Last Reviewed: November 18th, 2024

Best Inventory Management For Small Business Of 2024

What are Inventory Management For Small Business?

Inventory Management Software For Small Business inherently simplifies the process of tracking and managing inventory. It’s crucial in solving common problems like overselling, understocking, and untimely order fulfillment that can hamper a small business's growth. The importance of this software emerges from its ability to provide real-time inventory insights, automate restocking, and streamline order fulfillment, thus driving customer satisfaction and profitability. Key features include stock level monitoring, automated purchasing, sales tracking, and reporting. Future trends foresee deeper integrations and AI-driven inventory forecasting. While all small businesses with a tangible product portfolio can derive benefits, limitations might arise from initial setup costs and the requirement for staff training. In summary, Inventory Management Software for Small Business is an invaluable tool, offering real-time inventory control, automating business operations, and ultimately driving profitability. Despite potential setup costs and training needs, its long-term benefits are undoubtedly compelling for small businesses.

What Are The Key Benefits of Inventory Management For Small Business?

  • Real-time inventory control
  • Prevents stockouts
  • Avoids overselling
  • Automates purchasing
  • Streamlines order fulfillment
  • Boosts customer satisfaction
  • Enhances operational efficiency
  • Generates insightful reports
  • Aids in accurate forecasting
  • Increases business profitability
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Overall

Based on the latest available data collected by SelectHub for 48 solutions, we determined the following solutions are the best Inventory Management For Small Business overall:

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Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
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Why We Picked Zoho Inventory

Zoho Inventory garners positive reviews for its user-friendly interface, real-time inventory tracking, and affordability, particularly for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). Many appreciate its intuitive design, even for those new to inventory management, and its free plan, which caters to businesses starting out. Streamlined workflows and multi-channel selling support are frequently lauded, helping users automate tasks and manage inventory across various sales channels efficiently.

However, some users find the free plan's feature set limiting, lacking advanced functionalities like demand forecasting and integrations with popular third-party platforms. Customization also presents challenges for some, desiring more flexibility in tailoring reports and workflows. While a mobile app exists, it occasionally encounters glitches and lacks the full feature range of the desktop version.

Zoho Inventory stands out compared to competitors for its free plan and cost-effectiveness, attracting budget-conscious businesses. Users often praise its ease of use and intuitive interface, making it a suitable choice for those less tech-savvy. However, if extensive features, high customization, and robust mobile functionality are crucial, competitors like Square Online Store Inventory or Xero Inventory might be better suited for complex needs.

Ultimately, Zoho Inventory shines for its user-friendliness, affordability, and core inventory management functionalities. While it may not cater to every business need, its strengths resonate with budget-conscious SMBs seeking a user-friendly platform to streamline their inventory operations.

Pros & Cons

  • User-friendly interface: Intuitive design and easy navigation make it simple to learn and use, even for those without extensive inventory management experience.
  • Real-time inventory visibility: Track stock levels across multiple locations and channels in real-time, ensuring accurate data for informed decision-making.
  • Automated workflows: Streamline tasks like purchase orders, sales orders, and invoicing to save time and reduce manual errors.
  • Customizable reporting: Generate detailed reports on inventory levels, sales performance, and other key metrics to gain insights and make data-driven decisions.
  • Multi-channel selling support: Manage inventory seamlessly across online stores, marketplaces, and physical outlets, preventing overselling and ensuring accurate stock levels.
  • Mobile app for on-the-go access: Manage inventory, track orders, and fulfill shipments from anywhere using the Zoho Inventory mobile app.
  • Integration with other Zoho apps: Connect with Zoho Books, Zoho CRM, and other Zoho apps for a unified business ecosystem and streamlined workflows.
  • Affordable pricing: Free plan for small businesses and affordable paid plans for growing businesses, making it a cost-effective solution.
  • Limited features in free plan: The free plan lacks advanced features like batch tracking, demand forecasting, and integration with third-party platforms.
  • Customization challenges: Some users find it challenging to customize certain aspects of the software, such as reports and workflows, to fit their specific needs.
  • Mobile app limitations: The mobile app lacks some features available in the desktop version, and some users report occasional glitches and slow performance.
  • Customer support variability: While Zoho Inventory offers various support options, response times and quality can vary, with some users reporting slow or unhelpful support experiences.
  • Scalability concerns: Very large businesses with complex inventory needs might find Zoho Inventory's features and scalability limited, requiring a more robust solution.

Key Features

  • Inventory Control:  
    •  Offers centralized inventory that automatically updates inventory quantities across all selling channels whenever a sale is made. 
    •  Features include product listing, item kitting, re-ordering, stock adjustments and more. 
    •  Verify and approve transactions created before they’re reflected in accounts and reports. 
    •  Set an approval workflow for transfer orders, sales transactions and purchase transactions. 
  • Order Management:  
    •  Helps manage sales and purchase orders. Shares delivery updates from a single-source order management system. 
    •  Supports online order management and movement of packages post-shipment through a single platform. 
    •  Integrates with Amazon, eBay, Etsy and Shopify. 
    • Safety Stock and Reorder: Calculate reorder points and maintain safety stock in the business to prevent running out of stock. Set reorder points and get updates on vital stock-level information. Also optimizes holding costs and reduces the probability of overstocking. 
    • Reports:  
      •  Helps monitor purchases, study sales trends and identify top performing items using inventory reporting options. 
      •  Includes inventory reports, sales and customer reports, purchase and payment reports, and activity logs. 
      •  Enables finding the item volumes shipped in and out from each warehouse. 
    • Warehouse Management: Supports multiple warehouse environments and the transfer of stock between them. Leverage actionable insights provided by warehousing reports. Set the closest warehouse for customers when preparing sales orders to get products to their destinations as quickly as possible. 
    • Multichannel Selling: Manages, controls, measures and fulfills multi-channel selling with the help of a single inventory management application. Supports multiple currencies and uses multiple payment gateways to ensure quick and correct payments. Also shares insights for performance of multiple sales channels. 
    • Order Fulfillment: Manages workflows and fulfills orders. Offers a common dashboard, an overview of orders, automatic packing slips, over 40 integrated shipping carriers and more. Create shipping labels and find real-time shipping expenses for each order before dispatch. Make drop shipments and let vendors ship directly to the client. 
Start Price
$99
Monthly
Company Size
Small Medium Large
Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
Platform
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android

