Review of the Best Warehouse Management Systems for Shopify in 2023

Selecting an effective Shopify WMS is a strategic decision for medium-sized E-Commerce merchants. A WMS that aligns with your operational needs can significantly enhance your efficiency, customer satisfaction, and contribute to the overall growth of your E-Commerce business. In this article, we provide an in-depth analysis of the top-performing WMS for Shopify - SAP Extended Warehouse Management (EWM), PULPO WMS, Zoho Inventory, Manhattan WMS, and Infor WMS, to guide you in making an informed decision that suits your specific business needs.

The Essence of a Warehouse Management System (WMS)

A warehouse management system is a software solution that optimizes and centralizes all warehousing operations, from inventory management and order processing to shipping and receiving. With real-time visibility into your inventory and data-driven insights, a WMS empowers Shopify businesses to streamline their operations, reduce errors, and enhance customer satisfaction.

Here is a summary table that briefly describes the key features and potential drawbacks of each WMS:

Now, let's delve deeper into each system:

1. SAP Extended Warehouse Management (EWM)

SAP EWM is a robust player in the WMS market, particularly renowned for its seamless ERP Integration with SAP systems like SAP R3 and S4 HANA. This makes it a comprehensive solution for E-Commerce companies that operate their backend operations on SAP, looking for effective Shopify inventory management. However, its integration complexity might pose a challenge for companies not running SAP as their ERP system.

2. PULPO WMS

PULPO WMS stands out for its ability to simplify and enhance warehouse management, specifically for E-Commerce merchants on Shopify. This cloud-based solution can create a digital model of your Shopify warehouse, offering real-time inventory visibility and control. Its Warehouse Wizard and Picking Optimization streamline Shopify inventory management, potentially saving considerable time in order processing.

Moreover, PULPO WMS supports various third-party integrations such as Shipstation and Sendcloud, includes an advanced WMS Analytics Suite, and offers intelligent storage strategies. However, being exclusively cloud-based may not appeal to companies preferring on-premise solutions.

3. Zoho Inventory

Zoho Inventory, part of the Zoho suite, provides basic inventory management capabilities, making it an ideal fit for businesses already using other Zoho tools. It offers an intuitive user interface and seamless integration with Zoho's ecosystem. However, for larger businesses with more complex E-Commerce warehouse management operations, it might fall short.

4. Manhattan WMS

Manhattan WMS is an excellent solution for handling complex distribution operations. Particularly suited for large enterprises with intricate fulfillment needs, it offers advanced capabilities for warehouse automation, optimization, and analytics. However, its high total cost of ownership and prolonged deployment time might make it less attractive for small to mid-sized operations.

5. Infor WMS

Lastly, Infor WMS is well-equipped to manage the intricacies of large-scale E-Commerce fulfillment operations. It provides extensive support for advanced material handling systems, including appointment scheduling and dock management. Its extensive configurability, advanced MHE support, multi-site visibility, and robust backend tools make Infor WMS an excellent choice for managing high-volume, complex operations.

However, just like Manhattan WMS, Infor WMS might prove to be more comprehensive and costly than what a small or medium-sized operation might require.