As retail businesses grow, so do the demands on the way they handle orders. A scalable Order Management System (OMS) allows businesses to efficiently handle increasing volumes of orders, customers, and inventory without compromising performance. An OMS that scales with the business ensures that these demands are met seamlessly, allowing for smooth operations and consistent customer satisfaction.
However, failing to scale with an order processing software can pose significant risks. Businesses that don't invest in a scalable system may encounter operational bottlenecks, such as delayed order processing and fulfillment, leading to frustrated customers and lost revenue. Additionally, without the ability to manage a growing volume of orders and inventory, businesses risk errors in stock levels, shipping, and customer communications, which can harm their reputation and bottom line. In a competitive market, these inefficiencies can stall growth and give competitors the edge.
Before retailers can effectively scale their operations, it’s crucial to evaluate their existing order management processes. Start by mapping out the entire order lifecycle, from order capture to fulfillment and returns. Identify where bottlenecks occur, whether in order routing, inventory visibility, or customer communication.
Consider the limitations of current systems—can they handle peak season surges? Do they integrate seamlessly with other essential platforms like CRM, ERP, and POS systems? This assessment should highlight pain points, such as slow processing times, frequent errors, or the inability to manage multiple sales channels, which could hinder scalability.
Understanding current limitations is only part of the equation; retailers must also anticipate future needs. Start by analyzing market trends and projected growth rates within your industry. Consider potential expansions—whether it’s entering new geographical markets, launching additional product lines, or increasing online presence.
Use data analytics to predict order volumes during peak times and assess the impact of these increases on your existing systems. By forecasting these demands, you can better understand what capabilities your OMS needs to support future growth without sacrificing efficiency or customer satisfaction.
Choosing the best OMS for retail isn’t just about meeting immediate needs; it’s about aligning with your long-term business strategies and growth objectives. Consider where your business aims to be in the next five to ten years.
Are you planning to expand internationally, diversify product offerings, or enhance customer experiences through omnichannel capabilities? Our recommendations for an OMS is that it should be flexible and robust enough to adapt to these evolving goals. It should support advanced features like distributed order management, global inventory visibility, and seamless integrations with new technologies.
By aligning your OMS capabilities with your business goals, you ensure that your system can scale alongside your growth, supporting sustainable expansion and long-term success.
Understanding the architecture of your order management software is crucial for ensuring it can scale effectively with your business. Here’s a breakdown of the essential architectural qualities you should be looking for.
Besides considering OMS architectural qualities, there’s a set of features that should be observed to get a scalable OMS.
This offers real-time access to data from any location with internet connectivity. Improved data accessibility enhances collaboration, supports remote work, and provides up-to-date insights for decision-making.
Additionally, they allow scaling resources up or down based on demand. This includes adding new features or expanding storage as needed. Businesses can quickly adapt to market changes and seasonal fluctuations without investing in additional physical infrastructure.
A modular OMS design allows for easier upgrades and integration as the business grows. But what do we mean by modular? Modular systems consist of independent components or modules that can be upgraded individually without affecting the entire system. This approach simplifies the process of adding new features or improving existing ones, reducing downtime and disruption.
This technology efficiently distributes incoming network traffic across multiple servers, ensuring that no single server is overwhelmed. By balancing the load, businesses can maintain system reliability and performance, even during peak demand periods. This ensures a smooth and uninterrupted user experience, which is essential for handling high volumes of orders and maintaining customer satisfaction.
APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) allow the OMS to integrate with other tools, such as CRM systems, ERP solutions, and third-party applications. However, not all OMS integrate easily. Having an OMS with API-first architecture simplifies the process of adding new features and integrating with emerging technologies. As your business grows and evolves, an easy-integration OMS allows you to work with APIs and continue to meet your changing needs.
This is particularly valuable for businesses looking to expand into new markets or manage multiple brands. Multitenancy refers to a mode of software operation that allows a single OMS instance to serve multiple clients or business units, each with its own data and configurations. This feature enables businesses to efficiently manage diverse operational needs from a unified system, making it easier to scale and adapt as new market opportunities arise.
Incorporating these scalable features ensures that your OMS can effectively handle growth and adapt to changing demands. By investing in these capabilities, you position your OMS to support your business’s expansion and maintain high levels of performance and efficiency as you scale.
Understanding the importance of scalability in an OMS is one thing, but seeing it in action brings the concept to life. One company that successfully navigated the complexities of scaling with a robust OMS is Newell Brands. This case study highlights how Newell Brands leveraged Deck Commerce OMS to streamline operations and support its growing portfolio of sixty brands.
Newell Brands, managing sixty brands, needed a scalable solution to integrate complex systems and streamline operations. Deck Commerce’s cloud-based OMS proved to be the ideal choice.
This success story illustrates how a well-chosen OMS can not only meet the demands of today but also provide the flexibility and scalability needed for future growth.
Read More About How OMS Played a Key Role in Newell Brands’ DTC Digital Transformation Strategy
A scalable OMS not only supports your growth but also ensures your operations remain agile and efficient as you navigate evolving market demands and opportunities. If your current OMS isn't meeting your scalability needs or is holding back your growth, it might be time to consider an upgrade.
Deck Commerce offers a state-of-the-art, cloud-based solution designed to adapt to your evolving needs and support your long-term goals. Review your existing systems and evaluate whether Deck Commerce can provide the scalability and efficiency your business requires. We can help assess your needs today. Talk to an OMS expert and get a demo.