Last Reviewed: November 13th, 2024

Best Inventory Management Software Of 2024

What is Inventory Management Software?

Inventory Management Software (IMS) is a digital brain for your stock, streamlining the often-chaotic world of managing goods. Its core purpose? To keep the right items, in the right quantities, at the right place, at the right time. This translates to solving problems like stockouts, overstocking, and inefficient order fulfillment. The benefits are clear: reduced costs, improved customer satisfaction, and boosted operational efficiency. Key functionalities include real-time stock tracking, purchase order automation, and multi-channel sales integration. Emerging features like AI-powered demand forecasting and warehouse robotics further optimize inventory control. While retailers and wholesalers benefit most, any business holding physical goods can leverage IMS. However, limitations like upfront costs and complex integrations can arise. Ultimately, IMS offers a powerful solution for optimizing inventory, driving profitability, and freeing up resources for what truly matters: your core business.

What Are The Key Benefits of Inventory Management Software?

  • Real-time visibility
  • Reduced stockouts
  • Optimized inventory levels
  • Automated replenishment
  • Improved order fulfillment
  • Enhanced customer satisfaction
  • Reduced labor costs
  • Streamlined reporting
  • Data-driven decision making
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Our Research Analysts evaluated 215 solutions and determined the following solutions are the best Inventory Management Software overall:

Overall

Fishbowl Inventory  Award
Start Price
$329
Monthly
Analyst Rating
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Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
Platform
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Why We Picked Fishbowl Inventory

Fishbowl Inventory brings numerous modules to the table, including inventory and warehouse management, to fulfill a wide range of daily tasks. The support teams provide in-depth training and responsive support, especially from those working in Fishbowl’s Plug-In support. The system supports numerous integrations, but sometimes the integration process isn’t the most stable. Some users noted that being required to host their data on site was cumbersome and expensive. The mobile apps give users the ability to follow and interact with daily tasks while they are out of the office. The implementation process for the system can be time consuming, but overall, users felt that it satisfied their needs. Users felt that it could use more customization options and that the reporting features was a bit unpolished and basic.

Pros & Cons

  • Ease of Use: Nearly 83% of users who mentioned ease of use noted that the system is intuitive, accessible and easy to learn.
  • Support: Approximately 75% of reviewers said that support teams, especially those working on plug-ins, were helpful, knowledgeable and quick to respond.
  • Functionality: About 62% of reviewers who talked about the overall functionality of the system said that overall, the features of the system were suitable for daily warehousing and inventory management processes.
  • Customization: Out-of-the-box customization options were limited and hard to implement, as noted by nearly 75% of users who referred to customization.
  • Cost: All users who mentioned cost said that the price associated with customization, integration and the overall system was too high.
  • Reports: Almost 80% of users who mentioned reports said that they were too basic, exporting was difficult and that they had to pay to customize them.

Key Features

  • Reporting Features: Gathers data created by processes such as delivery and ordering and converts it into an accessible format. This collected data can be studied to find trends and plan for the future of business operations. 
  • Shipping Support: Allows users to print their own shipping labels. Mobile devices can be used to track products. It also integrates with FedEx and UPS. 
  • Inventory Management: Automate reordering along with streamlining pick, pack and shipping to optimize the supply chain. Users can track inventory with barcoding printing and scanning. 
  • Multi-Location Support: Get an overhead view of a multi-location operation with robust management tools. Monitor stock levels in multiple facilities, gain trend data across all operations and transfer products from one location to another to avoid shortages. 
  • Multiple Currencies:  Allows operations that span the globe to convert currencies. This module also enables the creation of purchase orders in the user’s currency of choice. Managers can set default currencies for vendors to keep things organized. 
  • Part Tracking Capabilities: Alerts users to the location of their needed manufacturing parts and where they are coming from. Set alerts for part replacement and track ordered parts by location. Tracks parts and labor costs so users can keep track of preferred vendors. 
  • Manufacturing Tools: The manufacturing module contains industry favorite features, including advanced work orders, bills of materials, work order automation, lot tracking and more. 

Pricing

License/Subscription Cost
  • This cost is based on how many licenses are purchased as well as the support package. Licenses include updates, online training video access and unlimited phone support.
Maintenance Cost
  • One year of maintenance and support costs are included in the license cost.
Installation/Implementation Cost
  • Installation is included in the license fee.
Customization Cost
  • Customization cost is dependent on the modules that are selected and the level of customization needed.
Data Migration Cost/Change Management/Upfront Switching Cost
  • This cost depends on the amount and complexity of data being transferred. Gaps between the new and old systems are also considered.
ASAP Systems  Award
Analyst Rating
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Why We Picked ASAP Systems

Reviews from the past year highlight ASAP Systems' user-friendly interface and robust functionality as key strengths. Users appreciate the platform's intuitive design, making it easy to navigate and learn, even for those with limited technical expertise. The software's comprehensive features, including barcode scanning, inventory tracking, and reporting tools, provide businesses with the necessary tools to efficiently manage their assets. Compared to competitors like Sortly and Fishbowl Inventory, ASAP Systems offers a more balanced approach, combining ease of use with advanced functionality, making it suitable for businesses of all sizes.

While ASAP Systems receives praise for its capabilities, some users note that the mobile app's functionality could be improved. Several users express a desire for more features and a smoother user experience on the mobile platform. Additionally, while the software's pricing is generally considered competitive, some users with smaller inventories or simpler needs find it slightly expensive compared to more basic inventory management solutions. Despite these minor drawbacks, ASAP Systems' strengths in usability and functionality make it a compelling choice for businesses seeking a reliable and efficient inventory management solution.

ASAP Systems is best suited for small to medium-sized businesses across various industries that require a comprehensive yet user-friendly inventory management system. Its flexibility allows it to adapt to the specific needs of different businesses, whether they are managing physical products, digital assets, or a combination of both. The software's scalability ensures that it can grow alongside a business, making it a valuable long-term investment. Additionally, businesses with mobile workforces or multiple locations can benefit from ASAP Systems' cloud-based accessibility, enabling real-time inventory tracking and management from anywhere with an internet connection.

Pros & Cons

  • Barcode and RFID Functionality: ASAP Systems users frequently highlight the software's robust barcode and RFID capabilities, enabling efficient and accurate inventory tracking through scanning. This functionality streamlines workflows, reduces manual data entry, and minimizes errors, ultimately saving time and improving inventory accuracy.
  • Customizable Reporting: The ability to generate custom reports is a significant advantage for ASAP Systems users. They can tailor reports to their specific needs, gaining insights into inventory levels, sales trends, and other critical data points. This empowers businesses to make data-driven decisions and optimize inventory management strategies.
  • Comprehensive Inventory Tracking: ASAP Systems excels in providing comprehensive inventory tracking features. Users appreciate the ability to track inventory across multiple locations, monitor stock levels in real-time, and set reorder points to prevent stockouts. This level of visibility ensures businesses can maintain optimal inventory levels and meet customer demand efficiently.
  • Limited Integrations: ASAP Systems may not seamlessly integrate with all the software tools a business uses, such as accounting or e-commerce platforms, leading to manual data entry and potential errors.
  • Customization Challenges: Some users find it difficult to customize the software to fit their specific workflows and reporting needs, requiring workarounds or compromises in their processes.
  • Mobile App Functionality: The mobile app's features and user interface may not be as robust or intuitive as the desktop version, limiting its usefulness for on-the-go inventory management.
  • Learning Curve: While ASAP Systems offers training resources, some users report a steep learning curve to fully utilize the software's features, especially for those new to inventory management systems.

