How to Choose the Right B2B Order Management Software

B2B businesses either excel or fail when it comes to B2B order management. When you run behind on your orders, implement price changes without notice, and constantly mismanage invoices, customers take notice. These issues not only slow your processes; they damage your reputation.

As your business grows, these issues get harder to ignore. That’s why choosing the right B2B order management system is critical. It helps you reduce mistakes, streamline your processes, and keep your business moving forward.

The right B2B order management system can improve your order processing speed, reduce errors, and help you scale without adding complexity. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the factors to consider when choosing the best sales order entry software for your business and how it can help you streamline operations.

What is B2B Order Management Software?

B2B Order Management Software (B2B OMS) is a vital tool for businesses that manage orders between companies. It streamlines the entire order lifecycle, from order capture to fulfillment. This software helps automate the sales order entry process, integrates with existing ERP systems, and provides real-time visibility into inventory and order status. Centralizing orders from multiple channels, such as email, EDI, or B2B online ordering systems, it improves efficiency, reduces errors, and ensures a smoother customer experience. Using robust B2B sales order management software enables businesses to manage high-volume transactions effectively while scaling operations without added complexity.

What to Look for in the Right B2B Order Management Software

Choosing the right B2B order management system means evaluating several key features. Below are the most important ones that will help your business manage orders efficiently.

Key Features to Prioritize

When evaluating different B2B sales order management software solutions, it’s essential to know which features will bring the most value to your business.

Here are the main features to look for:

1. Order Capture and Integration

Your software should seamlessly capture orders from multiple channels (email, EDI, field sales, B2B online ordering system, etc.) and integrate smoothly with your existing ERP systems to ensure accurate data flow across departments.

• Multi-channel support: Your software should capture orders from multiple channels like email, EDI, field sales, and eCommerce sites, all in one place.

• ERP Integration: Make sure the OMS integrates with your ERP systems to keep your inventory, financial data, and orders in sync.
  
  

2. Automation

Automating the order entry process is crucial for reducing manual errors and improving efficiency. A good B2B ordering system will automate the conversion of orders from emails, PDFs, or spreadsheets into structured data, speeding up processing times.

• Automated data entry: You don’t want to manually enter orders from PDFs or emails. Look for software that automatically converts these into structured data.
• Error reduction: A good B2B sales order software should help reduce mistakes like incorrect prices or missing order details that cause delays.

3. Real-time Visibility

An OMS should offer real-time tracking and reporting features, providing insights into order status, inventory levels, and customer order history, empowering your team to make faster, informed decisions.

• Tracking: You should be able to see where an order is in real-time from order placement to shipment and invoicing.
• Reporting: The software should provide real-time reports that give insights into sales, inventory, and order status.

4. Scalability

Your B2B sales order management software needs to grow with your business. As your business expands, your order management needs will too. The software you choose should be able to handle more orders and complexity without compromising on performance.

Top 6 B2B Order Management Software

OrderEase simplifies the integration of Amazon orders with your ERP system. Here’s how it works:

1. OrderEase

Best For: Mid-sized and Large businesses that require an efficient multi-channel B2B order management system.

OrderEase is a true B2B order management system (OMS) designed specifically for mid-sized and large businesses. It centralizes orders from various channels such as email, EDI, and customer portals, offering real-time visibility into inventory and order statuses. With automation capabilities, it helps streamline the order-to-cash cycle, reducing errors and improving efficiency. It also provides a self-service portal for B2B customers, allowing them to manage their orders and accounts.

Key Features

• Centralized order management across multiple channels.
• Real-time inventory tracking and reporting.
• Self-service portal for customers.
• Mobile access for sales reps.
• Integration with ERP and CRM systems.

Pricing

Pricing is customized based on business size and requirements. A quote is required.

Pros

• Tailored for B2B businesses with strong order management features
• Automation reduces manual errors and saves time
• Integration with popular business systems

Cons

• Can be too feature-rich for some operations

2. Shopify Plus Best

Best For: Businesses that want to manage both B2B and B2C eCommerce

Shopify Plus offers a B2B ordering system, but it's not a full-fledged OMS. While it allows businesses to handle both B2B and B2C transactions, Shopify Plus is primarily an eCommerce platform rather than an order management system. It offers some order management features, like custom pricing, workflows, and real-time tracking, but it lacks the full order lifecycle management and specialized features of a dedicated OMS.

Key Features

• Multi-channel order management (online, in-person, phone)
• Custom pricing and product catalogs for B2B customers
• Automated workflows for order processing and fulfillment
• Third-party integrations for extended functionality

Pricing

Starts at $2,300/month.

