When Off-the-Shelf Solutions Fail, Custom OMS Unlocks Industry-Specific Efficiency and Growth

From the moment your customer clicks ‘Buy Now’ to when they see ‘Order Successful,’ it feels instant. But behind that smooth process, an order management system is working tirelessly.

Sometimes, the process is complex. Take large manufacturers with wholesale orders that require intricate, multi-layered workflows, or the healthcare industry, where strict regulations must be followed. This is where off-the-shelf solutions often fall short. That’s where a custom order management system steps in. A tailored solution to meet the unique demands of your business, ensuring everything runs smoothly and efficiently.

Now, what is this tailored order management system? Is it the older version with new clothes? Or is it something that really serves the needs of multiple industries?

Let’s solve this jigsaw puzzle and make it easy for you.

What is a Tailored Order Management System?

In simple terms, a custom order management system is a personal assistant that learns, organizes, and molds as per specific business processes, rather than rigid off-the-shelf functionalities. Instead of squeezing your operations and managing them in silos, tailored software makes the job smoother with maximum precision and efficiency.

Whether you are in ecommerce, manufacturing, retail, wholesale distribution, or healthcare, you always yearn for a bird’s-eye view for order processing. This is where custom OMS comes in. It handles everything, from validating orders to handling compliance, inventory, and the optimal fulfillment path.

Now, we have a glimpse of OMS, let’s move on to the second phase – ‘How does it handle the lifecycle of orders’?

How Does a Custom Order Management System Work?

Imagine your business as a busy restaurant, with orders coming in from all directions – social media, mobile app, marketplace, ecommerce portal, website, in-store kiosks, and more. Just like a waiter who must take orders accurately, your order management system (OMS) ensures that every request is processed seamlessly, from the kitchen to the bills.

What is the Difference Between Off-Shelf and Custom OMS Solutions?

The difference lies in its process, operations, and management. A custom OMS solution gives you a bird’s-eye view and the upper hand to automate the entire cycle. All you need is to hire the right software expert.

Let’s understand each aspect, how the custom inventory and order management system works better, and where it fits as the right solution.

1. For Advanced, Proprietary Routing Logic

❓Why Off-the-Shelf Falls Short

Generic OMS solutions follow basic rules, such as sending orders to the nearest warehouse. But they don’t always factor in your unique needs, like minimizing shipping costs or fulfilling from the best location based on your stock and customer needs.

✅ USP of Custom OMS Solution

A custom OMS is like your secret channelizer. It creates smarter routes for shipping orders, saving you money, getting items to customers faster, and ensuring the right product gets to the right person, at the right time. It’s all about working smarter, not harder.

When You Can Actually Benefit from Custom OMS

If your business has complex shipping needs, like multiple warehouses, perishable goods, or custom fulfillment rules, a custom OMS is your go-to for making every order more efficient. It’s a tool to cut your costs while making the journey seamless and automated.

2. Deep, Seamless Legacy and System Integration

❓Why Off-the-Shelf Falls Short

Standard OMS solutions often can’t fully connect with your existing software, creating data silos that lead to frustrating manual work, errors, and delays. You end up spending more time fixing problems than running your business.

✅ USP of Custom OMS Solution

Whether it’s an eCommerce, supply chain, manufacturing, or business that handles orders, it needs a unified inventory and order management solution that understands every part of the business. A custom OMS fits in perfectly with existing members, automatically syncing data and cutting off manual work. It’s like everything just clicks into place, giving you more time to focus on what truly matters.

When You Can Actually Benefit from Custom OMS

If your business relies on a mix of old and new software that doesn’t talk to each other, a custom OMS will save you from headaches. It’s the smooth, stress-free way to ensure all your systems are working together, giving you peace of mind and time back in your day.

3. Infinite Product Customization and Bundling

❓Why Off-the-Shelf Falls Short

Generic systems can’t handle the complexity of custom or bundled products. They get confused by multiple options, and managing these variations manually can lead to mistakes and frustrated customers.

✅ Advantage of Custom OMS Solution

A custom OMS is designed to handle your unique catalog, from custom wood types to color options. It tracks every detail for every order, so your customers get exactly what they want, every time, with zero errors.

When You Can Actually Benefit from Custom OMS

If your business offers customizable or bundled products like personalized furniture or exclusive packages, a custom OMS will work for you. It’s the key to delivering exactly what your customers expect, every single time.

4. Custom Approval and Conditional Workflows

❓Why Off-the-Shelf Falls Short

Generic OMS solutions can’t easily handle specific approval processes or conditional rules, meaning you might miss out on opportunities to manage risks, like high-value orders that need special attention.

✅ Benefits of Custom OMS Solution

With a custom OMS, you can set up exactly the approval process you need. It automates your risk management, for example, flagging large orders from new customers for manual review, so your team can take action before anything goes wrong.