Key Features

  • Inventory System: Create and manage configurable detailed forecasting reports for complete visibility at all stages. Categorize stocks based on their unique identification numbers, implement a blueprint layout for users to view a detailed breakdown of items and grant users control to maintain inventory. 
    • Inventory Kitting: Access barcode tracking to create kits categorized into different types from batched to quantity-based to serialized. Enable alerts to notify in case stocks run low, create new catalog listings or to substitute stock items. 
    • Shopping Cart: Access an intuitive dashboard that grants a comprehensive view of updates and notifications within one space. Split between admin and users and browse and request for selected item approval. 
    • Signature Capture: From issuance to moving, receiving to disposing and physical inventory, enable electronic signature to improve audits. Enhance verification by using e-signature to approve transactions. 
  • Asset Tracking: Access an intuitive module to track assets from purchase to selling process using barcode scanners and labels. Create configurable reports, track audits and enable notifications to check on assets. 
    • Blueprint Layout: Increase control and allocate resources with the floorplan option. Access a filtered view based on location and gain a total estimated asset number. 
    • Asset Tracking Depreciation: Generate accurate and detailed bookkeeping reports on the gradual depreciation cost of assets. Manage purchase logs, warranty information and identify assets that require investment or disposing. 
    • Asset Maintenance: Choose priority level to request maintenance, schedule recurring or one-time maintenance, and perform it to gain complete visibility. Access real-time data to create customized reports. Enable email or text alerts to receive notifications of changes in asset value. 
  • Stocks to Assets: Convert categorized stock items to fixed assets with specific identification codes and pricing. Create, manage and track items throughout the shipping cycle all within one centralized database. 
  • Integrations: Automate and integrate with various applications from accounting to CRM, customer support to instant messaging, and data collection and reporting for a streamlined workflow. 
Zoho Inventory  Award
Analyst Rating
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Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
Platform
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Why We Picked Zoho Inventory

Zoho Inventory garners positive reviews for its user-friendly interface, real-time inventory tracking, and affordability, particularly for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). Many appreciate its intuitive design, even for those new to inventory management, and its free plan, which caters to businesses starting out. Streamlined workflows and multi-channel selling support are frequently lauded, helping users automate tasks and manage inventory across various sales channels efficiently.

However, some users find the free plan's feature set limiting, lacking advanced functionalities like demand forecasting and integrations with popular third-party platforms. Customization also presents challenges for some, desiring more flexibility in tailoring reports and workflows. While a mobile app exists, it occasionally encounters glitches and lacks the full feature range of the desktop version.

Zoho Inventory stands out compared to competitors for its free plan and cost-effectiveness, attracting budget-conscious businesses. Users often praise its ease of use and intuitive interface, making it a suitable choice for those less tech-savvy. However, if extensive features, high customization, and robust mobile functionality are crucial, competitors like Square Online Store Inventory or Xero Inventory might be better suited for complex needs.

Ultimately, Zoho Inventory shines for its user-friendliness, affordability, and core inventory management functionalities. While it may not cater to every business need, its strengths resonate with budget-conscious SMBs seeking a user-friendly platform to streamline their inventory operations.

Pros & Cons

  • User-friendly interface: Intuitive design and easy navigation make it simple to learn and use, even for those without extensive inventory management experience.
  • Real-time inventory visibility: Track stock levels across multiple locations and channels in real-time, ensuring accurate data for informed decision-making.
  • Automated workflows: Streamline tasks like purchase orders, sales orders, and invoicing to save time and reduce manual errors.
  • Customizable reporting: Generate detailed reports on inventory levels, sales performance, and other key metrics to gain insights and make data-driven decisions.
  • Multi-channel selling support: Manage inventory seamlessly across online stores, marketplaces, and physical outlets, preventing overselling and ensuring accurate stock levels.
  • Mobile app for on-the-go access: Manage inventory, track orders, and fulfill shipments from anywhere using the Zoho Inventory mobile app.
  • Integration with other Zoho apps: Connect with Zoho Books, Zoho CRM, and other Zoho apps for a unified business ecosystem and streamlined workflows.
  • Affordable pricing: Free plan for small businesses and affordable paid plans for growing businesses, making it a cost-effective solution.
  • Limited features in free plan: The free plan lacks advanced features like batch tracking, demand forecasting, and integration with third-party platforms.
  • Customization challenges: Some users find it challenging to customize certain aspects of the software, such as reports and workflows, to fit their specific needs.
  • Mobile app limitations: The mobile app lacks some features available in the desktop version, and some users report occasional glitches and slow performance.
  • Customer support variability: While Zoho Inventory offers various support options, response times and quality can vary, with some users reporting slow or unhelpful support experiences.
  • Scalability concerns: Very large businesses with complex inventory needs might find Zoho Inventory's features and scalability limited, requiring a more robust solution.

Key Features

  • Inventory Control:  
    •  Offers centralized inventory that automatically updates inventory quantities across all selling channels whenever a sale is made. 
    •  Features include product listing, item kitting, re-ordering, stock adjustments and more. 
    •  Verify and approve transactions created before they’re reflected in accounts and reports. 
    •  Set an approval workflow for transfer orders, sales transactions and purchase transactions. 
  • Order Management:  
    •  Helps manage sales and purchase orders. Shares delivery updates from a single-source order management system. 
    •  Supports online order management and movement of packages post-shipment through a single platform. 
    •  Integrates with Amazon, eBay, Etsy and Shopify. 
    • Safety Stock and Reorder: Calculate reorder points and maintain safety stock in the business to prevent running out of stock. Set reorder points and get updates on vital stock-level information. Also optimizes holding costs and reduces the probability of overstocking. 
    • Reports:  
      •  Helps monitor purchases, study sales trends and identify top performing items using inventory reporting options. 
      •  Includes inventory reports, sales and customer reports, purchase and payment reports, and activity logs. 
      •  Enables finding the item volumes shipped in and out from each warehouse. 
    • Warehouse Management: Supports multiple warehouse environments and the transfer of stock between them. Leverage actionable insights provided by warehousing reports. Set the closest warehouse for customers when preparing sales orders to get products to their destinations as quickly as possible. 
    • Multichannel Selling: Manages, controls, measures and fulfills multi-channel selling with the help of a single inventory management application. Supports multiple currencies and uses multiple payment gateways to ensure quick and correct payments. Also shares insights for performance of multiple sales channels. 
    • Order Fulfillment: Manages workflows and fulfills orders. Offers a common dashboard, an overview of orders, automatic packing slips, over 40 integrated shipping carriers and more. Create shipping labels and find real-time shipping expenses for each order before dispatch. Make drop shipments and let vendors ship directly to the client. 
Veeqo  Award
Start Price
$299
Monthly
Analyst Rating
Company Size
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Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
Platform
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Why We Picked Veeqo

Veeqo's ability to integrate with various eCommerce platforms, such as Shopify, Amazon, and eBay, is a significant advantage that users frequently highlight. This integration allows for centralized inventory management, order processing, and shipping across multiple channels, streamlining operations and reducing the risk of overselling. Users appreciate the convenience and efficiency this provides, especially for businesses operating on multiple platforms. Additionally, Veeqo's reporting and analytics tools provide valuable insights into sales trends, inventory levels, and customer behavior, enabling data-driven decision-making.

While Veeqo offers a comprehensive set of features, some users note that the interface can be overwhelming for new users due to its complexity. The learning curve associated with navigating the various functionalities may require additional time and effort. Furthermore, while Veeqo integrates with numerous platforms, some users mention occasional syncing issues or delays, which can impact workflow efficiency.

