Does an “All in One” Software Solution Really Exist?
15-20 years ago companies were often times buying most of their software from a single vendor. Order management software vendors were supplying everything – AR, AP and GL modules, manifesting, order entry and customer service, warehousing functions and a full reporting suite. Over time best of breed approaches were becoming more prevalent as niche vendors were filling in the gaps and it became easier for order management vendors to develop generic API’s. But several factors are driving people back towards finding a single order management systems vendor that can deliver everything. It’s a way to reduce IT costs, decrease the number of desperate systems/vendors and data silos to name a few.
But is an all in one order management system reality or utopia? Does it exist? The short answer to whether or not it exists is a definitive maybe…
The reason why the answer is a maybe is because there are so many factors to consider. Order management software vendors may state that they have functions that support your needs at a high level, including call center, warehousing, ecommerce, finance, point of sale, data warehousing etc. But are those functions supported in a single database design and does it meet your other objectives in terms of decreasing data silos, reduce the points of contact for support or the total support efforts and resources? In addition, are all those order management system functions strong enough to truly support your business?
I can’t answer that question for you, other consultants can’t answer that for you and software vendors surely can’t answer that for you, not unless you do your homework – all of it. Your business requirements and due diligence process is the home work I am referring to. In some cases, businesses will be able to evaluate, select and implement a single order management software solution for all their business needs. In other cases, businesses will be better off integrating best of breed solutions. Do not short change your business needs and goals for a vendor or group of vendors that can’t deliver – just to end up with “utopia” that might negatively impact your business and your customers.
Our experience with order management software for multi channel businesses has let our clients avoid the many pitfalls and mistakes that companies often make when evaluating and implementing applications or developing software strategies. If you are contemplating new order management software for your business, call us and let’s talk about how we can be of benefit to your company.
Brian Barry is a Senior Consultant with F. Curtis Barry & Company, a multichannel operations and fulfillment consulting firm with expertise in multichannel systems, warehouse, call center, inventory, and benchmarking; Learn more online at: http://www.fcbco.com.
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