Order management system examples for ecommerce: top OMS tools & use cases

While it’s simple to think that operating customer orders consists of the customer clicking ‘buy’, and getting a package delivered to them, there’s actually a very long chain of moving parts: checking their inventory level, validating payment, routing to the right location, packing, shipping, managing returns, communicating with the customer (and others).

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For companies that are growing and operating without a system to manage those processes across multiple sales channels, mistakes, delays, and an increasingly impatient shopper will be the norm. 

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That’s what an Order Management System (OMS) technology facilitates. An OMS centralizes how businesses track orders, manage orders, and fulfill orders across multiple e-commerce stores, marketplaces, and brick-and-mortar stores instead of continuing to rely on spreadsheets and various independent tools to manage sales channels and fulfillment.

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A modern OMS integrates sales channels, warehouses, shipping carriers, and customer management systems together in one system. OMS results in faster fulfillment, fewer mistakes, better visibility in the delivery status, and better customer engagement overall.

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In this blog, we look at how OMS software operates, the various types of OMS software, and how they are useful with thoughtful and essential features. Most importantly, we take a look at some exhibiting examples of OMS software from Fynd OMS to Zoho Inventory, NetSuite to Shopify, and large/larger-scale Enterprise platforms such as IBM Sterling/Manhattan Associates.

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In the end, you’ll have a better sense of the best software in their categories that are on the market, the types of use cases, and how to essentially find the right OMS for your unique use case that your business may have.

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How does an OMS work?

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An Order Management System (OMS) is the backbone of any modern commerce operation; it orchestrates everything that happens between when an order is placed and when the order gets delivered to the customer. Instead of sales, inventory, accounting, and logistics elements fighting one another, they hybridize or integrate toward the same goals in different department silos (offices) or with one another - the OMS connects and automates workflows from start to finish. Here is a look at how it works, close up:

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1. Captures orders from multiple channels

Consumers are no longer driven to shop only in one location. They search multiple websites, buy from marketplaces like Amazon or Flipkart, order indirectly via Instagram or WhatsApp, and even shop in physical stores from time to time. 

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An OMS captures all of these orders from whichever platform is generating the income for you in a central place. For example, if one customer places an order on Shopify while another customer places an order on Amazon, your OMS will sync both transactions immediately so you don’t miss either sales opportunity. 

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2. Syncs inventory across warehouses and stores

One of the fastest ways to lose trust with your customers is to oversell products, despite being out of stock. An OMS continuously and consistently syncs your inventory across ALL sales channels and fulfillment centers because if that product sells in a store, your stock that is available for online sales will reflect that sale automatically. This real-time visibility of inventory leads to fewer stockouts or double-selling. It will also help your business properly balance the demand among each location.

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3. Automates order routing, shipping, and invoicing

Processing orders manually takes up a lot of time and can be susceptible to mistakes. When there is an OMS, orders could be directed according to a set of rules. Using an example, in case the OMS identifies that a customer is nearer to Warehouse A as compared to Warehouse B, the order may be shipped from the nearest place, which helps in saving time and money in delivery. The OMS is able to draft invoices, pay, and even connect with carriers to form shipping labels without manual action.

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4. Real-time visibility for sellers and buyers

Understanding where an order is in the process is important in e-commerce. OMS provides real-time order visibility to not only the internal team but also the customer. Sellers can view order fulfillment metrics, while customers receive timely notifications such as "shipped," "out for delivery," or "delivered." This transparency of order processing eliminates unsolicited inquiries to sellers and increases trust.

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5. Manages returns and refunds

Returns are a reality of eCommerce. A smart OMS, or order management system, allows a business to manage return requests, let customers know when an item is back in stock, and initiate refunds or exchanges. By managing returns effectively, companies can minimize or mitigate losses and improve the process for the customer, providing long-term value.