Veeqo's comprehensive multi-channel integration capabilities and robust reporting tools set it apart from competitors. Its ability to handle complex inventory management tasks and provide valuable business insights makes it a suitable choice for growing eCommerce businesses with a presence on multiple platforms. The software's scalability allows it to adapt to the evolving needs of expanding businesses, making it a valuable long-term investment for those seeking to streamline operations and optimize their eCommerce strategies.

Pros & Cons

  • Centralized Inventory Management: Veeqo allows businesses to manage inventory across multiple sales channels, including popular online marketplaces and eCommerce platforms, from a single interface. This eliminates the need for separate spreadsheets or software for each channel, reducing the risk of errors and overselling.
  • Order Processing Efficiency: The platform streamlines order processing by automating tasks such as printing shipping labels, generating packing slips, and updating inventory levels. This can save businesses a significant amount of time and improve order fulfillment speed.
  • Shipping Management: Veeqo integrates with various shipping carriers, enabling businesses to compare shipping rates, print labels, and track packages from within the platform. This simplifies the shipping process and helps businesses find the most cost-effective shipping options.
  • Reporting and Analytics: Veeqo provides users with detailed reports on inventory levels, sales performance, and other key metrics. This data can be used to identify trends, make informed business decisions, and optimize inventory management strategies.
  • Scalability: Veeqo is designed to grow with businesses, offering different pricing plans and features to accommodate varying needs and inventory volumes. This makes it a suitable solution for small startups as well as larger enterprises.
  • Limited Integrations: While Veeqo integrates with popular platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce, users report a lack of support for some lesser-known or industry-specific platforms. This can be a dealbreaker for businesses with unique workflows or niche requirements.
  • Reporting Functionality: Some users find Veeqo's reporting capabilities to be somewhat basic, lacking the depth and customization options needed for complex inventory analysis. Generating specific reports or extracting granular data can be challenging.
  • Customer Support: A recurring theme in user feedback is the responsiveness and effectiveness of Veeqo's customer support. Lengthy wait times and difficulty reaching knowledgeable representatives can hinder issue resolution and user satisfaction.

Key Features

  • Multichannel Orders: Order management tools sync your orders across the entirety of your U.S. sales channels. Print out labels and ship out quickly with all of your orders in a single, easy-to-access place. 
  • Detailed Sales Reports: Run sales reports broken down by channel, store, category, product, order status or a specific employee. Gross profits, net sales and marketplace data can be called up in seconds and exported to CSV for analysis. 
  • Wholesale Tools: Orders can be taken via phone and mail and individual or group price lists can be set up. Bulk picking options get larger shipments out quicker and customized invoices can be sent through email for quicker payment. 
  • Returns: All returns and refunds can be managed from one place across all of your fulfillment teams. Orders can be searched by customer name, order numbers and dates. Full or partial refunds can be set while including a reason for the return. Write off or put back returns after receiving them. 
  • Confirm Packing: Prevent shipping errors by confirming every single line item before they are packed and set off for shipping to customers. 
  • Warehouse Automation: Automation tools filter orders into batches and provide the most efficient route through the warehouse. Tags that are automatically attached to items help boost the speed and accuracy of the picking process. 
  • Carrier Integrations: Connect all of your sales channels to the platform and ship orders through any of the provided 21+ direct carrier integrations. 
ZapInventory  Award
Start Price
$25
Monthly
Analyst Rating
Company Size
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Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
Platform
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Why We Picked ZapInventory

Ah, ZapInventory, the software solution that promises to streamline your inventory management woes. But does it live up to the hype? Let's dive into the user reviews from the past year to uncover the truth.

ZapInventory seems to strike a chord with users due to its user-friendly interface and intuitive design. Many reviewers, particularly those transitioning from more complex systems, appreciate the ease of navigating the platform and quickly finding the information they need. The robust reporting features also receive high praise, with users highlighting the ability to generate custom reports and gain valuable insights into inventory levels, sales trends, and overall business performance. However, some users note that ZapInventory's customization options are somewhat limited compared to competitors like Zoho Inventory and Fishbowl Inventory. While ZapInventory offers a solid set of core features, it may lack the flexibility required by businesses with highly specific or unique workflows. This is a crucial consideration for potential users, as the ability to tailor the software to individual needs can significantly impact efficiency and productivity.

So, who is ZapInventory best suited for? Based on user feedback, it appears to be an ideal fit for small to medium-sized businesses seeking a user-friendly and reliable inventory management solution. Its ease of use, comprehensive reporting capabilities, and competitive pricing make it an attractive option for companies looking to optimize their inventory processes without the complexity and cost associated with more robust systems. If your business requires extensive customization or has highly specialized inventory management needs, exploring alternatives like Zoho Inventory or Fishbowl Inventory may be worthwhile. However, for those seeking a straightforward and effective solution, ZapInventory is certainly worth considering.

Pros & Cons

  • Streamlined Inventory Tracking: ZapInventory enables businesses to efficiently monitor stock levels across multiple locations, providing real-time insights into product availability and movement. This proves particularly beneficial for businesses managing complex supply chains or those with a high volume of inventory turnover.
  • Automated Purchase Orders: The software can be configured to automatically generate purchase orders when inventory levels fall below predetermined thresholds. This automation not only saves time but also helps prevent stockouts and ensures that businesses maintain optimal inventory levels.
  • Sales Order Management: ZapInventory facilitates the entire sales order process, from order placement to fulfillment and invoicing. This comprehensive functionality improves order accuracy, reduces processing times, and enhances customer satisfaction.
  • Reporting and Analytics: The platform offers robust reporting tools that provide valuable insights into inventory performance, sales trends, and customer behavior. These insights empower businesses to make data-driven decisions regarding inventory management, marketing strategies, and overall business operations.
  • Limited Integrations: ZapInventory's connections with popular eCommerce platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce can be unreliable, leading to syncing issues and inaccurate inventory data. This can cause problems with order fulfillment and inventory management.
  • Steep Learning Curve: The interface, while attempting to be comprehensive, can feel overwhelming for new users due to its complexity. This results in a steep learning curve that may require significant time investment to master.
  • Mobile App Shortcomings: The mobile app lacks the full functionality of the desktop version, limiting its usefulness for managing inventory on the go. This can be inconvenient for businesses that require real-time inventory updates and management capabilities from any location.

Key Features

  • Inventory With POS: Minimize on-time and manual efforts with automated multi-channel retailing and secure optimization of the entire ordering process. Access a flexible and intuitive interface to view, sort, sync, arrange, and filter and add products within one unified, comprehensive inventory database. 
    • Barcode Scanner and Tracking: Obtain real-time updates on shipment location, label and track inventory, and perform effective POS billing operations with the help of integrated barcode scanners. Enable notifications and alerts to manage stocks and orders and gain business insights. 
    • Kits and Bundles: Manage inventory with kits/bundles to enhance catalogues, customize product prices for certain vendors and manage an overall end-to-end production. 
  • Inventory Control: Optimize inventory levels and automate the purchasing process to configure inventory for reordering or restocking. Set a minimum level for reordering and enable alerts when stocks run low. Split, create and manage purchase orders based on order history and backorders. Access real-time inventory updates through the shipment’s entire journey. 
  • Warehouse Management: Add, manage, organize and sync multiple warehouse inventories within a centralized database. Move stock between warehouses while tracking and recording item details to access later from product history. 
  • Purchase Management: Create, edit and track purchase orders with one click. Access multiple invoices and supplier information, manage orders in real time, and maintain inventory by automating the purchase process. Enable notifications to alert for low stocks and implement barcode scanning to restock products. 
  • Order Management: Create and manage sales orders across multiple platforms. Automate the purchasing process. Sync orders and access real-time information on product items and order history. Generate invoices and packing labels using standard templates or simply customize them. 
    • Returns Management: Generate return slips and updated invoices for products which are to be returned to their respective warehouse. Approve, filter and track returns while automating the refund process. 
  • Shipping Management: Automate the shipping process, access quick order summaries and ensure accurate data within a centralized database. Integrate with shipping providers, generate drop-shipping, obtain real-time shipment tracking details, and create customizable labels and packing slips in bulk. 
  • Invoices and Payments: Access an automated invoicing process to create custom bills and invoices. Track transactions in real time while managing finances within a single dashboard. 
  • Reporting and Analytics: Access real-time detailed shipment reports and analyses based on returns, invoice transactions, purchase details and summary in a KPI dashboard. Eliminate manual data entry and implement automated reporting. 
  • Accounting Integrations: Manage finances, automate the entire shipping journey from purchasing to accounting and streamline processes by integrating with some popular accounting software. 
Start Price
$39
Monthly
Analyst Rating
Company Size
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Cloud On-Premise
Platform
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android

