The flow of goods, services, and information across the company’s network, the task has become all the more significant. From the acquisition of raw materials to delivery to the end customers, supply chain management forms a very integral part of any business. Still, this vast and complex process cannot be dealt with without appropriate tools.
That is where Supply Chain Management Software (SCM software) plays its role. SCM software solutions are designed to optimize, automate, and ease business supply chain operations. In this article, we will cover the basics of this software, the types available, key features, and how it can benefit businesses of all sizes.
What is Supply Chain Management Software?
It refers to an integrated package of computerized tools installed with the goal of operating and optimizing the whole supply chain from purchasing and production to managing stocks to the distribution of the final product. Supply chain software helps business enterprises control and regulate the supply and movement of products so product delivery is correct at the correct location, at the right time, and at a lesser cost.
Key Features of SCM Software
A few most important features good SCM software should have them is the following:
Real-time analytics
SCM software also provides easy access to real-time data and analytics. It will be able to monitor all goods in the supply chain, which will indicate problems or delays in shipment. Based on such real-time data, managers can make proactive decisions and make the best possible route changes while assuring delivery without any delay.
Automation
Another feature of modern SCM software is automation. Presently, right from the processing of an order to inventory maintenance, automation minimizes human errors and maximizes efficiency in operations. Automation also hastens the process so that orders are completed soon and goods reach customers on time.
Cloud Integration
Cloud-based Supply Chain Management software can provide a firm with the flexibility to grow. A firm can easily integrate with other departments without hassle to access data anytime, anywhere. Cloud solutions are recommended for firms spread across multiple locations or teams due to remote locations because it means everyone is working using the same information.
Collaboration Tools
Effective collaboration may be the heart of a smooth functioning supply chain. best Supply Chain software have collaboration functionalities integrated into them through which teams or stakeholders can efficiently communicate and pass information to and fro. Suppliers, partners, and third-party logistics providers manage through this.
Supply Chain Visibility
Visibility into supply chain management can actually help with these issues, such as inefficiency detection, forecasting demands, and identifying risks. This is achievable when SCM software presents real-time feedback on stock quantity, the state of the orders, and ship tracking. As this information makes organizations aware and response-ready, most disruptions will never occur in this manner.
Quick Comparison
| Tool Name | Rating | Best For |
| SAP Supply Chain Management | 4.8/5 | Large enterprises requiring full-fledged end-to-end supply chain management |
| Oracle SCM Cloud | 4.7/5 | Mid-sized to large companies needing cloud-based supply chain management |
| Logiwa WMS | 4.6/5 | E-commerce and omni-channel stores |
| Precoro | 4.5/5 | Small to medium-sized enterprises embracing purchase automation |
| NetSuite | 4.7/5 | Fast-growing companies needing integrated ERP and SCM capabilities |
| Netstock | 4.4/5 | Businesses specialized in inventory optimization and demand planning |
| Blue Yonder | 4.7/5 | Companies needing AI-based supply chain solutions |
| Epicor SCM | 4.5/5 | Manufacturing and distribution companies |
| E2Open | 4.6/5 | Companies requiring orchestration of multi-enterprise supply chains |
| Magaya Supply Chain | 4.3/5 | Logistics and freight forwarding companies |
Top 10 Supply Chain Management Software
The in-depth analysis of the best 10 supply chain management software solutions is given that changes the approach toward business management.
1. SAP SCM
- Rating: 4.8/5
- Best For: Large enterprises that require full-fledged end-to-end supply chain management
SAP Supply Chain Management is one of the most renowned software, providing powerful, highly integrated solutions in each area of the operations of a supply chain. It really shines at giving real-time visibility of an entire supply chain network from the acquistion phase till the final delivery. The power of its AI-driven analytics in SAP SCM enables it to predict any possible disruption or optimize inventory and production schedules accordingly. It provides premium value for high-scale operations primarily because of the ability to handle highly complex global supply chains and wide customization options.