Why We Picked Finale Inventory

Finale Inventory provides comprehensive cloud-based solutions with a range of user-friendly features that help enhance inventory management processes. No iOS and Mac support is one major shortcoming of the software. Other than that, it sometimes loads slow, especially when transferring large amounts of data. There is no direct FBA integration as per user reviews. However, the support team is quite quick to resolve any issues. Flexibility and affordability are some other promising pros users commonly cite. Altogether, for non-Mac users, it’s a solid choice for those looking for an inventory management solution that does the job and is easy on the budget.

Pros & Cons

  • Ease of Use: More than 90% of reviews on this aspect suggest that it has a simple interface and easy-to-use features.
  • Flexible System: Offers flexible inventory management support especially for deployment, reporting and inventory tracking, according to 100% of reviews on flexibility.
  • Affordable Suite: All reviews on this aspect suggest that it’s an extremely cost-effective software - having a variety of capabilities - in comparison to its competitors.
  • Customer Support: The support offered is extremely helpful, responsive and quick, in the view of more than 95% of reviews on customer support.
  • Streamlined Operations: According to 85% of reviews on this feature, it assists and facilitates inventory management that saves time and improves efficiency.
  • Loads Slow: Loading big data sets is slow at times, though Finale’s team is bringing improvements, as all reviews on the feature reflect.
  • Doesn’t Support iOS Browser: The software doesn’t support Mac and iOS browsers and its interface, according to all reviews on the topic.
  • Lacks FBA Integration: Inability to connect with FBA requires users to set virtual warehouses and inventory levels as well as map sales with a warehouse, as all reviews on the feature indicate.

Key Features

  • Multiple Integrations: Offers integration options with over 40 enterprise platforms including accounting and channel management solutions, marketplace platforms and POS systems such as Shopify, QuickBooks, Amazon and Etsy. 
  • Restock Forecasts: Leverages sales history to dynamically calculate reorders and the best times to request more of a certain item. Automatically calculates reorder points on the basis of desired days of inventory, supplier lead times and sales velocity. Helps optimize inventory space without the fear of a stock outage. 
  • Cost Analysis: Provides overhead view of crucial inventory information. Drill-down capabilities facilitate analysis of helpful metrics such as gross profit margins and the average per unit cost of products. Allows comparing the average cost for a single unit against set retail pricing. 
  • Multi-Warehouse Support: Quickly and accurately view where stock is, when it is moving and ETA through a centralized tracking function. 
  • Barcode Scanning:  
    •  Connect with barcode scanning features present in many warehousing operations. 
    •  Receive out-of-the-box support for picking, transferring, receiving and stock taking to aid in the quick optimization of warehouse space and product location. 
    •  Access printed and displayed reports to search by lot ID or part number as well as maintain component lot ID logs for assembled or manufactured items. 
  • Search Tools: Provides a historical record of vital business intelligence data via a centralized database. Previous sales records can be sorted and analyzed for valuable data that can be used for forecasting and planning. Offers search and filter features, and offers multi-location support by tracking inventory at all locations. 
  • Stock Auditing: Assists with effective stock audits and helps understand any discrepancies in new stock history reports. 
  • Inventory Purchasing: Helps centralize purchases and replenish stock with an individual database. Forecasting tools assist with restock purchase decisions. Also enables receiving partial shipments, creating reconciliation backorders at a later date and more. 
Start Price
$25
Monthly
Company Size
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Why We Picked ecomdash

Ecomdash supports retailers looking for an inventory management and order fulfillment solution that’s easy to use and navigate. It doesn’t print barcodes, a notable drawback since that’s a substantial feature for a lot of online businesses that require help with order processing or inventory. Most reviewers state that it has a steep learning curve for new users. The majority of users also experience bugs in software updates. However, support is quick and effective at resolving such issues. Order processing and data uploads are other pros, aiding greater efficiency according to many reviews. All in all, it’s a good choice for companies that don’t require barcode printing or scanning.

Pros & Cons

  • Integrated Solution: According to 100% of reviews on integration, having tools for sales, shipping and accounting integrated into one platform is a primary advantage of using the software.
  • Easy to Use: The software is quite easy to use and navigate, according to more than 95% of reviews on this feature.
  • Order Processing: According to more than 80% of reviews on this aspect, it streamlines and speeds up order processing and management.
  • Data Uploads: All reviews on this feature note the software lets users easily upload all order listings through a CSV file.
  • Customer Support: More than 65% of reviews on this aspect suggest that it offers quick and helpful support, with many representatives going above and beyond to assist and resolve issues.
  • Doesn’t Print Barcodes: It only generates barcodes but can’t scan or print them, which is a major issue in the view of all reviews on barcode printing capabilities.
  • Bugs in Updates: There are major bugs in software updates sometimes, according to more than 85% of reviews on this topic.
  • Steep Learning Curve: All reviews on this aspect state that there’s a steep learning curve for new users, considering the numerous features and capabilities it has.