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6. Provides insights via reporting and analytics

Additionally, most OMS, not just order processing, can provide powerful data hub functionality. As an example, a business may develop simple reports to reveal sales volumes, the speed at which they are meeting orders, the number of returns, and other facts regarding customer behavior. All this information will enable you to find out the bottlenecks, project demand, and refining processes in the future.

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To sum up, OMS is not just a matter of storage and transferring orders, but creates an interconnected, highly automated ecosystem of eCommerce in which all orders are handled with accuracy and speed, with as much transparency as possible. This foundation is one of the cornerstones for OMS, ranging from lightweight solutions to enterprise, spaces, etc They are all essential for scaling sustainably.

Types of order management systems

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Different businesses have different order management needs. For instance, a small D2C brand selling through Instagram has different requirements than a multinational retailer processing thousands of orders every day. Therefore, OMS solutions exist in various flavors, as each business model has different requirements for order management. Here are the main flavors:

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1. Standalone OMS

A standalone OMS is an order management software that is not tied to any other systems. A single OMS can contain some rudimentary features, such as order tracking, helping to prepare shipping labels, and simple inventory synchronization.

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Pros: Easy to install, relatively cheap, does not need much or any IT skills.

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Best for: Small businesses and startup brands that are looking to get a lower-tech method of managing orders.

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Sample use case:  A jewelry maker on Etsy has a standalone OMS that is used to monitor sales and generate shipping labels to domestic and international customers.

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2. ERP-integrated OMS

Often, businesses utilize enterprise resource planning (ERP) software to organize finance, HR, and supply chain information. In other situations, an OMS may directly be linked to the ERP system of the organization in order to offer the scope of a one-stop shop.

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Pros: Finance, inventory, and sales centralization; fewer silos. 

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Best for: Medium to large companies that have multiple departments and seek to have a single source of truth.

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Sample use case: A manufacturer sells B2B and B2C coatings, links its OMS with its ERP in order to make sure that production, sales, and logistics are collaborating in a seamless way. 

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3. Multichannel OMS

A multichannel OMS manages orders from multiple sales channels such as Amazon, Shopify, eBay, Flipkart, and in-store locations. 

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Pros: Prevents overselling on multiple marketplaces, provides one inventory across sales channels, and simplifies fulfillment. 

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Best for: Retailers who are expanding into multiple marketplaces and into online platforms. 

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Sample use case: An apparel brand sells through its Shopify store, through the Amazon marketplace, and also in a chain of retail stores. A multichannel OMS will ensure all inventory levels are updated everywhere, in real time, across each platform.

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4. Cloud-based OMS

Contrary to being hosted on the servers of a company, a cloud-based OMS is hosted online and can be accessed anywhere. 

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Pros: Scalability, flexibility, automatic updates, and reduced start-up costs. 

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Best for: Companies of all sizes, wishing to have fast implementation and minimal IT maintenance. 

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Sample use case: A fast-growing D2C skincare company uses a cloud OMS to expand internationally without the need to spend a lot of money on IT systems. 

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5. E-commerce-focused OMS

Some Order Management Systems are designed specifically for e-commerce sellers and built for their requirements. The order management systems also includes a tight integration into popular platform systems, such as Shopify, Magento, WooCommerce, or BigCommerce.

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Pros: Feature enabled for e-commerce sellers, cart integration, marketplace connectors, and communication tools to inform the customer.

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Best for: Any business model that is an online business first and relies heavily on digital channels for sales.

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Sample use case: A local Shopify store that sells home décor services is directly connected to the OMS and is able to fully leverage that integration to automatically sync inventory, notify customers when they confirm the order, and get updates on shipping as necessary.

6. Enterprise OMS

An enterprise OMS is better suited to big businesses that have complex, high-volume order operations, moving across regions and sales channels. 

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Pros: Managing advanced workflows, handling multiple warehouses, AI-based forecasting, and reporting. 

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Best for: Global retailers, wholesalers, and enterprise-type businesses managing thousands of SKUs a day. 

