Finding an OMS Solution Partner: A Quick Guide

Choosing to implement an order management system is a hefty undertaking. Whether your business currently does not have one or wants to make the switch – choosing a platform is just one piece of the puzzle. Finding a trustworthy and knowledgeable order management solution partner should be step one – working with eBusiness professionals will make the entire process much less of a headache for your team. From proving ROI to the C-suite, to talking technology with the IT team, a good provider can do it all.

What are the most important traits in finding a partner to guide you through the order management complexities? The Forrester Research Q3 2016 Omnichannel Research Report states that vision, innovation and Optimization Capabilities are the top three qualities exemplary OMS partners possess.

Innovation

Choosing a partner to lead the way in implementing a new or upgraded order management system is not a decision to be taken lightly. With the omnichannel nature of today’s consumer buying behavior – your order management system is not just for eCommerce anymore, it will become the foundation across business units and teams. Finding a partner that has built or works with an eCommerce platform that is automated, integrated and intelligent will be a better investment for the future of your business.

With the “new rules” of customer expectations changing all the time. A future-facing order management system supports features like:

• Buy online, pick-up in-store
• Real-time inventory counts
• Allows for multiple warehouses and drop-shippers
• Fulfill from any store capabilities

According to the Forrester report, “25% of US online adults feel that it’s “important” for a retailer to offer a “buy online, pick up in-store” (BOPIS) service, and 26% already have used the BOPIS fulfillment option.”

Vision

A good order management partner is not just an IT outsourcer. Finding a partner that knows your industry is key to long-term success. An exemplary technology partner should help you create a strategic vision and roadmap for your order management system and be in tune with all of your internal and external touchpoints ­– from the customer, to the warehouse manager, to your IT Director. Creating a well-rounded strategy before any work starts will save your company time and increase the efficiency of the end-product.

To evaluate your OMS partner’s capabilities in strategic vision – ask for a demonstration of their product and a briefing on their knowledge of industry ins and outs. Knowing what clients are in a potential partner’s portfolio will help you find a partner that has achieved success with companies that have similar goals to yours.­

Optimization

Manual processes and inefficient workflows are notorious time-sinks for OMS professionals. When the order management system is not automated, human error and man hours increase. Automation in key phases of the OMS lifecycle

• An optimized order management system supports end-to-end efficiency with features such as:
• Smart pick-and-pack lists to reduce warehouse man-hours
• Customizable workflows catered to your business format
• A centralized dashboard accessible across the business teams and outside vendors, customized to show only the information each team needs.
•  Supply chain visibility across the enterprise
• Customer service access to orders and tools needed to increase customer satisfaction

This checklist may be lengthy – but finding a partner that combines feature-rich technology with industry expertise and marketing acumen does not have to be a headache. Contact us today for a free evaluation of our OMS solution and evaluation of your current system. >>