Thanks to e-commerce growth, demand for US warehouse space is expected to rise to 1 billion square feet by 2025. But whether you operate a single warehouse or a whole network of them, efficiency and accuracy are crucial for monitoring inventory levels, fulfilling orders on time, and keeping the supply chain running smoothly.
The best way to achieve the level of accuracy & efficiency required is by using a warehouse inventory management system. Below we’ve listed 8 of the top options.
Top 8 warehouse inventory management softwares
If we showed you every relevant software solution on the market, we’d be here a very long time. So, we’ve done the hard work and chosen eight of the best options for you to compare—starting, of course, with Brightpearl.
1. Brightpearl
Unlike the many one-size-fits-all ERP solutions on the market, Brightpearl’s retail operating system is purpose-built for e-commerce, retail and wholesale merchants—and that includes integrated warehouse management tools such as flexible order picking and super-easy returns management.
The ability to view your entire inventory in real time makes cycle counting a breeze, while the barcode scanning technology and automated workflows for picking, packing, and shipping will massively reduce errors (as well as saving a ton of time). Brightpearl’s Automation Engine also covers replenishment, invoicing, and purchase orders, allowing their customers to save two months a year on average when compared to manual processes!
Brightpearl also provides accurate forecasting in conjunction with the demand planning tool, all made easier by being part of a system that sits at the heart of your business with centralized data. In addition, there are multiple Plug & Play integrations with e-commerce platforms, marketplaces, shipping carriers, 3PL systems, and automated EDI solutions.
With essential and advanced features at hand, you don’t have to pay extra for add-ons. And because you can pick and choose the elements of your tech stack, you won’t end up paying for features you’ll never use.
User reviews say Brightpearl makes it easy to track everything, and provides great customer support. They also mention that it’s very simple to learn after a little training, which is part of the onboarding process.
Pricing: You’ll need to contact Brightpearl for a quote, as their pricing is tailored to each business. You’ll get transparent pricing with a clear outline of the costs involved and future pricing plans.
2. QuickBooks Commerce (formerly Tradegecko)
Source: capterra.com
This cloud-based software incorporates inventory and order management, with integration across all major e-commerce platforms as well as reporting and forecasting tools. You can list product details to multiple channels simultaneously, and manage inventory across warehouse locations. However, there’s no dedicated WMS module.
QuickBooks Commerce used to be a standalone product (called Tradegecko), but this will be retired in June 2022—and stopped accepting new customers in June 2021. For customers in the US, it’s now only available as part of a bundle with QuickBooks Online.
The bundle means your inventory and expenses are synced in one platform. But you no longer get demand forecasting, reorder reports, batch and expiry tracking, or the iOS mobile sales app. Reviews mention that the software is more focused on finance than warehouse management—although that means it can do things like automatically calculate sales tax on your invoices.
If you check the small print, QuickBooks Commerce describes itself as a “good fit” only if your business has fewer than 30,000 orders and 20,000 SKUs per month (but not if you track items with serial numbers, use dropshipping, or measure items by weight). It’s not especially scalable as it only allows a limited number of users.
Users say there is room for improvement, with the system freezing or crashing, no dark theme available, and customer support on the slow side. All in all, it’s probably more suitable for smaller B2B companies than enterprises with large warehouse operations.
Pricing: The bundled offer starts at $50 per month for 12 months. Current Online customers can add Commerce for $25 per month. There’s no free trial available.
3. NetSuite
Source: capterra.com
Oracle NetSuite is a unified ERP system that includes management tools for finances, inventory, orders, warehouses, and supply chain. It also features automation, CRM, analytics, and an e-commerce module with marketing, POS, and content management.
It’s marketed as a “suite” of applications that integrate in order to provide up-to-date information. Some of these (such as accounting, inventory management, and order management) are included in the main price, but not all of them—which means you’d need to buy the others as add-ons.
For example, the WMS gives you essentials like barcode scanning, task management, cycle count planning, and integration with shipping systems, but it’ll cost you extra. Same with the supply chain management module. If you’re considering NetSuite because you want warehouse management capability, this is something to be aware of.
On the plus side, the software is technically scalable because you can choose the features you want. However, it’s somewhat lacking in out-of-the-box third-party integrations, and you have to pay separately for “connectors”.This means that if a new shopping channel emerges that you want to make the most of, you’ll likely miss out by the time the integration is ready.