Key Features

  • Inventory Management: Streamlines inventory tasks across major e-commerce marketplaces and platforms such as Amazon, eBay, Shopify and more. Capabilities include custom alerts, product SKU mapping, multichannel tracking and automated e-commerce tasks. 
  • Order Management: Enables printing shipping labels, routing orders to third-party fulfillment centers and handling integrated order sale channels from start to finish. Streamlines accounting tasks and facilitates quick fulfillment by routing sales orders from sale channels to warehouses. Provides greater visibility and control over order management. 
  • Dropship Automation: Route new orders to suppliers and manage multiple suppliers more easily by keeping all tracking-related information up to date through hands-off communication across the sales channel. Intuitive feed management helps configure, import and manage supplier inventory using SFTP, FTP or HTTP in predefined formats such as CSV and TXT. 
  • Amazon FBA Management: Supports management for inventory and fulfillment across multiple channels. Saves time and increases sales with internal transfer for complete cycle visibility, shipping label printing for Prime orders on Amazon and automated inbound tracking helps. 
  • Multichannel Listing: Reduces the time and effort spent listing several products for sale across multiple channels. Helps set up inventory, launch a new product line, restock inventory, control quantities and relist products when required. Bulk updates and edit features help change up to 250 item listings at once. 
  • E-Commerce Shipping: Provides detailed insights on canceled, shipped and unshipped orders. Manage multiple carries, get shipping discounts, perform bulk actions and leverage automation for faster deliveries. 
  • E-Commerce Reporting: Supports smarter, data-based business decisions, granting the ability to track current inventory costs, forecast future inventory needs, determine the cost of goods sold, and monitor and analyze sales trends. 
  • E-Commerce API: Build custom applications and leverage the API to connect warehouses and suppliers to route multiple orders, automate sales channel updates and accelerate time-to-market. 
  • Purchase Orders: Helps create purchase orders, share them with suppliers, manage online purchases and track landed expenses at the click of a button. Automation ensures inventory quantities are adjusted when inventory is restocked. 
  • Integrations: Integrates with e-commerce platforms, shipping carriers, POS systems, shopping cart service-providers and marketplaces for sales, inventory and shipping. Offers integration with Amazon, eBay, Shopify, WooCommerce, Walmart, Etsy and more. 
Start Price
$89
Monthly
Company Size
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Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
Platform
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Why We Picked inFlow

inFlow is a good option for those looking for a product to assist with inventory management, providing a comprehensive set of capabilities to manage a variety of processes. However, it only works well with small businesses and can be expensive otherwise. Other drawbacks include that it only integrates one way with Shopify and suffers from some bugs. Most users with multiple warehouses find the tool ineffective as well. On the other hand, it has a user-friendly interface and is easy to learn, speeding up user adoption. Users also report that customer service is helpful. All in all, it can be a decent choice for smaller operations.

Pros & Cons

  • User-Friendly Interface: It’s extremely intuitive and easy to use, as 100% of reviews on this aspect indicate.
  • Comprehensive Features: According to all reviews on this aspect, it’s an all-in-one software with a variety of comprehensive capabilities from sales to purchase to inventory management.
  • Customer Service: The customer support staff is supportive, helpful and quick at resolving any issues faced by clients, as more than 85% of reviews about customer service state.
  • Easy to Learn: All reviews on this element indicate that the system has a flat learning curve and is easy to use for new users.
  • Expensive for Large Business: Since pricing is based on the number of orders, it’s only suitable for small and medium sized businesses, according to all reviews on this topic.
  • Integrations and API Access: Offers very limited integrations with third-party applications and no API access, as all reviews on this feature indicate.
  • Multi-Warehouse Use: It can’t handle multiple warehouse properties or inventory storage locations effectively, according to all reviews on this feature.
  • System Bugs: As more than 85% of reviews on this feature indicate, there are a few minor bugs in the system.

Key Features

  • Structured Workflows: Customizable workflows help track important data across the entire sales process. Eliminates or minimizes tedious spreadsheet management, as cost data can be stored for use in tax forms. 
  • Customizable Dashboards: Set up an informative dashboard that meets operational requirements to foster a collaborative, visibility-enabled enterprise. Bring valuable data regarding sales, costs and profits to the forefront and easily view it. 
  • Barcoding: Leverages barcode scanners to generate printable labels that make finding the right item easy. 
  • Detailed Reporting: With over 32 out-of-the-box reports, it makes reporting on sales, inventory and purchasing more efficient. Create detailed and organized reports for customers and vendors alike. 
  • Manufacturing Support: Keeps manufacturing simple with item kitting, assembly cost tracking and accessible bills of materials that track critical inventory information. 
  • Customer Management: Set customer-specific defaults, store contact information and keep detailed order histories for clients. 
  • Purchase and Receive Stock: Process returns, create and manage purchase orders and leverage dropshipping to make purchasing and receiving simple. 
  • Kitting and Assembly: Pick raw materials, build based on product availability, customize builds and bundle products together for shipping. 
  • Re-Ordering: One-click reordering features leverage lead and sales data to display low stock items and create purchase orders. 
  • DropShipping: Allows vendors to ship their products directly to clients when stock isn’t available to fulfill the requirements of a shipment. 
  • B2B Portals: Provides a portal that contains pricing, pictures and descriptions of products. Showrooms are also available to showcase discounted products. 
Start Price
$250
Monthly
Company Size
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Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
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Why We Picked ShipMonk

ShipMonk is extremely easy to use and navigate as most client reviews suggest. The customer support team is responsive and helpful in resolving challenges. Another benefit is that it provides accurate tracking and billing, which are quite detailed in nature. On the flip side, the lack of a mobile app is limiting and slow load speeds make it challenging to use, according to reviews. However, it offers a comprehensive set of capabilities, thus users need not invest in any other software for handling inventory and orders. This, coupled with its other strengths, make it a solid choice for inventory management software.

