Regardless of the function, choosing the right system for your company can feel overwhelming. This is especially true for manufacturing companies, where every incoming order triggers a complex chain of processes, and even the slightest disruption can lead to delays and dissatisfied customers. We understand the challenges you face and want to make it easier for you to choose the right order management system. The system you choose should not only handle your current needs but also be able to grow and adapt to future demands and technological changes.
When it comes to order management systems, there are a wide variety of options on the market. With many manufacturing companies among our clients, we have good insight into which systems are most commonly used, as well as the drawbacks of purchasing off-the-shelf systems.
SAP is a giant in business solutions, and their order management system is not standalone but an integrated part of SAP's ecosystem, which includes finance and CRM modules. This system suits businesses already using SAP and looking to enhance their order processes. It centralizes the management of all orders and integrates seamlessly with other SAP modules to coordinate inventory status, customer information, and deliveries. The system also automates key parts of the order process, such as order entry and credit checks.
Like SAP, Salesforce provides a comprehensive ecosystem of business solutions, including centralized and automated order management. The main difference between the systems is that Salesforce focuses more on customer experience, originally being primarily a CRM system, whereas SAP is fundamentally an ERP system. Both solutions are flexible and can be customized to individual process needs, but while Salesforce is entirely cloud-based, SAP also offers locally installed solutions.
Oracle’s order management system is part of their ERP offering and streamlines order management much like the other systems but is more like SAP’s system in its focus on business processes. Oracle is cloud-based and the business system is primarily used by large multinational companies and enterprises that require robust database management.
Microsoft also offers ERP modules that streamline corporate order management – Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management and Dynamics 365 Sales.
Generally, Microsoft Dynamics 365 is popular among medium-sized businesses and is considered a user-friendly tool.
All the above order management systems are integrated modules within larger ERP systems, which means that companies need to already have such a business system in place. However, there are also several standalone systems that are not integrated modules of a larger ERP system. These are often more flexible when it comes to integration with other tools and work well for businesses that do not need all the features an ERP offers.
Some of these are:
Another option is to develop a custom order management system. By doing so, you’ll avoid being locked to one provider and having modules and features that are unused – but still paid for. Instead, you build a system that meets all your specific needs, simplifies processes in a completely different way, and where you can have a say in the design and layout. A custom system simply creates a unique position in the market by differentiating from competitors who use generic solutions.
Building your own system also means you can scale up or down as needed and let the system grow with the business.
Most off-the-shelf systems are quite similar in offering complete order management and business support. They seem like a quick and easy solution, but it's important to also consider the drawbacks. As a user, you often become locked into a vendor, which may force you to make compromises that aren’t always in your company's best interest. Paying for features that aren't used is more the rule than the exception.
On the other hand, a custom-built order management system eliminates these issues. It is designed to match each company’s specific needs, leading to long-term cost savings and making it a sustainable investment for the future. Over the years, you can add features as new needs arise, and you maintain control over the system. A custom-built system can also seamlessly integrate with your existing systems, processes, and infrastructure.
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