Pros

• Flexible for businesses with both B2B and B2C needs
• Highly customizable with numerous integrations
• Strong eCommerce features

Cons

• Expensive for small to mid-sized businesses
• More suited for eCommerce rather than a dedicated B2B OMS

3. Cin7

Best For: Mid-sized to large businesses that need multi-channel order management

Cin7 is a true sales order management software that integrates order management, inventory control, and shipping across multiple channels. It is a complete solution for businesses with both B2B and B2C needs, making it a solid B2B OMS choice for growing businesses. Cin7 offers multi-location inventory management, real-time tracking, and seamless integration with third-party sales and logistics platforms.

Key Features

• Multi-channel order management (eCommerce, retail, B2B)
• Real-time inventory tracking and marketplace integration
• Shipping and warehouse management tools
• Automated invoicing and payment processing

Pricing

• Starts at $999/month. 
  

Pros

• Strong multi-channel and multi-location support
• Integration with numerous eCommerce and ERP systems
• Robust reporting and analytics tools Cons
• Expensive for small businesses
• Setup complexity for new users

4. Zoho Inventory

Zoho Inventory is primarily an inventory management system, but it includes features for order management. While it provides basic order processing and inventory tracking, it doesn’t offer the full breadth of a dedicated B2B order management system. Zoho Inventory is more suited for businesses that need an integrated approach to inventory and order management rather than deep B2B OMS functionality.

Key Features

• Multi-location inventory management
• Real-time order processing and tracking
• Integration with Zoho Suite tools
• Automated shipping and invoicing
• Centralized management of business operations

Pricing

• Starts at $39/month with a free plan available.

Pros

• Easy-to-use interface.
• Cost-effective for small businesses.
• Strong integration with the Zoho ecosystem.

Cons

• Not a full-fledged OMS; lacks advanced features.
• Limited third-party app integrations compared to competitors.

5. Ordoro

Ordoro is a sales order management software that integrates inventory management, order processing, and shipping logistics. It specializes in automating shipping and inventory workflows but lacks some advanced features of a B2B order management system such as handling complex order modifications, pricing, or custom workflows. It’s more suited to businesses that need robust fulfillment and shipping capabilities rather than full order lifecycle management.

Key Features

• Multi-carrier shipping integration
• Warehouse and inventory management
• Automated order processing and shipping label generation
• API access for custom integrations with other business platforms

Pricing

• Starts at $349/month

Pros

• Excellent shipping integration and logistics management
• Comprehensive inventory and order management tools
• Scalable for growing businesses

Cons

• High cost for smaller businesses
• Not a complete OMS for complex B2B order workflows

6. Brightpearl

Brightpearl is an operating system that includes order management, inventory control, CRM, and financial management tools. It offers B2B sales order software, making it suitable for retail and wholesale businesses that need centralized order management and operational insights. However, its focus is more on retail and wholesaling rather than being purely a B2B order management system.

Key Features

• Multi-location warehouse management
• Real-time order processing and inventory control
• CRM tools for managing customer relationships
• Financial management and reporting tools.
• Integration with third-party logistics providers (3PL)

Pricing

• Custom pricing based on business needs.

Pros

• Comprehensive solution for retail and wholesale businesses
• Strong inventory forecasting and reporting tools
• Seamless integration with eCommerce platforms

Cons

• Custom pricing, which may be expensive for small businesses
• The complexity of setup may be challenging for smaller operations

How OrderEase Can Help Streamline Your B2B Order Management

OrderEase is designed to simplify the entire order management process for wholesalers in an easy-to-use platform, eliminating data silos and improving efficiency. Let’s have a detailed look:

Key Features

1. Centralized Order Management

OrderEase consolidates orders from multiple channels including email, EDI, field sales, and customer portals, into one system. This centralization ensures all orders are captured in real-time, eliminating the need for separate systems or manual data entry.

2. Automation of Order Entry

Orders submitted via email, PDFs, Excel files, or other documents are automatically converted into structured data, reducing the risk of human errors and speeding up the order processing time. Automation eliminates the need for manual re-entry, ensuring more accurate data and fewer costly mistakes in the order fulfillment process.

3. Real-Time Reporting and Visibility

You can track every order’s status in real-time, providing clear visibility for both your team and customers. This helps you address potential delays or issues proactively. Integrates seamlessly with your ERP and inventory management systems to give you accurate, real-time data on stock levels across all locations, ensuring you’re always in control of your inventory.

4. Seamless Integration with Other Systems

OrderEase connects with popular ERP systems (like QuickBooks, NetSuite, and others) to ensure that financial and inventory data are synchronized and accurate across all departments. The platform supports multiple sales channels, allowing you to manage all orders from various sources (online stores, field reps, EDI, etc.) in one central hub.