Why We Picked QuickBooks Commerce

QuickBooks Commerce is a leading inventory management and accounting software for small and medium businesses. Its intuitive and easy-to-use interface and payroll and invoicing features ensure great productivity.

It allows for seamless integration with banks, financial management software, credit cards and more. The software also helps keep track of company bills and expenses, which you can easily download, share and categorize.

Some limitations include long wait for support and lack of direct contact for professional services. The system may experience slowness and lag at times. Integrations with solutions like Xero can also be complicated.

Its pricing plans start from $39 per month, and it offers a 14-day free trial. It offers both monthly and yearly subscription plans. Pricing can vary based on factors like the number of users, sales orders, sales channels and warehouse numbers. However, Its licensing price is high for the basic features provided and monthly licensing can be laborious.

Overall, QuickBooks Commerce is a comprehensive and affordable solution for organizations looking to streamline their inventory and accounting management operations and achieve better ROI.

Pros & Cons

  • User Interface: Around 93% of users said that it provides an intuitive user interface that is easy to learn and navigate.
  • Integration: Intuit and seamless integration with banks, companies and other financial management software provides a great user experience and saves time, as noted by 96% of reviewers who specified integration.
  • Tracking: All reviewers liked that it helps keep track of bills and expenses in an organized manner.
  • Payroll & Invoices: All users liked QBO for its payroll and invoicing feature that provides automatic calculation, easy access, links or PDF sharing, payment reminders and more.
  • Support: Approximately 81% of reviewers said that support can have long wait times and disliked that direct contact to support service is not available.
  • Performance: The system is slow and laggy at times, as mentioned by 80% of users who referred to performance.
  • Licensing: Nearly 81% of users disliked that license costs are high with additional monthly charges for renewal and add-on services.

Key Features

  • Multiple Integrations: Integrate with various third-party platforms, including Xero, Amazon, QuickBooks, Shopify and ShipStation.
  • Inventory Control: Prevent stockout situations, receive automatic stock level updates and create prompt reorders with comprehensive inventory features. Track and organize stock via barcode scanning to speed up the retrieval and storage of products.
  • Multichannel Sales: Use a central location to manage sales through a number of channels. Users can sell through marketplaces, B2C eCommerce, B2B eCommerce and mobile apps.
  • Warehouse Management: Built-in management tools handle all tasks in one place, from receiving shipments to picking, packing, and shipping orders.
  • Order Management: Track orders and sync inventory, customer and supplier information through one system. Access sales reports in real time while quickly and accurately fulfilling orders.
  • Manufacturing Support: The manufacturing module lets users manage all assembly and sales tasks while allowing for the creation of production and parts orders as well as bills of materials.
  • Fulfillment Automation: Access stock takes, barcode label printing and barcode scanners. Also, automate fulfillment processes like pick, pack and ship.
  • Inventory Optimization: Businesses can integrate their Lokad account, available in the app store, with the system to optimize inventory with demand forecasting. Lokad can automatically calculate the number of reordering units needed for a business based on their inventory records. Stock is reordered when inventory levels hit preset reorder units.
  • Price List Management: Add or change product prices using the price list importer and assign price lists with special discount rates for selected customers. Set price breaks and access custom price lists on the go via the mobile app.
  • Sales Reports: Use sales reports listing all important details and statuses. Filter them by product, variant, customer, sales representative, channel, location and time period. Sales reports assist with analyzing sales channels, monitoring performance, identifying sales trends across customers and products, calculating commissions, and more.
  • Manufacturing Support: Create bills of materials for finished goods, including the creation and management of production orders. Alert users about insufficient stock, support batch tracking and automatically reconcile production run efficiencies with accounting apps.

Pricing

License/Subscription Cost
  • The upfront cost of this product includes customization, integration and the monthly per-user subscription fee
Maintenance Cost
  • This is included in the subscription cost
Installation/Implementation Cost
  • This cost is based on the type of pricing plan chosen
Customization Cost
  • Included in the subscription cost and varies depending on the subscription plan chosen
Data Migration Cost/Change Management/Upfront Switching Cost
  • Depends on the existing software, how much data needs to be migrated, the availability of migration tools, the complexity of data being moved and the gaps between the existing and new systems
Recurring/Renewal Costs
  • A recurring monthly fee is charged at the beginning of the month and includes maintenance, monitoring, upgrades, training and support
Finale Inventory  Award
Start Price
$99
Monthly
Analyst Rating
Company Size
Small Medium Large
Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
Platform
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android

Why We Picked Finale Inventory

Finale Inventory provides comprehensive cloud-based solutions with a range of user-friendly features that help enhance inventory management processes. No iOS and Mac support is one major shortcoming of the software. Other than that, it sometimes loads slow, especially when transferring large amounts of data. There is no direct FBA integration as per user reviews. However, the support team is quite quick to resolve any issues. Flexibility and affordability are some other promising pros users commonly cite. Altogether, for non-Mac users, it’s a solid choice for those looking for an inventory management solution that does the job and is easy on the budget.

Pros & Cons

  • Ease of Use: More than 90% of reviews on this aspect suggest that it has a simple interface and easy-to-use features.
  • Flexible System: Offers flexible inventory management support especially for deployment, reporting and inventory tracking, according to 100% of reviews on flexibility.
  • Affordable Suite: All reviews on this aspect suggest that it’s an extremely cost-effective software - having a variety of capabilities - in comparison to its competitors.
  • Customer Support: The support offered is extremely helpful, responsive and quick, in the view of more than 95% of reviews on customer support.
  • Streamlined Operations: According to 85% of reviews on this feature, it assists and facilitates inventory management that saves time and improves efficiency.
  • Loads Slow: Loading big data sets is slow at times, though Finale’s team is bringing improvements, as all reviews on the feature reflect.
  • Doesn’t Support iOS Browser: The software doesn’t support Mac and iOS browsers and its interface, according to all reviews on the topic.
  • Lacks FBA Integration: Inability to connect with FBA requires users to set virtual warehouses and inventory levels as well as map sales with a warehouse, as all reviews on the feature indicate.

