Which order management system should you choose for your omnichannel strategy?

In the ever-changing world of e-commerce, a business's success depends on its ability to adapt to changing consumer needs. Omnichannel has become imperative for online retailers looking to remain competitive and deliver an exceptional customer experience.

One of the cornerstones of an effective omnichannel strategy is the wise choice of an Order Management System (OMS) . OMS, not to be confused with the World Health Organization, is at the heart of operations orchestration, inventory management, and sales channel synchronization. It allows companies to centralize and streamline their operations, providing complete visibility across the entire order lifecycle, from the first customer interaction to product delivery.

Be careful, however, not to confuse OMS with CMS (content management systems) , particularly E-commerce CMS like Shopify.

However, the market is full of different OMS solutions, which can make choosing the right system complex. As an e-commerce consultant, our goal is to guide you through this crucial process. In this article, we will explore the ins and outs of choosing the right OMS for your business, highlighting the essential criteria, the options available on the market, and best practices for a successful implementation.

If you're ready to improve your omnichannel strategy and optimize your e-commerce operations, read on to learn how to choose the best OMS for your business.

1.Definition of an OMS (Order management system) E-commerce

An Order Management System, or OMS, is the central pillar of any successful omnichannel e-commerce strategy. Essentially, it's an intelligent software solution that manages and fulfills orders in a multi-channel sales environment. The OMS acts as the brains of your business, seamlessly orchestrating every step of the ordering process, from the first customer interaction to final product delivery.

One of the key features of an OMS, such as Shippingbo , is its ability to centralize all order-related information , regardless of its origin. Whether orders come from your online store, physical stores, online marketplaces, or any other sales channel, the OMS brings them together in one place. This centralization provides real-time visibility into all inventory and orders, enabling more efficient management and a seamless customer experience.

Additionally, an OMS goes beyond simple order management. It can also handle returns, refunds, inventory allocation, shipping optimization, and even data analysis to help you make informed decisions about business strategy, connect to Shopify POS , or more.

In short, an Order Management System is much more than just a software tool. It's the pillar that supports your business's success in an increasingly complex and diverse e-commerce environment. In the next section, we'll explore why choosing the right OMS is crucial for an effective omnichannel strategy.

2. The Advantages of Omnichannel

These days, it's become clear that omnichannel is a strong customer expectation. Perhaps because it offers many advantages for retail businesses, both for occasional and one-time customers. But let's be honest, retailers have everything to gain from omnichannel. Here are some of the main benefits:

Improving Customer Experience

Omnichannel allows customers to interact with a business in different ways, whether in-store, online, via a mobile app, or by phone. This offers customers a more seamless and convenient experience because they can choose the channel that best suits them. With an OMS, for example, it becomes possible to control Ship From Store !

Increase in Sales

By offering multiple customer touchpoints, omnichannel can lead to increased sales. Customers can start their shopping journey online and complete it in-store, or vice versa, expanding sales opportunities.

Inventory Optimization

Omnichannel allows businesses to manage their inventory more efficiently. By having a comprehensive view of all sales channels, they can avoid stockouts, minimize excess inventory, and better meet demand.

Personalization of the experience

By collecting and analyzing customer data from different channels, businesses can personalize the shopping experience. They can recommend relevant products based on each customer's preferences and purchasing behavior.

Customer loyalty

A positive omnichannel experience can contribute to customer loyalty. Customers who have a seamless and convenient experience are more likely to return and become loyal customers.

Improved data analysis

Omnichannel allows for the collection of data from various channels, enabling deeper analysis of customer behavior. This analysis can help businesses make more informed marketing and inventory management decisions and increase your conversion rate .

Expanding Geographic Scope

Businesses can reach a wider audience by leveraging various sales channels, including online. This allows them to reach customers in geographic areas where they may not have a physical presence.

Fraud reduction

By using centralized management systems, companies can better control security and fraud prevention because they have a comprehensive view of transactions.

Responsiveness to market trends

Omnichannel businesses are better positioned to adapt quickly to market changes, emerging trends, and evolving customer preferences.

Improved profitability

Although the initial investment in an omnichannel strategy can be significant, it can lead to increased profitability in the long term through better sales and inventory management and an increase in customer loyalty. Click and collect , for example, can increase store profitability by selling their stock online at no extra cost.

In short, omnichannel has become essential for retail businesses seeking to remain competitive and meet changing customer expectations in an increasingly connected world. It offers significant benefits in terms of operational efficiency, customer experience, and profitability.

3. Selection Criteria for an OMS

What are the specific needs of my business?

Consider the size of your inventory, the complexity of your order fulfillment processes, and the sales channels you use.

What essential features should I look for in an OMS?

Ensure the OMS can centralize orders, manage inventory in real time, handle returns and refunds, and integrate seamlessly with your existing sales channels.
Is OMS scalable to support my business growth?

Make sure the solution can scale as your business expands without requiring a major overhaul.

What level of customer support and technical assistance is offered?

Evaluate the quality of customer support and availability of assistance, as this will impact your day-to-day user experience.

Is the WHO interface user-friendly and intuitive?

Make sure the interface is user-friendly to facilitate day-to-day management of operations. An OMS should save you time!

4. Examples of the Main OMS on the Market

The good news is that there are OMSs for almost every use case. We'll start by recommending two French ones that are among the world leaders: ShippingBo and OneStock.

But no matter your tech stack, there's an OMS that fits. Here are 10 OMS ideas to take a closer look at. Be careful, given the sheer number of OMS functions and the value propositions sometimes oriented toward TMS (transport management system) or even WMS (warehouse management system), it's easy to get lost. Getting support from an e-commerce agency or an e-commerce consultant is often a good idea.

1. One Stock: One Stock is an OMS that focuses on inventory management and order centralization for businesses looking to improve operational efficiency and provide a seamless customer experience.

2. ShippingBo: ShippingBo is a shipping and logistics management solution that aims to optimize the shipping process and simplify delivery management for businesses.

3. Magento Order Management: Offered by Magento, this OMS offers advanced features for order management and orchestration of omnichannel operations.

4. Salesforce Order Management: Integrated into the Salesforce suite, this OMS allows companies to centrally manage their orders, inventories and customer service.

5. SAP Order Management: A robust OMS that is part of the SAP ecosystem, it offers comprehensive order and inventory management, as well as tight integration with other SAP solutions.

6. Oracle Order Management: Oracle offers a complete OMS solution that supports order management, inventory management, and integration with other Oracle applications.

7. IBM Order Management: This IBM solution provides real-time visibility into orders, inventory and delivery for optimal operations management.

8. Shopify Order Management: For Shopify platform users, Shopify's OMS helps manage online and in-store orders, with inventory management and reporting features.

9. WooCommerce Order Management: Designed for WordPress and WooCommerce users, this OMS makes it easy to manage orders, inventory, and shipping.

10. NetSuite Order Management: Offered by Oracle NetSuite, this OMS offers advanced features for order management, inventory management and process automation.