SCM Software Modules: List of Functions & Features

Table of Contents

Supply Chain Management (SCM) Software Features Overview
Detailed Supply Chain Management Software Solution Functionality Reports
Key SCM Software Modules and Features
Streamline Warehouse Operations with Robust WMS Capabilities
     Critical Warehouse Operations Capabilities
     Key Functionality Features in Warehouse Management Systems
     Technology Enabling Flexible, Connected WMS Deployments
     Key WMS Technology Configuration Features
Transportation Management Systems Streamline Logistics and Enhance Visibility
     Streamlined Transportation Operations for Maximum Efficiency
     Key Transportation Management Operation Features
     Centralized Transportation Management Enables Optimization and Control
     Key System Definition and Implementation Features
International Trade Logistics Streamlines Global Trade and Enhances Visibility
     Global Trade Execution Tools for Efficient Cross-Border Operations
     Key Commerce Features
Centralize Supplier Management and Boost Procurement Performance with SRM Capabilities
     Strategic Sourcing Tools Optimize Supplier Selection and Management
     Key Sourcing Features
     Robust Functionality to Centralize and Optimize Procurement
     Key Procurement Features
     Streamlined Fulfillment Processes to Accelerate Delivery and Returns
     Key Fulfillment Features
     Integrated Manufacturing Capabilities for Optimizing Production Operations
     Key Manufacturing Features
     Essential Cross-Functional Tools for Supply Chain Managemen
     Examples of Top Utilities Features
     Collaborative Product Design Tools Enable Strategic Supplier Integration
Accurate Demand Planning and Optimization Drives Efficiency Across Global Supply Chain
     Predictive Analytics and Machine Learning Drive Precise Demand Forecasting
     Key Forecasting Features
     Sales and Operations Planning Enables Enterprise-Wide Alignment and Optimization
     Key S&OP Features
     Unified Demand Planning Through Cross-Functional Alignment
     Key Collaborative Planning Features
     Strategic Pricing Tools for Maximizing Profits Across the Supply Chain
     Key Pricing and Profit Optimization Features
     Strategic Promotion Planning Tools Enable Data-Driven Marketing Campaigns
     Key Promotion Planning Features
     Real-Time Performance Monitoring and Predictive Analytics
     Key Metrics and Reporting Features
     Data-Driven Merchandise Optimization Tools in SCM Systems
     Examples of Top Merchandise Planning Features
     Product Lifecycle Optimization Enables Data-Driven Inventory and Production Planning
     Examples of Top Life Cycle Planning Features
     Automated Inventory Replenishment Drives Efficiency in Supply Chain Networks
Using Advanced Analytics to Unlock Data-Driven Decisions Across the Supply Chain
     Strategic Supply Chain Optimization Drives Efficiency and Resilience
     Key Supply Chain Optimization Features
     Streamlined Production Planning and Optimization
     Key Production and Supply Planning Features
     Real-Time Supply Chain Monitoring and Disruption Management
Order Management Powers Flexible, Efficient Workflow Execution Across Complex Supply Chains
     Streamlined Shipping and Delivery Processes for Seamless Order Fulfillment
     Key Shipping and Outbound Management Features
     Real-Time Order Tracking Powers Agile Supply Chain Executio
     Key Execution Visibility Features in Supply Chain Software
     Centralized Inventory Visibility Drives Real-Time Promising and Optimization
     Key Inventory Management and Visibility Features
     Order Fulfillment Workflow Automation Drives Efficiency
     Multi-Tier Sourcing Drives Flexibility and Efficiency in Order Fulfillment
     Top Sourcing Capabilities for Distributed Order Management
     Centralized Architecture and Integrations Enable Flexible Order Management Deployments
     Examples of Top Order Management Architecture Features
Service Parts Planning for Resilient After-Sales Support and Efficient Reverse Logistics
     Strategic Service Parts Planning Optimizes Aftermarket Support
     Integrated Systems and Data Sharing Drive Efficient Service Execution
     Key Service Delivery and Execution Features
     Advanced Reporting and Analytics Drives Data-Driven Service Parts Planning
     Key Analytics and Reporting Features in Service Parts Planning
     Efficient Transportation and Returns Enable Responsive Aftermarket Services
     Examples of Top Logistics Transportation and Reverse Logistics Features
     Centralized Data Maintenance Tools Enable Flexible Supply Chain Management
     Examples of Top Utilities Features
Platform Capabilities Empower Supply Chain Digital Transformation
     Centralized Architecture and Integrations Power SCM Performance
     Examples of Top Architecture Features
     Intuitive Interfaces and Interactions Streamline Supply Chain Management
     Key User Interface Features in Supply Chain Software
     Flexible and Scalable Platform Architecture Enables Supply Chain Innovation
     Key Platform Features in SCM Software
     Essential Business Applications Empower Supply Chain Data Sharing and Analytics
     Key Application Tools Features in Supply Chain Software
Types of SCM Software and Industry-Specific Solutions
Capabilities for Different-Size Businesses Sizes and Other Specificities
Choosing the Best SCM Software
Additional Resources

Supply Chain Management (SCM) Software Features Overview

Supply chain management (SCM) software enables businesses to manage their supply chain operations efficiently, providing visibility into supply and demand planning, procurement, manufacturing, transportation, warehouse management, and other key processes. Organizations can use SCM software to optimize inventory levels, reduce costs through automation, and enhance collaboration with suppliers and partners. SCM solutions on the market today cater to businesses of all sizes and industries, with some focusing on transportation management while others cover the supply chain end-to-end. ERP systems with comprehensive SCM modules from vendors such as SAP, Oracle, and Infor lead the market. Best-of-breed SCM solutions from companies like Blue Yonder and E2open serve large enterprises with complex global supply chains. For small to midsize businesses (SMBs), SCM providers such as Fishbowl, Zoho Inventory, Brightpearl offer more affordable options. When evaluating SCM solutions for your business, it’s important to ensure the software’s capabilities align with your internal requirements around procurement, order fulfillment, inventory control, manufacturing scheduling, and logistics execution. You might also need to consider industry-specific needs related to lot traceability, compliance, and quality management.
 

Detailed Supply Chain Management Software Solution Functionality Reports

Evaluating SCM software is a major undertaking for any organization, requiring sifting through thousands of SCM software features and modules to create your requirements list, contacting vendors for product information, and discovering the best-fit solution. All this is resource intensive and can take several months. You’ll need examine the functionalities SCM software contains and focus on the SCM software modules or SCM capabilities that are most relevant for your industry and business processes.
 
