Supply Chain Software

What is the best Supply Chain Software?

Supply Chain software is a system that provides all the powerful tools needed to manage a supply chain, such as: data access, reports, and analysis all the important details about how the goods and products your business relies on get from point A to point B, all in one centralized system.

Supply Chain Management software makes it possible for you to easily access data and create meaningful reports conveying how each aspect of your supply chain is performing. Data visualization capabilities is improving in each iteration of this software, giving companies an array of tools for improving efficiency, identifying and solving issues, and planning for future business growth.

The top features in Supply Chain software include:

  • Supply Chain Planning
  • Demand Planning
  • Inventory Management
  • Warehouse Management
  • Supplier Relationship Management
  • Procurement
  • Sourcing
  • Order Fulfillment
  • Transportation Management
  • Reporting and Analytics
  • Predictive Analytics and Forecasting Tools

The benefits of Supply Chain software are:

  • Improve Synchronicity in Your Supply Chain
  • Reduce Risk and Errors
  • Control (and Often Reduce) Costs
  • Boost Efficiency and Productivity
  • Support Decision-Making
  • Improve Customer Service and Supplier Relations
  • Maintain Data Security and Integrity

There is some overlap in ERP and Supply Chain Management solutions, but generally ERP systems handle a much larger operational data set that’s set up in modules across all the different levels of the company, of which supply chain management is just one component. So often times, supply chain is part of an ERP system, but it’s not the sole function of an ERP.

Supply Chain Management solutions, on the other hand, are specifically designed to the needs of any company managing a supply chain. There is a lot of variation in supply chain management tools, because some are tailored exclusively to particular industries or functionalities (such as transportation management) but the sole focus of supply chain management solutions is, indeed, supply chain.

Efficient systems and sustainable processes eliminating excess waste at point in a company’s supply chain operations are going to be even more heavily scrutinized by executives in the coming year. This focus on sustainable practices is bound to be a competitive differentiator amongst providers as they use this focus to further reduce costs and wasted energy or resources (while improving their environmental footprint at the same time.)

Supply Chain Management is going social. Social media channels have become a main focus for customer service improvements in many businesses, and for good reason. Social media is the most common place where consumers are going to share the experience they’ve had with a brand. Much of a customer’s experience is shaped by your supply chain, from product quality reviews, delivery speed, and overall customer satisfaction. Supply chain managers are starting to focus more on social media for this reason, and this useful data will likely soon become a main component of product management and executive strategy.

Choosing a supply chain software solution that is perfectly tailored to your business is key to maintaining a thriving supply chain and the process of finding and implementing your perfect system should be driven by business goals, supply chain issues, and growth plans for the future.

Top 10 Supply Chain Software

NetSuite / SYSPRO / SAP S/4HANA / Oracle ERP / Aquilon Software / Portcast / Aptean / Logility / IFS / Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central