Pros & Cons

  • Customer Support: More than 95% of reviews on support indicate that the service team is always friendly, responsive and willing to help resolve any issues that users may come across.
  • Easy to Use: Its simple and intuitive UI is easy to use, according to 100% of reviews on ease of use.
  • Comprehensive Capabilities: It handles inventory management and order fulfillment end to end, note all reviews on this topic.
  • Accurate Tracking and Billing: Every review on this aspect indicates that it delivers accurate and error-free order tracking and billing details.
  • Mobile App: According to 100% of reviews on this topic, there’s no mobile app and it’s cumbersome to navigate and use the browser site on a mobile device.
  • Upload Speed: It’s sometimes quite slow to upload, according to all reviews on this aspect.

Key Features

  • E-Commerce Fulfillment: Map SKUs across all sales channels by leveraging API integrations, high bandwidth that supports up to 10,000 orders per day, automated mapping and item bundling. Includes strategic inventory system designing, with designated storage areas, return management and custom packing options. 
  • Amazon FBA Services: Provides access to FBA services, which include free shipping offers, along with Prime membership order fulfilling entitlements through Amazon. 
  • Warehouse Automation: Helps increase efficiency, experience quicker fulfillment, boost picking accuracy, reduce fulfillment costs and receive secure storage. 
  • Freight Management: Facilitates importing and managing inventory, as well as enables freight coordination, by guiding users through essential documentation. 
  • User Permission: Supports adding other users to client accounts and selecting the data permissions that each user can access. Such permissions can be added, edited and omitted any time. 
  • Data Security: Ensures enterprise-grade data security and exercises all necessary measures to protect user privacy. 
  • Actionable Reports: Provides access to cost reviews, orders and breakdowns of shipment units, including the destination where orders are sent most frequently, all through a single dashboard. 
  • Special Projects: Tasks such as labeling, counting, repacking and quality control of goods that may fall outside fulfillment tasks are categorized as special projects and can be executed through the platform. 
  • Returns Management: Create shipping labels from the dashboard and receive alerts when returns reach the warehouse. Manage multiple types of product returns such as exchanges for a different color or size, quality control, sorting, product assessment and testing. 
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Why We Picked Canvus

Canvus, a leading inventory management software, has received positive user reviews in the past year. Users appreciate its user-friendly interface, robust feature set, and ability to streamline inventory management processes. Canvus's strengths lie in its real-time inventory tracking, which provides accurate visibility into stock levels and helps businesses avoid overstocking or understocking. The software's integration with other business applications, such as accounting and CRM systems, further enhances its functionality.

Compared to similar products, Canvus stands out with its advanced reporting capabilities. Users can generate detailed reports on inventory levels, sales trends, and other key metrics, enabling them to make informed decisions about inventory management and optimize their operations. Additionally, Canvus offers excellent customer support, with users praising the team's responsiveness and helpfulness. This is particularly important for businesses that rely heavily on inventory management software and require prompt assistance when needed.

Canvus is ideally suited for businesses of all sizes that need to improve their inventory management practices. Its user-friendly interface and robust feature set make it accessible to both small businesses and large enterprises. The software's ability to integrate with other business applications and its advanced reporting capabilities make it a valuable asset for businesses looking to streamline their operations and gain greater visibility into their inventory.

Pros & Cons

  • Excellent Reporting: Canvus allows for customized reporting and analysis, providing users with valuable insights into inventory levels, trends, and performance.
  • Automated Inventory Management: Canvus automates inventory tracking and replenishment, reducing the risk of stockouts and overstocking, and improving efficiency.
  • Improved Collaboration: Canvus enables real-time collaboration between teams, allowing for seamless communication and coordination in inventory management.
  • Scalability: Canvus can accommodate businesses of all sizes and can scale to meet growing inventory needs, making it a long-term solution for inventory management.
  • User-Friendly Interface: Canvus features an intuitive and easy-to-use interface, reducing the learning curve for users and allowing for quick adoption.
  • Limited Customization: Canvus offers limited customization options, making it difficult to tailor the software to specific business needs. This can lead to inefficient workflows and a lack of flexibility.
  • Steep Learning Curve: The software has a complex interface and a steep learning curve, requiring significant time and effort for users to become proficient. This can hinder productivity and adoption.
  • Poor Integration: Canvus struggles to integrate seamlessly with other business systems, such as ERP or CRM software. This can result in data silos, duplicate entries, and a lack of real-time information sharing.
  • Limited Reporting Capabilities: The software provides limited reporting capabilities, making it challenging to generate comprehensive insights and analytics. This can hinder decision-making and business planning.
  • Insufficient Support: Users have reported issues with Canvus' customer support, citing slow response times, lack of expertise, and limited availability.

Key Features

  • Inventory Management: Add new items, edit existing inventory stock levels, enter sales transactions and sales returns, and more with inventory capabilities. 
  • User Management: Set up and activate new accounts, change security for existing users, change passwords, and deactivate existing users. They can also set up each user’s preferred time. 
  • Reporting Management: Manage inventory effectively, leveraging multiple report types, including inventory transactions, current stock count tables and current stock count lists. 
  • Change Management: Gain greater control over existing inventory items, areas, manufacturers and locations by letting users make edits or changes as needed. 
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Why We Picked Microsoft Dynamics GP

Microsoft Dynamics GP is a comprehensive solution and offers multiple functions for HR, financial accounting, supply chain management and more. It provides smooth integration with Excel, and an option for additional add-ons. Their customer support team is quick and effective at resolving any issues that users may come across. It’s also user-friendly and easy to navigate. However, new users may experience a sharp learning curve, which is common for a software that delivers features to cover so many business functions. Occasional glitches and bugs, including slowing down when loading large reports, are other downsides that users cite. In short, SMBs looking for a tool with extensive features to manage diverse business processes may find it a good choice.