An SCM software features list provides that level of detail instantly. With more than 30 years helping organizations assess and evaluate enterprise software, we at TEC have built an comprehensive database of software capabilities from thousands of vendors. We’ve used a rigorous methodology to benchmark solutions objectively, establishing an industry average for SCM and other software. You can see our high-level benchmarking in our free SCM software descriptions, while our detailed features and capabilities reports drill down into specific solutions. These Excel reports catalog every SCM functionality you should expect to find in any competitive SCM solution, and they indicate the level of support a particular solution offers for each SCM capability. For easier navigation, in these reports we have arranged the SCM features into intuitive SCM modules and submodules reflecting typical business processes.

For example, the Logility features and modules report details 2,571 SCM features, organized into SCM modules and submodules, with each capability having a rating showing Logility’s level of support, from full out-of-the-box support, to partner integration, to customization required, to no support. See overview Logility’s SCM features and modules. With these SCM software capabilities reports, you can quickly gauge how well the solution you’re considering supports individual functionalities and how fully it covers broader areas such as supply/demand planning, manufacturing execution, and transportation management.
 

Key SCM Software Modules and Features

SCM software key capabilities include demand planning, inventory optimization, manufacturing scheduling, procurement, order management, warehouse management, and transportation management.

Recent innovations in SCM solutions leverage AI and machine learning for more accurate forecasting, blockchain for enhanced traceability, and digital twin technology for virtual modeling, leading to a supply chain with improved enhanced visibility and efficiency.

Let’s explore SCM software modules and features in detail across various key process areas. Our comprehensive SCM features list contains over 2,569 granular SCM capabilities, grouped into 9 modules (and 38 submodules):
 

• Warehouse Management System (WMS)
• Transportation Management System (TMS)
• International Trade Logistics (ITL)
• Supplier Relationship Management (SRM)
• Demand Management
• Supply Chain Analytics
• Order Management
• Service Parts Planning
• Product Technology

Download one of our features and modules lists catering to a specific solution. Access the full list of solutions on this page.

Get features and modules lists for top SCM solutions

Streamline Warehouse Operations with Robust WMS Capabilities

The Warehouse Management System (WMS) module, with 707 granular features, enables businesses to optimize warehouse and fulfillment center operations. Its features span inventory control, receiving and putaway, picking and packing, shipping, and yard management functions. WMS solutions offer wave planning, task interleaving, cartonization, cross-docking, and other SCM capabilities—providing the flexibility and efficiency needed to meet customer demands at the lowest possible cost.

AI-powered WMS functionalities are emerging, such as machine learning (ML) for more accurate demand forecasting and predictions, robotic process automation (RPA) for streamlined workflows, and smart inventory tracking using radiofrequency identification (RFID) and barcode scanning. These innovations drive productivity, accuracy, and visibility across warehouse operations.

The WMS module of SCM systems caters to a wide range of industries, including retail, ecommerce, manufacturing, food and beverage, and third-party logistics (3PL). Users across warehouse floor staff, warehouse managers, fulfillment directors, and supply chain executives benefit from robust WMS features to optimize labor, space, equipment, and inventory.

This module is organized into three main submodules: Functionality, Adaptability, and WMS Technology Configuration. We will explore key capabilities around warehouse tasks, performance management, integration, configuration, and more here.

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Critical Warehouse Operations Capabilities

With over 380 granular capabilities, the Functionality submodule contains the core warehouse management features, such as inventory control, task management, and performance reporting, needed to optimize warehouse and distribution center operations—enhancing productivity, accuracy, and cost efficiency.

The Functionality submodule facilitates the work of supply chain leaders across industries like retail, ecommerce, manufacturing, and 3PL—driving flexibility, visibility, and continuous optimization across the distribution network.

Key Functionality Features in Warehouse Management Systems

  

Feature	Purpose / Benefit
Wave Planning	Organizes picking tasks into efficient waves to optimize labor and equipment usage based on volume, priority, and other constraints.
Task Interleaving	Dynamically interleaves multiple picking tasks to reduce travel time and boost picker productivity.
Yard Management	Manages yard check-in/check-out, dock scheduling, and equipment/driver allocation for incoming and outgoing trucks.
Cartonization	Determines optimal box and pallet configurations to minimize shipping costs and material usage.

   

Technology Enabling Flexible, Connected WMS Deployments

The WMS Technology Configuration submodule contains 296 features that empower organizations with robust, adaptable warehouse management solutions. WMS capabilities include RFID and barcode printing to facilitate inventory visibility and task efficiency; security controls and user access management to enable compliance and prevent errors or fraud; and multilingual and multicurrency features to support global warehouse networks spanning different regions, languages, and financial systems.

Together, these technology-focused capabilities allow supply chain leaders to optimize warehouses for changing business needs. They cater to IT teams, warehouse managers, fulfillment directors, and other stakeholders managing complex distribution operations worldwide—whether launching new products, entering fresh markets, or pivoting strategies.

Key WMS Technology Configuration Features

​

Feature	Purpose / Benefit
RFID Support	Provides real-time inventory visibility and task efficiency using radio frequency identification tags.
Barcode Printing	Prints barcode labels for tracking inventory, orders, and shipments within the warehouse.
Multilanguage Support	Displays WMS user interface, reporting, and documentation in different languages to support global warehouses.

Transportation Management Systems Streamline Logistics and Enhance Visibility

An advanced Transportation Management System (TMS) module offers 194 granular features to centralize transportation planning, execution, and settlement, enabling supply chain leaders to optimize inbound and outbound freight deliveries. Overall gains are enhanced efficiency, reduced costs, and improved visibility across global distribution networks.

Leading SCM solutions contain robust TMS functionalities spanning load building, routing, and scheduling, carrier management, freight audit and payment, and real-time tracking. Capabilities like multistop route optimization and automated freight invoice auditing minimize expenses and resources needed to fulfill customer orders.

Predictive analytics, Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, control tower visibility, and other emerging technologies are also reinventing TMS submodules—empowering shippers across industries to achieve new levels of agility, resilience, and sustainability.

Two key submodules with TMS are System Definition and Implementation, and Transportation Management Operation Functionality—providing end-to-end tools to optimize networks, execute shipments, and settle payments for maximum efficiency.

Streamlined Transportation Operations for Maximum Efficiency

The Transportation Management Operation Functionality submodule contains 125 features for seamless transportation execution across global supply chains. From load building to freight audit and payment, these capabilities drive productivity, cost savings, and real-time visibility at every stage.

This TMS component is essential for shippers in manufacturing, retail, and other sectors to coordinate inbound and outbound logistics, empowering them to optimize routes, leverage preferred carriers, and settle payments while ensuring compliance worldwide.