Key Features

  • Multiple Integrations: Offers integration options with over 40 enterprise platforms including accounting and channel management solutions, marketplace platforms and POS systems such as Shopify, QuickBooks, Amazon and Etsy. 
  • Restock Forecasts: Leverages sales history to dynamically calculate reorders and the best times to request more of a certain item. Automatically calculates reorder points on the basis of desired days of inventory, supplier lead times and sales velocity. Helps optimize inventory space without the fear of a stock outage. 
  • Cost Analysis: Provides overhead view of crucial inventory information. Drill-down capabilities facilitate analysis of helpful metrics such as gross profit margins and the average per unit cost of products. Allows comparing the average cost for a single unit against set retail pricing. 
  • Multi-Warehouse Support: Quickly and accurately view where stock is, when it is moving and ETA through a centralized tracking function. 
  • Barcode Scanning:  
    •  Connect with barcode scanning features present in many warehousing operations. 
    •  Receive out-of-the-box support for picking, transferring, receiving and stock taking to aid in the quick optimization of warehouse space and product location. 
    •  Access printed and displayed reports to search by lot ID or part number as well as maintain component lot ID logs for assembled or manufactured items. 
  • Search Tools: Provides a historical record of vital business intelligence data via a centralized database. Previous sales records can be sorted and analyzed for valuable data that can be used for forecasting and planning. Offers search and filter features, and offers multi-location support by tracking inventory at all locations. 
  • Stock Auditing: Assists with effective stock audits and helps understand any discrepancies in new stock history reports. 
  • Inventory Purchasing: Helps centralize purchases and replenish stock with an individual database. Forecasting tools assist with restock purchase decisions. Also enables receiving partial shipments, creating reconciliation backorders at a later date and more. 
Start Price
$80
Monthly
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Why We Picked Unleashed Software

Unleashed Software is a robust, user-friendly platform that takes care of all inventory management requirements that may possibly arise at an organization. User reviews suggest that it’s a great tool for order and inventory tracking as well as visibility, which is an important feature for such a solution.
A lack of integrations and inability to edit invoices once created are some noteworthy drawbacks of the product. New users may find it difficult to learn all its features as well. However, as per reviews, their customer support team is quite supportive and responsive with onboarding and solving queries. All in all, it’s a holistic solution for those looking for an inventory management suite.

Pros & Cons

  • Easy to Use: More than 90% of reviews on this aspect suggest that it’s easy to use and navigate through the platform.
  • Tracking and Visibility: It’s a great tool for inventory tracking and visibility into stock, production, sales and other areas, which is an advantage according to all reviews on this feature.
  • Customer Support: Customer service is extremely quick and responsive to all queries or issues that users experience, according to all reviews on customer support.
  • Less Integrations: More than 60% of reviews on integration state that the software needs to connect with U.S. shipping integrators.
  • Invoice Editing: All reviews on this aspect suggest that the system doesn’t allow invoice edits once they’re complete, which is a major drawback.
  • Learning Curve: According to 85% of reviews on this topic, the features can be overwhelming to learn for new users.

Key Features

  • Purchase Orders: Generate POs while keeping minimum reorder levels in consideration. Trigger purchases from sales orders to ensure complete order fulfillment. 
  • Purchase Costs: Add expenses incurred from stock orders including custom charges, freight costs and more. Allows recosting even once the products have been received. 
  • Manage Returns: Simplifies managing stock returns, even for those products taken on credit from other suppliers. 
  • Part Shipment Receipts: Leverage end-to-end visibility by tracking all product deliveries, part shipments and more. 
  • Supplier Management: Streamlines purchases with the help of centralized supplier data. Automated processes enable keeping all supplier details with item prices in a single place. 
Cin7  Award
Start Price
$399
Monthly
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Why We Picked Cin7

Cin7, a comprehensive inventory and order management solution, has attracted a range of feedback from users over the past year. Many appreciate its ability to streamline operations by centralizing inventory, order, and point-of-sale data, providing a holistic view of their business. This proves particularly beneficial for businesses managing multiple sales channels or warehouses, as it eliminates the need for disparate systems and manual data consolidation. Cin7's automation features, such as automated purchase orders and stock level alerts, further enhance efficiency by reducing manual tasks and minimizing stockouts or overstocks. However, some users find the initial setup and learning curve to be steep due to the platform's extensive functionality. Additionally, while Cin7 offers various integrations with popular e-commerce platforms and marketplaces, some users desire more native integrations or smoother integration experiences.

Cin7 distinguishes itself through its robust feature set, catering to businesses with complex inventory and order management needs. Its ability to handle multi-channel selling, multi-currency transactions, and landed cost calculations sets it apart from simpler inventory management solutions. Furthermore, Cin7's strong reporting and analytics capabilities empower businesses to gain valuable insights into their sales performance, inventory trends, and overall business health. These features are crucial for businesses seeking data-driven decision-making and growth optimization. However, the platform's comprehensive nature may overwhelm smaller businesses or those with simpler requirements.

Cin7 appears most suitable for established, growing businesses with intricate inventory and order management needs. Its scalability and extensive features accommodate businesses expanding their sales channels, product lines, or warehouse locations. Moreover, businesses dealing with international sales or complex supply chains can leverage Cin7's multi-currency and landed cost functionalities. While the platform may present a learning curve, the investment in mastering its capabilities can yield significant returns for businesses seeking to optimize their operations and drive growth.

Pros & Cons

  • Inventory Visibility: Cin7 provides real-time insights into stock levels across multiple locations and sales channels, allowing businesses to avoid stockouts and overstocks. Users appreciate the ability to track inventory movements with detailed logs and audit trails.
  • Order Management: The platform streamlines order processing by automating tasks such as order routing, picking, packing, and shipping. Cin7's ability to manage backorders and split shipments is particularly helpful for businesses with complex fulfillment needs.
  • Third-Party Integrations: Cin7 integrates seamlessly with popular eCommerce platforms, marketplaces, shipping carriers, and accounting software. This eliminates the need for manual data entry and ensures data consistency across different systems. Examples of popular integrations include Shopify, Amazon, QuickBooks, and Xero.
  • Reporting and Analytics: Cin7 offers a range of reporting tools that provide insights into sales performance, inventory turnover, and other key metrics. Users can generate custom reports to track specific data points and identify trends. This data-driven approach empowers businesses to make informed decisions about inventory management and overall operations.
  • Steep Learning Curve: Cin7's extensive features and functionalities can overwhelm new users, leading to a prolonged onboarding process and potential frustration. The interface, while comprehensive, may appear cluttered and complex to navigate, requiring dedicated time investment to master.
  • Costly Investment: Cin7's pricing structure often proves expensive, especially for small to medium-sized businesses with tighter budgets. The tiered subscription model, coupled with potential add-on costs for essential features, can significantly impact overall expenses.
  • Customer Support Challenges: Some users report difficulties reaching Cin7's customer support team promptly, leading to delays in resolving critical issues. Additionally, navigating the support system and finding relevant resources can be cumbersome for users seeking immediate assistance.

Key Features

  • Inventory Management: Automate processes, make inventory adjustments and access information in real-time by gaining detailed insights on vendors and products within a centralized, integrated dashboard. Implement barcode scanners to track product bundles and stocks. Access financial data like payments and taxes with single click accounting. 
  • Order Management: Implement automation bots to have a streamlined workflow by integrating with eCommerce platforms, 3PLs and EDI retailers for order fulfillment. Notify suppliers with purchase orders by pre-setting levels for inventory replenishment when stocks run low at a specific warehouse. 
  • B2B E-Commerce: Customize order details and create and categorize product catalogs in different colors, sizes and bundles to swiftly filter through while ordering in bulk. Access an integrated inventory with real-time insights on stock availability. 
  • Order Fulfillment: Receive, rack and pick single or multiple purchase orders based on a list sorted by stock availability, order reference and date of order creation. Track stocks as per batch or serial numbers and implement the stocktaking process. 
  • Built-In EDI: Eliminate outside EDI providers and gain complete visibility of transactions and each stage by controlling the EDI dashboard. Map and automate order workflows to multiple 3PL warehouses. 
  • Amazon Integration: Access a built-in EDI and a real-time dashboard to view order updates, stock adjustments, product mappings and more. Implement FBA shipping plans to complete order fulfillments. 
  • Reports and Forecasting: Access an interactive, intuitive dashboard that prompts real-time updates and complete visibility on all levels that help simplify workflows. Access order history and create customizable reports. 
  • Point of Sale: Implement an omnichannel experience and access complete stock visibility. Access sales capabilities on most devices and operating systems. 
  • Payment Portal: Automate transaction workflows with a fully integrated payment gateway to track and gain financial data visibility. Enable email alerts to confirm payments updates. 
  • Production Management: Automate and generate production jobs based on BOMs. Track and manage inventory with detailed weekly insights on production. 
  • Sales Quoting: Obtain advanced quotes, payment terms and pricing that reap future profits. Eliminate manual labor and offer automated order tracking. 
  • Third-Party Logistics: Access automated 3PL communication to gain detailed insights and real-time updates. Eliminate manual tasks and minimize admin roles to optimize and simplify workflows. 
Start Price
$89
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Why We Picked inFlow