Pros & Cons

  • Comprehensive Solution: It’s an all-in-one accounting and HR tool with payroll, inventory, supply chain, payables, receivables and other capabilities, as all reviews on this aspect indicate.
  • User Support: More than 70% of reviews on this feature suggest that customer support is fairly prompt and effective.
  • Ease of Use: According to 75% of reviews on this aspect, it has an easy-to-use and navigable interface.
  • Excel Integration: Data and reports are easy to import or export to Excel, as it’s closely integrated with the system, as all reviews on the topic state.
  • Bugs and Glitches: As 100% of reviews about these drawbacks indicate, users have experienced bugs and glitches, and it hangs while loading big reports sometimes.
  • Learning Curve: It’s difficult to adapt and learn for new users, say all reviews referencing the learning curve.
  • Multiple Functions: It’s unsuitable and cumbersome to use for companies that handle multiple functions, as there are a lot of windows to access and manage, according to all reviews on this feature.

Key Features

  • Financial Management: Includes: 
    •  Basic accounting functions such as a general ledger, accounts payable (AP) and accounts receivable (AR). 
    •  Bank reconciliation and fixed asset management. 
    •  Lockbox processing, which automatically inputs and applies customer payment information from a lockbox transaction file to generate accurate AR data. 
    •  Intercompany relationships, multidimensional analysis and AP management. 
  • Business Intelligence and Reporting: Dashboards and reports provide prebuilt analytics directly within the system. More than 400 Excel reports are connected, with the option to customize reports as well. Dashboards can be securely created and shared through Office 365 to analyze information. 
  • Supply Chain Management: Includes bill of materials management, inventory control and purchase order processing capabilities. Automatically generate purchase orders using actual sales, purchasing and inventory data. Track orders, quotes and invoices to speed up the sales process and enhance upsell opportunities. 
  • Human Resource Management:  
    •  HR practitioners can recruit and retain talent through performance evaluation, customized hiring options and pay rate development. 
    •  Payroll can be directly deposited in employee bank accounts through an automated clearing house (ACH) file, with payment data automatically entered to the general ledger through a turnkey solution. 
    •  Supports payroll functionality for companies in the United States and Canada. 
  • Configuration and Development: The service-based architecture integrates with a variety of modules and programs. 
    •  Offers an extended pack and an extended human resources and payroll module to further scope of customization. 
    •  Includes a PTO manager, benefits management and enrollment. 
    •  Offers returns management, materials requirements planning, project accounting and preventive maintenance. 
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Key Features

  • Integrations: Stitch Labs integrates with a number of applications. Some of these include Shopify, Amazon, Shipstation, Xero and Paypal. There are more available should clients wish to explore other options. 
  • Multi-Warehouse Support: A centralized product tracking system takes many of the pain points of a multi-warehouse operation out of the equation. By always knowing when, where and how your stock is moving around, managing a multi-warehouse operation is efficient. 
  • Order Management: Allowing Stitch Labs to take over some of the time-consuming operational duties frees up valuable time for employees. Let your teams focus more on handling order volume while the platform takes care of tedious tasks. 
  • Inventory Management: Control your inventory from the second you get a product until it makes its way to the customer. Stitch Labs provides tools to track, move and control your stock to optimize your processes.  
  • Planning and Reporting Tools: Stitch Labs gives users valuable data that enables users to plan ahead and make educated decisions. This platform comes with over 60 reports out of the box to fully optimize inventory processes. 
  • Geo Routing: Orders can be routed to fulfillment centers based on their geolocation. Warehouse priority and stock availability can also be used to decide where the optimal location for stock is. 
  • Operations Management: Stitch Labs contains multiple tools designed to control and manage daily activities. Bundling, two-way sync, order splitting and valuable 3PL integrations can all be leveraged to streamline operational efficiency. 

Pricing

License/Subscription Cost Annual subscription costs are based on the size of the company and how many orders are processed per month
Maintenance Cost Included in the subscription cost
Installation/Implementation Cost
  • Depends on subscription tier
  • Includes basic implementation service, product training plus additional optional services
Customization Cost None, users may only select from standard packages
Data Migration Cost/Change Management/Upfront Switching Cost Dependent on current software, amount of data to be migrated and the availability of migration tools
Recurring/Renewal Costs This cost is dependent on your subscription package
Start Price
$39
Monthly
Company Size
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Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
Platform
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Why We Picked QuickBooks Commerce

QuickBooks Commerce is a leading inventory management and accounting software for small and medium businesses. Its intuitive and easy-to-use interface and payroll and invoicing features ensure great productivity.

It allows for seamless integration with banks, financial management software, credit cards and more. The software also helps keep track of company bills and expenses, which you can easily download, share and categorize.

Some limitations include long wait for support and lack of direct contact for professional services. The system may experience slowness and lag at times. Integrations with solutions like Xero can also be complicated.

Its pricing plans start from $39 per month, and it offers a 14-day free trial. It offers both monthly and yearly subscription plans. Pricing can vary based on factors like the number of users, sales orders, sales channels and warehouse numbers. However, Its licensing price is high for the basic features provided and monthly licensing can be laborious.

Overall, QuickBooks Commerce is a comprehensive and affordable solution for organizations looking to streamline their inventory and accounting management operations and achieve better ROI.