Key Transportation Management Operation Features

  

Feature	Purpose / Benefit
Multistop Route Optimization	Plans optimal inbound and outbound routes with multiple pickups, cross-docks, and deliveries to maximize efficiency.
Automated Freight Invoice Auditing	Compares carrier invoices against contracts to ensure accurate billing and expedite dispute resolution.
Real-Time Shipment Event Alerts	Provides alerts on delays, damages, or other exceptions through IoT sensors for rapid response.

   

Centralized Transportation Management Enables Optimization and Control

With 67 granular features, the System Definition and Implementation submodule enables supply chain leaders to define contracts, carriers, trade lanes, and business rules to streamline planning and execution across logistics networks. These configuration tools drive optimization from the first mile to the last while ensuring governance and compliance, and making for efficient, efficient, resilient transportation operations.

Spanning 12 areas from basic setup to security to integration services, this TMS component enables customization to specific distribution requirements. Leaders across retail, manufacturing, consumer goods and other asset-intensive sectors leverage these capabilities to boost productivity, mitigate risk, and enhance real-time shipment visibility.

Key System Definition and Implementation Features

  

Feature	Purpose / Benefit
Carrier Contract Setup	Defines negotiated carrier agreements for modes and lanes to optimize transportation sourcing and pricing.
Multi-Leg Route Configuration	Models optimal paths involving multiple stops, carriers, and modes to streamline planning and reduce costs.
Shipment Tracking Parameters	Customizes tracking frequency and sensors to balance visibility needs with data volumes and system performance.

 

International Trade Logistics Streamlines Global Trade and Enhances Visibility

The International Trade Logistics (ITL) module offers 190 SCM features to optimize cross-border supply chain operations. Features such as collaboration, content management, and global trade execution empower businesses to boost efficiency, ensure compliance, and enhance visibility across import/export processes.

Capabilities like restricted party screening, export license management, and customs brokerage streamline trade workflows while minimizing risk; and emerging technologies like global shipment tracking through control towers and IoT also provide unmatched visibility into international shipments. From retail and high-tech to automotive and aerospace, supply chain leaders leverage ITL to navigate complexity, accelerate speed to market, and build resilience.

ITL contains three submodules—Collaboration, Content, and Commerce—that facilitate seamless information sharing with trade partners while optimizing global shipment execution. These SCM features empower enterprises to maximize productivity and compliance as they expand into new regions and trade lanes worldwide.

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Global Trade Execution Tools for Efficient Cross-Border Operations

The Commerce submodule contains 141 SCM features for optimizing global trade execution across import and export processes. By centralizing and automating international order fulfillment workflows, these capabilities enable organizations to accelerate speed to market, enhance shipment visibility, and maximize duty savings worldwide.

Spanning 15 areas from purchase orders (POs) to customs clearance, these commerce tools streamline collaboration with overseas suppliers, freight forwarders, brokers, and other trading partners. Retail, high-tech, automotive, aerospace, and other globalized sectors rely on robust commerce functionality for efficient cross-border operations.

Key Commerce Features

  

Feature	Purpose / Benefit
Global Trade Content Integration	Synchronizes product data, compliance data, and logistics data across systems for accurate trade documentation and calculations.
Multi-Party Shipment Workflow	Enables collaboration between buyers, suppliers, carriers, brokers, and officials to coordinate global trade execution.
Automated Customs Clearance	Submits electronic export/import declarations to customs authorities for accelerated border crossing.

   

Centralize Supplier Management and Boost Procurement Performance with SRM Capabilities

With 540 SCM capabilities and 8 submodules, Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) module optimizes supplier interactions and strategic sourcing across global supply chains. Offering capabilities that span supplier management, sourcing, and procurement, SRM helps maximize value, mitigate risk, and build resilience.

ML-driven supplier recommendations, blockchain-based supplier verification, and supply risk monitoring using predictive analytics help future-proof supply bases while driving efficiency.

Let’s explore key capabilities around supplier collaboration, contract negotiation, supplier quality management, procure-to-pay workflows, and more here.

Together, these SRM tools provide integrated visibility and control over the complete supplier lifecycle—from initial assessments to ongoing scorecarding. For enterprises in manufacturing, retail, and other sectors, optimized supplier relationships and strategic sourcing translate directly to bottom-line results.

Strategic Sourcing Tools Optimize Supplier Selection and Management

The Sourcing submodule provides enterprises with 227 SCM features to strategically assess suppliers, negotiate agreements, and manage ongoing relationships for maximum value. AI-powered recommendations and blockchain-enabled verification facilitate sourcing and supplier management across complex global supply chains.

This robust functionality helps identify optimal suppliers, secure the best contracts, integrate new partners seamlessly, and monitor performance continually. 

Key Sourcing Features

Feature	Purpose / Benefit
Supplier Recommendation Engine	Leverages AI and ML to instantly match sourcing requirements with best-fit suppliers using historical data.
eSourcing RFx Management	Enables digital RFPs, RFQs, and reverse auctions to drive competitive bidding and negotiate optimal supplier agreements.
Blockchain-Based Supplier Verification	Validates supplier credentials, capabilities, certifications, and performance data on a shared blockchain ledger for accuracy and transparency.

   

Robust Functionality to Centralize and Optimize Procurement

The Procurement submodule offers 168 SCM features to streamline and govern procurement workflows, enabling data-driven decisions for strategic buying. It spans requisitions, POs, receiving, and invoicing, automating high-volume transactions while optimizing performance.

For manufacturers and retailers managing thousands of maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) and indirect POs annually, these digital tools increase efficiency and visibility across the procure-to-pay process. Integrations with core financials and automated 3-way matching also strengthen governance and control.

Key Procurement Features

Feature	Purpose / Benefit
Touchless Invoice Processing	Leverages OCR and machine learning to automatically capture and match invoice data for accelerated approval and payment.
Dynamic Discounting	Enables real-time visibility into early payment discounts to capitalize on supplier terms and improve cash flow.
Procurement Analytics	Provides real-time analytics into spend analysis, savings tracking, supplier performance, and other KPIs to inform strategic decisions.

Streamlined Fulfillment Processes to Accelerate Delivery and Returns

The Fulfillment submodule with 14 features optimizes key steps within the order delivery process involving suppliers and logistics partners, accelerating component replenishment, coordinating product returns, and gaining visibility into fulfillment performance.

Key Fulfillment Features

  

Feature	Purpose / Benefit
Kanban Replenishment	Automates inventory replenishment signals to suppliers to accelerate component availability while minimizing excess stock.
Returns Management Workflow	Enables collaboration with suppliers on repairing or replacing defective items to accelerate returns processing.
Inbound Delivery Analytics	Provides visibility into supplier delivery performance including on-time rate, fill rate, and lead time analysis.

