imported the OMS will check if there is inventory and where the inventory is coming from. (which location, is there a need for internal shipments, do we need to order this product at our supplier etc.)
- If the items of the order are in stock the next step is fulfillment: Picking and packing products, creating labels from the right shipping company, and getting the order ready for shipment.
- Shipping is next, the packages will be picked up at the warehouse and customers should receive tracking information for their orders.
- Businesses track the order status and provide updates to the customer. Inventory level updates are also made.
- Customers are updated when their package is delivered, and the internal order status is updated.
Your unique needs will determine the right OMS to help streamline your business. You’ll need to review features, pricing, add-on options, and the limitations of an OMS to find the right fit for your company.
Looking for the best Order Management Solution? Check out Afosto OMS for free.
How to choose the right order management solution for your business
Every business is unique, but there are a few important factors that companies should consider when choosing an OMS:
- Customization: Your OMS should work for you and be tailored to your needs. Ideally, you should be able to customize your order management to some degree, so you can easily filter orders and find what you need quickly and easily.
- Scalability: Your OMS should grow with you. Look for solutions that offer multi-channel support and can handle larger order volumes.
- Reporting: An OMS with detailed reporting functions will make understanding your inventory needs, sales history, and customer preferences/trends easier.
- Support: Order management can be complicated. Choose a solution that offers training and is backed by responsive customer support that can help you solve problems.
- Integration: Make sure your OMS can integrate with your CRM, accounting system, sales channels, and other solutions in your tech stack.
- Automation: OMS solutions are designed to make your life easier, so look for options that automate workflows for order processing, tracking, and fulfillment.
With these points in mind, let’s look at some of the top order management software solutions and what users like and dislike about each solution.
1. Afosto
Ease of Use: Afosto is designed with user-friendliness in mind, making it easy for new users to navigate and manage orders.
Customizability: Highly customizable to fit the unique needs of different businesses, Afosto allows you to tailor workflows, dashboards, and reports.
Integrations: Afosto integrates seamlessly with popular platforms like WooCommerce, Shopify, Lightspeed and various ERP systems, ensuring smooth operations across all channels. They work with API's and GraphQL that makes it easy to make custom integrations as well.
Price: Afosto offers competitive pricing with a free trial, allowing businesses to test the software before committing. Sign up for a free account here.
Verdict: Afosto stands out for its balance of ease of use, extensive customizability, robust integrations, and competitive pricing. Ideal for businesses looking to streamline their order management processes efficiently.
2. ShippingEasy
Ease of Use: ShippingEasy offers an intuitive interface that simplifies the shipping process for small and medium-sized businesses.
Customizability: While it offers some customization options, it’s more focused on shipping than overall order management.
Integrations: Integrates with platforms like Etsy, eBay, Amazon, and Shopify, as well as various shipping carriers.
Price: Starts at $19.99 per month after a 30-day free trial.
Verdict: Best for businesses heavily focused on shipping, ShippingEasy offers an easy-to-use platform with excellent integration options for e-commerce.
3. Shippo
Ease of Use: Shippo provides a user-friendly interface with comprehensive features for managing shipping and orders.
Customizability: Limited customization compared to more extensive OMS platforms, but sufficient for basic needs.
Integrations: Seamless integration with major e-commerce platforms and shipping carriers.
Price: Free for up to 30 labels per month; the Pro plan starts at $19 per month.
Verdict: An excellent choice for small businesses needing robust shipping and order management features without the need for extensive customization.
4. QuickBooks Commerce
Ease of Use: Known for its user-friendly interface, QuickBooks Commerce simplifies inventory and order management.
Customizability: Offers extensive customization options, especially for businesses already using QuickBooks for accounting.
Integrations: Integrates well with QuickBooks accounting, as well as major e-commerce platforms.
Price: Annual subscription starts at $1,922 per year.
Verdict: Ideal for small to medium-sized businesses that already use QuickBooks for their financial management, offering comprehensive OMS capabilities.
5. Finale Inventory
Ease of Use: Finale Inventory is user-friendly, making it easy for businesses to manage orders and inventory.
Customizability: Provides good customization options for reports and workflows.