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Sample use case: A global electronics retailer uses an enterprise OMS to manage inventory levels from warehouses and manufacturing plants in North America, Asia, and Europe.  

Top 15 order management system software in 2025

With numerous OMS providers available, a smaller number of OMS platforms, listed below, can make decision-making easier. Below are fifteen key OMS systems in 2025 for use cases of small independent sellers, up to global organizations.

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1. Fynd OMS

The Fynd OMS is a solution that can manage numerous sales channels with order, inventory, and fulfillment due to its cloud-based solution. The Fynd OMS enables retailers to integrate their business and handle the orders of various online stores, their own branding site, and their brick-and-mortar outlet in the same system.

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Strengths: Good marketplace integrations (Amazon, Flipkart, Myntra, etc.), syncing different stocks in real-time, automatic order routing, simple dashboard, and in-built analytics feature that allows you to track performance.

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Best for: Retailers and D2C brands with multiple marketplaces and channels (particularly in India) who require an easy-to-use, easy-to-scale, and easy-to-use OMS.

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2. Zoho inventory

Zoho Inventory is a tool that serves both as an order system and an inventory management system. This tool is well-suited for small and medium businesses willing to invest in an order management system at a lower cost.

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Strengths: Invoicing, for multiple channel integration (Amazon, eBay, Shopify, Etsy), warehouse management, and mobile app access.

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Best for: Small businesses and start-ups that are looking for a scalable order management system without a large investment.

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3. NetSuite 

NetSuite is a web-based application that is a cloud computing platform with built-in ERP capabilities and a complete order management system. It is also one of the most commonly used grade solutions in the world.

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Strengths: In-built intensive ERP, workflow modification, brilliant reporting, and global compliance.

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Best for: Multi-region complex supply chain organizations.

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4. Brightpearl

Brightpearl emphasizes the retail and wholesale sector, with robust automation capabilities and multi-channel order management. 

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Strengths:  It has strong retail focus features, automated accounting capabilities, POS integrations, and advanced predictions. 

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Best for: Retailers looking for a single platform to manage their sales offline and online.

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5. Salesforce Commerce Cloud

Salesforce Commerce Cloud is another product that is part of the broader Salesforce ecosystem and is most appropriate to use with businesses that already utilize Salesforce CRM.

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Strengths: Built-in CRM and OMS, high levels of personalization based on AI, and high levels of multi-channel capabilities.

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Best for: Mid-sized through large companies requiring a customer and personalization base.

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6. Kibo

Kibo Commerce provides a modular OMS that enables unified order fulfillment across e-commerce, in-store, and B2B channels.

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Strengths: Unified commerce approach, flexible architecture, and personalization capabilities.

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Best for: Businesses that want both scalability and flexibility in managing multiple sales channels.

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7. IBM Sterling Order Management

IBM Sterling is a notable enterprise OMS solution, particularly adept at complex fulfillment operations at scale. 

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Strength: Allows for omnichannel fulfillment, AI-optimized order routing, and overall support for the global supply chain.

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Best for: Enterprises with volume in global restrictors.

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8. Manhattan associates OMS

Manhattan Associates is a provider of supply chain and logistics technology; their OMS is a leader in the enterprise retail space.

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Strengths: Modern warehouse integration, visibility into inventory in real-time, and strong BOPIS (buy online and pick up in-store) capability.

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Best for: Large retailers with numerous physical locations.

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9. Fluent commerce

Fluent Commerce is a cloud-based Order Management System with an emphasis on flexibility and speed.

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Strengths: Highly configurable workflows, API-first architecture, and real-time stock updates. 

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Best for: Businesses looking for speedy deployments and seamless integrations into existing systems.

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10. Katana

Katana is an order and inventory management tool that is built specifically for manufacturers and product-based businesses.

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Strengths: Production scheduling, shop floor control, and inventory optimization.

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Best for: SMEs in manufacturing and other D2C businesses making their own products.