Pros & Cons

  • User Interface: Around 93% of users said that it provides an intuitive user interface that is easy to learn and navigate.
  • Integration: Intuit and seamless integration with banks, companies and other financial management software provides a great user experience and saves time, as noted by 96% of reviewers who specified integration.
  • Tracking: All reviewers liked that it helps keep track of bills and expenses in an organized manner.
  • Payroll & Invoices: All users liked QBO for its payroll and invoicing feature that provides automatic calculation, easy access, links or PDF sharing, payment reminders and more.
  • Support: Approximately 81% of reviewers said that support can have long wait times and disliked that direct contact to support service is not available.
  • Performance: The system is slow and laggy at times, as mentioned by 80% of users who referred to performance.
  • Licensing: Nearly 81% of users disliked that license costs are high with additional monthly charges for renewal and add-on services.

Key Features

  • Multiple Integrations: Integrate with various third-party platforms, including Xero, Amazon, QuickBooks, Shopify and ShipStation.
  • Inventory Control: Prevent stockout situations, receive automatic stock level updates and create prompt reorders with comprehensive inventory features. Track and organize stock via barcode scanning to speed up the retrieval and storage of products.
  • Multichannel Sales: Use a central location to manage sales through a number of channels. Users can sell through marketplaces, B2C eCommerce, B2B eCommerce and mobile apps.
  • Warehouse Management: Built-in management tools handle all tasks in one place, from receiving shipments to picking, packing, and shipping orders.
  • Order Management: Track orders and sync inventory, customer and supplier information through one system. Access sales reports in real time while quickly and accurately fulfilling orders.
  • Manufacturing Support: The manufacturing module lets users manage all assembly and sales tasks while allowing for the creation of production and parts orders as well as bills of materials.
  • Fulfillment Automation: Access stock takes, barcode label printing and barcode scanners. Also, automate fulfillment processes like pick, pack and ship.
  • Inventory Optimization: Businesses can integrate their Lokad account, available in the app store, with the system to optimize inventory with demand forecasting. Lokad can automatically calculate the number of reordering units needed for a business based on their inventory records. Stock is reordered when inventory levels hit preset reorder units.
  • Price List Management: Add or change product prices using the price list importer and assign price lists with special discount rates for selected customers. Set price breaks and access custom price lists on the go via the mobile app.
  • Sales Reports: Use sales reports listing all important details and statuses. Filter them by product, variant, customer, sales representative, channel, location and time period. Sales reports assist with analyzing sales channels, monitoring performance, identifying sales trends across customers and products, calculating commissions, and more.
  • Manufacturing Support: Create bills of materials for finished goods, including the creation and management of production orders. Alert users about insufficient stock, support batch tracking and automatically reconcile production run efficiencies with accounting apps.

Pricing

License/Subscription Cost
  • The upfront cost of this product includes customization, integration and the monthly per-user subscription fee
Maintenance Cost
  • This is included in the subscription cost
Installation/Implementation Cost
  • This cost is based on the type of pricing plan chosen
Customization Cost
  • Included in the subscription cost and varies depending on the subscription plan chosen
Data Migration Cost/Change Management/Upfront Switching Cost
  • Depends on the existing software, how much data needs to be migrated, the availability of migration tools, the complexity of data being moved and the gaps between the existing and new systems
Recurring/Renewal Costs
  • A recurring monthly fee is charged at the beginning of the month and includes maintenance, monitoring, upgrades, training and support
Company Size
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Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
Platform
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android

Why We Picked Ordoro

Is Ordoro in order when it comes to inventory management? Users overwhelmingly agree that it is! Ordoro receives high praise for its user-friendly interface, making even complex tasks like managing inventory across multiple sales channels a breeze. Its robust features, particularly the "kitting" function, which allows for efficient bundling of multiple products, are repeatedly commended for streamlining operations and saving businesses valuable time. Users especially appreciate the seamless integration with popular e-commerce platforms like Shopify and Amazon, simplifying order fulfillment and inventory tracking.

However, no software is without areas for improvement. Some users suggest that Ordoro could benefit from enhanced reporting features to provide more in-depth insights into sales trends and inventory performance. Additionally, expanding carrier options, especially for international shipping, would further solidify Ordoro's position as a comprehensive solution. Despite these minor suggestions, Ordoro consistently earns accolades for its exceptional customer support, with users highlighting the team's responsiveness, expertise, and willingness to go the extra mile.

This powerful combination of an intuitive interface, robust features, and stellar customer support makes Ordoro an ideal choice for businesses of all sizes, particularly those juggling online sales across multiple platforms. Whether you're a seasoned e-commerce veteran or just starting out, Ordoro provides the tools and support needed to efficiently manage inventory, streamline operations, and focus on what matters most – growing your business.

Pros & Cons

  • Real-Time Inventory Tracking: Ordoro provides real-time inventory updates across all sales channels, ensuring accurate stock information.
  • Multichannel Management: The platform allows users to manage inventory from various sales channels in one central location, eliminating the need to switch between different platforms.
  • Kitting Functionality: Ordoro's kitting feature enables users to create and manage product bundles, simplifying inventory tracking for multiple SKUs sold as a single unit.
  • Kit/Bundle Accuracy: Some users have expressed concerns about inaccuracies in the calculation of kit/bundle totals, which can impact inventory and order fulfillment.
  • Product Information Editing: Limitations in editing product information have been reported, potentially hindering efficient product management and updates.
  • Advanced Features Tied to Higher Plan: Access to advanced inventory management features often necessitates subscribing to the more expensive Pro plan, which may not be budget-friendly for all businesses.