Key Features:
- Advanced demand and supply planning
- Real-time inventory tracking and optimization
- Comprehensive acquistion management
- Integrated transportation and logistics management
- Predictive analytics and risk management
- Quality management and compliance tracking
Pricing:
Custom Pricing
2. Oracle SCM Cloud
- Rating: 4.7/5
- Best For: Solutions for mid-sized to large companies into cloud-based supply chain management
Oracle Supply Chain Management Software Cloud is the future of supply chain management-a fully integrated, cloud-based solution, offering flexibility with powerful functionality. It differs from others with its use of emerging technologies in such a way as to use IoT, blockchain, and artificial intelligence to enrich the visibility and decision-making capabilities of a supply chain.
Oracle’s solution especially offers end-to-end business process automation with real-time connectivity throughout the global supply networks. What makes Oracle special is its tight integration with other applications in Oracle Cloud, thus allowing for a much more integrated ecosystem of business operations.
Key Features:
- Full Visibility into End-to-End Supply Chain
- Order Management and Fulfillment
- Product Lifecycle Management
- Supply Chain Planning and Optimization
- IoT and Blockchain
- Advanced Analytics and Reporting
Pricing:
Custom Pricing
3. Logiwa WMS
- Rating: 4.6/5
- Best For: E-commerce and omni-channel stores
There are so many features of logiwa’s WMS platform. For one, the only cloud-based system especially built from scratch for new-age e-commerces platform was specifically developed in consideration of managing the fulfillment functions of large orders spread across diverse channels, such that intelligent automation works together with timely synchronization of items in multiple retailing channels that have become complex even for top-of-the-line companies in omnichannel distribution and fulfillment capabilities. With the system’s architecture, it will guarantee scalability, even in peak seasons, and also an easy user interface that diminishes the curve learning for the users.
Key Features:
- Multi-channel inventory management
- Order fulfillment automation of advanced degree
- Real-time analytics of the system’s performance
- Mobile Warehouse management
- Carrier Integration/Shipping management
- Custom Reporting/Analytics
Pricing:
Custom Pricing
4. Precoro
- Rating: 4.5/5
- Best For: Small to medium sized enterprises embracing purchase automation
Precoro is a full-fledged Supply Chain Management Software. It can be adopted by quickly growing companies to leverage purchase automation. The purchasing platform is highly appreciated due to the simplicity of the interface and powerful management of purchase orders, hence, increased control of the organization over the cost.
Precoro makes complex acquisition flows easy and intuitive while enabling deep-level spending analytics and budget tracking. It allows for the automation of approval workflows and vendor management to remove much of the manual process, cutting acquisition cycles significantly. Being cloud-based, the application can easily be accessed by teams and facilitate real-time collaboration.
Key Features:
- Purchase order automation
- Vendor management portal
- Budget tracking and forecasting
- Automated approval workflow
- Cost control
- Integration with accounting packages
Pricing:
Custom Pricing
5. NetSuite
- Rating: 4.7/5
- Best For: Fast-growing companies needing an integrated ERP and SCM capability
The Supply Chain Management Software of NetSuite is the most complete available, being an entirely integrated component of its total ERP environment. The software is strong in providing real-time visibility into all the activities of a supply chain and keeping very tight financial controls with reporting capabilities.
Its one business management approach is particularly valuable to businesses seeking to eliminate silos between disparate operational functions. NetSuite has the strength to scale with expanding businesses, along with offering more complex functionality that can keep up with growing complexity in supply chain operations.
Key Features:
- Demand planning and forecasting
- Inventory optimization
- Production management
- Global supplier management
- Financial integration
- Advanced reporting and analytics
Pricing:
Custom Pricing
6. Netstock
- Rating: 4.4/5
- Best For: Businesses specialized in inventory optimization and demand planning
It is an optimized solution to help businesses maximize their working capital and simultaneously optimize stock levels. Sophisticated algorithms at the back of this platform look for patterns, seasonality, and trends within market history, ensuring precise demand forecasts and optimal recommendations on inventories.
Netstock makes this very special as it recognizes and categorizes stock inventory on an importance and performance basis to guide more strategic inventory management decisions better. It’s fantastic for showing what is happening with stock status and even predicting possible stockouts, yet the intuitive dashboard breaks complex data into digestible formats.
