Supply chain management is the most important area of any business and comes with countless complexities and protocols. Its function depends on various parameters including procurement, inventory management, logistics, supplier coordination, demand forecasting, and quality assurance.

All these functions aren’t possible without having dedicated supply chain management software and tools that do the job perfectly and on-time. These software tools come with the benefit of providing a seamless flow of operations, cost efficiency, data accuracy and convenient delivery of products and services.

But out of many options, the real struggle starts with choosing the best and most suitable one for your business. 

So, in an effort to make things easier for you, we’ve compiled the various types of SCM software, their specific functionalities, and how they help businesses build a more agile, efficient, and resilient supply chain.

Why Is Supply Chain Automation Software Necessary?

SCM software, also called logistics software is made to simplify overall supply chain operations that cannot be done adequately through manual efforts. These operations comprise two major processes that are typically classified as:

• Ongoing (inventory tracking, demand forecasting, supplier management, and order fulfillment)
• One time (procurement negotiations, warehouse setup, and logistics network optimization)

Having a logistic software means that you’ve sorted for:

• Automation of repetitive tasks
• On the go communication between suppliers, manufacturers, and distributors
• Optimization of inventory levels for less wastage, and costly delay prevention
• Freedom of data-backed decision-making through real-time data insights and predictive analytics
• End-to-end transparency across supply chain operations that provided proactive issue resolution and better risk management
• Integration and scalability that adapts to your existing systems and business needs

Types of Supply Chain Management Software

Each type of these software applications categorically benefit specific areas of the supply chain. From the initial stages of planning and procurement to the final deliveries of the products and services, these automation tools help achieve the transparency and efficiency necessary within each block of the SCM cycle. So. let’s explore how the below-described types help businesses improve the quality of their logistics operations.

1. Inventory Management Software
   

   As the name signifies, this type is suited for inventory control that gives the facility oversight into maintaining your stock levels without the risk of overspending and underspending. 

   The major functions of this type of software include:
   

   • Tracking of inventory levels in real time to prevent understocking or overstocking
   • Managing stock movements across multiple locations
   • Ensuring optimal inventory control by automating replenishment and forecasting demand
   • Providing accuracy in inventory scanning and tracking through barcode & RFID Integration
   • Simplifying purchasing processes and supplier coordination

   Top Providers include Oracle NetSuite, SAP Inventory Management. Zoho Inventory, Fishbowl Inventory & Azzier CMMS

   Now many of you might have concerns regarding the cost of these tools. Generally, inventory management software pricing varies based on business size, deployment type (cloud vs. on-premise), and features. Costs typically range from $50 to $500 per user per month.

2. Warehouse Management Software
   

   This tool is perfect for businesses that handle large-scale warehouse operations. Its ability to provide seamless storage, retrieval, and movement of goods makes it convenient for you to automate hideous tasks like inventory placement, order fulfillment, labor management, and shipping logistics.

   It possesses the following key functionalities:

   • Efficient storage control to reduce picking and stocking time
   • Accessibility towards order processing, packing, and dispatching
   • Allocation of workforce efficiently based on demand
   • Integration with ERP, logistics, and procurement software for timely coordination

   Top choices include Manhattan Associates WMS, Blue Yonder WMS, Infor CloudSuite WMS, SAP Extended Warehouse Management, Fishbowl and Oracle.

   Their prices range from $100 to $500 per user monthly for cloud based models while on-premises solution starts from $2,500 and goes like 200,000 per facility for a perpetual license, depending on the scale and customization required.

3. Transportation Management Software

   TMS serves a key role in planning, executing, and optimizing the movement of goods irrespective of the geographic region and modes. With this software, you’ll be able to 

   • Plans the most cost-effective and time-efficient delivery routes
   • Monitor shipments in real time with GPS and IoT integration
   • Connect and communicate with freight carriers and logistics providers
   • Reduce transportation expenses by identifying cost-saving opportunities
   • Adhere to industry rules and regulationsSAP Transportation Management, Azzier CMMS, Oracle Transportation Management (OTM), Blue Yonder TMS, and Descartes TMS are the leading names in top supply chain software companies.Its cost varies on factors like features, shipment volume and deployment, typically it costs around 200 (for small businesses) and $100,000+ annually for full-suite TMS platforms.

4. Procurement Software
   

   This tool comes in handy when you need to improve purchasing workflows, automate vendor selection, and ensure your company get the best value when sourcing materials, services, and products. The main benefits include:

   • It can maintain supplier records to ensure contract compliance
   • It streamlines order creation, approvals, and invoice matching
   • You can get insights into procurement costs and ultimately identify savings opportunities
   • You can make better purchasing decisions with a feature to evaluate pricing

   SAP Ariba, Coupa Procurement, GEP SMART, Jaggaer, Azzier CMMS and Precoro come under the category of best procurement applications. 

   If you want to try this tool, you must consider that its price typically ranges between 

   • 50–$500 per month per user for small business
   • $10,000 per year for mid sized 
   • And $100,000+ annually based on features and users for enterprise levels

5. Quality Management Software
   

   Product quality and regulatory compliance are two building blocks of supply chain operations. Quality Management applications help organizations 

   • Adhere to industry standards like ISO 9001, FDA, and GMP
   • Manage SOPs, work instructions, and regulatory documents
   • Schedule and track internal/external audits for quality assurance
   • Identify and resolve quality issues proactively
   • Evaluate supplier performance and compliance with quality standards

   Top providers are MasterControl QMS, QT9, ETQ Reliance, Arena QMS, Sparta Systems, and Qualio while pricing models are from $100 to $500 per user per month and more depending on the size of your business.

    

6. ERP Software for Supply Chain Management
   

   Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Software combines multiple business processes including supply chain management, finance, HR, and procurement in one place. This tool is highly profitable in terms of resource planning and optimization, automation, and cross-functional coordination that enables businesses to operate with real-time accuracy and agility.

   SAP S/4HANA, Oracle NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics 365, Infor CloudSuite ERP, Acumatica, Epicor and Syspro are the leading providers that allow you to maximize supply chain operations, improve decision-making, and improve efficiency through integrated automation and real-time analytics.

   This tool comes with a pricing structure ranging from $120 and $10,000 per month but it may go above and low depending on the provider.
   

7. Logistics Management Software
   

   Logistics Management Software (LMS) is intended to facilitate and manage the flow of goods, enabling effective transportation, warehouse management, and distribution management. It allows you to
   

   • Choose the best shipping carriers and negotiate agreements
   • Have real-time visibility of goods in transit
   • Coordinate warehousing with transportation
   • Adhere to international trade compliance
   • Minimize delivery time and fuel expenses

   Oracle Logistics Cloud, SAP, Descartes Management and FreightPOP are the best options to choose from. The pricing typically starts from $50 to $500 per month for cloud-based solutions while $20,000 to $250,000+ per facility for on-premise ones.

Azzier CMMS – A Smarter Choice for Supply Chain Management

Azzier CMMS provides a single, cloud-based CMMS keeping everything connected, streamlining operations and giving you one source of truth for supply chain and maintenance management. Choosing the best supply chain management software is critical for achieving optimal operations, reducing costs, and improving efficiency within the business. Having multiple tools, can be complicated and expensive.

This is why Azzier CMMS comes up as a convenient option. In contrast to other supply chain solutions, Azzier can easily perform multiple SCM functions with a centralized, data-driven, and automated system for managing assets, procurement, inventory, and logistics. 

So, if you need a scalable, cost-saving, and powerful solution to manage your end-to-end supply chain requirements, Azzier CMMS is definitely your best bet.