SCM software is no longer a luxury reserved for only the best companies in the supply chain. Any company with good supply chain management expectations needs SCM software in order to help them achieve their goals. But how does one determine the best supply chain tracking software that will suit their needs?
In this article, we’ll discuss SCM solutions from several different providers and evaluate the pros and cons so you can determine the best option for your business. Of course, if you’re already looking for a reliable supply chain software development company Inventorsoft could be your answer.
What Does Supply Chain Management Software Do?
Supply chain management software refers to a category of computer programs or applications designed to manage and optimize aspects of the supply chain process. That means they contribute in some way to the flow of goods, information, and finances, from attaining raw materials to the delivery of the final product.
Organizations mainly use supply chain software to enhance operational efficiency, reduce costs, improve customer service, and optimize inventory levels. Of course, every company working in the supply chain will require different things from their SCM solution. That said, there are some general features one should expect to find in most SCM software suites.
- Inventory Management – These functions focus on optimizing inventory levels, reducing stockouts and excess inventory, and improving inventory accuracy.
- Order Management – These features focus on managing customer orders, tracking order status, facilitating order processing and fulfillment, and ensuring on-time delivery.
- Logistics and Transportation – The logistics side of an SCM is all about optimizing transportation routes, managing carrier relationships, tracking shipments, and ensuring the efficient movement of goods.
- Supplier Relationship Management – Many SCM solutions provide ways for managers to collaborate with suppliers, manage contracts, and monitor the performance of various supply chain participants.
- Warehouse Management – As the name implies, these features focus on optimizing warehouse operations, managing inventory flows, and facilitating picking, packing, and shipping processes.
What is the Best Supply Chain Management Software?
Properly evaluating SCM software involves considering several key factors to ensure the chosen solution aligns with your needs and goals. Before you can identify the company with the best supply chain management option for you, you need to define your requirements.
For starters, you’ll want to make a list of desired features and functions your organization can’t live without. Next, you need to consider how well the new system might integrate with your existing software. Of course, you’ll want to consider how well the SCM can scale with your growing business as well as the provider’s customer service reputation.
Below, you’ll find a list of companies with the best supply chain solutions on the market and some pros and cons of adopting each one.
FreightPOP
FreightPOP bills itself as an SCM “by shippers, for shippers.” It features more than 300 integrations and a wide array of beneficial features. It also has a very user-friendly interface, which can drastically cut down on training time.
Pros
- Comprehensive transportation management capabilities
- 300+ integrations with major carriers and freight marketplaces
- User-friendly interface and intuitive workflows
- Real-time shipment visibility
Cons
- Limited functionality beyond transportation management
- Some users report occasional issues with system stability and performance.
- Customer support response time can vary.
- No automated address validation
Logiwa WMS
Logiwa WMS is supply chain management software largely intended for use by e-commerce businesses. It boasts connectivity with some 200 third-party tools, offers real-time inventory and shipment visibility, and allows users to automate on their own terms.
Pros
- Robust warehouse management capabilities (inventory control, fulfillment, warehouse optimization, etc.)
- Scalable for small and large businesses
- Real-time visibility into inventory levels, shipments, and order statuses
- Easy integration with most e-commerce platforms and marketplaces
Cons
- Primarily focused on warehouse management
- Some feel the user interface is too complex
- Price transparency: some additional features may require extra costs
Shippabo
Shippabo bills itself as an “all in one” SCM solution for businesses of all types and sizes. To that point, it does offer a nice selection of features, including warehouse and freight-related functions. It integrates well with most major carriers and allows for real-time shipment tracking. The UI has also been hailed as quite intuitive.
Pros
- Comprehensive ocean freight management features (booking, tracking, analytics, etc.)
- Real-time freight tracking (including air)
- Automated quote generation.
- Easily integrates with major carriers (particularly Amazon).
- Allows users to manage multiple carriers on a single platform.
Cons
- Primarily focused on ocean freight management
- Some users have reported issues with data accuracy
- Pricing is not as transparent as some would like
- Lacks a client-facing API
Magaya Supply Chain
Magaya Supply Chain has built a reputation based on easy automation. It integrates well with most other software suites and offers several solutions to digitize your supply chain effectively. That said, the platform has been the subject of frequent customer service complaints.
Pros
- Includes features for warehouse management, transportation management, and trade compliance
- Bundles well with other software to create a comprehensive solution
- Digitizes your supply chain with automation features
Cons
- Some users have reported a complex implementation process
- The user interface requires lots of updates
- Numerous customer service complaints
E2open
E2open was designed to be a “multi-enterprise business network.” For that reason, it contains many premium applications to help users optimize their supply chain. Among the most notable are the real-time data and analytics functions, cost management, and eInvoicing. But despite comprehensive functionality, E2Open is highly criticized for being too “techy.”
Pros
- Comprehensive SCM with demand planning, inventory management, order fulfillment, logistics, and more
- Robust collaboration capabilities for communicating with suppliers, customers, and partners
- Real-time visibility into supply chain data and advanced analytics for proactive decision-making
- Scalable solutions for versatile application
Cons
- Some companies find implementation can be complex and time-consuming
- Some users find the interface difficult
- May be cost-prohibitive for small and mid-sized businesses
Final Words
In conclusion, the necessity of Supply Chain Management (SCM) software is no longer debatable in the current business landscape. Effective SCM software aids companies in streamlining their supply chain operations, improving customer service, and optimizing inventory levels.
Choosing the right SCM software requires a detailed assessment of the company’s needs, existing software, scalability, and the software provider’s customer service reputation.
However, the selection of SCM software should align with the company’s unique requirements, strategic goals, and budgetary constraints. The perfect SCM software will help in achieving operational efficiency, reducing costs, and creating a competitive edge in the dynamic market environment.
About the Author
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Intellect Technologies says
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Elaina M says
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