How to Choose the Best Order Management System for Ecommerce Business

Sally James
3 min readJan 11, 2021

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Integrating e-commerce platforms in your business is a great way to expand the customer base and capture more sales. Whether using a multi-channel approach or Omni-channel, the success in the e-commerce business depends on efficaciously handling orders and fulfill them on time. An e-commerce software tool makes it easier to do that.

E-commerce software is a tool that automates and streamlines order processing by synchronizing inventory, storing vendor information, customer details, managing returns, keep a record of invoices, payments, and other transaction records. It is the central part of the entire order fulfillment process. It empowers e-commerce retailers to make the order fulfillment cycle quick and smooth and manage the business effectively.

Types of e-commerce software

There are two main types of e-commerce order management software:

On-premises: This e-commerce order management software is installed on the company’s server and managed on-site. This software needs a license for software maintenance and charges for annual updates.

SaaS: This software is hosted on cloud servers, Instead of buying a license for the software, you pay a subscription fee to use it. All updates, fixes, and new releases are done automatically. SaaS-based e-commerce software is attractive to businesses as it tends to be cheaper upfront and less time consuming to set up and maintain.

Steps to choose Best Order Management Software

1. Define Your Requirements

Each business has different functional requirements. In order to pick the right “match” keep in mind these requirements. It is a good idea to prioritize these requirements and divide them by each subsystem. Consider unique requirements, specific data elements your business operates on, Reports formats and dashboard screens, and data integrations with other systems. All these requirements give you a clear idea about the system you should be investing in.

2. Determine data Elements and volume

To be super clear on your system requirements and its workflow determine data elements and volume of the data so that you can look for system constraints such as storage, compatibility, and scalability. This will help you to convey to the vendors the in-depth details of your requirements.

  • Order volume
  • Number of SKUs
  • Timeline for implementing the software
  • Employee Training on the system
  • Budget
  • Channels you’re selling on or planning to sell on

3. Shortlist Vendors

After finalizing all these requirements it’s time to start looking for Business software solution vendors. Make a shortlist of four to six vendors that are providing the services you are looking for. If they are the ones visit their website, evaluate price plans, book demos, and take free trials.

Some vendors also offer highly customizable solutions so don’t worry about communicating with them and let them know. Just keep searching for the best option until you are fully satisfied.

If you are looking for highly customizable Order Management software, go here.

4. Final Evaluation

Score your vendors after completing your research. Take into account the top 2 solutions. The final selection should be based on the entirety of the business relationship you’re getting into. Clear your doubts by consulting an expert or someone in your circle already using any of the two software. The point is, you need to look at the whole picture and make the final judgment.

Concluding

The best order management software should be a tool that completely streamlines your order processing. It should make it easier to scale to the multi-channel order management. It should synchronize your sales and inventory across all channels. It should also be flexible to integrate other modules such as accounting, customer management, marketing, and shipping.

Order management software is an ideal solution for all the e-commerce retailers out there that are dealing with various storefronts.

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