WH Score
8.5
Infor M3
31reviews
Starting Price:N/A
Infor is a well-established software solutions provider that has over the past grown to be a formidable player in the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software market. The company offers full set applications that range from ERP to EAM ( Enterprise Asset Management). It also provides Product Life-...
WH Score
8.5
Kinetic
31reviews
Starting Price:N/A
Epicor ERP is a worldclass Enterprise Resource Planning business management solution used by over 20,000 customers in more than 150 countries. It is a single, end-to-end software solution used mostly by mid-market firms. It is guided by user needs in the current market. It is also built on 100% Micr...
WH Score
8.3
Coupa
6reviews
Starting Price:N/A
Coupa Software enables businesses everywhere to recognize bottom-line financial success via Savings-as-a-Service. More than 500 customers doing business in over 100 countries use Coupa to support business agility and reduce costs. Only Coupa provides an organic suite of true cloud applications inclu...
WH Score
8.2
Sage X3
17reviews
Starting Price:N/A
Sage Business Cloud Enterprise Management is changing how businesses compete and grow with a fast, flexible, simple solution for globally connected organizations. With Enterprise Management, you're choosing a next-generation cloud solution for your enterprise to grow faster and accelerate efficienci...
WH Score
8.1
Luminate
6reviews
Starting Price:N/A
Blue Yonder (formerly JDA Software) is a cloud-based system specifically tailored to the supply chain management needs of large and enterprise companies in many industries such as: automotive, aerospace, retail, TPL, food and beverage and consumer goods.
WH Score
8.1
PolyPM
22reviews
Starting Price:N/A
Polygon is a powerful and versatile software solution for businesses of all sizes. With its advanced features and easy-to-use interface, Polygon makes it easy to manage and optimize your operations.
WH Score
8.0
e2open
7reviews
Starting Price:N/A
With BluJay solutions, manage your supply chain operations across multiple timezones, currencies and languages, over one centralized platform. From transportation management to freight forwarding, all operations can be consolidated so that there’s no need to toggle back and forth between different a...
WH Score
8.0
DELMIAworks
28reviews
Starting Price:N/A
IQMS has a flagship product called the Enterprise IQ. It is developed with specifications for discrete and also repetitive manufacturers. They can be found in aerospace, automotive, plastics, metal fabrication, packaging industries and others. Though its focus is on firms that have repetitive proces...
WH Score
7.9
M1
12reviews
Starting Price:N/A
ECI M1 ERP is a comprehensive enterprise resource planning (ERP) software solution designed for small and medium-sized businesses. It provides a wide range of tools and features to help companies manage their core business processes, including financial management, manufacturing, distribution, and c...
WH Score
7.9
Dynamics Square
0reviews
Starting Price:$298.53 per user / per month
Dynamics Square is a trusted partner for Microsoft Dynamics 365, serving businesses primarily in Canada. From brand new implementations to streamlining existing MS Dynamics 365 subscriptions, Dynamics Square accommodates a variety of customized needs to suit businesses operating in industries such a...

Learn more about Supply Chain Software

What is Supply Chain Software?

Supply Chain software is a system that provides all the powerful tools needed to manage a supply chain, such as: data access, reports, and analysis all the important details about how the goods and products your business relies on get from point A to point B, all in one centralized system.

How Does Supply Chain Software Work?

Supply Chain Software works by centralizing all the information around production, shipments, and distribution of goods or products so that all factors in moving products from the company to the end customer are in one system for organization, spotting and resolving issues, maintaining vendor relations, and ensuring optimal efficiency in the supply chain. 

What are the Main Types of Supply Chains?

The main types of supply chains include:

  • Products
  • Facilities
  • Fleets and Vehicles
  • Routes

Most companies leverage a combination or all of the supply chain types in order to manufacture and distribute goods.

What is Difference Between Logistics and Supply Chain Management? 

The difference between logistics and supply chain is that logistics refers to the movement and storage of products while supply chain management is focused on the collaboration and tracked movements of goods across a supply chain.  

What are the Common Features of Supply Chain Software?

The common features in Supply Chain software include:

  • Supply Chain Planning
  • Demand Planning
  • Inventory Management
  • Warehouse Management
  • Supplier Relationship Management
  • Procurement
  • Sourcing
  • Order Fulfillment
  • Transportation Management
  • Reporting and Analytics
  • Predictive Analytics and Forecasting Tools

What are the Benefits of Supply Chain Software?

The benefits of Supply Chain software are:

  • Improve Synchronicity in Your Supply Chain
  • Reduce Risk and Errors
  • Control (and Often Reduce) Costs
  • Boost Efficiency and Productivity
  • Support Decision-Making
  • Improve Customer Service and Supplier Relations
  • Maintain Data Security and Integrity

Who Uses Supply Chain Software?

Retailers, manufacturers, logistics companies, agencies, and transportation companies all use supply chain software. 

What are the Challenges with Supply Chain Software?

The challenges with supply chain software can include:

  • Disagreements between suppliers and partners
  • Learning curve involved in learning new systems and processes to optimize the supply chain
  • Lack of experience prior to implementing customized supply chain tools
  • Communication issues
  • Poor customer experience

How to Buy Supply Chain Software?

You can use the following checklist to help you determine how to buy the best Supply Chain Management system for your business.

  • Focus on business needs, supply chain issues, and growth goals driving the decision to get a new or upgraded supply chain management software.
  • Plan for data migration, implementation costs, IT involvement, and any downtime that may impact employees or vendors during the transition.
  • Make a plan to support user adoption through training.
  • Understand the processes you’re looking to streamline and automate.
  • Don’t skip the product demos offered by supply chain software vendors to show features and functionality.
  • Understand reporting and analytics needs
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