# Best Enterprise Inventory Control Software *By [Daniel Rivera](https://research.g2.com/insights/author/daniel-rivera)* Products classified in the overall Inventory Control category are similar in many regards and help companies of all sizes solve their business problems. However, enterprise business features, pricing, setup, and installation differ from businesses of other sizes, which is why we match buyers to the right Enterprise Business Inventory Control to fit their needs. Compare product ratings based on reviews from enterprise users or connect with one of G2's buying advisors to find the right solutions within the Enterprise Business Inventory Control category. In addition to qualifying for inclusion in the Inventory Control Software category, to qualify for inclusion in the Enterprise Business Inventory Control Software category, a product must have at least 10 reviews left by a reviewer from an enterprise business. ## Category Overview **Total Products under this Category:** 539 ## Trust & Credibility Stats **Why You Can Trust G2's Software Rankings:** - 30 Analysts and Data Experts - 12,600+ Authentic Reviews - 539+ Products - Unbiased Rankings G2's software rankings are built on verified user reviews, rigorous moderation, and a consistent research methodology maintained by a team of analysts and data experts. Each product is measured using the same transparent criteria, with no paid placement or vendor influence. While reviews reflect real user experiences, which can be subjective, they offer valuable insight into how software performs in the hands of professionals. Together, these inputs power the G2 Score, a standardized way to compare tools within every category. ## Best Inventory Control Software At A Glance - **Best for Small Businesses:** [Xero](https://www.g2.com/products/xero/reviews) - **Best for Mid-Market:** [Xero](https://www.g2.com/products/xero/reviews) - **Best for Enterprise:** [APEX](https://www.g2.com/products/leandna-apex/reviews) - **Highest User Satisfaction:** [Xero](https://www.g2.com/products/xero/reviews) - **Best Free Software:** [QuickBooks Online](https://www.g2.com/products/quickbooks-online/reviews) --- **Sponsored** ### VersaFeed Struggling with disapproved products or underperforming feeds? VersaFeed delivers full-service product feed management for 150+ merchants, improving data quality, scale, and performance across every channel. Founded in 2007 and headquartered in San Francisco, CA, VersaFeed supports over 150 merchants with full-service product feed management. VersaFeed generates thousands of product feeds daily and is built to handle catalogs with tens of millions of SKUs, enabling enterprise retailers to manage product data at scale. Its team spans coast to coast across the United States and is composed of seasoned professionals with a minimum of seven years of experience in feed-based digital marketing. Backed by deep technical expertise and hands-on industry knowledge, VersaFeed delivers high-quality, accurate data feeds designed to support performance across shopping, social, and product advertising channels. [Visit company website](https://www.g2.com/external_clickthroughs/record?secure%5Bad_program%5D=ppc&secure%5Bad_slot%5D=category_product_list&secure%5Bcategory_id%5D=656&secure%5Bdisplayable_resource_id%5D=132&secure%5Bdisplayable_resource_type%5D=Category&secure%5Bmedium%5D=sponsored&secure%5Bplacement_reason%5D=neighbor_category&secure%5Bplacement_resource_ids%5D%5B%5D=359&secure%5Bprioritized%5D=false&secure%5Bproduct_id%5D=1384863&secure%5Bresource_id%5D=656&secure%5Bresource_type%5D=Category&secure%5Bsource_type%5D=category_page&secure%5Bsource_url%5D=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.g2.com%2Fcategories%2Finventory-control-software%2Fenterprise&secure%5Btoken%5D=b1fd51084f1ef41971b73873eba4ec9ea992753bf1f3ce413ed10a8172b975ec&secure%5Burl%5D=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.versafeed.com%2F%3Futm_source%3Dg2.com%26utm_medium%3Dpaid-placement%26utm_campaign%3Dversafeed-g2-ads&secure%5Burl_type%5D=custom_url) --- ## Top-Rated Products (Ranked by G2 Score) ### 1. [APEX](https://www.g2.com/products/leandna-apex/reviews) APEX by LeanDNA is the factory-focused platform for AI-powered expert execution to establish command of supply planning and materials management. It powers optimized decisions and operations through materials visibility, predictive insights, supplier collaboration, and recommended actions. APEX synchronizes people, materials, and sites with data centralization, AI, and machine learning to analyze supply conditions, predict risks, connect across suppliers, and outline the best actions to protect and optimize production. With core capabilities spanning data visibility and AI, supply insights, procurement management, and inventory optimization, APEX transforms fragmented data into supply chain intelligence that drives confident, precise execution. Teams eliminate operational guesswork, respond faster to disruption, and improve performance with smarter prioritization and optimized supply strategies. **Average Rating:** 4.5/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 128 **User Satisfaction Scores:** - **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 9.0/10 (Category avg: 8.9/10) - **Data Exporting / Importing:** 7.8/10 (Category avg: 8.2/10) - **Client management:** 6.6/10 (Category avg: 8.0/10) - **What is your organization's estimated ROI on the product (payback period in months)?:** 10/10 (Category avg: 10/10) **Seller Details:** - **Seller:** [LeanDNA](https://www.g2.com/sellers/leandna) - **Company Website:** https://www.leandna.com - **Year Founded:** 2014 - **HQ Location:** Austin, Texas, United States - **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/leandna/ (100 employees on LinkedIn®) **Reviewer Demographics:** - **Who Uses This:** Approvisionneur - **Top Industries:** Manufacturing, Aviation & Aerospace - **Company Size:** 51% Mid-Market, 38% Enterprise #### Pros & Cons **Pros:** - Ease of Use (31 reviews) - Customer Support (21 reviews) - Inventory