Key Features

  • Shipping Management: Automate and manage shipping experiences, from processing shipments to order fulfillment. Add tags to orders and monitor shipping activities and updates, all within one unified space. Enable auto-audit and access real-time insights on shipping metrics. 
  • Inventory Management: Seamlessly integrate across various marketplaces, shipping partners and more, all within a centralized space. Manage, organize and track various warehouses, from 3PL operations to dropshipping management. Control overselling by setting a specific limit on products visible to customers. 
  • Multichannel Management: Seamlessly sync and combine API-integrated channels, sales channels and CSV files. Optimize workflows within a single centralized, multichannel tool. 
  • Barcode Scanning: Generate scannable barcode labels to expedite shipping processes. Scan shipment orders to increase accountability and minimize human errors. 
  • Automation: Keep tabs on products using auto-sync tools. Process and configure shipping fulfillment and replenish stock using built-in automation. Navigate options like auto-routing and order splitting for a seamless, automated workflow. 
  • Bundling: Automate, create and combine bundles based on varying fractional quantities and components. Merge two different kit SKUs while maintaining unique scannable barcodes. 
  • Reports & Analytics: Access detailed insights on finances regarding orders and suppliers. Monitor inventory turnover ratios and estimate ROIs for certain products. 
  • Supplier Management: Exercise a hands-off approach while suppliers directly manage orders. Enable multiple vendor portals for each supplier and help retrieve feeds via email, web and file transfers. Create and track purchase orders using goods receipts. 
  • Shipping Insurance: Insure products and file for claims to cut back on losses in case of any mishaps. 
  • Returns: Enable seamless return management by creating RMAs, tracking order statuses and opting for restock options once an item is returned. Provide return labels to customers via email along with added instructions for return. 

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Zoho Inventory

by Zoho Corporation
Zoho Inventory
Zoho Inventory, an inventory management software, empowers businesses to centralize and streamline stock tracking across locations, warehouses, and sales channels. This cloud-based solution caters primarily to small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in retail, distribution, and manufacturing. Zoho Inventory shines in its core functionalities: real-time stock level monitoring, automated workflows for orders and invoices, insightful inventory performance reports, and multi-channel selling support. Popular features include barcode scanning, serial number tracking, and low-stock alerts, praised by users for their ease of use and affordability. Standing out from competitors, Zoho Inventory offers a free plan, ideal for businesses starting their inventory management journey. Paid plans, priced per user per month, cater to businesses with more complex needs, offering additional features and scalability. In conclusion, Zoho Inventory presents a compelling solution for SMBs seeking a user-friendly and cost-effective platform to gain control of their inventory operations and make data-driven decisions. Pros Free plan available User-friendly interface Scalable for growing businesses Multi-channel selling support Integrations with other Zoho apps Cons Limited reporting features in free plan Lacks advanced features for complex needs Customer support can be slow at times Mobile app not as feature-rich as desktop version May not be suitable for very large businesses
User Sentiment User satisfaction level icon: excellent
Cost Breakdown
$10 - $100
Company Size
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Deployment
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Platform
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Buyer's Guide

Inventory Management Software for Small Business Is All About Monitoring Stock Levels and Streamlining Workflows

Inventory Management Software for Small Business BG Intro

Planning to invest in inventory management software for small businesses but not sure where to start? Understanding inventory management processes can be a little overwhelming. Not to worry! In this guide, we’ll break down what you need to know as you search for the right software — everything from key features and benefits to questions you should ask during the process.

Executive Summary

  • Inventory management software for small businesses helps monitor stock levels and conduct timely order fulfillment to build customer loyalty.
  • Some of its key features include inventory tracking and forecasting, barcode scanning, and third-party integrations.
  • Check with potential vendors to ensure they can meet your requirements and ask them any questions before making a final purchasing decision.
What This Guide Covers:

What Is Inventory Management for Small Business?

Inventory management software for small businesses are inventory solutions designed specifically to meet the requirements and budgets of smaller organizations. From streamlining daily workflows to centralizing and optimizing your inventory, it helps manage stock levels and maintain a healthy cash flow.

Focusing on your inventory count and turnover, you can easily meet customer demands while maintaining stock levels. Tracking sales, product information, and purchase orders aid in restocking and managing inventory effectively.

Primary Benefits

From reduced costs to greater productivity, improved data visibility and enhanced customer experience, using an inventory management system has many benefits for small businesses.

Inventory Management Software for Small Business Benefits

Before you invest in an inventory management system for small business, let us look at some of these solutions' primary benefits:

Improve Accuracy

Minimize errors by eliminating spreadsheets and manual work to streamline inventory management. Efficient inventory counts aid in maintaining accurate reports and data.

Enhance Productivity

Minimize and streamline manual processes with the help of barcode scanners, RFID tags and QR codes. This enables improved employee efficiency and productivity.

Save Time & Money

Use automation to conserve resources and optimize workflows. Save time and money by automating processes to access real-time inventory tracking information.

Build Customer Loyalty

Meeting customer demands becomes easier when you have adequate stocks in your inventory. This results in timely order fulfillment to ensure customer loyalty.

Key Features & Functionality

Determining which inventory management software to choose for your small business can be daunting. It is crucial to understand its various features before making a decision.

Inventory Tracking

Access accurate, actionable data and better stock visibility with inventory tracking. Real-time tracking data helps you analyze supply chain trends, minimize expenses and drive revenue.

Barcoding and Tagging

Streamline processes, save time and reduce manual errors by using barcode scanners, RFID tags and QR codes to manage stock inventory.

Inventory Forecasting

Inventory forecasting helps you estimate the required stock amount based on year-round demand. From minimizing product waste and stockouts, forecasting also aids in reducing unnecessary inventory holding costs.

Automatic Inventory Replenishment

Minimize stock wastage by implementing automatic stock reordering to improve efficiency. Expedite the purchasing process and save time and effort by setting periodic, automatic replenishment levels.