inFlow is a good option for those looking for a product to assist with inventory management, providing a comprehensive set of capabilities to manage a variety of processes. However, it only works well with small businesses and can be expensive otherwise. Other drawbacks include that it only integrates one way with Shopify and suffers from some bugs. Most users with multiple warehouses find the tool ineffective as well. On the other hand, it has a user-friendly interface and is easy to learn, speeding up user adoption. Users also report that customer service is helpful. All in all, it can be a decent choice for smaller operations.

Pros & Cons

  • User-Friendly Interface: It’s extremely intuitive and easy to use, as 100% of reviews on this aspect indicate.
  • Comprehensive Features: According to all reviews on this aspect, it’s an all-in-one software with a variety of comprehensive capabilities from sales to purchase to inventory management.
  • Customer Service: The customer support staff is supportive, helpful and quick at resolving any issues faced by clients, as more than 85% of reviews about customer service state.
  • Easy to Learn: All reviews on this element indicate that the system has a flat learning curve and is easy to use for new users.
  • Expensive for Large Business: Since pricing is based on the number of orders, it’s only suitable for small and medium sized businesses, according to all reviews on this topic.
  • Integrations and API Access: Offers very limited integrations with third-party applications and no API access, as all reviews on this feature indicate.
  • Multi-Warehouse Use: It can’t handle multiple warehouse properties or inventory storage locations effectively, according to all reviews on this feature.
  • System Bugs: As more than 85% of reviews on this feature indicate, there are a few minor bugs in the system.

Key Features

  • Structured Workflows: Customizable workflows help track important data across the entire sales process. Eliminates or minimizes tedious spreadsheet management, as cost data can be stored for use in tax forms. 
  • Customizable Dashboards: Set up an informative dashboard that meets operational requirements to foster a collaborative, visibility-enabled enterprise. Bring valuable data regarding sales, costs and profits to the forefront and easily view it. 
  • Barcoding: Leverages barcode scanners to generate printable labels that make finding the right item easy. 
  • Detailed Reporting: With over 32 out-of-the-box reports, it makes reporting on sales, inventory and purchasing more efficient. Create detailed and organized reports for customers and vendors alike. 
  • Manufacturing Support: Keeps manufacturing simple with item kitting, assembly cost tracking and accessible bills of materials that track critical inventory information. 
  • Customer Management: Set customer-specific defaults, store contact information and keep detailed order histories for clients. 
  • Purchase and Receive Stock: Process returns, create and manage purchase orders and leverage dropshipping to make purchasing and receiving simple. 
  • Kitting and Assembly: Pick raw materials, build based on product availability, customize builds and bundle products together for shipping. 
  • Re-Ordering: One-click reordering features leverage lead and sales data to display low stock items and create purchase orders. 
  • DropShipping: Allows vendors to ship their products directly to clients when stock isn’t available to fulfill the requirements of a shipment. 
  • B2B Portals: Provides a portal that contains pricing, pictures and descriptions of products. Showrooms are also available to showcase discounted products. 

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All Inventory Management Software (215 found)

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Zobaze POS

by Zobaze
Zobaze POS
Zobaze POS is a comprehensive software solution designed to streamline point-of-sale operations, inventory management, and customer relationship management for small to medium-sized businesses. It is particularly well-suited for retail stores, cafes, and service-based businesses due to its user-friendly interface and robust functionality. The software offers significant benefits, including real-time sales tracking, detailed analytics, and seamless integration with various payment methods, enhancing operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. Popular features of Zobaze POS include inventory tracking, employee management, and customizable sales reports. Users appreciate its intuitive design and the ability to manage multiple stores from a single dashboard. Compared to similar products, Zobaze POS is often praised for its affordability and ease of use, making it an attractive option for businesses looking to optimize their sales processes without a steep learning curve. Pricing details for Zobaze POS are not readily available, and it is recommended that users contact SelectHub for a personalized pricing quote based on their specific requirements. This ensures that businesses can find a plan that aligns with their operational needs and budget constraints.
User Sentiment User satisfaction level icon: excellent
Cost Breakdown
$10 or less
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Stord One Commerce

by Stord, Inc.
Stord One Commerce
Stord One Commerce is a cloud-based system designed for high-volume, omnichannel businesses. It streamlines order fulfillment, automates workflows and provides real-time inventory visibility across warehouses and sales channels.By integrating with existing systems and offering features like distributed order management and dynamic fulfillment routing, it helps businesses optimize inventory levels, reduce costs and improve delivery speed.It’s ideal for mid-market and enterprise brands with complex supply chains and growing order volumes. Users benefit from increased efficiency, reduced errors, improved customer satisfaction and data-driven decision-making.Popular features include multi-warehouse management, sales order management, inventory forecasting and reporting tools.Compared to similar products, it emphasizes its intuitive interface, robust integrations and ability to handle high order volumes efficiently.Pricing is based on factors like order volume, storage requirements and desired features, making it suitable for business of various sizes. Pros Scalable for omnichannel businesses Efficient order fulfillment Real-time inventory visibility Intuitive interface and robust integrations Data-driven decision-making capabilities Cons Limited reporting and analytics features Complex for smaller businesses High pricing for some budgets Lacking customer support Occasional bugs and glitches reported
User Sentiment User satisfaction level icon: great
Cost Breakdown
$1,000 or more
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Pricing & Cost Guide

See the Price/User for the top inventory software … plus the most important considerations and questions to ask when shopping.

Buyer's Guide

Inventory Management Software Is All About Optimizing, Tracking and Auditing Inventory with Automation

Inventory Management Software Buyer's Guide

If you’re a single-location SMB, you may be able to manage inventory across your supply chain manually. But for most businesses, it’s not feasible without inventory management software — there are too many moving parts and various links in the chain.

If you’re in need of an inventory system to replace your current software or homegrown solution, we’ll take you through everything you need to know, including the best inventory management software available, key benefits, common features, and essential software selection and pricing considerations.

Executive Summary

  • Inventory management software provides the visibility necessary to optimize, track and audit inventory across your supply chain.
  • Common features to look for include inventory optimization, tracking and auditing, labeling and barcoding, forecasting, and more.
  • Selection strategies begin with defining your software and service requirements.
  • Pricing considerations go beyond the bold numbers prominently displayed on vendors' websites to include hidden costs for additional users and warehouses, implementation, order limits, and more.

What Is Inventory Management Software?

Inventory management software is a powerful tool that automates and streamlines inventory tracking, reordering, forecasting and more. It provides real-time visibility into inventory, such as quantity on-hand, orders, shipments and shrinkage, empowering you to optimize stock levels, facilitate transfers and, most importantly, cater to customers.