Management (20 reviews) - Features (15 reviews) - Time-saving (13 reviews) **Cons:** - Complex Usability (10 reviews) - Limited Customization (6 reviews) - Missing Features (6 reviews) - Data Inaccuracy (5 reviews) - Learning Curve (5 reviews) ### 2. [SAP Integrated Business Planning](https://www.g2.com/products/sap-integrated-business-planning/reviews) Respond to new market expectations with real-time supply chain planning capabilities and fulfill future demand profitably supply chain management. Powered by in-memory computing technology within SAP HANA, this cloud-based solution combines capabilities for sales and operations; demand, response, and supply planning; and inventory optimization. - Cloud deployment - Real-time scenarios and simulation - Social collaboration - Powerful predictive Analytics KEY BENEFITS: Achieve a rapid deployment Get up and running quickly with SAP Integrated Business Planning by using preconfigured process templates for an accelerated implementation. Empower employees with intuitive features Offer a unified, intuitive user experience with SAP Fiori and planning and simulation capabilities based on Microsoft Excel. Plan resources effectively Optimize resource efficiency by creating supply plans based on prioritized demands, allocations, and supply chain constraints. KEY CAPABILITIES: Integration with SAP Supply Chain Control Tower Gain end-to-end visibility of your supply chain, decision support, and fast corrective action through integration with SAP Supply Chain Control Tower. Forecasting and demand management Get full demand transparency with short-term, mid-term, and long-term forecasting. Take advantage of best-in-class capabilities for demand sensing and statistical forecasting. Inventory optimization Establish optimal inventory targets that enable you to maximize profits, while leaving a buffer to help you meet unexpected demand. Sales and operations planning Deliver a cross-departmental sales and operations plan that balances inventory, service levels, and profitability. Response and supply planning Optimize resourcing efficiency by creating supply plans based on prioritized demands, allocations, and supply chain constraints. **Average Rating:** 4.3/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 201 **User Satisfaction Scores:** - **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 8.3/10 (Category avg: 8.9/10) - **Data Exporting / Importing:** 8.8/10 (Category avg: 8.2/10) - **Client management:** 8.1/10 (Category avg: 8.0/10) - **What is your organization's estimated ROI on the product (payback period in months)?:** 10/10 (Category avg: 10/10) **Seller Details:** - **Seller:** [SAP](https://www.g2.com/sellers/sap) - **Company Website:** https://www.sap.com/ - **Year Founded:** 1972 - **HQ Location:** Walldorf - **Twitter:** @SAP (297,024 Twitter followers) - **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/sap/ (141,341 employees on LinkedIn®) **Reviewer Demographics:** - **Who Uses This:** Consultant, Senior Consultant - **Top Industries:** Information Technology and Services, Consumer Goods - **Company Size:** 57% Enterprise, 27% Mid-Market #### Pros & Cons **Pros:** - Forecasting Accuracy (42 reviews) - Ease of Use (37 reviews) - Supply Chain Management (28 reviews) - Features (27 reviews) - Inventory Management (26 reviews) **Cons:** - Complexity (35 reviews) - Learning Curve (28 reviews) - Difficult Learning (21 reviews) - Complex Setup (18 reviews) - User Difficulty (17 reviews) ### 3. [Increff WMS](https://www.g2.com/products/increff-wms/reviews) Integrated web-based cloud-hosted Warehouse Management System (WMS) & Order Management System (OMS) recognized in Gartner reports, Increff WMS is a comprehensive solution for retail brands to expose 100% inventory, in a single view, to both offline and online channels simultaneously. The world’s simplest and most efficient multi-channel order fulfillment and inventory management solution is quick to integrate and easy to implement. Its key features include: - Unique piece barcoding for serialization of each item, helping achieve 100% inventory and order picking accuracy. - +99.5% order fulfillment within SLA Near real-time Inventory, and order syncing time to prevent excess order booking and cancellation. - A solid tech infrastructure to support billions of API calls per month, with 97% health of calls and zero downtime. **Average Rating:** 4.7/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 102 **User Satisfaction Scores:** - **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 9.2/10 (Category avg: 8.9/10) - **Data Exporting / Importing:** 9.0/10 (Category avg: 8.2/10) - **Client management:** 9.1/10 (Category avg: 8.0/10) - **What is your organization's estimated ROI on the product (payback period in months)?:** 10/10 (Category avg: 10/10) **Seller Details:** - **Seller:** [Increff](https://www.g2.com/sellers/increff) - **Year Founded:** 2016 - **HQ Location:** Bengaluru, Karnataka - **Twitter:** @increff (218 Twitter followers) - **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/increff/mycompany (297 employees on LinkedIn®) **Reviewer Demographics:** - **Top Industries:** Apparel & Fashion, Retail - **Company Size:** 54% Mid-Market, 22% Small-Business #### Pros & Cons **Pros:** - Inventory Management (41 reviews) - Ease of Use (36 reviews) - Order Management (21 reviews) - Customer Support (20 reviews) - Tracking (19 reviews) **Cons:** - Poor Reporting (10 reviews) - Limited Features (6 reviews) - Limited Reporting (6 reviews) - Missing Features (6 reviews) - Inadequate Reporting (5 reviews) ### 4. [Xero](https://www.g2.com/products/xero/reviews) Xero is a cloud-based accounting software solution designed to help small business owners and accounting professionals manage their financial operations efficiently. With a user-friendly interface and a focus on automation, Xero enables users to streamline their bookkeeping processes, allowing them to concentrate on growing their businesses rather than getting bogged down by administrative tasks. Targeted primarily at small businesses, Xero