11. Linnworks

Linnworks is frequently chosen by e-commerce sellers who need a solution for the centralization and management of multiple sales channels. 

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Strengths: Integrations with marketplaces (Amazon, eBay, Walmart), automation, and the inclusion of data. 

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Best for: Medium-sized e-commerce businesses that have multi-channel sales.

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12. Cin7

Cin7 is a B2B eCommerce, warehouse management, and POS integrated cloud inventory and order management software platform. It is a perfect answer to the growing businesses that need a full-fledged inventory and order management system to handle products, orders, and inventory between the various sales channels. 

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Strengths: Good inventory management features, embedded POS, native connections with popular eCommerce shops such as Shopify, WooCommerce, Amazon, and eBay, plus support of wholesale/B2B processes. 

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Best for: The mid-sized retailers, wholesalers, and product-based businesses that need very good inventory features and multichannel order management.

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13. Odoo

Odoo is an open-source ERP system with OMS capabilities and can be adjusted for specific business demands. 

Strengths: Flexibility, low cost, and an open-source module for sales, inventory, and logistics. 

Best for: SMEs who need customizable, affordable OMS solutions. 

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14. Finale inventory.  

Finale Inventory is a lightweight OMS built for expanding e-commerce companies and warehouses. 

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Strengths: Barcode scanning, stock audits, multi-warehouse support, and real-time updates. 

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Best for: Businesses that are scaling fulfillment and do not want to invest in costly enterprise software. 

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15. Shopify OMS  

Shopify OMS is built on the functionality of the Shopify ecosystem, making it a natural fit for businesses operating Shopify stores. 

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Strengths: Installs easily to Shopify apps, stocks in real-time updates, and offers omnichannel fulfillment. 

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Best for: Small to medium e-commerce businesses selling directly through Shopify.

Common use cases of OMS software

Order management systems are not only useful for tracking orders, but they also provide businesses with the opportunity to operate smarter, quicker, and more efficiently. Below are some of the more common and practical use cases:

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1. Avoiding overselling and stockouts

One of the biggest risks to a multi-channel retailer is overselling. OMS platforms sync inventory across all channels in real time, so the seller cannot display items that are sold out. This decreases cancellations, helps to build trust, and keeps the customer satisfied.

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2. Ship-from-store fulfillment

Instead of fulfilling every order from a central warehouse, OMS software allows a business to ship orders directly from a retail store. This reduces shipping times, decreases shipping costs, and allows for greater movement of in-store inventory.

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3. Buy online, pick up in-store (BOPIS)

An OMS is critical to BOPIS, and fulfillment is the orchestration of online ordering to stores. Consumers appreciate the convenience of shopping online while also enjoying the immediacy of purchasing from a store. It provides retailers with more foot traffic into their location with higher rates of conversion.

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4.  Direct-to-consumer delivery

Brands that sell directly to consumers can use an OMS to eliminate distributors for faster fulfillment. With an OMS, orders placed on the brand's website, app, or marketplace are sent to the most convenient fulfillment location. 

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5.  Automated returns and refunds

Returns can be time-consuming and expensive. An OMS simplifies reverse logistics by providing automated approvals for returns, restocking of inventory, and issuing refunds or exchanges. This will help businesses reduce return processing time while ensuring customer satisfaction.

Key features of OMS software

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A contemporary order management solution encompasses more than simply processing orders; it endows businesses with instruments to manage the entire order lifecycle, starting from the point of purchase through to the moment of delivery. Below are the primary features included in leading OMS solutions:

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1. Centralized order dashboard

An OMS unifies all distribution channels into one dashboard. Therefore, all orders are accessible in one place regardless of whether the order was placed via the website, a marketplace, or at a physical location - it all gets streamlined. Less risk of errors because the team gets full visibility. 

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2. Real-time visibility of inventory.

Inventory sync is probably the most important feature of OMS. When you sell in a store, it automatically updates inventory levels at warehouses, stores, and online - keeping you from overselling and providing accurate inventory availability in each channel you're in.