By integrating barcode scanners, automating reorder points, and providing analytics and reporting tools, inventory management system software helps you track inventory, prevent stockouts and avoid excess inventory, and make informed decisions, respectively.

They also aid in demand planning, ensuring your business can stay agile and minimize waste in an ever-shifting consumer climate.

Types

There are numerous strategies you can adopt for inventory management. While no one is inherently better than the others, there’s always a better tactic for individual organizations — whether that’s a single type or a combination.

Knowing the inventory approach you want to take can influence your software selection. Below are four of the most common inventory counting strategies to help you better determine your needs:

  • Periodic Inventory System Management: Periodic management involves performing physical inventory counts at specific intervals by manually checking records against on-hand stock. Best for small and single-location businesses with limited inventory. It’s a cost-effective, simplified approach that can be done on paper or with the help of software.
  • Perpetual Inventory System Management: With perpetual counting, you can track sales in real time through POS systems, minimizing the need for physical counts. Ideal for large companies with high sales volume, they offer up-to-date information, reduce counting costs and enable better decision-making. These systems enhance inventory control, optimizing operations and customer satisfaction.
  • Barcode Inventory System Management: Barcoding is extremely useful in conjunction with perpetual inventory systems. Assign unique labels and barcodes to products to quickly pull up details, such as on-hand quantities, orders, purchases, locations and more, for real-time stock insights.
  • RFID Inventory Management: RFID management is similar in scope to barcoding but differs in execution. Rather than barcodes, you use smart tags with wireless transmitting to track products. It offers a greater range than barcodes, but it’s less customizable.

Primary Benefits

Inventory management software is purpose-built to reduce and eliminate out-of-stock and overstock conditions by defining optimal inventory levels for products based on demand.

Here are some inventory management benefits these systems bring to the table:

Inventory Management Benefits

Increased Profitability

Inventory systems can estimate numerous business variables based on data and trends, such as demand, expenses and potential problems.

With demand forecasting, you get insights into what to expect of customer demand, so you can balance stockouts and overstocking to maximize revenue and reduce unnecessary costs.

Data-Driven Insights

In order to have forecasting capabilities, you need reporting and analytics to pull the data from.

Inventory solutions let you choose from pre-built reports or generate custom ones, so you always have the information you need to make data-driven business decisions.

You can also create custom schedules with delivery options to generate insights and deliver them to decision-makers automatically, putting key data into your stakeholders’ hands when they need it.

Streamlined Operations

Automations for routine processes can significantly streamline your inventory processes — not to mention your supply chain management as a whole.

You can automate purchasing for low stock, tracking for multiple warehouses, generating reports, syncing for multichannel sales and more.

Take automated purchasing, for example. Let’s say you rely on sheet metal for manufacturing purposes. By tracking stock levels with inventory management software, the system can automatically order more when you reach your specified threshold.

Enhanced Traceability

Inventory management tools help you trace stock in your inventory, which only becomes more advantageous the more inventory you have.

It may be easy to locate and remove compromised products if you run a single-location business with limited stock. But when you start moving towards large warehouse and multi-location organizations, it’s not as simple.

For example, if you need to locate multiple items across locations that are faulty and remove them from your supply chain, inventory management can help you determine how many you have on-hand and where they are.

Improved Customer Service

Inventory software can positively impact your customer service in several ways, beginning with better traceability. Think about the example above — the quicker you track down those faulty products, the fewer that reach customers’ hands.

Additionally, some systems, like Zoho, include CRM features or integration capabilities to help you manage customer relationships. You can share real-time tracking with customers, allowing them to see exactly when their shipments will arrive.

Inventory Software Report

Expert recommendations and analysis of the top solutions

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Implementation Goals

Ultimately, every business will have unique goals for implementing inventory management software. But when you look at them with a broad lens, there tends to be significant overlap.

If the following goals sound familiar — even if you didn’t have them in mind already but they ring true as potential improvements for your processes — then you stand to benefit from implementing inventory software.

Goal 1

Improve Stock Accuracy

Poor inventory accuracy can lead to various negative impacts on your business — stockout situations, excess inventory and high warehousing costs, to name a few.

One of the main goals of implementing inventory management tools is to improve stock accuracy, combatting those negatives.

The right solution can help you reach this goal by increasing stock visibility, facilitating forecasts, and automating reorders and low-stock alerts.

Goal 2

Optimize Order Fulfillment

Next up on our goal list is optimizing your order processing and fulfillment. Inventory management software streamlines workflows by automating tasks like order routing, picking and packing, and shipping.

Precise order fulfillment leads to better customer experiences — and you need customers to run a successful business.

By maintaining accurate inventory information and monitoring stock levels in real time, you can minimize stockouts, backorders and errors while improving customer retention.

Goal 3

Minimize Warehouse Costs

Our third goal is minimizing warehouse costs associated with inventory.

Inventory management software helps you accomplish this by facilitating demand forecasting through historical data and trends analysis, enabling you to optimize inventory levels and minimize excess stock.

By identifying slow-moving items, you can take appropriate actions to reduce carrying costs and prevent obsolescence losses.

Goal 4

Increase Inventory Data Visibility

We’ve already mentioned our fourth goal — increase inventory data visibility — in relation to improving stock accuracy. However, the benefits of greater visibility extend into other areas of your business as well.

For example, you can use inventory data to make decisions regarding discontinuing products. You can identify trends to decide what and how much to stock. You can pinpoint shrinkage percentages and implement strategies to counteract waste.

There are countless ways to put inventory data to work for you, as long as you have access to it.

Goal 5

Reduce Out-of-Stock Situations

Our final goal, reducing out-of-stock situations, ties back into previous goals, like improving stock accuracy and optimizing order fulfillment. However, it deserves a slot of its own due to its importance.

Running out of stock means potentially missed sales opportunities. Supply chain disruptions aren’t always avoidable, but having a contingency plan to ensure you have stock whenever possible can prevent losses and maintain customer satisfaction.

Going beyond forecasting and inventory control, some inventory systems help you source products and manage vendor relationships so you’re positioned to respond to disruptions, stay agile and prevent stockouts.

Inventory Management Software Report

Expert recommendations and analysis of the top solutions

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Common Features & Functionality

Inventory management systems vary, but you should expect these core capabilities from any platform you purchase.

Inventory Optimization

Optimize inventory to manage stock according to your needs.

Sort stock by various characteristics, including type, use and cost. Assign attribute tags to inventory items to identify trends based on specific characteristics.

Manage stock for multiple locations using a centralized hub. Transfer items between warehouses or divert orders to fulfillment centers with sufficient inventory.

Inventory Tracking

Go beyond what’s in your warehouse(s) to monitor products throughout your entire supply chain.

While tracking a particular product, inventory management software helps you identify various stages to gain a holistic view, including:

  • On-hand quantities
  • Incoming deliveries
  • Pending orders
  • Shipped orders
  • Recent shrinkage
  • And more
Inventory Auditing

Perform cycle counts and other audits on inventory records to identify disparities with physical or barcoding quantities. Regular auditing practices help you pinpoint and rectify potential process errors and oversights.

Labeling & Barcoding

Create unique labels and barcodes for individual products.

Use barcode scanners — some systems include native or integrated mobile apps that allow your phone to act as the scanner — to pull up item details, such as on-hand quantities, dimensions, lot, batch, date, serial number and more.

Purchase Order Management

Manage purchase order activities in one location and streamline order creation using custom or built-in templates. Scan a barcode to access data and begin a purchase.

You can further streamline purchase order processes by automating creation. Define reorder points for specific items to enable the software to automatically create purchase orders and submit them for approval.

Low Stock Alerts

Set custom threshold levels to automatically receive alerts when inventory items run low.