caters to a diverse audience that includes entrepreneurs, freelancers, and accounting firms. The platform is particularly beneficial for those who seek to simplify financial management while ensuring compliance with regional tax regulations. Xero's innovative features, such as JAX (Just Ask Xero), an AI financial superagent, enhance the user experience by providing real-time insights and automating routine tasks. This allows users to create quotes, send invoices, and reconcile bank transactions through natural language commands, making financial management more accessible and efficient. One of the key features of Xero is its ability to automate data ingestion from various sources, including banks and e-commerce platforms. This functionality significantly reduces the time spent on manual data entry, with many users reporting an average savings of six hours per month. Additionally, Xero's smart bank reconciliation adapts to user patterns, simplifying the bookkeeping process to a straightforward click-to-confirm operation. This level of efficiency not only saves time but also enhances accuracy in financial reporting. Xero also prioritizes cash flow management, a critical aspect for any business. Users can create customizable online invoices equipped with integrated "Pay Now" buttons, which facilitate faster payments. Coupled with automated payment reminders, Xero helps businesses reduce the time spent on collections, allowing them to focus on revenue generation. Furthermore, Xero's tools are designed to simplify tax compliance across various jurisdictions, making it easier for users to navigate the complexities of tax regulations. The platform is supported by a robust ecosystem of over 1,000 third-party applications and a global directory of certified accountants and bookkeepers. This connectivity ensures that users have access to specialized tools for inventory management, customer relationship management, and financial advice tailored to their specific needs. With a customer support team rated highly by new users, Xero provides the assurance and assistance necessary for businesses to operate confidently in their financial endeavors. **Average Rating:** 4.4/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 1,590 **User Satisfaction Scores:** - **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 8.6/10 (Category avg: 8.9/10) - **Data Exporting / Importing:** 9.5/10 (Category avg: 8.2/10) - **Client management:** 9.2/10 (Category avg: 8.0/10) - **What is your organization's estimated ROI on the product (payback period in months)?:** 10/10 (Category avg: 10/10) **Seller Details:** - **Seller:** [Xero](https://www.g2.com/sellers/xero-390f429b-8d4b-4170-a85d-f071f0cc536d) - **Company Website:** https://www.xero.com - **Year Founded:** 2006 - **HQ Location:** Wellington - **Twitter:** @Xero (77,540 Twitter followers) - **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/50780/ (6,169 employees on LinkedIn®) **Reviewer Demographics:** - **Who Uses This:** Owner, Accountant - **Top Industries:** Accounting, Information Technology and Services - **Company Size:** 67% Small-Business, 34% Mid-Market #### Pros & Cons **Pros:** - Ease of Use (851 reviews) - Invoice Management (366 reviews) - Transactions (314 reviews) - Efficiency (304 reviews) - Simple (279 reviews) **Cons:** - Missing Features (319 reviews) - Limited Options (173 reviews) - Limited Customization (142 reviews) - Accounting Limitations (134 reviews) - Poor Customer Support (121 reviews) ### 5. [QuickBooks Online](https://www.g2.com/products/quickbooks-online/reviews) Easy Online Accounting to Organize Your Finances in One Place. Run your entire business with the #1 small business cloud accounting solution! **Average Rating:** 4.0/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 3,649 **User Satisfaction Scores:** - **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 7.8/10 (Category avg: 8.9/10) - **Data Exporting / Importing:** 8.6/10 (Category avg: 8.2/10) - **Client management:** 8.7/10 (Category avg: 8.0/10) - **What is your organization's estimated ROI on the product (payback period in months)?:** 10/10 (Category avg: 10/10) **Seller Details:** - **Seller:** [Intuit](https://www.g2.com/sellers/intuit) - **Year Founded:** 1983 - **HQ Location:** Mountain View, California - **Twitter:** @Intuit (80,497 Twitter followers) - **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/1666/ (17,722 employees on LinkedIn®) - **Ownership:** VIE:INTU **Reviewer Demographics:** - **Who Uses This:** Owner, President - **Top Industries:** Accounting, Construction - **Company Size:** 81% Small-Business, 15% Mid-Market #### Pros & Cons **Pros:** - Ease of Use (254 reviews) - Cloud-Based (72 reviews) - Integrations (69 reviews) - Intuitive (69 reviews) - Easy Access (68 reviews) **Cons:** - Missing Features (81 reviews) - Expensive (70 reviews) - Poor Customer Support (52 reviews) - High Fees (49 reviews) - Learning Curve (46 reviews) ### 6. [Oracle Merchandise Operations Management](https://www.g2.com/products/oracle-merchandise-operations-management/reviews) vManage, control, and perform seamless execution of day-to-day merchandising activities, including purchasing, distribution, order fulfillment, and financial close. **Average Rating:** 4.4/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 20 **User Satisfaction Scores:** - **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 8.3/10 (Category avg: 8.9/10) - **Data Exporting / Importing:** 8.3/10 (Category avg: 8.2/10) - **Client management:** 6.7/10 (Category avg: 8.0/10) - **What is your organization's estimated ROI on the product (payback period in months)?:** 10/10 (Category avg: 10/10) **Seller Details:** - **Seller:** [Oracle](https://www.g2.com/sellers/oracle) - **Year Founded:** 1977 - **HQ Location:** Austin, TX - **Twitter:** @Oracle (826,383 Twitter followers) - **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/1028/ (199,301 employees on LinkedIn®) - **Ownership:** NYSE:ORCL **Reviewer Demographics:** - **Top Industries:** Retail, Information Technology and