 

Integrated Manufacturing Capabilities for Optimizing Production Operations

With 31 features across 9 areas, the Manufacturing submodule enables enterprises to integrate key supplier-facing processes into the broader supply chain workflow—driving quality, efficiency, and visibility across production operations involving external partners.

For industrial manufacturers relying on suppliers for components, equipment, and MRO items, these capabilities are essential to maximize uptime and meet demand. By connecting inbound quality processes and engineering change workflows across the supply network, organizations gain end-to-end visibility while accelerating new product introductions.

Key Manufacturing Features

  

Feature	Purpose / Benefit
Supplier Quality Management	Centralizes quality data from suppliers and enables corrective action workflow for rapid defect resolution.
Engineering Change Collaboration	Facilitates real-time collaboration with suppliers on proposed design changes to accelerate implementation.
MRO Inventory Optimization	Applies demand forecasting and other advanced analytics to optimize MRO inventory levels across supplier network.

 

Essential Cross-Functional Tools for Supply Chain Management

The Utilities submodule contains 3 secondary modules and 13 total features that span across supply chain processes like design, sourcing, and manufacturing. With project management functionality, bill of materials (BOM) capabilities, and cost management analytics, enterprises gain cross-functional visibility and efficiency.

Examples of Top Utilities Features

• Centralized BOM Management—Enables a single source of truth for product structures, components, specifications, and relationships to streamline collaboration.
• Multi-Tier Cost Analysis—Provides real-time visibility into total landed costs across multiple supply chain tiers to inform sourcing decisions.
• Supply Chain Gantt Charts—Visualizes integrated plan timelines across departments to coordinate enterprise-wide supply chain execution.
• Automated Project Progress Alerts—Triggers email notifications when supply chain projects reach critical milestones to keep stakeholders aligned.
• Supplier Risk Analysis—Leverages predictive analytics to model disruption probability for different suppliers and mitigate downstream impacts.

Collaborative Product Design Tools Enable Strategic Supplier Integration

To drive innovation and speed time-to-market for new products, leading SCM solutions provide collaborative design tools facilitating early supplier integration. With 9 submodules and over 40 features, SRM design functionality delivers requirements sharing, component recommendations, and integrated BOMs to maximize quality and value.

By tying strategic suppliers into the concept, prototype, and testing phases, manufacturers gain access to breakthrough technologies and expertise early on. Capabilities like crowdsourced designs and blockchain-based IP protection also minimize risk during open innovation. Through seamless collaboration on product requirements, component grading, and quality management, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) accelerate innovation cycles from months to weeks.

Accurate Demand Planning and Optimization Drives Efficiency Across Global Supply Chains

The Demand Management module offers 164 SCM functionality features to align supply with demand by leveraging data science and optimization. This module with forecasting, pricing, promotion planning, and more, powers informed inventory decisions and efficient operations.

By processing signals from across the supply chain, these systems enable accurate demand sensing, dynamic pricing, and precise inventory balancing. Industries like retail, consumer packaged goods (CPG), and manufacturing rely on demand-driven planning processes to minimize excess and obsolete stock.

Let’s explore key SCM functionality around forecasting, pricing, promotion planning, sales and operations planning (S&OP), and architecture configuration enabling data-backed decisions.

Predictive Analytics and Machine Learning Drive Precise Demand Forecasting

The Forecasting submodule, with 32 features, leverages predictive analytics and ML algorithms to enable data-driven demand projections—providing the precision needed to align inventory, production, and fulfillment with expected customer requirements.

By processing signals from across the supply network—such as past sales, promotions, pricing changes, market trends, and even weather data—AI-powered forecasting minimizes excess and obsolete stock and accelerates time-to-market for new products with limited historical data.

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Key Forecasting Features

  

Feature	Purpose / Benefit
Automated Forecast Model Selection	Leverages ML to determine the optimal forecasting algorithms based on product characteristics and demand patterns.
Event-Based Demand Sensing	Continuously monitors external signals like promotions, price changes, and market events to instantly adjust forecasts as needed.
New Product Forecasting	Applies analytics across product hierarchies, trends, and analog data to provide demand visibility for new products with limited history.

   

Sales and Operations Planning Enables Enterprise-Wide Alignment and Optimization

The Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) submodule balances demand and supply projections. The 9 features spanning simulation, workflow automation, and analytics facilitate enterprise-wide S&OP execution.

By enabling cross-functional alignment between sales, marketing, operations, finance, and leadership teams, S&OP powers data-driven decisions that meet revenue, cost, and service level targets. This submodule is particularly valuable for industrial manufacturers, consumer products companies, and retailers managing complex global supply chains and dealing with uncertainty.

Key S&OP Features

Feature	Purpose / Benefit
Scenario Modeling and Simulation	Enables what-if analysis of demand, supply, and capability assumptions to model financial and operational outcomes.
Cross-Functional Workflow	Structures the gathering of inputs from departments like sales, marketing, operations, and finance to drive consensus.
Executive Scorecard Analytics	Delivers real-time visibility into KPIs like forecast accuracy, operational costs, and revenue attainment to enable data-backed decisions.

Unified Demand Planning Through Cross-Functional Alignment

The Collaborative Planning submodule, with 9 SCM features, facilitates consensus between departments by enabling a unified view of demand projections to optimize inventory, production, and fulfillment.

Key Collaborative Planning Features

Feature	Purpose / Benefit
Executive Forecast Scorecards	Delivers real-time visibility into consensus KPIs like projection accuracy, bias, and collaboration rates to drive continual improvement.
Forecast Input Workflow	Structures gathering of top-down and bottom-up projections across departments to drive unified demand plans.
Scenario Modeling and Simulation	Enables what-if analysis of assumptions to quantify business impact and build alignment on final plans.

Strategic Pricing Tools for Maximizing Profits Across the Supply Chain

With 10 features, the Pricing and Profit Optimization submodule empowers consumer goods, retail, distribution, and manufacturing enterprises to set optimal pricing across products, markets, channels, and promotions—improving profitability without sacrificing volume or market share.

Key Pricing and Profit Optimization Features

Feature	Purpose / Benefit
Price Waterfall Analysis	Deconstructs pricing by cost components, margins, channel margins, and other contributors to inform targeted profit improvement initiatives.
Automated Price Modeling	Leverages ML to instantly calculate optimal pricing scenarios based on costs, competitor actions, channel incentives, and demand drivers.
Post-Promotion Profitability Analysis	Quantifies actual vs. planned promotion results across revenue, margin, channel sell-through, and halo effects to continually optimize promotional pricing.