Rope in inventory tracking to receive alerts for items pending shipping before they leave the warehouse.

Forecasting

Predict inventory level needs using various forecasting methods, including:

  • Trend forecasting
  • Graphical forecasting
  • Qualitative forecasting
  • Quantitative forecasting

Evaluate historical data, planned events, and customer and employee inputs to identify optimal stock points.

Reporting & Analytics

Generate pre-built or custom reports on various business categories, such as:

  • Profitability
  • Performance
  • Value
  • Stock levels
  • Sales
  • Cost of goods (COGS)
  • Purchase orders
  • Shipments
  • Customers

Set recurring reporting schedules with custom delivery options or run ad-hoc reports as needed.

Inventory Software Report

Expert recommendations and analysis of the top solutions

Get free access now

Software Comparison Strategy

A well-crafted software comparison strategy can be the difference between purchasing an ideal solution and a flop. We’ve given you our top inventory management solutions, but that doesn’t mean they’re all great fits for your organization.

To truly find the best fit, you need to first define your requirements as the criteria you’ll compare products against.

For example, if you have robust inventory management requirements, you may want to look at Fishbowl Inventory — our overall pick. But if a powerful mobile app is a top priority, you can start your research with ASAP Systems — our pick for the best mobile solution.

There’s no guarantee that either of those would be the best-fit product, but it gives you a place to start your comparison.

Some other factors to consider include:

  • Scalability: You’ll need a solution that can grow with your business. Outgrowing and replacing software is costly, so make sure the platform you pick has longevity in terms of accommodating your future needs.
  • Integrations: All of our top products include extensive integration capabilities. But you still need to ensure those integrations align with the systems you currently use or be prepared to replace other portions of your software stack to mesh with your new purchase.
  • Deployment: While many inventory management vendors offer on-premise and cloud-based deployment, it’s not the case for all. Just look at Zoho and ZapERP from our list. They’re fully cloud-based products. If you prefer a self-hosted solution, you can scratch cloud-only ones from your list and vice versa.

Check out our nine-step Lean Selection methodology for a more detailed breakdown of software comparison.

Cost & Pricing Considerations

Now that you’re prepared to develop a selection strategy, you have to account for various pricing considerations. We’ll start by comparing the prices for our list of best inventory management solutions:

Fishbowl Inventory
  • Fishbowl Drive (cloud):
    • Warehousing: Starts at $3,950/year for two users.
  • Fishbowl Advanced (on-premise):
    • Warehousing: Starts at $3,950/year for two users.
    • Manufacturing: Starts at $5,150/year for two users.
ASAP Systems

Not available on the vendor’s site.

Zoho Inventory
  • Standard: $29/year for two users.
  • Professional: $79/year for two users.
  • Premium: $129/year for two users.
  • Enterprise: $249/year for two users.
Veeqo

Veeqo is free to use because they instead charge shipping partners based on shipment volume directed through the system.

ZapERP
  • Lite: $29/month (monthly rate drops to $25 if paid annually) for one user.
  • Accelerator: $79/month (monthly rate drops to $67 if paid annually) for three users.
  • High Growth: $149/month (monthly rate drops to $125 if paid annually) for eight users.

As you can see from the table above, pricing can vary significantly between systems. These are all basic package pricing with different conditions, so the varied numbers can also be a bit misleading.

For example, along with limiting the number of users for packages, Zoho also limits the number of orders per month and warehouses for each package. Going above either would incur additional costs.

You also have to look out for service fees, including:

  • Implementation
  • Data migration
  • Integration
  • Customer support

As another example, Fishbowl charges a one-time implementation fee. They also charge $49/month for add-on integrations.

When determining the total cost of ownership for a new solution, you can’t rely solely on the large-font numbers you see on a vendor’s site. You need to set your requirements and strategy (from the previous section), so you can dig deeper and directly ask vendors about additional charges.

Price Guide for Inventory Software

See prices for the top Inventory Management sof1tware... Plus get important questions to ask.

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Questions To Ask Yourself

We’ve put together some leading questions to help you start preparing your requirements and hammering out your strategy before you approach vendors: 

  • What are the biggest inventory management challenges we’re currently facing? How can we resolve them with software?
  • Is inventory management the best fit, or do we need a broader supply chain management solution to handle varying tasks?
  • Do we need specific integrations, or are we willing to rework our tech stack around the new inventory software?
  • What key metrics or data points do we need to track and analyze for effective inventory management? Do we need custom analytics, or will pre-built reports suffice?
  • How much training will we need? Can we handle it ourselves, or do we need vendor-led training?

Questions to Ask About Inventory Management Software

 

 

 

Questions To Ask Vendors

Once you’re set with internal questions, turn your sights toward vendors and software. Here are some questions you can use as a starting point for conversations with inventory management companies:

About the Software

  • Does the system offer broader SCM capabilities for shipping and purchasing?
  • What security measures are in place to protect sensitive inventory data? Does the software offer data encryption or user access controls?
  • Does the solution integrate with other essential business systems, such as accounting or eCommerce platforms?
  • Does it have a native mobile app or mobile-friendly browser view?
  • Can we customize reports? If so, how extensively?

About the Vendor

  • What’s your approach to providing ongoing innovation and value?
  • How many years of expertise do you have in the industry?
  • What industries do you cater to? What’s your customer retention rate?
  • What’s the average implementation time frame?
  • Beyond functionality, what are your other service offerings (e.g. data migration, customization, training)?

Next Steps

There’s no doubt about the benefits of implementing inventory management software if you find the right fit for your business. But that doesn’t mean it’s not challenging to find the right one.

If you’re ready to take the next step and begin your search, check out our free comparison report. It’s an interactive tool that lets you compare industry leaders side by side, evaluating them against your requirements, analyst data and user experiences.

Product Comparisons

Additional Resources

About The Contributors

The following expert team members are responsible for creating, reviewing, and fact checking the accuracy of this content.

Technical Content Writer
Ryan McElroy is a Content Editor and Senior Market Analyst at SelectHub who writes and edits content on various software types, along with their broader concepts and the industries they serve, including medical, construction, CMMS, supply chain management and legal. He studied at the University of Missouri (Mizzou) and earned his BA in Journalism in 2016. During his free time, you’ll find Ryan playing video/card/board games, sipping coffee and reading speculative fiction, or listening to music his loved ones often describe as “headache-inducing.”
Technical Research By Mohit Hariramani
Senior Analyst
Mohit has a degree and Master in Finance from Mumbai, India, his years of professional market research experience started in 2019. His expertise lies in categories such as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Manufacturing, Inventory Management, Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), Facility Management Software (FMS), POS Systems (Point of Sale) and more. Through his academic and professional background, he honed skills in attention to detail, navigating ambiguity, and analytical prowess, which uniquely equip him to manage and thrive in the dynamic landscape of these diverse categories. He's passionate about leveraging his knowledge and experience to contribute effectively to the assigned technology areas.
Technical Review By Kankana Kalita
Principal Analyst
A seasoned business and research analyst, Kankana Kalita specializes in ERP, CMMS, manufacturing, construction, supply chain, HRMS and CRM. Prior to joining SelectHub, she earned a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and Engineering, an MBA in Operations and Marketing, and worked in email marketing and logistics.
Edited By Hunter Lowe
Content Editor
Hunter Lowe is a Content Editor, Writer and Market Analyst at SelectHub. His team covers categories that range from ERP and business intelligence to transportation and supply chain management. Hunter is an avid reader and Dungeons and Dragons addict who studied English and Creative Writing through college. In his free time, you'll likely find him devising new dungeons for his players to explore, checking out the latest video games, writing his next horror story or running around with his daughter.