Services - **Company Size:** 62% Enterprise, 29% Mid-Market ### 7. [EZO](https://www.g2.com/products/ezo/reviews) EZO is a cloud-based Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) platform with a built-in CMMS, designed to help mid-market and enterprise teams run asset operations with control and visibility. Established in 2011, EZO is built for equipment-centric organizations and brings asset planning, tracking, movement, and maintenance into a single system so teams know what they have, where it is, and whether it’s ready for use. The EZO Core Enterprise Asset Management Platform is designed as a command center for teams that run equipment-centric operations, allowing them to efficiently track and maintain their mission-critical assets. With barcode, QR code, and RFID scanning, teams can manage checkouts, transfers, and custody across locations with full accountability. Automated workflows, approvals, and real-time alerts reduce manual work and help standardize operations at scale. Dashboards and customizable reporting provide a single source of truth for availability, utilization, movement history, and loss prevention, accessible from anywhere for faster decisions. EZO helps enterprises keep critical assets visible, ready, and available without operational slowdowns. The platform simplifies the check-in and check-out processes, making it easier for teams to manage asset movements in real-time. The built-in CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System) add-on transforms maintenance operations from reactive to proactive. EZO’s native CMMS enables preventive maintenance, work order management, and complete service history tracking and helps teams to minimize downtime, extend asset life, and stay audit-ready. Organizations can benefit from improved reliability and efficiency in their maintenance processes, leading to better resource allocation and reduced operational disruptions. Overall, EZO is designed to empower enterprise organizations by enhancing their asset management and intelligence capabilities. It is built for organizations where asset availability directly impacts mission-critical operations. It helps mid-market and growing enterprise teams keep equipment visible, controlled, and always ready for the next job. **Average Rating:** 4.4/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 386 **User Satisfaction Scores:** - **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 8.9/10 (Category avg: 8.9/10) - **Data Exporting / Importing:** 7.8/10 (Category avg: 8.2/10) - **Client management:** 7.4/10 (Category avg: 8.0/10) - **What is your organization's estimated ROI on the product (payback period in months)?:** 10/10 (Category avg: 10/10) **Seller Details:** - **Seller:** [EZO](https://www.g2.com/sellers/ezo) - **Company Website:** https://ezo.io/ - **Year Founded:** 2011 - **HQ Location:** Carson City, Nevada - **Twitter:** @EZOsolutions (810 Twitter followers) - **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/ezosolutions/ (268 employees on LinkedIn®) **Reviewer Demographics:** - **Who Uses This:** Student - **Top Industries:** Construction, Information Technology and Services - **Company Size:** 54% Mid-Market, 33% Small-Business #### Pros & Cons **Pros:** - Ease of Use (109 reviews) - Inventory Management (63 reviews) - Tracking (46 reviews) - Asset Management (35 reviews) - User Interface (29 reviews) **Cons:** - Missing Features (18 reviews) - Learning Curve (17 reviews) - Navigation Difficulty (16 reviews) - Poor Interface Design (14 reviews) - Poor Usability (12 reviews) ### 8. [Streamline](https://www.g2.com/products/gmdh-streamline/reviews) Streamline is an advanced AI-powered planning platform specifically designed for the retail, wholesale, distribution, and manufacturing sectors. This innovative solution enhances decision-making processes by integrating demand planning and forecasting capabilities. With Streamline, users can collaborate effectively, monitor performance metrics, and accurately forecast demand while leveraging cutting-edge planning technologies and strategies. Targeted primarily at manufacturers, distributors, and retailers, Streamline addresses the critical need for optimized inventory management. The platform offers automated demand forecasting, replenishment execution, and multi-location planning, making it an essential tool for businesses aiming to improve operational efficiency. By accounting for seasonality and supplier management, Streamline ensures that users can adapt to changing market conditions and consumer preferences, ultimately leading to better inventory control and reduced waste. Key features of Streamline include its AI-driven demand planning, which mimics human-like behavior for more accurate forecasting. This eliminates the reliance on traditional methods such as Excel spreadsheets or data from ERP systems. The inventory planning functionality optimizes stock levels and automatically updates replenishment plans, providing users with clear insights into what to order, how much, and when. Additionally, the production planning capabilities help reduce order quantities and transportation costs, streamlining the supply chain process and enhancing overall productivity. Streamline excels in material requirements planning (MRP) by generating comprehensive plans based on demand forecasts and bill of materials (BoM). This feature is particularly beneficial for businesses facing supplier unpredictability and disruptions in historical data, as it allows for effective planning even in the absence of prior sales data. By automatically rebalancing various factors, the platform minimizes the risks of overstock and stockouts, maintaining optimal inventory levels and improving cash flow management. With its robust supply planning capabilities, Streamline provides complete visibility and control over the supply chain, empowering users to make informed decisions that can significantly reduce operating costs and enhance profitability. By integrating these advanced features, Streamline stands out as a comprehensive solution for