Integrations: Integrates with platforms like QuickBooks, Shopify, and Amazon.
Price: Starts at $99 per month for a single-user account.
Verdict: A solid choice for businesses looking for a comprehensive OMS that offers good customization and integration options at a reasonable price.
6. Katana
Ease of Use: Katana offers an intuitive interface, particularly beneficial for manufacturing and e-commerce businesses.
Customizability: Highly customizable, especially useful for businesses with complex manufacturing processes.
Integrations: Integrates with major e-commerce and accounting platforms like Shopify and QuickBooks.
Price: Starts at $199 per month for the Starter plan.
Verdict: Best suited for manufacturing companies that need robust inventory and order management capabilities.
7. Brightpearl
Ease of Use: Brightpearl is relatively easy to use but may have a steeper learning curve for new users.
Customizability: Offers extensive customization options to meet the needs of multichannel retailers.
Integrations: Integrates with a wide range of e-commerce platforms and marketplaces like Amazon, eBay, and Shopify.
Price: Pricing available upon request.
Verdict: Ideal for multichannel retailers looking for a comprehensive solution to manage both online and offline sales.
8. Salesforce Commerce Cloud
Ease of Use: Complex interface that requires some training to master.
Customizability: Highly customizable, offering pre-built fulfillment flows and omnichannel inventory management.
Integrations: Deep integration with Salesforce CRM and other Salesforce products.
Price: Costs range from 1% to 3% of gross merchandise value per annum.
Verdict: Best for large enterprises needing a robust, customizable solution integrated with their Salesforce ecosystem.
9. Shopify
Ease of Use: Shopify is known for its easy-to-use platform that simplifies setting up and managing an e-commerce store.
Customizability: Offers extensive customization through apps and integrations.
Integrations: Integrates with a wide range of third-party apps and services.
Price: Plans start at $25 per month.
Verdict: A great choice for new and growing e-commerce stores looking for a user-friendly and highly customizable platform.
10. ChannelApe
Ease of Use: User-friendly interface with a focus on order aggregation and management.
Customizability: Good customization options for workflows and processes.
Integrations: Integrates with major e-commerce platforms and shipping carriers.
Price: Pricing available upon request.
Verdict: Best for businesses needing a flexible solution to manage orders from multiple sales channels.
11. NetSuite
Ease of Use: NetSuite offers a comprehensive suite but has a steep learning curve.
Customizability: Highly customizable, ideal for large businesses with complex needs.
Integrations: Integrates with a wide range of business tools and platforms.
Price: Pricing available upon request.
Verdict: Best suited for large enterprises that need a scalable, all-in-one ERP solution.
Order Management Software Comparison Table
| Software | Ease of Use | Customizability | Integrations | Price | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Afosto | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | Best Overall |
| ShippingEasy | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | Best for Shipping |
| Shippo | 9 | 6 | 8 | 9 | Best for Small Business |
| QuickBooks Commerce | 9 | 9 | 10 | 7 | Best for QuickBooks Users |
| Finale Inventory | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | Best for Inventory Management |
| Katana | 9 | 9 | 9 | 7 | Best for Manufacturing |
| Brightpearl | 7 | 9 | 10 | 8 | Best for Retailers |
| Salesforce Commerce Cloud | 6 | 10 | 10 | 6 | Best for Large Enterprises |
| Shopify | 10 | 9 | 10 | 8 | Best for E-commerce |
| ChannelApe | 9 | 8 | 9 | 7 | Best for Multi-channel |
| NetSuite | 6 | 10 | 10 | 6 | Best for Enterprises |
Conclusion: Transform Your Order Management with Afosto
In the evolving landscape of e-commerce and retail, choosing the right order management software can make or break your business. Afosto is designed to meet the diverse needs of modern businesses, offering unparalleled ease of use, extensive customizability, and seamless integrations with a wide range of platforms.
Why Afosto is the Best Choice:
- Ease of Use: Our intuitive interface ensures that you and your team can quickly adapt and start optimizing your order management processes without a steep learning curve.
- Customizability: Tailor Afosto to fit your specific business needs. Whether you’re managing inventory, processing orders, or integrating with other sales channels, Afosto provides the flexibility you need.