Key Features:
- Advanced demand forecasting
- Stock classification and optimization
- Order planning and scheduling
- Supplier performance tracking
- Exception management
- Visual analytics and reporting
Pricing:
Custom Pricing
7. Blue Yonder
- Rating: 4.7/5
- Best For: The company with a demand for AI-based supply chain solutions
The current leader in the market is Blue Yonder (formerly JDA Software), that has advanced capabilities of machine learning, so predictive and prescriptive analytics could be given on all parts of the supply chain network. The application processes humongous data to make actionable insights thus valuable to more complex, global supply chains.
The strength lies in the ability of Blue Yonder to automate decision-making processes with regard to a multitude of variables and constraints. Advanced planning capabilities in software help an organization prepare well for disruption in the supply chain, maintaining optimal operational efficiency during such disruptions.
Key Features:
- AI-based demand planning
- Supply Chain Optimisation
- Warehouse Management
- Transportation Management
- Labor Management
- End-to-end Visibility
Pricing:
Custom Pricing
8. Epicor SCM
- Rating: 4.5/5
- Best For: Manufacturing and distribution companies
Epicor’s supply chain management software brings powerful functionality to the manufacturing and distribution environment. The system really shows its strength at all points of the supply chain-from raw material acquisitions through to the final distribution of finished goods-from a deep manufacturing process view. It displays production schedules and inventory levels on the supplier level.
The strength of Epicor SCM is that it can handle complex manufacturing requirements with a very high level of flexibility in the manufacturing plan and schedules. The integrated approach of the software ensures efficiency in operations for an organization with proper quality control and compliance across the supply chain.
Key Features:
- Production planning and scheduling
- Quality management
- Supplier relationship management
- Inventory control
- Distribution management
- Manufacturing execution system
Pricing:
Custom Pricing
9. E2Open
- Rating: 4.6/5
- Best For: Companies that require orchestration of their multi-enterprise supply chains
E2Open is focused on offering a collaborative platform that interlinks multiple stakeholders involved in the supply chain ecosystem. It can be described to be an industry leader in managing real-time communications and collaborations with manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, and retailers.
It specializes in creating a common network to bring end-to-end visibility and collaboration through the whole supply chain. For large, complex networks around the world dealing with multiple types of trading partners and suppliers, E2Open is very popular. Advanced analytics make the hallmark in better decisions related to the entire effect being considered by their whole supply chain network.
Key Features:
- Multi-enterprise collaboration
- Channel data management
- Global trade management
- Supply planning and response
- Logistics and fulfillment
- Predictive analytics
Pricing:
Custom Pricing
10. Magaya Supply Chain
- Rating: 4.3/5
- Best For: Logistics and Freight Forwarding Company
Magaya Supply Chain is developed specifically to cater to the needs of logistic service providers and freight forwarders, and this gives the extensive solution that complicated logistics operations require but with promised easy communication across other stakeholders’ needs. Magaya Supply Chain Management Software has end-to-end visibility that goes along with shipping, warehousing, and customs processes.
That makes Magaya holistic, which will improve the logistics procedure of a given company and maintain the international standard of shipping as well. Its software is mostly about automation. It is then a very valuable product for different businesses that help optimize their operations in logistics procedures and reduce the cost that is incurred, hence making life easier.
Key Features:
- Management of freight forward
- Warehouse
- Customs rule compliance
- Rating management
- Handling of documents
- Customer portal.
Pricing:
Custom Pricing
Conclusion
Supply Chain Management Software is one of the business tools used for the smoothness of its procedures, increase its efficiency, and stay competitive within a shifting marketplace. The correct SCM software offers real-time analytics to end-to-end solutions. It helps ease processes, cuts costs, and enables making the right decisions.The best selection of SCM software will help to understand the needs, goals, and challenges of your business.
FAQs
How does SCM software make the supply chain more efficient?
SCM software automates routine activities, provides real-time data, and optimizes processes like inventory management, order fulfillment.
Is SCM software for small businesses?
Yes, SCM software can make a small business have better supply chain visibility, cut costs, and scale its operation as it grows.
Is cloud-based SCM software secure?
Yes, most cloud-based SCM software providers invest in robust security measures, including encryption and regular backups, to ensure data is protected.
How do I choose the right SCM software for my business?
When choosing SCM software, consider the size of your business, the needs of your industry, integration capabilities, and budget.
