Order fulfillment is one of the top software programs needed by companies to manage their sales. An order fulfillment software program automates key functions for a business including warehouse management and inventory tracking.
\r\nThere are several types of software programs for order fulfillment. Providers may offer general software programs with functions that could be used universally. Specialized product providers may want to choose order fulfillment software geared toward their industry. As an example, Razor ERP has an order fulfillment software program specifically for auto parts providers.
\r\nOrder fulfillment software automates the time-consuming tasks of warehouse and inventory management, order picking and processing, and shipping and tracking. People make mistakes, and while no software is perfect, it is generally more accurate than manual processes.
\r\nThis isn't a \"nice-to-have\" option and the effectiveness of your order processing system can literally make or break your business.
\r\nYour order fulfillment software should offer systems that easily integrate with your existing information technology (IT) infrastructure to provide seamless and secure, easy-to-access, detailed, real-time, on-demand reporting on where and how orders are processed throughout the supply chain.
\r\nThe main benefit of order fulfillment software is to improve your customer service. Properly managing your company stores and warehouses allow your customers to get what they need in a timely fashion. Since order fulfillment software tracks customer purchases and accounts, your customer service agents are better equipped to field calls.
\r\nAnother benefit of order fulfillment software is that processing can be done anywhere. If you have previously only served a regional market, the software gives you the opportunity to expand to new markets. Customers can place orders online with processing and shipping functions automated.
\r\nKeeping all data in a centralized location is another benefit of an order fulfillment software program. All personnel will be able to access the data they need to handle inventory and warehouse duties. Sharing information in a digital format reduces the chance of error when processing new orders.
\r\nAccording to SkuNexus, companies need to confirm that the order fulfillment software provides automation. Automation streamlines order fulfillment processes without the need for manual interventions. Automation saves a company money and time while reducing human error.
\r\nLastly, order fulfillment software is surprisingly low-cost. Since you won't need to spend the time manually tracking orders and inventory, overhead costs are drastically cut for your organization. You can free up employees for other tasks without worrying about them manually keeping track of processed orders.
\r\nEvery vendor has its own twist about why its software is better than anyone else's. You want to be able to:
\r\nHere are five of the top order fulfillment software packages and some key features:
\r\nThis list is by no means exhaustive. There is no one-size-fits-all package (although vendors typically offer customization to varying degrees). Your individual needs will largely dictate which order fulfillment software is best for you.
\r\nIt almost goes without saying that price is a big consideration. Another is your existing IT infrastructure –you want something that is going to integrate seamlessly with your existing systems. Another thing to think about is modularity – i.e., how easily you can add capabilities as your business expands.
\n","docType":"article","guid":"articles_642f0c34bfbe08c2285a3fd73847bd6b","lastModified":"2020-03-30T13:09:00.000Z","published":"2014-07-10T12:00:00.000Z","structuredData":null,"subtitle":"If you ship to consumers, you'll need a good order fulfillment software package so you can track orders and inventory.","template":"v1","title":"5 Order Fulfillment Software Packages to Help You Avoid Shipping Mistakes","type":"article","author":{"avatar":null,"bio":"The purpose of our community is to connect small business owners with experienced industry experts who can address their questions, offer direction, and share best practices.","name":"business.com editorial staff","image":null,"slug":null,"social":{"facebook":"","linkedin":"https://www.linkedin.com/company/business-com-/","twitter":"https://twitter.com/businessdotcom","website":"https://www.business.com/"},"status":"enabled","title":null,"type":"Old BDC Member","user":{"imagePath":"https://staging.business.com/images/uploads/user/profile/b14a2c1fa0158a2f46854597139a2067ee8ef.jpg","profile":{"company":"","jobTitle":"","website":"https://www.business.com/"}}},"breadcrumbs":null,"channels":{"primary":{"name":"Technology","slug":"technology"},"sub":{"name":"Technology Solutions","slug":"technology-solutions"}},"meta":{"robots":"index, follow","description":"If you ship to consumers, you'll need good order fulfillment software. Here are five of the top order fulfillment software packages for small businesses.","title":"Top Order Fulfillment Software for Small Businesses - business.com"},"parsedContent":{"toc":[{"id":"what-is-order-fulfillment-software","title":"What is order fulfillment software?"