businesses seeking to elevate their planning processes and achieve greater operational success. **Average Rating:** 4.4/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 249 **User Satisfaction Scores:** - **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 8.9/10 (Category avg: 8.9/10) - **Data Exporting / Importing:** 9.0/10 (Category avg: 8.2/10) - **Client management:** 7.9/10 (Category avg: 8.0/10) - **What is your organization's estimated ROI on the product (payback period in months)?:** 10/10 (Category avg: 10/10) **Seller Details:** - **Seller:** [GMDH](https://www.g2.com/sellers/gmdh) - **Company Website:** https://gmdhsoftware.com/ - **Year Founded:** 2009 - **HQ Location:** New York, US - **Twitter:** @GMDH_Streamline (1,215 Twitter followers) - **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/gmdhstreamline (88 employees on LinkedIn®) **Reviewer Demographics:** - **Top Industries:** Retail, Consumer Goods - **Company Size:** 47% Mid-Market, 44% Small-Business #### Pros & Cons **Pros:** - Forecasting Accuracy (45 reviews) - Ease of Use (32 reviews) - Forecasting (31 reviews) - Automation (29 reviews) - Planning Efficiency (26 reviews) **Cons:** - Limited Customization (18 reviews) - User Difficulty (12 reviews) - Data Management Issues (11 reviews) - Implementation Complexity (10 reviews) - Slow Performance (10 reviews) ### 9. [eTurns](https://www.g2.com/products/eturns/reviews) eTurns TrackStock is an auto-replenishment app that uses scans and sensors to reorder, optimize and track usage of inventory at the point-of-use (in stockrooms and vehicles). Distributors can use TrackStock for VMI/CMI and consignment management of customer inventory. Manufacturers, contractors and healthcare organizations and others use it to reorder or track usage of inventory with QR code scans, SensorBins, or RFID digital kanban. Optimize inventory with our Min/Max Tuning Dashboard. Get email alerts with reports. Get real-time visibility to current inventory status in remote stockrooms. **Average Rating:** 4.2/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 42 **User Satisfaction Scores:** - **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 8.8/10 (Category avg: 8.9/10) - **Data Exporting / Importing:** 7.4/10 (Category avg: 8.2/10) - **Client management:** 7.7/10 (Category avg: 8.0/10) - **What is your organization's estimated ROI on the product (payback period in months)?:** 10/10 (Category avg: 10/10) **Seller Details:** - **Seller:** [eTurns](https://www.g2.com/sellers/eturns) - **Year Founded:** 1994 - **HQ Location:** Irvine, CA - **Twitter:** @eturnsinventory (48 Twitter followers) - **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/293963/ (14 employees on LinkedIn®) **Reviewer Demographics:** - **Top Industries:** Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing, Construction - **Company Size:** 44% Mid-Market, 33% Small-Business #### Pros & Cons **Pros:** - Ease of Use (4 reviews) - Inventory Management (4 reviews) - Access Flexibility (1 reviews) - Data Management (1 reviews) - Easy Integrations (1 reviews) **Cons:** - Slow Performance (3 reviews) - Data Management (1 reviews) - Long Waiting Times (1 reviews) - Navigation Difficulty (1 reviews) - Poor Interface Design (1 reviews) ## Parent Category [Inventory Management Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/inventory-management) ## Related Categories - [Order Management Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/order-management) - [Multichannel Retail Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/multichannel-retail) - [Warehouse Management Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/warehouse-management) --- ## Buyer Guide ### What You Should Know About Inventory Control Software ### What is Inventory Control Software? Inventory control software optimizes the economic order quantity (EOQ) of businesses. The EOQ is the optimal inventory a business should purchase to minimize the cost of ordering and holding. This type of software helps regulate inventory stored in the warehouse, understand how to maximize inventory layout, and ensure there’s enough product to sell at every point.   Inventory control software falls under the overarching category of inventory management, which also includes software that helps organize warehouses, scan barcodes, and print shipping labels. Inventory, or stock control solutions, automate the order fulfillment and shipping process, thus allowing vendors to instead focus on maximizing their inventory levels. The ultimate goal of managing stock levels is to eliminate any inefficiencies that may incur economic costs on vendors or cause inconveniences for consumers. Effective stock control gives businesses a competitive advantage to streamline a speedy shipping process. For businesses with perishable inventory, managing inventory is particularly important to prevent spoilage with the implementation of a first-in, first-out policy. In addition, these solutions prevent the accumulation of dead stock (or unsellable inventory) and excessive amounts of a product that may not ever be sold. #### **What Types of Inventory Control Software Exist?** **Barcode inventory systems** Barcode inventory systems update inventory levels in real time at the point of sale when workers scan an item. With barcode technology, inventory managers can eliminate time-consuming data errors that occur frequently with manual or paper systems for inventory counts. **Radio-frequency identification (RFID) inventory systems** RFID inventory systems use fixed tag readers for inventory tracking. Similar to barcode systems, RFID tags update inventory levels in real time when they are scanned. However, the difference between RFID and barcode systems is that with the former, multiple products can be counted simultaneously, while products can only be counted one at a time with barcode systems. While RFID technology systems might be pricier, they are dramatically faster than barcode scanning and can be very useful for managing large inventories. ### What are the Common Features of Inventory