Strategic Promotion Planning Tools Enable Data-Driven Marketing Campaigns

The Promotion Planning submodule provides 13 features to model, execute, and analyze the impact of promotions and marketing campaigns.

Key Promotion Planning Features

Feature	Purpose / Benefit
Promotion Event Simulator	Enables scenario modeling to forecast demand uplift, inventory requirements, and P&L impact of planned promotions.
Cannibalization Effect Analysis	Quantifies the halo and cannibalization effects across products to optimize cross-sell opportunities.
Post-Event Performance Analytics	Provides detailed visibility into actual vs. planned results to continually improve promotion strategies.

Real-Time Performance Monitoring and Predictive Analytics

The Metrics and Reporting offers 10 features to track operational KPIs in real time while leveraging predictive analytics to balance costs, service levels, and strategic objectives across complex global networks.

From transportation managers monitoring shipment status, to warehouse directors analyzing fulfillment metrics, to executives reviewing financial and sustainability dashboards, this functionality offers unprecedented visibility into past performance, current state, and potential future scenarios to drive proactive optimization.

Key Metrics and Reporting Features

Feature	Purpose / Benefit
Real-Time Operational Alerts	Triggers notifications when KPIs like order cycle times, inventory turns, or carrier on-time rates exceed defined thresholds based on historical baselines.
Predictive Demand Forecasting	Leverages ML and demand sensing to provide visibility into potential shipment volumes, enabling proactive capacity and inventory planning.
Automated Root Cause Analysis	Applies pattern recognition across multiple data streams to determine probable root causes when operational KPIs underperform for accelerated issue resolution.

Data-Driven Merchandise Optimization Tools in SCM Systems

The Merchandise Planning submodule contains 12 essential features enabling data-backed decisions on product assortment, inventory positioning, and shelf space allocation—optimizing availability while minimizing waste.

Examples of Top Merchandise Planning Features

• Automated Replenishment Rules—Applies ML to forecast demand and define optimal reorder points and order quantities per item to minimize out of stocks.
• Dynamic Shelf Space Optimization—Leverages demand sensing and product affinity analytics to optimize shelf layouts and space allocation across stores.
• Item Clustering Analytics—Groups merchandise into clusters using attributes like price point, category, and demographics to streamline demand forecasting and planning.
• Omnichannel Inventory Visibility—Provides real-time visibility into network-wide inventory positions across channels like stores, warehouses, and drop-ship nodes to maximize sell-through.
• Store-Cluster Assortment Planning—Defines tailored merchandise assortment plans per region and store cluster based on local demand patterns for faster turns and higher sales.

Product Lifecycle Optimization Enables Data-Driven Inventory and Production Planning

The Life Cycle Planning submodule contains 10 features to align inventory, demand, and supply plans with the evolving requirements across product lifecycles.

Examples of Top Life Cycle Planning Features

• Automated Phase-Out Forecasting—Applies analytics to demand data and economic indicators to predict end-of-life demand during product transitions for precise inventory planning.
• New Product Forecasting—Leverages analytics across product hierarchies and analog data to provide demand visibility for new products with limited history during launch and ramp-up.
• Dynamic Replenishment Rules—Defines optimal reorder points and order quantities per phase of the product lifecycle using ML for forecasting to minimize waste.
• Engineering Change Order (ECO) Impact Analysis—Quantifies the downstream inventory and demand impact of proposed engineering changes for accurate write-downs and stock positioning.
• Aftermarket Demand Sensing—Continuously monitors service and replacement part sales trends to forecast post-sales support requirements across distribution network.

Automated Inventory Replenishment Drives Efficiency in Supply Chain Networks

Vendor managed inventory (VMI) replenishment enables suppliers and customers to jointly monitor and manage inventory levels, triggering automated refill orders when stocks fall below target levels. With 10 SCM capabilities, VMI automation maximizes availability while optimizing working capital across complex supply networks and is particularly useful for manufacturers, retailers, and distributors managing thousands of stock-keeping untis (SKUs) across multiple tiers.
 

Using Advanced Analytics to Unlock Data-Driven Decisions Across the Supply Chain

The Supply Chain Analytics module is critical for enterprises looking to leverage their supply chain data to drive strategic optimization. With 3 submodules and 291 SCM features spanning supply chain planning, execution, and performance management, Supply Chain Analytics provides the visibility and insights needed to accelerate workflows, reduce costs, and mitigate risks.

By processing signals from across complex global networks, these tools enable accurate forecasting, root cause analysis, scenario modeling, and data-backed decision making.

Supply Chain Analytics enables balancing key objectives around profitability, sustainability, compliance, and customer service, with features tailored to analytical planning, optimization, and monitoring across supply chain operations.

Let’s examine Supply Chain Analytics capabilities around supply chain optimization, event management, and production planning—enhancing the efficiency and evolution of supply networks worldwide.

Strategic Supply Chain Optimization Drives Efficiency and Resilience

The Supply Chain Optimization submodule empowers manufacturers, retailers, distributors, and other enterprises to design optimal supply chain networks aligned to their business objectives around responsiveness, efficiency, and resilience. With 72 SCM capabilities spanning network design, inventory optimization, logistics planning, and more, organizations gain the visibility and control needed to continually improve complex global operations.

Capabilities like network flow modeling, dynamic inventory balancing, and integrated business planning enable data-backed decisions on footprint, inventory, and workflows—allowing insights to minimize costs and resources while preventing disruptions worldwide.

Key Supply Chain Optimization Features

Feature	Purpose / Benefit
Network Design Optimization	Leverages analytics to model optimal distribution center locations and transportation lanes balancing cost, service levels, and risk tolerance.
Multi-Echelon Inventory Optimization	Simultaneously optimizes target stock levels across the entire supply network based on demand patterns, replenishment times, and other constraints.
Integrated Business Planning	Enables collaborative, consensus-based decision-making across finance, sales, marketing, and operations through data sharing and scenario analysis.

Streamlined Production Planning and Optimization

The Production and Supply Planning submodule provides 16 submodules and over 130 granular features to model, plan, and optimize manufacturing operations across global supply networks—enhancing efficiency, flexibility, and visibility from raw material procurement to finished goods delivery.

By seamlessly integrating production planning with broader supply chain workflows, SCM solutions enable data-driven decisions on optimal build schedules, inventory buffers, and procurement timelines. Predictive analytics and constraint-based modeling balance utilization, costs, and responsiveness based on demand signals and global supply conditions.

Manufacturing, consumer goods, and retail enterprises leverage these production planning capabilities to accelerate new product introductions, prevent stock-outs, and streamline changeovers. The submodule is particularly useful for production planners, plant managers, inventory analysts, and C-level executives managing complex shop floors and distribution centers.