},{"id":"what-are-the-benefits-of-order-fulfillment-software","title":"What are the benefits of order fulfillment software?"},{"id":"order-fulfillment-software-capabilities","title":"Order fulfillment software capabilities"},{"id":"popular-order-fulfillment-software-apps","title":"Popular order fulfillment software apps"}],"json":[{"component":"ul","children":[{"component":"li","children":["Review the features of each order fulfillment software program before purchasing."]},{"component":"li","children":["Confirm that the price fits in with your budget and it includes the function you need to eliminate manual tasks."]},{"component":"li","children":["Automation, improved customer service, and reduced human error are just a few of the benefits a company experiences by implementing order fulfillment software programs."]}]},{"component":"QtWidget","props":{"bdcQtWidget":"","qtPubId":"1000","qtOfferGroupId":"149"}},{"component":"script","children":["window.bdcQtWidget.init();"]},{"component":"h2","props":{"id":"what-is-order-fulfillment-software"},"children":["What is order fulfillment software?"]},{"component":"p","children":["Order fulfillment is one of the top software programs needed by companies to manage their sales. An order fulfillment software program automates key functions for a business including warehouse management and inventory tracking."]},{"component":"p","children":["There are several types of software programs for order fulfillment. Providers may offer general software programs with functions that could be used universally. Specialized product providers may want to choose order fulfillment software geared toward their industry. As an example, ",{"component":"a","props":{"href":"https://www.razorerp.com/auto-parts-inventory-management-software/","target":"_blank","rel":"noopener nofollow"},"children":["Razor ERP"]}," has an order fulfillment software program specifically for auto parts providers."]},{"component":"p","children":[{"component":"Link","props":{"href":"https://www.business.com/order-fulfillment/"},"children":["Order fulfillment"]}," software automates the time-consuming tasks of warehouse and inventory management, order picking and processing, and shipping and tracking. People make mistakes, and while no software is perfect, it is generally more accurate than manual processes."]},{"component":"p","children":["This isn't a \"nice-to-have\" option and the effectiveness of your order processing system can literally make or break your business."]},{"component":"p","children":["Your order fulfillment software should offer systems that easily integrate with your existing information technology (IT) infrastructure to provide seamless and secure, easy-to-access, detailed, real-time, on-demand reporting on where and how orders are processed throughout the supply chain."]},{"component":"h2","props":{"id":"what-are-the-benefits-of-order-fulfillment-software"},"children":["What are the benefits of order fulfillment software?"]},{"component":"p","children":["The main benefit of order fulfillment software is to improve your customer service. Properly managing your company stores and warehouses allow your customers to get what they need in a timely fashion. Since order fulfillment software tracks customer purchases and accounts, your customer service agents are better equipped to field calls."]},{"component":"p","children":["Another benefit of order fulfillment software is that processing can be done anywhere. If you have previously only served a regional market, the software gives you the opportunity to expand to new markets. Customers can place orders online with processing and shipping functions automated."]},{"component":"p","children":["Keeping all data in a centralized location is another benefit of an order fulfillment software program. All personnel will be able to access the data they need to handle inventory and warehouse duties. Sharing information in a digital format reduces the chance of error when processing new orders."]