Control Softwares? Below are key features of inventory control software that help replenish physical inventory in real time, eliminate inefficiencies, and optimize customer satisfaction:  **Barcodes:** Barcodes are an essential feature that can help maximize the efficiency of inventory management techniques. By labeling barcodes on every product, inventory managers can scan a product, which automatically categorizes the product and accounts for it in the inventory. The other option is manually counting each product, which is not only time consuming but can also result in human errors. **Automated ordering:** Inventory management systems can automatically detect when a particular product is running low on stock and will instantly update the product quantity for the inventory. As a result, the software will prompt reordering of new stock. This can help businesses maintain the right inventory and respond to customer needs if a particular product is in high demand. **Order management:** Retailers can manage all of their sales and purchases from within the software. This allows retailers to create packages and shipments, and can even send delivery updates to customers through the software. **Reporting:** Inventory control software can provide businesses with reports on which products are the most profitable, how quickly workers are stocking products, and how often purchase orders are being fulfilled on time. These reports can point to any inefficiencies in the warehouse or supply chain. **Forecasting:** Proper management of inventory levels helps forecast when products will be going out of stock and when there is an abundance. Proper forecasting metrics allow for efficient spending of a company’s resources. **Serial number tracking:** Serial number tracking allows inventory managers to attach a code to each product and monitor its movement from the point of purchase up until the time of sale. If orders are delayed or a customer would like to find out where their shipment is, this feature can give them insight and reassurance that the shipment is on its way. **Product kitting:** Product kitting is the process of bundling separate inventory items into one package. Inventory control software can help identify each item that needs to be packaged together to form the bundle and assign those packaged kits in a central location within the warehouse. This saves warehouse workers plenty of time by not having to walk around to different areas of the warehouse to package these items together. **Cloud-based inventory management:** Cloud-based inventory management is a way of tracking inventory through a web browser. A stock system that can be managed through the cloud allows businesses to access inventory on any device. Real-time access to the amount of inventory enhances coordination among staff for quick and smart business decisions. **Internet of things (IoT) integrations:** The connection of consumer devices with manufacturing machines helps supply chains excel. Inventory control software enables firms to generate insights, business intelligence, and cost-effective strategies. For example, IoT devices can be put on actual inventory or RFID labels. **Machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI):** E-commerce chatbots share the availability of products to shoppers. These virtual agents use algorithms to inform customers of stock shortages and recommend other products based on their carts.   ### What are the Benefits of Inventory Control Software?  Inventory control software improves the management of current inventory and eliminates any major inefficiencies in the supply chain. By accurately accounting for every product, businesses can lower costs, speed up fulfillment, and improve the overall production. **Optimize inventory levels at all times:** Having excess stock costs companies a hefty sum. Warehouses can combat this issue by using inventory management software to only purchase products when they are in high demand. The alternative option is using manual labor to count each product and use conjecture on whether more stock should be ordered. **Track inventory numbers accurately:** Real-time updates of inventory levels allow for more precise reports on available stock. Barcode scanning and RFID systems make this process seamless. **Fulfill orders on time to increase customer satisfaction:** Issues such as inaccurate inventory records can cause higher lead times, which result in slower response to demand. Once this happens, stock inventory runs out and customers cannot place orders. This may cause customer disapproval and even a loss of business. Inventory control software will eliminate this issue by automatically alerting inventory managers when stock is running low, as well as automatically restocking these products. Therefore, shorter lead times will get more customers their products on time and increase overall customer approval. **Identify sales and losses by tracking sales patterns:** Tracking stock is one of the best ways to keep track of sales patterns. This software provides an overview of which products are in high demand and which products are not selling as well. This will allow businesses to respond to customer demand by supplying more items that are frequently purchased and potentially discontinuing items that are hurting the business’ bottom line. ### Who Uses Inventory Control Software? **Retailers:** Retailers use inventory control software to categorize products, import item barcodes, and manage item price points across their inventory. Managing product levels will also provide retailers with analytics on which products are performing well and are in high demand. These analytics will alert retailers to autofill orders on items that are selling quickly so the product is always in stock. Additionally, if a product is overstocked at another retail outlet, the software can suggest stock transfers so each outlet can have a more balanced inventory level. **Manufacturers:** Inventory control is a critical tool for day-to-day operations in the manufacturing industry. When a customer orders a bulk shipment of a certain product, the manufacturers must assess whether they have enough raw materials in stock to complete the order. Oftentimes, these orders consist of a variety of raw materials that the manufacturer must combine to create one final product. An order might require the manufacturer to obtain more stock from a variety of other suppliers so it can be completed.  