Supply chain management software (SCMS) is a tool for managing and executing supply chain transactions, from the manufacturer, through to the retailer, before finally reaching the customer. SCM software enables you to enhance business processes related to warehouse and inventory management, delivery and customer service.

Modern SCM systems include SAP Hana and Oracle E-Business Suite, although cloud-based custom supply chain management solutions are becoming increasingly popular. If you want to implement a system that better fits your needs, you can choose between: Implementing an existing, out-of-the-box solution with integrations and Investing in custom SCM software, created specifically for your company.

As both methods make for suitable business solutions, you should choose one based on your specific needs. The choice depends mostly on your business goals, company size, or the complexity of the supply chain in question.

Supply chain management relies primarily on data gathered at different stages of the supply chain process. The way companies use these insights to make decisions to optimise demand, supplies, inventory, and deliveries can be instrumental to their success.

That’s why SCM software is so essential, as it enables companies to make better use of that data. SCM software gives structure to the information already in your possession, making daily use more straightforward.

Through the use of an SCM solution, you can identify faults in your supply chain process, make improved inventory decisions, or directly inform customers of shipping status for their confirmed orders. Therefore, SCM software improves your business operations and your relationships with suppliers and customers.

Supply chain management software supports every stage of the supply chain, including:

✔  Customer-requirement processing

✔  Purchase-order processing

✔  Sales and distribution

✔  Inventory management

✔  Warehouse management

✔  Supplier management

Depending on your specific business needs and processes, you can adjust a custom supply chain management solution to accommodate your requirements. Make sure to include these in your software.

When deciding on SCM software development options, you need to compare different price points and the features that come with them.

Custom SCM development involves developing your solution from scratch by software developers. It gives you the broadest level of control over features to include in your solution, the technology it will employ, how you will integrate with third-party services, and more. This may entail a fixed rate or based on time & material, depending on the project complexity.

By investing in SCM implementation services, the rate may depend on the solution you choose and include a monthly subscription, based on the number of enrolled employees. Features will also depend on the type of solution, as well as possible integrations with third-party services. In some scenarios, this solution can be more expensive than custom software.