},{"component":"p","children":["According to ",{"component":"a","props":{"href":"https://www.skunexus.com/blog/order-fulfillment-software-core-features","target":"_blank","rel":"noopener nofollow"},"children":["SkuNexus"]},", companies need to confirm that the order fulfillment software provides automation. Automation streamlines order fulfillment processes without the need for manual interventions. Automation saves a company money and time while reducing human error."]},{"component":"p","children":["Lastly, order fulfillment software is surprisingly low-cost. Since you won't need to spend the time manually tracking orders and inventory, overhead costs are drastically cut for your organization. You can free up employees for other tasks without worrying about them manually keeping track of processed orders."]},{"component":"h2","props":{"id":"order-fulfillment-software-capabilities"},"children":["Order fulfillment software capabilities"]},{"component":"p","children":["Every vendor has its own twist about why its software is better than anyone else's. You want to be able to:"]},{"component":"ul","children":[{"component":"li","children":["Create new orders"]},{"component":"li","children":["View, search, and edit existing orders"]},{"component":"li","children":["View inventory"]},{"component":"li","children":["Forecast inventory levels"]},{"component":"li","children":["Receive inventory alerts (e.g., low stock levels, out-of-stock notifications)"]},{"component":"li","children":["Check and verify returns"]},{"component":"li","children":["Integrate with your Web-based shopping cart or other customer ordering system"]},{"component":"li","children":["Manually enter orders as needed"]},{"component":"li","children":["View invoices"]},{"component":"li","children":["Run reports"]},{"component":"li","children":["Receive email alerts on order status"]}]},{"component":"h2","props":{"id":"popular-order-fulfillment-software-apps"},"children":["Popular order fulfillment software apps"]},{"component":"p","children":["Here are five of the top order fulfillment software packages and some key features:"]},{"component":"h3","children":[{"component":"strong","children":["1. ",{"component":"a","props":{"href":"http://www.bizautomation.com","target":"_blank","rel":"noopener nofollow"},"children":[{"component":"strong","children":["BizAutomation"]}]}]},{"component":"strong"}]},{"component":"ul","children":[{"component":"li","children":["Cloud-based"]},{"component":"li","children":["Real-time order entry/fulfillment"]},{"component":"li","children":["Google apps integration"]},{"component":"li","children":["Customer relationship management (CRM) system"]}]},{"component":"h3","children":[{"component":"strong","children":["2. ",{"component":"a","props":{"href":"http://www.fishbowlinventory.com","target":"_blank","rel":"noopener nofollow"},"children":[{"component":"strong","children":["Fishbowl Inventory"]}]}]},{"component":"strong"}]},{"component":"ul","children":[{"component":"li","children":["Integrates with QuickBooks platform"]},{"component":"li","children":["Wireless barcoding system for warehouse inventory"]},{"component":"li","children":["UPS/FedEx integration"]},{"component":"li","children":["Credit card and shopping cart integration"]},{"component":"li","children":["Free trial"]}]},{"component":"h3","children":[{"component":"strong","children":[" 3. ",{"component":"a","props":{"href":"http://www.morsedata.com/order_mgmt.aspx","target":"_blank","rel":"noopener nofollow"},"children":[{"component":"strong","children":["InOrder"]}]}]},{"component":"strong"}]},{"component":"ul","children":[{"component":"li","children":["Real-time updates"]},{"component":"li","children":["Modular, easily customizable"]},{"component":"li","children":["Customer loyalty program"]},{"component":"li","children":["Digital distribution"]}]},{"component":"h3","children":[{"component":"strong","children":["4. ",{"component":"a","props":{"href":"https://lettuceapps.com","target":"_blank","rel":"noopener nofollow"},"children":[{"component":"strong","children":["Lettuce"]}]}]},{"component":"strong"}]},{"component":"ul","children":[{"component":"li","children":["QuickBooks integration"]},{"component":"li","children":["Web-based"]},{"component":"li","children":["Real-time order entry/management"]},{"component":"li","children":["Back-order management"]},{"component":"li","children":["Free trial"]}]},{"component":"h3","children":[{"component":"strong","children":["5. ",{"component":"a","props":{"href":"http://www.megaventory.com","target":"_blank","rel":"noopener nofollow"},"children":[{"component":"strong","children":["Megaventory"]}]}]},{"component":"strong"}]},{"component":"ul","children":[{"component":"li","children":["Cloud-based"]},{"component":"li","children":["Up to 10 users/inventory locations"]},{"component":"li","children":["CRM system"]},{"component":"li","children":["Free trial"]}]},{"component":"p","children":["This list is by no means exhaustive. There is no one-size-fits-all package (although vendors typically offer customization to varying degrees). Your individual needs will largely dictate which order fulfillment software is best for you."]