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Key Production and Supply Planning Features

Feature	Purpose / Benefit
Constraint-Based Production Planning	Considers capacity, material availability, and other constraints when generating optimal production schedules to ensure feasibility.
Changeover Optimization	Minimizes production switchover times by optimizing SKU sequencing based on machine compatibility, tooling requirements, and efficiency metrics.
Multi-Tier Inventory Optimization	Balances target stock levels across raw materials, WIP, and finished goods to prevent shortages while minimizing excess inventory.

Real-Time Supply Chain Monitoring and Disruption Management

Supply Chain Event Management provides real-time visibility into global supply chain operations to rapidly detect and resolve disruptions. By continuously monitoring execution workflows, these tools notify stakeholders when delays, exceptions, or anomalies occur across complex distribution networks.

With 83 granular features across 8 submodules, Supply Chain Event Management drives proactive optimization, with manufacturers, retailers, and logistics providers leveraging its intelligent alerts, root cause analysis, and corrective workflows to mitigate risks and improve resilience.

Feature	Purpose / Benefit
Automated Milestone Tracking	Monitors in-transit shipments and triggers alerts if they miss expected arrival times at key route milestones to enable rapid response.
Predictive Disruption Analysis	Applies ML to shipment, weather, and other data to model disruption probability and provide advance visibility into potential delays.
Root Cause Identification	Analyzes alerts and IoT sensor data to determine probable root causes when KPI thresholds are breached to inform corrective actions.

Order Management Powers Flexible, Efficient Workflow Execution Across Complex Supply Chains

The Order Management module optimizes order fulfillment workflows across global distribution networks. With 7 submodules and 44 robust capabilities like order promising, inventory visibility, and shipping execution, Order Management enables flexible, efficient execution aligned to customer requirements.

Innovations such as dynamic sourcing, real-time tracking, and omnichannel order orchestration provide unmatched agility, visibility, and precision across the order-to-cash process.

This module empowers enterprises to balance objectives around cost, quality, and speed. Manufacturing, retail, and distribution companies leverage Order Management to minimize inventory while preventing shortages; accelerate delivery times while ensuring accuracy; and orchestrate processes across global facilities.

Let’s explore some Order Management capabilities like order promising, inventory visibility, and shipping execution—enabling configurable workflows scalable across regions, channels, and segments to meet customer expectations profitably.

Streamlined Shipping and Delivery Processes for Seamless Order Fulfillment

The Shipping and Outbound Management submodule provides 6 SCM features to optimize the final mile of order fulfillment. Manufacturers, retailers, and distributors leverage features like automated shipment notifications, real-time tracking, and freight audit workflows to accelerate order delivery while minimizing costs and preventing revenue leakage.

   

Key Shipping and Outbound Management Features

Feature	Purpose / Benefit
Advance Shipment Notifications	Automatically sends shipment details like contents, quantities, and arrival estimates to customers for seamless transportation planning.
Real-Time Shipment Tracking	Provides current location and estimated arrival times for in-transit shipments to enable rapid response to delays or exceptions.
Freight Invoice Auditing	Compares carrier invoices against contracts and shipment records to prevent overbilling and ensure accurate freight payment.

Real-Time Order Tracking Powers Agile Supply Chain Execution

Execution Visibility provides real-time tracking as orders traverse complex global supply chains. With 3 key features, execution visibility delivers unprecedented shipment visibility to manufacturers, retailers, and distributors. Supply chain analysts, plant managers, warehouse directors, and other roles leverage the data and alerts to rapidly resolve bottlenecks, delays, or exceptions—preventing disruptions through predictive analytics while ensuring on-time, in-full delivery.

Key Execution Visibility Features in Supply Chain Software

Feature	Purpose / Benefit
Real-Time Milestone Tracking	Monitors orders against workflow templates to trigger alerts on delays or exceptions for rapid response.
Root Cause Identification	Analyzes order data to determine probable root causes when service leve; agreement (SLA) breaches occur to inform corrective actions.
Predictive Delivery Date Forecasting	Leverages ML on shipment data to provide updated delivery estimates and warn of potential late deliveries.

Centralized Inventory Visibility Drives Real-Time Promising and Optimization

Inventory Visibility with its 6 features helps enterprises deliver consistent and profitable order fulfillment across regions, channels, and segments. By providing real-time visibility into stock levels across the distribution network, manufacturers, retailers, and distributors managing complex global supply chains can ensure accurate delivery date promising while preventing shortages. Inventory analysts, warehouse managers, fulfillment directors, and other roles leverage this functionality to maximize service levels and operational efficiency.

Key Inventory Management and Visibility Features

Feature	Purpose / Benefit
Multi-Source Inventory Visibility	Aggregates available inventory quantities across warehouses, stores, drop-ship nodes, and in-transit to enable optimal sourcing and prevent overselling.
Automated Buffer Stock Calculation	Leverages demand forecasting and supply variability analysis to define optimal inventory buffers minimizing both shortages and excess carrying costs.
IoT-Enabled Cycle Counting	Applies RFID, computer vision, and sensors to enable automated cycle counts supporting real-time stock accuracy and visibility.

Order Fulfillment Workflow Automation Drives Efficiency

The Order Promising submodule enables enterprises to deliver consistent and profitable order fulfillment across regions, channels, and segments. With 4 key SCM features, Order Promising allows supply chain planners, inventory analysts, and order managers to achieve resilient plans with minimized disruptions—optimizing sourcing decisions, providing accurate delivery dates, and ensuring achievable commitments based on inventory availability and logistics constraints (e.g., production slots, carrier lead times, and warehouse workload).

Manufacturers, retailers, and distributors leverage these capabilities to balance customer service levels and operational costs.

Feature	Purpose / Benefit
Capable-to-Promise	Considers production schedules, component availability, and inventory buffers when promising order delivery dates to maximize service levels.
Profitable-to-Promise	Models the P&L impact of different delivery date options and sourcing combinations to enable profitable order promising aligned to targets.

Multi-Tier Sourcing Drives Flexibility and Efficiency in Order Fulfillment

The Sourcing submodule, with 5 SCM features, enables flexible, real-time order sourcing across multiple supply chain nodes to optimize delivery and costs.

Top Sourcing Capabilities for Distributed Order Management

• Dynamic Sourcing Rules—Applies algorithms to instantly determine the optimal supply point based on inventory availability, cost parameters, and service level targets.
• Multi-Tier Visibility—Provides real-time visibility into inventory quantities across suppliers, manufacturing plants, distribution centers, and in-transit to enable resilient sourcing.
• Landed Cost Calculator—Models the total landed cost including item cost, labor, duties, and delivery charges to enable profitable order sourcing.
• Capable-to-Promise—Considers production schedules, component availability, and inventory buffers when promising order delivery dates to maximize service levels.
• Vendor Managed Inventory—Enables suppliers to monitor and automatically replenish inventory levels across downstream distribution nodes based on target buffers.