Some reviewers mention that the system isn’t particularly user-friendly, especially for newbies, and that NetSuite could offer more training. There are also mentions of it running slowly, and the interface looking outdated.
Pricing: There are no prices shown on the website, which makes it tricky to figure out just how much it might cost to get all the modules you need. Subscribers pay for an annual license based on the core platform, optional modules and the number of users. Businesses mostly decide to hire a consultant to help implement the software. However, this is still typically a 12 month+ process with only a 25% success rate on average across all ERPs. Basic tech support is free, but you’ll need to upgrade for 24/7 coverage.
4. Odoo
Source: capterra.com
Odoo is an open-source collection of apps or modules including inventory management, CRM, e-commerce, accounting, POS, and project management. There’s no app specifically entitled “warehouse management”, but the inventory module gives you related tools such as a double-entry system, automated replenishment, and comprehensive reporting.
You have the advantage of all your apps being in one place and integrating together, rather than using lots of tools from different providers. However, this modular solution means that you have to pay separately for each of the apps you need.
Odoo does allow free use of a single app of your choice (although this option isn’t entirely free as you’re still paying a nominal fee per user). If you only want a couple of tools, this can be cost-effective—but unless your business is tiny, you’ll certainly need more than that.
While the system is scalable and customizable, users say it can be complex to use and you may need to do a lot of adjusting to get it set up to your liking. Although you can choose self-service implementation, this complexity means you’ll probably need to buy the pricey Odoo Success Pack.
Another thing to watch out for is that some modules require their “parent app” to operate. For example, e-commerce is dependent on the website app—you can’t have one without the other. You also have to pay extra for shipping integrations and connectors for eBay and Amazon.
Pricing: Odoo costs $20 per user per month (annual billing), and then you pay a per-month rate for each app individually (prices vary). A single app is free, but if you choose two or more, all of them become chargeable. The subscription includes 24/5 support.
5. SkuVault
Source: capterra.com
SkuVault is a cloud-based inventory management software designed for omnichannel e-commerce businesses. You can sync your sales channels, generate reports, and streamline the pick, pack, and ship processes with automation.
Specific warehouse management functions include multi-warehouse inventory visibility, hyper picking, product kitting, and a quality control system. Another upside is the number of ready-to-go integrations, as well as an API system. There are mobile apps for Android and iOS.
The system lets you generate pick lists, but there’s no ability to set automation rules based on your own workflows (such as automatically choosing the closest warehouse to the delivery address, which you can do with Brightpearl). SkuVault has basic accounting-related features and integrations, although not a complete integrated accounting tool. It also struggles for reliability and options with integrations to e-commerce platforms & marketplaces.
Those are some of the reasons why this software is more suited to small and mid-size retailers. All plans are based on two users, which clearly wouldn’t be enough for larger firms—and even the highest-priced tier only covers you for up to 20,000 orders per month.
Users have praised the customer service, but said that there are some issues with updating inventory and with the product search feature. Others commented that the interface could be more streamlined, and the mobile app doesn’t have full functionality.
Pricing: There are three packages available: Growth $269 per month, Pro $409, Enterprise $809. As we said, they only include two users—you have to pay an additional monthly fee for each extra user ($112, $90 and $68 respectively).
6. Fishbowl
Source: capterra.com
Fishbowl, sometimes referred to as Fishbowl Inventory, has products for manufacturing and warehouse management—both are sold as separate solutions. We’ll focus on the warehouse side of things, which gives you inventory control, order management, and the ability to automate things like reorder points and purchase orders.
The software has the features you’d expect, rather than anything that really stands out. It does offer handy real-time tracking for the location, status and cost of individual parts, but there’s no FIFO or LIFO support, and it can be difficult to get custom reports.
There are integrations with the likes of e-commerce platforms, shipping, and CRM systems, plus a super-smooth integration with QuickBooks. However, integrations are listed as add-ons, so may incur an extra cost. So are things like the mobile app (iOS and Android) and training packages, although you can get a free trial for some add-ons.
Reviewers mention that the system is versatile and easy to implement and use, but on the downside there’s limited customization, and the embedded shipping features can be glitchy.
Fishbowl is purchased with an upfront fee, which gives you permanent ownership instead of paying a monthly subscription. Thing is, you only get updates and customer support for the first year—you’d have to resubscribe (at a lower cost) in order to continue receiving them.
Pricing: It’s priced according to the number of user licenses and the support plan, but starts at $4,395 for Fishbowl Warehouse. According to the website, it becomes more cost-efficient the more users you add. There’s no pricing info available for the add-on features.