Integrated Systems

Seamless integration with other systems like point-of-sale software, shipping tools and enterprise accounting platforms facilitates efficient inventory optimization. Integrations can help you track employee sales performance, access real-time data, obtain accurate financial reports and gain complete inventory visibility.

Software Comparison Strategy

To start your software comparison journey, the first thing to do is convince your executive team. Having your team on board is essential before you can lay out your requirements.

Once that’s out, you need to settle on a budget. A well-organized set of requirements and a budget will help you compare solutions that meet your needs without going overboard.

With your team’s support, a list of requirements and a set budget, start comparing products. Our inventory management comparison report can help you find the top vendors and create a shortlist.

Cost & Pricing Considerations

There are two things to consider when it comes to pricing — vendor-based rates and deployment preference. Let’s start with the different deployment strategies, cloud-based and on-premise.

Subscription pricing models are a part of cloud-based products. From monthly to annual subscriptions, rates fluctuate based on the number of users. The vendors handle the security and maintenance charges for these cloud products.

With on-premise, there are recurring or one-time licensing fees. You’ll need the support of a robust IT department to manage upgrades, handle security and conduct seamless integrations.

The upfront charges for on-premise software are higher than for cloud-based. However, subscription pricing tends to become costly over time.

Keep these considerations in mind as you start comparing and talking to vendors.

The Most Popular Inventory Management Software for Small Businesses

We have researched and curated a list of some of the best solutions for small businesses for you to choose from. Take a look at the top products below.

Note: These are our top-rated and most popular overall inventory management systems.

Fishbowl Inventory

From managing accounting systems to FIFO tools and inventory tracking, Fishbowl Inventory’s online solutions scales with your business, making it a great option to start small and expand as your business grows.

Fishbowl Inventory

Access sales order, shipping, picking and reporting data using Fishbowl Inventory. Source

It monitors and tracks assets in your inventory and brings in profit with its excellent vendor and service management.

ASAP Systems

ASAP Systems is a cloud-based inventory management solution. It helps track inventory based on serial numbers, quantity and usage.

ASAP Systems

Use ASAP Systems to help optimize asset-tracking data collection fields. Source

Some of its other features includes bundling and kitting, barcode scanning, and asset maintenance.

Zoho Inventory

From stock management to accounting and CRM connectors, Zoho Inventory aids in managing inventory across several channels. It offers an extensive interface for seamless integration with eCommerce platforms.

Zoho Inventory

Generate sales orders and invoices and create transfer orders using Zoho Inventory. Source

It centralizes inventory information across multiple channels to automate stock and sales updates.

 

Questions To Ask

It is crucial to start internal dialogues to choose the best inventory management software for your small business. Brainstorm with your key stakeholders, starting with a set of questions.

Here are some questions you can start with internally:

  • What are the primary goals we need this purchase to accomplish?
  • Do we need to overhaul our current structure or upgrade our existing platforms?
  • Who needs to use the software, and what features do they require?
  • Will we need the solution to scale with us in the future?
  • What’s our budget, and how flexible is it?

Inventory Management Software for Small Business Key Questions

Equally important is to determine some jumping-off questions for vendors about their company and their product. Here are some examples of questions you may want to ask:

  • What comes standard with the software, and what will we need to pay additional fees for?
  • Do you offer implementation, data transfer and integration services?
  • What sets you apart from other inventory management software providers?
  • What capabilities within the system are customizable? Which ones are more rigid?
  • What deployment and pricing models do you offer?

Next Steps

From improved productivity to enhanced data visibility, there are multiple perks to investing in inventory management software. But before you invest in one, it’s essential to understand its functionalities and how it fits into your requirements.

Our free requirements template makes it easy to pick and rank what features you need and then compare products accordingly. Good luck with your search!

Product Comparisons

About The Contributors

The following expert team members are responsible for creating, reviewing, and fact checking the accuracy of this content.

Technical Content Writer
Ryan McElroy is a Content Editor and Senior Market Analyst at SelectHub who writes and edits content on various software types, along with their broader concepts and the industries they serve, including medical, construction, CMMS, supply chain management and legal. He studied at the University of Missouri (Mizzou) and earned his BA in Journalism in 2016. During his free time, you’ll find Ryan playing video/card/board games, sipping coffee and reading speculative fiction, or listening to music his loved ones often describe as “headache-inducing.”
Technical Research By Mohit Hariramani
Senior Analyst
Mohit has a degree and Master in Finance from Mumbai, India, his years of professional market research experience started in 2019. His expertise lies in categories such as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Manufacturing, Inventory Management, Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), Facility Management Software (FMS), POS Systems (Point of Sale) and more. Through his academic and professional background, he honed skills in attention to detail, navigating ambiguity, and analytical prowess, which uniquely equip him to manage and thrive in the dynamic landscape of these diverse categories. He's passionate about leveraging his knowledge and experience to contribute effectively to the assigned technology areas.
Technical Review By Kankana Kalita
Principal Analyst
A seasoned business and research analyst, Kankana Kalita specializes in ERP, CMMS, manufacturing, construction, supply chain, HRMS and CRM. Prior to joining SelectHub, she earned a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and Engineering, an MBA in Operations and Marketing, and worked in email marketing and logistics.
Edited By Hunter Lowe
Content Editor
Hunter Lowe is a Content Editor, Writer and Market Analyst at SelectHub. His team covers categories that range from ERP and business intelligence to transportation and supply chain management. Hunter is an avid reader and Dungeons and Dragons addict who studied English and Creative Writing through college. In his free time, you'll likely find him devising new dungeons for his players to explore, checking out the latest video games, writing his next horror story or running around with his daughter.