Get features and modules list for Infor WMS

Centralized Architecture and Integrations Enable Flexible Order Management Deployments

This submodule contains 10 key features tailored to scalable, resilient order management system deployments spanning internal plants, external contract manufacturers, and third-party logistics providers.

Examples of Top Order Management Architecture Features

• Open API Framework—Enables seamless connectivity with surrounding systems like WMS, TMS, and ERP through published APIs to synchronize order, inventory, and delivery data.
• Cloud-Native Scalability—Leverages auto-scaling, microservices, and containerization to flexibly align capacity with transaction volumes across regions and peak periods.
• Rolling Deployments—Facilitates phased feature updates across supply chain nodes to minimize disruption and enable rapid innovation adoption.
• IoT Integration Hub—Ingests and analyzes real-time sensor data from shipments, equipment, and inventory to enhance execution visibility and event management.
• Blockchain Data Sharing—Provides a decentralized ledger securely replicating order data to increase trust and transparency across trading partners.

 

Service Parts Planning for Resilient After-Sales Support and Efficient Reverse Logistics

The Service Parts Planning module (with 6 submodules) is critical for enterprises in industries like manufacturing, electronics, and industrial equipment to optimize aftermarket spare parts availability and reverse logistics workflows. With 60 robust SCM features spanning planning, delivery, workforce optimization, transportation, and analytics, Service Parts Planning enables resilient customer service while maximizing operational efficiency.

Innovative SCM capabilities like predictive failure analysis, dynamic resource allocation, and automated return diagnostics leverage data science to boost uptime and first-time fix rates; and 3D printing of replacement parts provide unprecedented flexibility and responsiveness.

Let’s explore parts demand forecasting, field workforce deployment, forward stocking optimization, and other features below.

Strategic Service Parts Planning Optimizes Aftermarket Support

The Planning submodule contains 10 SCM features to accurately forecast demand, optimize inventories, and enable resilient aftermarket support across complex service supply chains.

Manufacturers, equipment rental companies, electronics service providers, and other sectors rely on robust planning to deliver consistent and profitable aftermarket services. By balancing objectives around responsiveness, technician utilization, and inventory carrying costs, this SCM functionality caters to supply chain analysts, service managers, parts planners, and executives managing global field service operations.

Feature	Purpose / Benefit
Predictive Parts Failure Analysis	Applies ML to IoT sensor data, maintenance records, and parts lifecycles to forecast replacement demand and optimize inventories.
Automated Buffer Stock Calculation	Leverages analytics on part criticality, supply variability, and demand volatility to define minimum stock levels across service supply chains.
Dynamic Field Technician Deployment	Optimizes the assignment of field technicians to jobs considering location, skill sets, parts/tools availability, and priority level.

   

Integrated Systems and Data Sharing Drive Efficient Service Execution

The Service Delivery and Execution submodule (4 features) enables seamless connectivity between service planning systems and call centers or dispatch systems to optimize responsiveness. By sharing critical data like parts requirements, job priority and technician skills, enterprises prevent delays while maximizing field productivity.

Key Service Delivery and Execution Features

Feature	Purpose / Benefit
Real-Time Parts Visibility	Shares latest inventory quantities, locations, and availability across planning and dispatch systems to promise accurate service delivery dates.
Automated Resource Assignment	Matches jobs to available field technicians based on location, skill sets, and parts/tools requirements for efficient scheduling.
Emergency Service Prioritization	Automatically escalates high-priority jobs in queues based on customer contracts or equipment criticality to meet urgent response SLAs.

Advanced Reporting and Analytics Drives Data-Driven Service Parts Planning

The Analytics and Reporting submodule offers business intelligence enabling data-backed decisions on inventory levels, resource allocation, and overall aftermarket strategy. With 11 analytics and dashboard capabilities, supply chain leaders gain enhanced visibility into past performance, current operations, and potential future scenarios to drive proactive optimization and continual improvement of global supply chains.

Key Analytics and Reporting Features in Service Parts Planning

Feature	Purpose / Benefit
Customer Service Analytics	Delivers real-time visibility into SLAs and KPIs like first-time fix rates, response times, and satisfaction scores to enable data-backed support strategies.
Parts Demand Forecasting	Leverages predictive analytics and ML to model future replacement parts demand, enabling optimal inventory planning.
Automated Cost Analytics	Continuously calculates operational costs across transport, technician labor, parts inventories, and more to identify improvement opportunities.

Efficient Transportation and Returns Enable Responsive Aftermarket Services

With 9 features, the Logistics Transportation and Reverse Logistics submodule facilitates the movement of service parts across complex field service supply chains. By centralizing shipment planning and execution for both forward deployment and reverse logistics, enterprises maximize responsiveness and efficiency.

Examples of Top Logistics Transportation and Reverse Logistics Features

• Multi-Modal Route Optimization—Plans optimal inbound and outbound routes leveraging multiple transportation modes to balance cost, speed, and reliability.
• Automated Shipment Orchestration—Coordinates the end-to-end flow of service parts across forward stocking locations and reverse logistics channels.
• Real-Time Shipment Tracking—Provides current location and ETA for in-transit parts to enable rapid response to delays or exceptions.
• Returns Diagnostics Workflow—Triggers automatic evaluation of root causes when defective parts are returned to refine reliability analysis.
• Blockchain Parts Traceability—Provides tamper-proof chain of custody visibility across service part lifecycles using blockchain.

 
 

(Source: Körber)

Download Korber Supply Chain Features and Modules List
 

Centralized Data Maintenance Tools Enable Flexible Supply Chain Management

The Utilities submodule comprises 3 secondary modules and 13 total features across supply chain processes like design, sourcing, and manufacturing. With project management, BOM, and cost management analytics capabilities, enterprises gain cross-functional visibility and efficiency.

Examples of Top Utilities Features

• Centralized BOM Management—Enables a single source of truth for product structures, components, specifications, and relationships to streamline collaboration.
• Multi-Tier Cost Analysis—Provides real-time visibility into total landed costs across multiple supply chain tiers to inform sourcing decisions.
• Supply Chain Gantt Charts—Visualizes integrated plan timelines across departments to coordinate enterprise-wide supply chain execution.
• Automated Project Progress Alerts—Triggers email notifications when supply chain projects reach critical milestones to keep stakeholders aligned.
• Supplier Risk Analysis—Leverages predictive analytics to model disruption probability for different suppliers and mitigate downstream impacts.