7. Finale Inventory
Source: capterra.com
Another cloud-based inventory management system, Finale Inventory is aimed at high-volume, multichannel e-commerce businesses. The warehouse management aspect includes tools for monitoring stock levels, dynamic reordering, returns, and mobile barcode scanning.
There are plenty of integrations with e-commerce platforms, marketplaces, and shipping services, but you need to be aware of the limitations on these. The lowest-priced plan only gives you access to two integrations—this number rises with each plan as far as 11, before you jump to unlimited access in the top two plans.
Speaking of plans, there’s a whole bunch of them, which may be a little overwhelming. With each one, you pay a single flat rate per month based on the number of users, orders and integrations. All plans cover 100,000 products, but they’re severely limited on the number of users. For instance, the top (custom) plan only accommodates 16 users and 20,000 orders per month.
Users have praised the very comprehensive video tour and knowledge base as well as good customer service. The system is reportedly user-friendly once you know how it all works, but suffers from an unattractive interface and complex design. There’s also mention of glitches with syncing and data loading glitches, while the reports are quite basic.
Pricing: Starter ($63 per month), Bronze ($166), Silver ($291), Gold ($458), Platinum ($665), Platinum+ (custom quote). A 14-day free trial is available. Training and consulting are included at no extra cost.
8. GEP
GEP is largely known for procurement software called GEP SMART, but it also offers the GEP NEXXE system for supply chain management. This aims to provide end-to-end visibility throughout the supply chain, and includes inventory and warehouse management capabilities.
You can monitor stock levels with real-time data and status updates, generate recommendation-based replenishment orders, and configure workflows to suit your needs. Other features include forecasting and analytics, automation, and AI-powered SCM planning tools.
Implementation allows you to deploy one component at a time, and GEP NEXXE describes itself as having easy-to-use interfaces and dashboards (there are no independent online user reviews to be found, which indicates that the software is fairly new or at least not too well-known).
The inventory, warehouse, and logistics functions are part of the GEP NEXXE Visibility & Execution Suite, with separate suites for Collaboration and Planning. These modules can be used in conjunction with the procurement software.
GEP NEXXE says it integrates with other third-party and legacy ERP solutions such as SAP and Oracle, but that shows you’ll need a separate ERP. . . so you may as well just choose a comprehensive retail ops platform like Brightpearl that has inventory and warehouse management built-in.
Pricing: The website doesn’t show any details of pricing or plans. Get in touch for more information.
What is warehouse inventory management software?
Warehouse inventory management software (also known as a warehouse management system or WMS) is a software solution that helps businesses manage the operations of a warehouse or distribution center by optimizing efficiency and resources.
WMS software covers the full spectrum of warehouse tasks, from receiving and put-away to picking, packing, and shipping. Warehouse management would once have been carried out using spreadsheets (there may be some businesses still using this method!) but this type of software enables you to streamline warehouse processes, reduce manual labor, and eliminate costly errors.
For example, most software syncs with handheld barcode scanners or radio frequency identification (RFID) scanners that log and trace products by serial number or SKU. The system will instantly identify the bin or pallet number and the picking sequence, so you can quickly locate items and process them according to predefined rules.
A warehouse management system may form part of your enterprise resource planning (ERP), retail operating system (ROS), or supply chain management (SCM) software, or it might be a standalone solution. Ideally, it will integrate with other business systems such as third-party logistics (3PL), shipping partners and e-commerce platforms—like Brightpearl does!
Inventory management vs warehouse management software
There are similarities—both types of software help you optimize storage, order fulfillment, shipping and reordering stock, and moving inventory from distributor to customer with maximum efficiency. Both use automation to improve efficiency and accuracy. And the two aspects often work together.
However, there are some key differences. Inventory management software deals with an overview of your entire inventory throughout the supply chain, with a focus on maintaining stock levels and forecasting future demand.
Warehouse management software, on the other hand, concentrates on managing the goods within a warehouse. As well as tracking stock movement from warehouse to customer, it standardizes and automates warehouse tasks such as picking, packing, and shipping. An advanced WMS can also help you optimize staffing and warehouse layout, such as placing best-selling items near the packing areas to expedite shipping.
Types of warehouse management systems
When it comes to warehouse management systems, there are a couple of different options. You can choose standalone WMS software, or invest in an integrated system that incorporates warehouse management capabilities alongside other features. Your choice will depend on the size and nature of your business, as well as your software budget.