},{"component":"p","children":["It almost goes without saying that price is a big consideration. Another is your existing IT infrastructure –you want something that is going to integrate seamlessly with your existing systems. Another thing to think about is modularity – i.e., how easily you can add capabilities as your business expands."]}]},"resource":null,"sponsorship":{"sponsorType":"no-sponsor","name":null,"thumbnail":null,"bio":null,"slug":null,"status":null,"social":{"website":null,"linkedin":null,"twitter":null,"facebook":null}},"thumbnail":{"path":"https://staging.business.com/images/content/5e8/1effa5a215edf748b4575/1500-0-","caption":"Yozayo / Getty Images","isBlurred":false},"bestPicks":null},"related":{"relatedArticles":[{"title":"5 Order Fulfillment Software Packages to Help You Avoid Shipping Mistakes","canonical":"https://www.business.com/articles/5-order-fulfillment-software-packages-help-avoid-shipping-mistakes/","slug":"5-order-fulfillment-software-packages-help-avoid-shipping-mistakes","thumbnail":"https://www.business.com/images/content/5e8/1effa5a215edf748b4575/1500-0-","dek":"If you ship to consumers, you'll need a good order fulfillment software package so you can track orders and inventory.","lastModified":"2020-03-30T13:09:00Z","published":"2014-07-10T12:00:00Z","sponsored":false},{"title":"Top Tips for Order Fulfillment","canonical":"https://staging.business.com/articles/top-tips-for-order-fulfillment/","slug":"top-tips-for-order-fulfillment","thumbnail":"https://staging.business.com/images/content/53b/31e40cb786bad12bda782/1500-0-","dek":"Review these top tips for order fulfillment when looking into options for your business","lastModified":"2014-06-25T21:30:00Z","published":"2014-06-25T21:30:00Z","sponsored":null},{"title":"SBA Loan Default: A Complete Guide for 2020 and Beyond","canonical":"https://www.business.com/articles/sba-loan-default-guide/","slug":"sba-loan-default-guide","thumbnail":"https://www.business.com/images/content/5dc/047af7b437483068b4572/1500-0-","dek":"Here's comprehensive guide to all your questions about SBA loan default, forgiveness and the SBA Offer In Compromise.","lastModified":"2019-11-04T15:00:00Z","published":"2019-11-04T15:00:00Z","sponsored":false},{"title":"Steps in Order Fulfillment","canonical":"https://www.business.com/articles/steps-in-order-fulfillment/","slug":"steps-in-order-fulfillment","thumbnail":"https://www.business.com/images/content/5e6/fdd199c658a9e5d8b457d/1500-0-","dek":"Gain a complete understanding of the several steps involved in order fulfillment.","lastModified":"2020-03-16T18:43:00Z","published":"2014-06-25T21:11:00Z","sponsored":false},{"title":"Subscription Fulfillment: A New Model for Office Supplies","canonical":"https://staging.business.com/articles/a-new-model-for-office-supplies/","slug":"a-new-model-for-office-supplies","thumbnail":"https://staging.business.com/images/content/543/ffd01cc786b6e858b4571/1500-0-","dek":"A look at subscription services and discounts, how they benefit the consumer and the retailer, and subscription programs available.","lastModified":"2014-10-20T16:00:00Z","published":"2014-10-20T16:00:00Z","sponsored":null},{"title":"Benefits of Using an Order Fulfillment Service","canonical":"https://www.business.com/articles/benefits-of-using-an-order-fulfillment-service/","slug":"benefits-of-using-an-order-fulfillment-service","thumbnail":"https://www.business.com/images/channel/business-basics.jpg","dek":"Understand how outsourcing order fulfillment service for your business can come as an advantage","lastModified":"2014-06-25T21:23:00Z","published":"2014-06-25T21:23:00Z","sponsored":false},{"title":"The Roadmap to Start a Membership Site From Scratch","canonical":"https://www.business.com/articles/starting-a-membership-site/","slug":"starting-a-membership-site","thumbnail":"https://www.business.com/images/content/5d8/96af85a215e42018b4588/1500-0-","dek":"Do you want to create an informative, engaging subscription site with a loyal member base? 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