Historically, manufacturers would take stock by spreadsheets, which was a very rudimentary system often prone to error. With specialized software, however, each item has a barcode attached to it that is linked to the software. The manufacturer can then accurately assess if they have enough material, track orders from suppliers, and fulfill orders in a more timely manner. **E-commerce sellers:** Stock control is important for businesses that sell products through online marketplaces. E-commerce sellers especially use software to handle returns, automate re-stocking, shipping, and virtual stock inventory. **Wholesale distributors:** Wholesalers who use online distribution channels use stock control software to track bulk inventory, manage suppliers and customers, and automate the fulfillment process. Wholesalers frequently use software features such as kitting, sales order and warehouse fulfillment, lot tracking for perishable products, and bin management. #### Software Related to Inventory Control Software Related solutions that can be used together with inventory control software include: [Enterprise resource planning (ERP) software](https://www.g2.com/categories/erp) **:** Integrating inventory control software with an ERP system is key to maximizing its potential. Integration between these two systems will allow managers to see all data that relates to manufacturing, supply chain, and shipping all in one place. This will ultimately lead to more visibility of how business processes are connected. [Accounting software](https://www.g2.com/categories/accounting) **:** Integrating inventory management software with [accounting software](https://www.g2.com/categories/accounting) will allow businesses to accurately present inventory in financial reports. Important documents such as tax returns can then accurately reflect inventory value. If the stated assets from the warehouse don’t match with bookkeeping, then the company can get audited. The best way to maintain the financial integrity of a warehouse is by integrating inventory control system with accounting software. [Warehouse management software](https://www.g2.com/categories/warehouse-management) **:** Insight into the daily operations of a business’ warehouse is provided through warehouse management software. Such visibility includes monitoring the movement of products between warehouses to improve shipping and handling procedures. [Barcode software](https://www.g2.com/categories/barcode) **:** Barcodes are the building blocks of the shipment process, so barcode software is necessary to print unique codes for each product. Each country and company may mandate different barcode styles, and software dedicated to this service will allow customizable styles for identifying labels. [Label printing software](https://www.g2.com/categories/label-printing) **:** Labels are a logistical necessity for the fulfillment process. Label printing software help businesses print unique labels for products to ensure an accurate transfer of products during the shipping process. [E-commerce Platforms:](https://www.g2.com/categories/e-commerce-platforms) Integrating inventory control software with a business’s [e-commerce platform](https://www.g2.com/categories/e-commerce-platforms) is critical for keeping track of inventory. Without it, managers must instead manually track orders on their e-commerce platform and then adjust the stock in a spreadsheet. When these two are integrated, every sale made online will automatically be reflected in the inventory management software. The result is more visibility and accuracy, which will translate to fewer inventory errors. ### Challenges with Inventory Control Software No software is free of challenges, and inventory control products come with their own set of difficulties.  **Lack of supply chain functionality:** Some systems are scaled down in comparison to ERP or other supply chain systems. Inventory control software can lack support when it comes to functions such as procurement and route optimization. In this sense, most stock-level software will need additional integrations to make it a more complete tool that can assist with managing the supply chain. Users should be aware of this before purchasing this software. **Complexity:** Learning how to operate this software can take countless hours of training. While some functions are more intuitive than others, it will still take specialized training and patience to master functions like RFID tracking and product kitting. ### Which Companies Should Buy Inventory Control Software? **Food distributors:** When perishable goods are a staple of a business’ product portfolio, inventory management is crucial to prevent the spoilage of goods. First-in, first-out policies allow food at risk for expiration to be sold before other products.  **E-commerce:** Online retailers rely heavily on inventory control since the purchase of goods occurs exclusively on the internet. Real-time updates in inventory are necessary to prevent sellouts, transactions for products that aren’t actually in stock, and to alert customers of low stock thresholds. Automated inventory management allows for instantaneous updates in stock levels to ensure smooth, reliable functioning of business processes.  **Consumer goods:** For physical retailers of consumer packaged goods, stock control is needed when there are seasonal products that can complicate the process of forecasting. Effective inventory management software helps simplify this process and provide more accurate predictions. ### How to Buy Inventory Control Software #### Requirements Gathering (RFI/RFP) for Inventory Control Software When searching for the right inventory control software, it’s important to create a long list based on products that contain some of the most necessary features for a functioning stock management system. After the available pool has been segmented based on crucial features, one can then sort based on nice-to-haves, bells and whistles, and industry-specific software requirements. #### Compare Inventory Control Software Products **Create a long list** In order to create a long list, buyers must ensure the products being considered meet these core criteria: - The software is compatible with one’s technology and computer programs - The system should easily import and export data to be used for ordering and accounting software, i.e., if a business uses spreadsheets, it should be able to export data in a .csv or .xlsx format - The availability of the “reorder point” feature that triggers automatic reordering when inventories hit a certain threshold - A perpetual updating system for small manufacturers - Options for RFID or barcode labeling **Create a short list** Once a long list based on core features is created, a short list should be further narrowed based on industry-specific necessities, nice-to-haves, and bells and whistles. The below features address mandatory features unique to certain businesses and simplify the process of shipping with advanced technological features: - Software compatible with a first-in, first-out system for sellers of perishable products  - Intuitive interface - Machine learning and AI - Configurability - Cloud infrastructure - Dropshipping **Conduct demos** Buyers must schedule calls with the vendors on the short list to ensure their product is the right fit. The most foolproof way to make the right decision is to actually test out the software. It is important to ask vendors about how their product addresses the business’ most pressing needs. #### Selection of Inventory Control Software **Choose a selection team** Vendors will be bringing their strongest team to seal the deal with a potential client. Therefore, it’s important to come to the negotiation process with questions and directives on certain key considerations. These include procurement, legal and contracts, internal business needs, application development, finance and accounting, and information security. Buyers must ask questions about the total costs and fees associated with purchasing, implementing, and using the product. In order to prevent surprises later, it is crucial to ensure the terms and conditions are read in full and discussed. **Negotiation** During the negotiation process, the buyer will need a clear understanding of user seating pricing and fees associated with hosting, upgrades, support and maintenance, and training staff on how to use the software. In addition, a forecast on the cost of maintaining the inventory management system across multiple years will be needed. The goal of this process is to receive all the information needed on pricing and features to assist in the final decision. **Final decision** It could be useful to create a scoring template that measures the various features mentioned in the long and short list, as well as notes from calls between the sales organization and vendor. ### What Does Inventory Control Software Cost? This category of software costs on average about $100 per month. A basic or frills-free option is often available at a much lower cost, but the necessary features to help run an efficient business may be lacking. #### Return on Investment (ROI) ROI measures the time it takes for an investment to pay off and, more importantly, lead to maximization of business revenue. Several factors help determine the ROI for inventory control software. When narrowing down the short list to make the final choice, the following factors should be quantified into concrete numbers to make the best decision: - Labor savings - Vehicle savings - Inventory reductions - Lower shipping costs - Fewer customer chargebacks - Less need for storage facilities (and the accompanying cost of maintaining these facilities) - Increased resources for focusing on business growth - Increased customer satisfaction According to G2 data from August 25, 2021, ROI tends to be achieved in the following increments for this category. - Within 6 months, 52.8% achieved ROI - Within 7 to 12 months, another 24.19% achieved ROI - Within 13 to 24 months, another 11.21% achieved ROI - Overall, almost all respondents reported achieving ROI within 48 months ### Implementation of Inventory Control Software **How is Inventory Control Software Implemented?** Before implementing the inventory management system, it’s important to have a strong, existing process of inventory management. Once that process is codified, buyers must work with the new vendor to train personnel on utilizing the new software. Staff buy-in on the product is essential for a smooth transition that reduces human error. **Who is Responsible for Inventory Control Software Implementation?** Subject matter experts from the vendor will assist in the process of implementing the new software, as well as team leaders and IT personnel who participated in the purchasing process. **What Does the Implementation Process Look Like for Inventory Control Software?** G2 data from August 25, 2021 shows a general timetable upon which the implementation of this type of software occurs: - 67.3% of businesses report implementation in less than a month - 18.3% report implementation within three months - 6.4% report implementation within six months - 4.4% report implementation within 12 months ### Inventory Control Software Trends **Big data analytics** E-commerce sites have huge volumes of data that are relatively unstructured and underused by inventory managers. Shoppers’ behavior can help forecast customer demand and reveal more hidden patterns that can be useful for inventory managers. With big data analytics, inventory managers can structure this data and make it more applicable to use cases when managing stock levels. More integration of big data analytics with inventory control software can be expected in the future.