Standalone
Standalone systems specialize in warehouse management, and all their features are focused on optimizing your warehouse operations. They will likely include basic inventory management capabilities, but if you need additional functionality then you’ll have to pick a WMS that integrates with other business systems.
A standalone WMS solution could suit your business if you only need warehouse management and not much else—however, if you are going for this option, it’s worth investing in the best system you can afford. This software is available as an on-premises system or a cloud-based SaaS (software-as-a-service) solution.
Integrated
This type of system provides warehouse management as part of a unified solution such as an ERP (or, even better, Brightpearl’s retail operating system). That means you get a WMS module as well as features like an inventory management system, order management, accounting, and customer relationship management (CRM).
By choosing software with wider capabilities, you can centralize your operations in a single interface—and it can also integrate with warehouse equipment like automation machinery. Yes, it might cost you more, but larger retail businesses operating at scale would benefit from a combined product.
Warehouse management solutions
Whether you’re diving into warehouse management systems for the first time, or looking to update an existing software solution, you’ll find there’s no shortage of options on the market. It’s a good idea to sit down with your team and consider exactly what features you’ll need, then carry out some thorough research to find the system that best fits your business model.
For example, you might want analytics tools that help you track sales trends by location, and monitor staff productivity. As well as tracking inventory and shipments, it’s useful to have tools for printing labels and packing slips, a transport management function, and the ability to determine reorder points based on demand.
Advantages of modern warehouse inventory management software
The major advantage of using software to manage your warehouse and inventory is that it’s much simpler than using clunky old spreadsheets, which are time-consuming and prone to errors. Your productivity will definitely get a boost, especially with unified platforms where all the tools and features are in one handy place.
Source: retail.economictimes.indiatimes.com
You’ll be able to track products on their journey from arrival at the warehouse to customer delivery, and speed up all the processes in between. Plus, this type of software brings together all the data you need to monitor stock levels and predict demand.
Here are a few more benefits:
Source: esparkinfo.com
Factors to consider when choosing warehouse inventory management software
As we mentioned earlier, there are tons of similar softwares available, and it can be tricky to choose between them. There’s a lot to consider, from budget concerns to getting the right features for your business needs. Let’s take a look at some of the aspects you should take into account when making your shortlist.
Function
It’s important that your software is simple to set up and easy to use for everyone involved, otherwise you’ll waste a lot of time in configuring the system and training your staff. The whole idea is to boost productivity and speed up your warehousing processes, from sales order tracking to picking and shipping.
Look for an intuitive interface and dashboard, and a reporting feature with simple visuals and opportunities for customization. Find out if the provider offers robust technical support and onboarding.
Cost
In the software market, as with so much else in life, you generally get what you pay for. A free solution may sound like a winner, but it’s only likely to give you basic capabilities—and then you’ll find yourself forking out for additional apps.
For large businesses, it’s best to go for a unified platform like Brightpearl, with enough flexibility and scalability to let you add extra functionality as you grow. Make sure the pricing is transparent, and that it gives you value for money based on your specific requirements.
Source: ithinklogistics.com
Customer needs
It’s worth thinking about the customer experience when you look for software features. For example, choosing a solution with smart automation means you can process orders faster, while enhanced stock visibility means you won’t commit the cardinal sin of overselling.
Offering plenty of shipping and returns options will help to keep customers happy and increase conversions in your e-commerce store. And a built-in or integrated CRM gives you instant access to vital customer data.
Warehouse size
The type of software you need will depend on the size of your operation. If you have only one warehouse or distribution center, you may get by with a more basic management system. But if you are running multiple warehouses (and selling on multiple channels), you’ll need advanced features to keep everything connected. A unified solution provides a single source of truth for all your operations.
Why Brightpearl is the Best Warehouse Inventory Management Software
The beauty of Brightpearl is that it’s an all-in-one software solution, but it’s not one-size-fits-all. Like we mentioned earlier, it’s especially created for retail and wholesale businesses, and allows you to choose the features you need in a bespoke package—including built-in financial management and CRM capabilities.
The platform is more agile and flexible than a traditional ERP, dealing with complex post-purchase operations including multi-warehouse fulfillment, order splitting, and dropshipping. The Automation Engine enables you to vastly reduce order handling time, which means you can promise your customers faster delivery (and always deliver on your promises).
Brightpearl’s warehouse management features also make the return and refund process extra-simple for both customers and employees. And, as part of the Demand Planner, you’ll get data-driven replenishment reports so you always know what’s in stock, what’s needed, and where it should be.