When You Can Actually Benefit from Custom OMS

If your business handles high-value transactions or requires additional approval for certain orders, a custom OMS ensures you’re protected and on top of things. It gives you the confidence that you won’t miss any important details, while saving you time and reducing risk.

5. Automated, Flexible Reverse Logistics

❓Why Off-the-Shelf Falls Short

Returns can be a pain with standard OMS solutions. You’re stuck with rigid processes that don’t cater to your unique needs, like offering instant refunds or routing returns to specific warehouses.

✅ USP of Custom OMS Solution

A custom inventory and order management system transforms returns from a hassle into a smooth, automated experience. You can set rules like offering store credits immediately or routing damaged items for repairs, turning a traditionally painful process into one that delights customers.

When You Can Actually Benefit from Custom OMS

If your returns process is complex or you want to provide a better customer experience, a custom OMS gives you the flexibility to handle returns your way. It’s the secret to keeping customers happy and making a tricky process feel easy.

6. Bespoke, Actionable Analytics

❓Why Off-the-Shelf Falls Short

Most standard OMS systems give you basic data. Still, they don’t offer the deep insights you need to grow your business, like understanding which sales channels are most profitable or how returns impact certain demographics.

✅ USP of Custom OMS Solution

A cloud-based order management system offers tailored reports that help you understand what truly matters to your business. Whether it’s tracking the profitability of specific sales channels or analyzing return rates, you get clear, actionable insights that empower your decisions.

When Can You Actually Benefit from Custom OMS?

When you need to dive deeper into your business performance and uncover growth opportunities, a custom OMS is the perfect solution. It provides the kind of data that helps you make informed, impactful decisions, leading to smarter growth and success.

Now the curiosity arises: Does it really work for my industry, or how can my industry benefit from it?

Which Industries Can Take Advantage of an Order Management System?

As stated previously, all those who handle orders and fulfill customer demands need this custom order management system. It’s not fancy, nice-to-have store stuff; it’s a unified solution that automates the entire process.

Retail and Ecommerce

Retail and ecommerce are dominant players that need a cloud-based order and inventory management system. It handles the entire user journey from step one to the last step of fulfillment.

• High volume retailers
• Omnichannel brands
• Global retailers
• Subscription-based retailers
• Custom product business

Manufacturing

Custom OMS serves as an operational tool that integrates and optimizes the entire manufacturing process, from the production floor to final delivery.

• Custom-made to order manufacturing
• Industrial manufacturing
• Direct-to-consumer brand
• B2B manufacturers
• Assembly line manufacturing

Wholesale and distribution

These businesses handle large, bulk orders with various pricing agreements, making an OMS essential for maintaining accuracy and efficiency.

• Large order volume
• Complex fulfillment
• Supplier collaboration
• Bulk distribution
• Custom orders

Healthcare and pharmaceuticals

Healthcare needs check on compliance, heavy batch orders, sensitive requirements, and more, handled with care. With custom OMS, things can be automated and work by adhering to the checklists.

• Traceability and compliance
• Specialized fulfillment
• Huge inventory
• Regulatory adherence
• Cold chain management

Logistics and Transportation

An OMS enhances efficiency in logistics and transportation, optimizing fleet operations and providing real-time tracking:

• Fleet and Route Optimization:
• Supply Chain Visibility
• Third-party Logistics (3PL) Providers
• Warehouse Management
• Cross-border Shipping

How to Build a Step-by-Step Custom Order Management System?

Building a custom order management system requires the right technical expertise, and that’s where a skilled software development company comes in. They’ll handle the tech side, while you bring your deep knowledge of your business.

After all, no one knows your business as you do, and working together, you can build a system that truly enhances efficiency and supports your growth.

Phase 1: Discovery and Analysis

This is where your deep business knowledge shapes the entire OMS. By mapping your order journey, identifying pain points, and defining your goals, you ensure the system is built to tackle your unique challenges, making your operations smoother and more efficient.

Phase 2: Planning and Design

In this phase, you and your development partner bring the vision to life by designing a solution that aligns with your business needs. If you are not sure, you can book a 2-hour free consultation.

With input on system architecture and UX/UI, you help create a user-friendly, scalable system. Together, you craft a roadmap that turns your goals into actionable steps, ensuring long-term success.

Phase 3: Development and Testing

The development company builds the OMS based on your specifications, with your feedback guiding every step. Through agile development and rigorous testing, they ensure the system meets your exact needs.

Phase 4: Deployment and Training

When the OMS is ready, you oversee the migration of data and ensure smooth integration with existing systems. By managing the rollout and training your team, you ensure a seamless transition, making sure everyone is confident using the new system for greater efficiency and success.

Phase 5: Ongoing Support and Maintenance

The OMS evolves with your business, and with continuous support and updates, it remains a valuable asset. Your development partner will assist in monitoring performance and making necessary improvements, so your custom solution stays aligned with your growing needs, ensuring long-term reliability and success.

Frequently Asked Questions