Top 10 Features to Look for in Order Management Software in 2024

In the fast-paced world of e-commerce, staying competitive means meeting customer demands quickly and accurately. Real-time inventory visibility has become essential, as delayed updates can impact customer satisfaction, leading to lost sales. Studies show that businesses with real-time inventory tracking can reduce stockouts by up to 30% and improve order accuracy significantly, positioning them well in a growing, competitive market. Selecting the right order management software (OMS) is crucial to streamline operations, manage multiple sales channels, and provide a seamless customer experience.

This guide outlines the top 10 features to look for in order management software in 2024 to optimize your operations, boost efficiency, and enhance customer satisfaction.

1. Real-Time Inventory Tracking

Real-time inventory tracking is the foundation of an effective OMS. By updating inventory levels in real time, businesses can avoid stockouts, prevent overselling, and improve fulfillment speed.

What to look for:

Pro Tip: Look for an OMS that integrates with your existing sales channels like Shopify, Amazon, and eBay to streamline inventory updates across platforms.

2. Multichannel Integration

An OMS should seamlessly integrate with your e-commerce, brick-and-mortar, and wholesale channels. Multichannel integration allows for a single view of all orders and inventory, enhancing efficiency and reducing errors.

What to look for:

Case in Point: Brands that leverage multichannel integration can fulfill orders faster and reduce logistical bottlenecks, which is especially beneficial during high-demand seasons.

3. Automated Order Routing

Efficient order routing automates the decision-making process by selecting the closest or most cost-effective fulfillment center based on customer location, inventory levels, and shipping speed.

What to look for:

Pro Tip: Automated order routing helps reduce shipping costs and improves delivery speed, critical for maintaining customer satisfaction.

4. Returns Management

An effective returns management system simplifies the return process, both for the customer and the business. A smooth returns process can boost customer loyalty and streamline warehouse operations.

What to look for:

Real-World Insight: Studies show that easy returns can improve customer retention by up to 82%. Look for an OMS that makes returns simple, efficient, and trackable.

5. Advanced Reporting and Analytics

Data is crucial for decision-making. Advanced reporting provides insights into sales trends, order volumes, customer preferences, and more, helping you make informed adjustments to inventory and sales strategies.

What to look for:

Example: A clothing brand using advanced analytics can see which items sell best in specific regions, helping them optimize inventory and reduce overstock.

6. Customizable Workflows

Each business has unique requirements, so a customizable OMS allows you to set up workflows that match your specific order processing needs, saving time and reducing manual errors.

What to look for:

Pro Tip: Customizable workflows make scaling operations easier by adapting to your business model, ensuring smooth order fulfillment even as demand grows.

7. Customer Communication Tools

Timely and accurate updates improve the customer experience. An OMS with integrated communication tools keeps customers informed throughout the order process, reducing inquiries and building trust.

What to look for:

Example: By providing proactive updates, brands can reduce customer inquiries about order status by up to 45%, freeing up support staff to focus on other tasks.

8. Warehouse Management Integration

For e-commerce businesses with in-house warehousing, OMS integration with warehouse management systems (WMS) is essential to synchronize inventory and streamline order fulfillment.

What to look for:

Pro Tip: WMS integration helps you track items from arrival to fulfillment, minimizing picking errors and improving fulfillment speed.

9. Scalability and Flexibility

As your business grows, your OMS should adapt to changing needs. Scalability ensures that the system can handle increased order volumes, new sales channels, and expanded product lines.

What to look for:

Example: Brands planning to expand into international markets should look for OMS providers that support multiple currencies, tax calculations, and localized shipping options.

10. Compliance and Security

Security is non-negotiable in today’s digital landscape. A reliable OMS should protect your data while maintaining compliance with industry regulations.

What to look for:

Real-World Insight: Data breaches can cost brands an average of $3.86 million per incident, so an OMS with strong security features is essential for protecting both customer trust and business integrity.

Ready to enhance your order management processes? Contact us today for a free consultation to explore OMS options tailored to your unique business needs.