Benefits of Brightpearl
All-in-one solution
Since the warehouse management solution is part of Brightpearl’s complete retail operating system, all your other business tasks can be carried out in one place. That includes inventory and order management, shipping and fulfillment, purchasing and accounting, supplier management, and business intelligence.
The tools and data are accessible to all users, and there’s no need to toggle between separate apps to get things done. You can collate, process, and manage orders from all your online and offline sales channels, so you never lose track of them—and you can easily see which items are selling well.
Plus, Brightpearl gives you all kinds of integrations with the likes of e-commerce platforms, marketplaces, and 3PL. Built and supported in-house, they’re proven to handle high order volumes (and if there’s ever a problem, it can be sorted swiftly). The open API also supports custom integrations if required.
Complete visibility
Brightpearl gives you a 360-degree view of your operations, from multiple warehouses to multiple sales channels. The business intelligence function offers deep insights into product performance, and highly-accurate demand forecasting to help you make faster and more-informed decisions.
Brightpearl provides you with at-a-glance dashboards and advanced notifications, and generates overstock reports and open-to-buy reports to help you shift slow-moving SKUs, set accurate budgets, and order the right amount of inventory. There’s even a tool to help you maximize container loading in order to save on shipping costs.
It’s easy to keep a close eye on returns and replenishment, with the integrated POS system linking your warehouses and stores for a real-time view of stock availability. When new inventory arrives at a warehouse, you can reconcile it against specific purchase orders, transfers, or sales credits in Brightpearl.
It’s all part of keeping your warehouse team and other staff on the same page—there’s a separate login and interface for your warehouse management team, giving them instant access to the information, workflows, and functionality they require.
Source: ey.com
Custom automation
The Automation Engine allows you to automate warehouse workflows based on your own business needs. You can customize your goods-out workflows, optimizing pick routes, and automate complex fulfillment on specific predefined orders.
The barcode scanning system helps to reduce errors, and you can also set up audio alerts so that staff can avoid picking the wrong items. Further automation includes placing purchase orders with suppliers when an item is required, and specifying which suppliers to order from when you’re out of stock.
Brightpearl automatically enables full or partial flexible inventory counts by zone and updates your sales channels accordingly. And when customers ship return items back to you, the WMS automatically initiates the sales credit process as soon as the items are received in the warehouse.
The Automation Engine will save you a ton of time and effort, from data entry to processing batch invoices. In fact, Brightpearl customers have been able to reduce human error by 65%, lower labor costs by 52%, and cut shipping time by 92%—as well as processing orders up to 70% faster.
Scalability
As it’s a SaaS solution, Brightpearl is perfect for growing businesses. You can choose the tech stack that’s right for you, right now, in the knowledge that it’s easy to expand the feature set when required. You’ll pay a monthly subscription and Brightpearl will take care of all system maintenance and updates.
Support
As part of Brightpearl’s “Grow Fearlessly” mantra, you’ll receive ongoing support to help you make the most of the system’s capabilities and accelerate the growth of your business. You’ll be matched with your very own Customer Success Team, who’ll regularly check in on your account and offer recommendations—and draw up a tailored Success Plan to help you meet your goals.
Implementation is fast and easy, especially with guidance from expert retail consultants. Before you sign up to anything, Brightpearl will scope out your project and provide a fixed-cost quote. The team will also migrate your existing data, and make sure everything is properly configured and connected to all your channels and systems so you’re ready to get going.
There are flexible training plans for all your staff, tailored to cover the features that are most important to your business. Users also have access to webinars and a self-paced learning platform, and there’s 24/7 tech support available via phone and email should you need it.
Final Thoughts
Warehouse inventory management is a big job—so it doesn’t make sense for you to struggle by with a substandard solution (or, even worse, manual-entry spreadsheets!). Even small businesses can ramp up their operations with a software solution, bringing improved accuracy and productivity through smart tools and automation.
With an advanced solution such as Brightpearl, you’ll get advanced analytics to help you identify any problems and predict future demand, alongside handy built-in features like CRM and POS. By centralizing all your tasks and information, you’ll be better placed to avoid issues like stockouts and picking errors.
Streamlining your warehouse operations will enable you to process orders quickly and ensure that the right goods are always delivered to the right place, at the right time. As well as keeping your customers happy and loyal, you’ll be able to reduce overall costs and improve your bottom line.