5. Scalability

Whether your business processes 1,000 or 100,000 orders a day, OrderEase can scale with your needs without the need for major upgrades or system overhauls. OrderEase supports complex pricing (such as negotiated rates or custom pricing for specific customers) and handles multi-step approval workflows, which is especially important for wholesale and distribution businesses.

6. Self-Service

Portals for Customers and Sales Reps Your B2B customers can place orders, check pricing, track order status, and view invoices, without needing to contact your team. This reduces inbound inquiries and streamlines the order process. Your field sales reps can take orders directly via a mobile app, with real-time access to inventory, pricing, and customer data. This ensures order accuracy and speeds up the sales cycle.

7. Multi-Channel Order Processing

Whether orders come from email, online stores, EDI, or field sales reps, OrderEase centralizes all incoming orders into one easy-to-manage system, ensuring no order slips through the cracks.

8. Streamlined Order-to-Cash Cycle

With accurate, real-time order data flowing through the system, you can generate invoices quickly and accurately, reducing billing delays and improving cash flow. Easily manage invoicing and integrate with payment systems, ensuring faster collections and fewer errors.

9. Mobile-Enabled

Sales reps, warehouse managers, and other team members can access and manage orders, inventory, and customer data on the go, using mobile devices. This ensures that operations continue to run smoothly even when teams are out of the office.

Discover how OrderEase is transforming supply chain management for better order efficiency.

Common Challenges in Order Management

Understanding the common issues in order management will help you know what to look for when choosing a system. Here are some typical challenges:

Manual Order Entry

If your team still manually enters orders, the process is time-consuming and prone to errors. Automation within sales order entry software can minimize mistakes and significantly speed up the process.

Lack of Real-Time Data

Without accurate, real-time data, tracking orders and managing inventory can lead to issues like stockouts, overstocking, or late shipments. Look for a B2B ordering system that provides real-time visibility to improve decision-making and avoid such issues.

Disjointed Systems

Many businesses rely on disconnected systems such as email, spreadsheets, and outdated ERPs, which can create bottlenecks and slow down workflows. A centralized B2B sales order management software will eliminate these data silos and improve team coordination across departments.

Learn more about how poor order management systems can affect your business.

How to Evaluate B2B Order Management Software: A Step-by-Step Guide

Once you know the features you need and the challenges you’re facing, here’s a simple step-by-step guide to help you evaluate different software options.

Step 1: Define Your Needs

Before choosing a B2B order management system, it's crucial to define your specific needs. Identify the challenges in your current system and determine the features that will solve these problems.

Step 2: Test the Software

Request a demo or trial to test the software in action. Make sure that the platform is user-friendly and meets your functional needs. A simple, intuitive interface is key to ensuring adoption across your teams.

Step 3: Check for Integration Capabilities

Your B2B ordering system should easily integrate with your current systems, like ERP, CRM, and shipping software. A good OMS will enable smooth data synchronization across systems, reducing the need for manual input.

Step 4: Assess Scalability and Support

As your business grows, your order management needs will become more complex. Choose a software solution that is scalable and offers strong customer support to help you through any technical challenges.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right B2B order management software is crucial for improving operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. The right OMS can help you streamline order processing, reduce errors, and scale your business effectively. As you evaluate different options, ensure the software aligns with your business needs, integrates smoothly with your systems, and can grow as your business expands.

If you're looking for a solution that can centralize your orders, automate tasks, and provide real-time visibility, OrderEase could be the right choice for you.

Don’t let outdated systems slow you down, upgrade to a platform built to help modern B2B businesses thrive.

FAQs

1. What features should I look for in a B2B order management system?

Look for multi-channel support to handle orders from email, EDI, sales reps, and eCommerce in one system. The OMS should automate order entry to reduce errors and improve speed. Real-time visibility for tracking orders and inventory is essential. It should integrate with your ERP and CRM systems and be scalable as your business grows.

2. Can B2B order management software support multi-channel sales?

Yes, it can. A good B2B order management system integrates orders from multiple channels like email, EDI, sales reps, and eCommerce into one system, making it easier to manage orders from all sources in one place.

3. What types of businesses need B2B order management software?

Any business dealing with wholesale, distribution, or manufacturing that handles large volumes of orders, custom pricing, and multiple sales channels. OrderEase is perfect for businesses with complex workflows and high order volumes.

4. How does B2B order management software improve customer experience?

It speeds up order processing, reduces errors, and provides customers with real-time order updates. Self-service portals let customers track their orders, view invoices, and place new orders, improving satisfaction and reducing support requests.

5. What kind of reporting or analytics does B2B order software offer?

It offers real-time reports on order status, inventory levels, and sales performance. You can track order volumes, revenue, and identify trends, helping you make informed decisions and optimize operations.