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3. Refunds and returns management

In retail, returns are inevitable. An OMS automates the return request, initiates a refund, and automatically updates stock levels, thus saving manual work and improving the customer-facing experience.

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4. Multichannel fulfillment support

An OMS can assign orders to the optimal fulfillment center based on closeness, availability, or expense. This is especially beneficial for companies that sell on multiple marketplaces (e.g., Amazon, eBay, Shopify). 

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5. Backorders and preorders management 

With some systems, companies can accept preorders and backorders while managing customer expectations through timelines, ensuring that companies are still able to make a sale opportunity, even when they are low on stock. 

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6. Integrations for ERP, CRM, and shipping 

One of the things that makes an OMS powerful is its ability to seamlessly integrate with other systems, including accounting systems (like QuickBooks), ERP systems (like NetSuite), CRM systems (like Salesforce), and shipping carriers (like FedEx, UPS, DHL). There is a reduction in silos and improved efficiencies. 

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7. Automation and reporting 

Automating and reporting eliminates unnecessary effort and simplifies tasks, including invoicing and updating shipping processes.  Reporting dashboards offer visibility into sales, fulfillment speed, and customer actions, each of which is valuable in a data driven decision-making process.

Benefits of using an OMS

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Installing an order management system changes the way an organization processes orders and fulfills orders. Below are the benefits:

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1. Improved inventory visibility

With real-time stock visibility across all channels, organizations can avoid overselling products, minimize stockouts, and strategically manage replenishment. This provides customers with accurate stock information.

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2. Reduced manual errors

Because many entries are by hand, processing orders includes mistakes such as double entries, incorrect shipping, or inventory errors. Most third-party OMS suppliers provide some level of automation to avoid these mistakes and save time and money.

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3. Improved order routing

OMS solutions can intelligently route orders to the most appropriate warehouse, store, or distribution center based on zip code, stock, cost, or a combination of the three. Reducing delivery time and cost.

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4. Increased automation

From order confirmation emails to alerts about shipping and delivery, an OMS tool automates various repetitive procedures. This frees up staff to focus on more valuable pursuits, such as customer engagement and growth initiatives.

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5. Rapid fulfillment and delivery

By streamlining workflows and integrating systems, OMS decreases delays in order processing and shipping. Consequently, more rapid fulfillment will lead to increased customer satisfaction.

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6. Better customer experience

An OMS keeps customers informed at all points, from order confirmation email through shipping and delivery. Serving customers in real-time helps build trust and transparency and leads to stronger loyalty.

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7. Operational cost savings

By reducing errors, streamlining efficiency, and lowering fulfillment costs, businesses can achieve major savings over time. In addition, an OMS helps businesses grow their operation without significant increases in overhead.

Special considerations when choosing an OMS

Though an Order Management System offers significant benefits, choosing the right one is a matter of careful consideration. Below are the main items that corporations should consider: 

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1. Integration with enterprise systems

Most companies depend on some form of ERP, CRM, accounting, and inventory or warehouse management systems to track their tools. The OMS needs to integrate with enterprise systems; otherwise, companies will have disconnected tools used solely by whatever department is responsible, while risking the accuracy of data.

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2. Scalability and customization

When corporations begin expanding to additional regions or sales channels, the OMS must be adaptable to higher order volume and workflows. Flexibility and customization are essential aspects of the OMS, as it must meet the business's needs as they are looking to scale operations. 

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3. Data security and compliance

OMS platforms not only manage sensitive or personal information, but they also manage payment data and other user-related information. Therefore, security functions and compliance should be a major priority for platforms, especially when passing any compliance such as GDPR and PCI DSS.

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4. Cost of implementation

The costs of an OMS will extend beyond just the subscription or licensing fee. Implementation includes a multitude of costs associated with the setup, configuration, integration with existing systems, and even training. Understanding the full cost of ownership and/or benefit before any commitment is necessary. 