- Robust Integrations: Connect effortlessly with your existing systems, including major e-commerce platforms, CRMs, and accounting software. Ensure all your business operations work in harmony.
- Scalability: As your business grows, Afosto scales with you. Our solution is built to handle increasing order volumes and expanding sales channels, making it a future-proof choice for your business.
- Exceptional Support: Benefit from our dedicated support team, ready to assist you in maximizing the potential of our software.
Competitive Pricing and Free Trial:
Afosto offers competitive pricing plans designed to fit businesses of all sizes. Plus, with our free trial, you can experience the benefits of our platform without any commitment.
Ready to take your order management to the next level? Sign up for a free account today and see how Afosto can streamline your operations, reduce errors, and enhance customer satisfaction.
Join the ranks of successful businesses that trust Afosto for their order management needs. Transform your processes and achieve greater efficiency with Afosto.
FAQ
What is order management software?
Order management software (OMS) helps businesses manage and automate the end-to-end process of order fulfillment. It covers everything from order placement to delivery, including inventory management, shipping, and tracking.
How does order management software improve business efficiency?
OMS improves efficiency by automating manual processes, reducing errors, and providing real-time visibility into inventory and order statuses. This leads to faster fulfillment, better customer satisfaction, and streamlined operations.
Why is integration with external sales channels important in OMS?
Integration with external sales channels like Amazon, eBay, and Shopify is crucial because it centralizes order management across multiple platforms, ensuring consistent inventory levels, preventing overselling, and simplifying the fulfillment process.
Can order management software handle returns and cancellations?
Yes, the right OMS solutions include features for handling returns and cancellations. These features automate the process, update inventory levels accordingly, and provide customers with an easy way to manage their returns.
What should I consider when choosing an OMS?
When choosing an OMS, consider factors like ease of use, customizability, integration capabilities, scalability, reporting features, and the level of customer support provided.
How does OMS help with inventory management?
OMS helps with inventory management by providing real-time visibility into stock levels, automating stock updates across all sales channels, and generating reports to forecast demand and prevent stockouts.
Is Afosto suitable for small businesses?
Yes, Afosto is designed to be flexible and scalable, making it suitable for businesses of all sizes. It offers robust features that help small businesses streamline their order management processes.
What makes Afosto stand out among other OMS solutions?
Afosto stands out due to its ease of use, high level of customizability, seamless integrations with various platforms, competitive pricing, and excellent customer support. It also offers a free account to get started.
Can I try Afosto before committing to a subscription?
Yes, Afosto offers a free account that allows you to explore its features and see how it can benefit your business before committing to a subscription.
How does OMS enhance customer satisfaction?
OMS enhances customer satisfaction by ensuring timely and accurate order fulfillment, providing real-time tracking information, and simplifying the returns process, which leads to a better overall customer experience.
How can I get started with Afosto?
To get started with Afosto, sign up for a free account on the Afosto website. You can then explore its features, connect your sales channels, and start streamlining your order management process.
Ik ben Sander, een SaaS-ondernemer met meer dan 5 jaar ervaring in het laten groeien van een softwarebedrijf, Afosto, dat retailers helpt succes te boeken met slimme en schaalbare softwareoplossingen. Daarnaast ben ik mede-oprichter van een aantal e-commerce bedrijven en piloot. Mijn passie ligt bij het creëren van waarde voor klanten en partners. Wanneer ik niet in de cockpit of op kantoor ben, hou ik ervan om de wereld te verkennen, te kitesurfen en te genieten van het buitenleven in onze camper.
More from Sander Kah- The 11 Best Order Management Software Solutions for 2024
- How does the order management process work?
- How to choose the right order management solution for your business
- 1. Afosto
- 2. ShippingEasy
- 3. Shippo
- 4. QuickBooks Commerce
- 5. Finale Inventory
- 6. Katana
- 7. Brightpearl
- 8. Salesforce Commerce Cloud
- 9. Shopify
- 10. ChannelApe
- 11. NetSuite
- Order Management Software Comparison Table
- Conclusion: Transform Your Order Management with Afosto
- Why Afosto is the Best Choice:
- Competitive Pricing and Free Trial: