Best Logistics Software For Small Businesses

It is clear that selecting the right logistics software can be highly beneficial to your business. It plays a crucial role in optimizing all the processes that come with logistics management including procurement, inventory tracking, and transportation.

In what follows, we will help you understand the significance of logistics software, and then, introduce a number of top software solutions in this regard. In the end, we will also provide you with a customized alternative solution that you must consider for your logistics management.

What is Logistics Software?

Logistics software refers to a type of technology solution that companies use to streamline and improve efficiency in their supply chain activities.

These activities include managing the flow of goods, from raw materials to finished products, through transportation, warehousing, and inventory control.

The goal of the logistics software is to optimize such processes to reduce costs and improve delivery speeds. These tools are typically built on modern technologies and aim to minimize manual intervention, and as a result, can lead to greater accuracy and faster turnaround times.

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What are the Different Types of Logistics Software?

The logistics software market offers a range of options to address specific business needs. These are the most common types:

• Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP): This software automates core back-office operations such as accounting, record-keeping, and regulatory compliance.
  By unifying these functions, ERP systems aim to streamline overall business processes and provide a comprehensive company-wide solution.
• Integrated Supply Chain Management (SCM) Suites: These suites manage information about raw materials from suppliers. They help businesses optimize their supply chain for timely and efficient delivery of materials and finished goods.
• Warehouse Management System (WMS): WMS software focuses on warehouse operations, from receiving goods to dispatch. It allows companies to track inventory, process orders, and manage shipping.

The Most Important Features of Logistics Software

There are a number of essential features that you must consider when looking for the right logistics software. These features are explained below:

1. Freight Visibility Management

The logistics software that you choose must provide you with high-quality data on the location and status of goods.

This real-time visibility into freight movement is very important since it enables you to make informed decisions about shipping and route optimization.

2. Real-Time Shipment Monitoring

Another important feature to look for in logistics software is that it must provide you with the option to track shipments in real-time.

This feature, which includes automatic alerts and location GPS tracking, will help you and your clients have the latest updates on their cargo’s whereabouts.

3. Reporting and Analyzing Features

A powerful logistics software solution must have extensive reporting and analytics features. These tools allow companies to base their decisions on solid data and enhance their logistics operations.

The software should also include visual aids, dashboards, and maps that present valuable data related to transportation.

4. Sharing Data

The logistics software you choose should facilitate effortless data exchange with all the involved parties.

Essential features to consider in this regard include protected access points, API integrations, and electronic data interchange functionalities.

Raising the transparency of the entire supply chain, these features are key to enabling the immediate sharing of information.

5. Electronic Invoicing

It is essential for logistics software to provide electronic invoicing and payment systems that simplify financial dealings and minimize the chances of mistakes and deceit. This mainly involves digital invoices, execution of payment operations, and monitoring of financial records.

6. Security Measures

When selecting logistics software, the critical importance of security cannot be overstated. The software that you will end up choosing must include robust security measures that protect you against data intrusions and block unauthorized entries.

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Advantages of Logistics Software

In today’s business landscape, successful companies rely on the dynamic interplay between products and information within complex supply chains.

Strategically implementing various logistics software types can significantly impact business profitability and competitiveness. Below we will explore how using logistics software benefits businesses in the long run.

Better Inventory Control

Effective inventory management is crucial for any successful logistics operation. This includes tasks such as receiving, storing, labeling, packaging, and processing goods within the warehouse.

Human error can be a major source of problems in inventory management. However, advanced logistics software can automate many tasks to significantly reduce these errors.

This will, in turn, contribute to smoother order processing, optimized inventory control, and the ability to meet evolving customer demands.

By minimizing errors and delays, logistics software helps businesses avoid disruptions that could otherwise hinder their logistics strategy.

Synergy with Supply Chain Management

Another advantage of logistics software is that it integrates seamlessly with supply chain management systems. This collaboration enhances efficiency as well as cost reduction and customer satisfaction.

Through facilitating information and material flow across the production cycle, both logistics software and supply chain management systems will contribute considerably to a business’s overall success.

Transportation Management

Efficient transportation management is another essential aspect of successful logistics and supply chain operations.

If goods are not efficiently delivered to both the warehouse and end-users, there will be a risk of incomplete orders and a decline in order fulfillment rates.

A robust transport management system, which is integrated into your logistics planning software, helps optimize routes and avoid traffic congestion. It also ensures timely delivery by monitoring vehicle and driver status.

This approach contributes to maintaining high customer satisfaction and a strong fulfillment rate for your business

Cost Reduction

Logistics software offers significant cost-saving advantages by targeting two major expense areas in logistics which are fuel and labor.

Route optimization algorithms identify the most efficient delivery routes to lower fuel consumption and the associated costs.

Moreover, automation of tasks such as order processing and dispatch frees up staff for more strategic activities that can lead to increased productivity and lower overall operational costs.

Data-Driven Optimization

This is probably the most important benefit of logistics software. These tools provide a 360-degree view of your target audience and allow you to predict your audience’s needs and expand the reach of your marketing efforts.

What’s more, logistics software equips you with comprehensive analytics and reporting tools using which you will be able to track key performance indicators such as on-time delivery rates, delivery costs, and customer satisfaction.

Analyzing this data grants you valuable insights that you can use to identify areas for improvement and make informed decisions that optimize your operations.

Best Logistics Software For Small Businesses

Below we will share with you 5 of the best logistics software solutions available in the market. In order to help you better understand which one might be a better fit, we will also provide you with their main features, pricing, and rating. These tools are:

1. Onfleet
2. Acumatica
3. Brightpearl
4. Fishbowl Inventory
5. Logiwa

Onfleet

Onfleet is a provider of logistics software solutions that gives you a variety of features to streamline your delivery operations.

One of the advantages of Onfleet is its user interface which has a sleek and social media-like aesthetic. However, keep in mind that its features are primarily geared toward last-mile delivery rather than comprehensive fleet management.

Main Features

Onfleet provides you with a number of useful features, including:

• Thanks to Onfleet’s advanced analytics, you can have valuable insights into your delivery performance.
• Onfleet offers barcode scanning capabilities.
• With its real-time tracking feature, you can monitor delivery progress in real-time for improved transparency.
• Onfleet also offers a wide range of API integrations.

Pricing

Onfleet offers the following pricing options:

• Launch: This entry-level plan is ideal for new or small teams and starts at $550 per month.
• Scale: Designed for growing delivery operations, the Scale plan provides advanced tools and starts at $1,265 per month.
• Enterprise: You can also benefit from customized solutions available under the Enterprise plan. Pricing for this plan is available upon request.

Rating

Onfleet has managed to get a rating of 4.6 (from 121 reviews) on the G2 platform.

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Acumatica

Acumatica is a cloud-based ERP system offering a comprehensive suite of business management applications, including logistics functionalities. These features are designed to help mid-sized and small companies compete in dynamic markets.

Main Features

These are some of the main features that Acumatica offers:

• Acumatica simplifies inventory processes through quality control features and robust replenishment tools.
• Acumatica improves warehouse operations with paperless picking directed from mobile devices.
• Acumatica gives you the option to generate sales orders from approved quotes with a single click.
• You can also track shipment status in real-time and share updates seamlessly with customers through in-app messaging or notifications.

Pricing

Pricing for Acumatica is not publicly available. To learn more about their pricing plans, you need to schedule a custom review of pricing from an Acumatica expert. According to their website, there are three main factors that determine your overall cost:

• Applications: You pay based on the specific applications you choose to implement.
• Scalable Resources: You start with the resources you need for your current transaction volume. As your business grows and transaction volume increases, you can easily adjust resource levels and data storage to accommodate your changing needs.
• Deployment Options: Acumatica offers different deployment options to suit your business model.

Rating

On the G2 platform, Acumatica has a rating of 4.5 (from 1212 reviews at the time of writing this blog post).

Brightpearl

Brightpearl is a retail operation management system that helps you automate various aspects of your business. It tackles tasks such as inventory control, order fulfillment and procurement, and shipping.

Moreover, Brightpearl integrates a retail-specific CRM system which gives you the means to cultivate stronger customer connections. This user-friendly platform, with its attractive interface, is a popular choice for many brands and logistics companies.

Main Features

Brightpearl is a logistics software solution that offers you many practical features such as:

• Brightpearl generates data-driven purchasing recommendations based on sales trends, customer demands, and seasonality.
• With its streamlined warehouse management feature, you can expedite warehouse processes through barcode scanning.
• Brightpearl provides you with actionable retail analytics and helps you better understand key performance indicators (KPIs) including cost per conversion, advertising spend, sales revenue, and gross margin.
• Brightpearl has an enhanced CRM system that allows you to track customer interactions and schedule communication reminders.

Pricing

The pricing for Brightpearl is not publicly available. However, they pointed out on their website that their pricing structure scales with your business growth. This means that they offer customized plans based on your specific needs.

Rating

Brightpearl is currently rated 4.5 (72) by the users on the G2 website.

Fishbowl Inventory

Fishbowl caters to a wide range of manufacturing needs, from production tracking and inventory management to multi-warehouse operations and order fulfillment.

Its main strength lies in its extensive integration capabilities. By connecting seamlessly with logistics systems like Warehouse Management or Transportation Management Systems, Fishbowl enables businesses to optimize their supply chain processes.

Main Features

Fishbowl offers you a robust suite of features. Some of these functionalities are:

• Fishbowl allows you to manage stock efficiently with features like scannable barcodes and automated stock counts.
• You can create customized workflows to automate and schedule production processes in advance.
• Fishbowl also provides you with accurate and efficient purchasing tools.
• Fishbowl offers automated and customizable reports that will help you get a better picture of your operations.
• Fishbowl integrates with popular business tools such as QuickBooks, Salesforce, and Shopify.

Pricing

Fishbowl has two pricing plans that you see below. Both plans support 2 users.

• Fishbowl Driver: This plan starts at $329 per month and is ideal for warehouse management.
• Fishbowl Advanced: This plan caters to businesses with both warehousing and manufacturing needs. It starts at $329 per month for warehousing and $429 per month for manufacturing,

Rating

Fishbowl Inventory is rated 4 (from 243 reviews) on the G2 platform.

Logiwa

If you are in search of a comprehensive order fulfillment management solution that can handle every aspect of your business, from storage and tracking sales across various channels to distribution, Logiwa will be a great fit.

Main Features

Let’s see what features Logiwa offers:

• Logiwa offers centralized inventory management that gives you real-time visibility into inventory levels across multiple warehouses.
• Logiwa provides insightful reports on metrics such as tasks, shipments, job types, order fulfillment times, and warehouse space utilization.
• Logiwa integrates with leading carriers including DHL, Amazon, Flexpost, FedEx, and UPS.
• Logiwa also has smart shipping algorithms that analyze factors like shipping rates, carrier options, and packaging needs.

Pricing

Logiwa does not disclose exact pricing on its website. You need to contact them and get a quote.

Rating

The users have rated Logiwa 4.2 (from 35 reviews) on the G2 website.

BSUPERIOR: Your Custom Logistics Software Solution

There are two main options when it comes to picking the ideal logistics software: pre-built (off-the-shelf) solutions and custom-developed applications.

Off-the-shelf software (like the ones mentioned above) offers a wider selection and may be readily available, but it is quite likely that its features will not perfectly align with your specific needs.

However, custom software offers greater control and provides a guaranteed fit for your unique requirements.

We at BSUPERIOR understand the challenges you will encounter in balancing operational costs with service levels. That’s why, we offer custom-built logistics management software solutions developed to streamline your operations and improve efficiency.

This is how we aim to achieve that:

• Holistic Approach: We work closely with you to understand your unique needs and develop a customized logistics management system that seamlessly integrates your warehousing, transportation, planning, and daily operations.
• Expert Transformation: Our team goes to great lengths to guarantee a smooth transition with minimal disruption to your workflow. We implement changes methodically, replacing components with new code while your business continues to operate seamlessly.
• Enhanced Connectivity: BSUPERIOR builds and manages APIs to facilitate data exchange between different software components. This automates processing and operations, and more importantly, helps you reduce infrastructure demands.
• Proactive Maintenance: Our DevOps engineers continuously monitor your software infrastructure, identify potential issues, and implement improvement plans.

So, if you are interested, reach out to us and let us help you unlock the full potential of your logistics operations.