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5. Vendor support and training

Even the best OMS in the world will not be successful without the onboarding process. Firms should establish what type of customer support and ongoing training the vendor will provide. 

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Less experienced users would want a basic understanding of the system, while advanced users may want training on new features and any system updates. Everything is working together for a return on investment with proper onboarding of the OMS.

How to choose the right OMS

Considering the number of options available for OMS, deciding on the right one can be overwhelming. Taking a systematic approach can make sure you choose software that meets your needs today while still accommodating future growth.

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1. Identify business requirements

Begin by mapping out your unique order management issues. Do you oversell, do you manage orders from more than one channel, or do your returns require complex management? The OMS should target your specific needs.

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2. Assess must-have features 

Not every feature is a "must-have." Take priority selection around major functions like inventory syncing, shipping automation, and analysis function before assessing any other feature, like advanced AI predictive forecasting.

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3. Research public perception of vendor reliability

Reliability of each vendor's history, customer reviews, reliability in the industry, etc, is more significant than 'cool' features.

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4. Check integration capabilities

A smooth experience moving existing tools into your OMS without complication enhances your experience with the extension of various tools offered through the OMS. Integrating your OMS with your e-commerce platform, CRM, ERP, or shipping provider needs to be transparent. You may lose some or all of the time savings in your OMS experience with an incomplete integration.

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5. Recognize the future opportunity for scalability

You have a manageable amount of order volume today, maybe more orders are coming your way, and the potential for your business to grow. You need to evaluate the OMS for what it can do in the future for your growth in sales channels, additional geographies, and more complexity in orders.

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6. Experience usability through either a demo or a pilot

The best way to experience usability is through a demo or pilot. You could use a well-designed demo or pilot as part of the decision process. A fast onboarding will improve adoption quickly.

How to calculate the ROI of an OMS

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Investing in an Order Management System (OMS) can be a significant choice; therefore, businesses must think through the return on investment (ROI). The value an OMS adds goes beyond the benefits of automation - it directly impacts revenue, costs, and customer satisfaction.

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1. Cost savings

An OMS will ultimately help with reconciliation and expense, minimize manual errors, duplicate data entry expenses, and reduce the likelihood of overselling or stockouts. These cost savings become important when thinking about lost sales and wasted operational labor.

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2. Revenue growth

Faster fulfillment and accurate inventory visibility are catalysts for enhanced customer experiences that drive and convert sales. Better order accuracy can ultimately improve customer retention rates.

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3. Efficiency gains

All parts of the organization can run smoothly. With automation taking away repetitive tasks like invoicing or printing labels, employees can focus on higher-value tasks and run more productive and cheaper labor.

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4. Implementation costs

All software subscriptions or licensing should be factored in with any setup, integration, and training costs. Making a realistic comparison of your costs versus long-term value should also give a realistic look at projections for ROI.

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5. Key metric measurement

Before and after the adoption of the new OMS, you should measure key performance indicators (PI's) like order accuracy rate, fulfillment time, customer satisfaction rate, and returns rate - these metrics show your improvements, or the true ROI from your OMS.  Essentially, the ROI is not just cost savings, but revenue growth and customer loyalty over time.

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Order Management Systems have become a crucial component of e-commerce and retail operations. Order capture from multiple channels, inventory management, fulfillment, and returns, an OMS makes everything work efficiently and correctly at every stage. An OMS not only helps to reduce costly mistakes, like overselling, but it also provides a better customer experience with possible faster shipping, real-time order status updates, and easier returns.

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With a number of different types of options when it comes to OMSs, from light-weight stand-alone to enterprise-level, retailers can choose an OMS that can scale to the desired growth. After considering features, integrations, and ROI, and as long as retailers are informed shoppers, they should be comfortable with their choice in their OMS that can assist their long-term success. In the end, an OMS is more than a back-office utility; more so, it is a growth utility in a rapidly evolving marketplace.