 

Platform Capabilities Empower Supply Chain Digital Transformation

The Product Technology module contains over 375 essential features enabling enterprises to deploy robust, agile supply chain management platforms. With capabilities tailored to system architecture, user experience, cloud infrastructure, analytics tools and more, this module delivers the core foundations required for supply chain innovation and resilience.

Leading SCM solutions increasingly leverage AI, advanced analytics, blockchain, and other technologies to drive digital transformation. This module's architecture, integration, and reporting features cater seamlessly to these innovations—providing the flexibility needed to adopt cutting-edge supply chain capabilities today and into the future.

Supply chain leaders across industries rely on the Product Technology module to future-proof their SCM platforms. The 378 total features empower manufacturers, retailers, and logistics providers to continually optimize complex global networks in the face of constant change. We will explore essentials across 5 submodules:

• Architecture (290 features)
• User Interface (25 features)
• Platforms (29 features)
• Application Tools (23 features)
• Reporting (6 features)

Centralized Architecture and Integrations Power SCM Performance

The Architecture submodule contains 290 SCM features that enable seamless integration and information sharing across supply chain management systems. With robust architecture and built-in connectivity, this submodule delivers enterprise-wide visibility and efficiency to drive strategic optimization.

Examples of Top Architecture Features

• Configurable Workflow Engine—Streamlines and governs processes like procure-to-pay with flexible business rules, routing logic, templates, and parameters.
• Master Data Management—Provides a centralized, golden record for all supply chain entities like items, vendors, plants, and customers.
• Automated Notification Engine—Triggers email alerts for events like PO approvals, risk alerts, and milestone updates to align stakeholders.
• External Content Integration—Ingests supplier data from websites, legacy systems, and other sources for a complete 360 view.
• Supply Chain Analytics Cube—Prebuilt data model and OLAP cube empower self-service insights into KPIs like costs, risks, and lead times.

Intuitive Interfaces and Interactions Streamline Supply Chain Management

The User Interface submodule contains 25 SCM features that enable intuitive, user-friendly access, and interactions across SCM platforms. Responsive design, contextual guidance, and role-based personalization enhance user adoption and productivity and drive insights and efficiencies enterprise-wide.

Key User Interface Features in Supply Chain Software

Feature	Purpose / Benefit
Responsive Design	Dynamically adapts UI layouts to desktop, tablet, and mobile form factors enabling access from anywhere.
Contextual In-App Guidance	Provides embedded tooltips and assistive wizards tailored to user context, boosting productivity during onboarding.
Role-Based Dashboards	Surfaces personalized key reports and operational visibility for supply chain analysts, warehouse managers, executives, and other stakeholders.

 

Flexible and Scalable Platform Architecture Enables Supply Chain Innovation

The Platforms submodule (29 features) allows for deploying robust and agile SCM systems. Cloud infrastructure, containerization, open APIs, and other capabilities provide the scalability and flexibility for continually optimizing complex networks in the face of constant change. By facilitating phased feature rollouts and secure connections with external systems, the Platforms tools enable continual digital transformation across global supply chains.

Key Platform Features in SCM Software

Feature	Purpose / Benefit
Cloud-Native Architecture	Leverages auto-scaling, microservices, and containerization on cloud infrastructure to flexibly align capacity with transaction volumes across regions.
Low/No-Code Configuration	Empowers business users to tailor workflows, analytics, and reports to changing requirements without taxing IT resources.
Open API Framework	Allows integration of supply chain data with downstream execution systems like WMS and TMS through published APIs for real-time optimization.

Essential Business Applications Empower Supply Chain Data Sharing and Analytics

The Application Tools submodule contains 23 features enabling seamless data integration, advanced analytics, and collaborative workflows across supply chain processes. It provides business intelligence, data science capabilities, and unified platforms, driving end-to-end visibility, insights, and alignment across global networks.

Key Application Tools Features in Supply Chain Software

Feature	Purpose / Benefit
Automated Data Integration	Ingests downstream signals on demand, inventory, and shipments for enhanced forecasting, planning, and execution visibility.
Predictive Analytics	Applies ML to reveal trends and patterns, enabling data-backed decisions on inventories, transportation, and workflows.
Custom Reporting Builder	Enables business users to create reports and dashboards tailored to changing analytics needs without taxing IT resources.

 

Types of SCM Software and Industry-Specific Solutions

Supply chain requirements can vary significantly across industries based on the nature of operations, products, and regulations involved. As a result, many SCM software vendors cater their solutions to specific verticals such as manufacturing, retail, healthcare, automotive, and aerospace and defense.

For example, healthcare SCM solutions contain robust features for managing temperature-controlled shipments of pharmaceuticals and medical devices in compliance with strict regulations. This includes sensor-based monitoring, quality management workflows, and advanced analytics on shipment environmental conditions.

On the other hand, retail SCM software focuses on merchandise planning capabilities leveraging demand signals, inventory optimization across stores/ecommerce channels, and seamless connections with point-of-sale (POS) systems. Prominent features include automated replenishment workflows, omnichannel visibility, and integrated retail planning modules.

Leading specialized SCM solutions catering to healthcare needs include TECSYS Elite Healthcare, providing deep support for managing cold chain logistics, medical device traceability, and regulatory compliance across supply networks. In retail, prominent options such as Blue Yonder contain robust merchandising functionality.

While industry-specific solutions provide a tighter fit, enterprises should also evaluate broader SCM platforms that can be configured to their vertical requirements. As supply chain networks and strategies evolve, flexible systems prevent lock-in while facilitating digital transformation initiatives.

Capabilities for Different-Size Businesses Sizes and Other Specificities

SCM software needs can vary significantly based on factors like company size, distribution network complexity, and business model. As a result, solutions are emerging to align with the unique requirements of different enterprises.

For small businesses, ease of use, affordability, and core inventory management capabilities are critical. Key features that enable efficiency for SMBs include:

• Intuitive dashboards providing visibility into stock levels, orders, and shipments
• Barcode scanning facilitating warehouse workflows
• PO automation with suppliers
• Seamless ecommerce channel integration

Prominent SMB-focused solutions deliver robust inventory management without overloading users and include Fishbowl Warehouse and Brightpearl.

For large global enterprises managing complex networks, real-time supply chain analytics, control tower visibility, and resilience capabilities are essential. This includes:

• Predictive analytics leveraging AI and machine learning
• IoT sensor data integration from equipment and shipments
• Scenario modeling for risk analysis
• Environmental impact tracking

Leading solutions catering to large enterprises include Blue Yonder, E2open, and Infor Nexus and provide end-to-end digital supply chain transformation.

Beyond company size, distribution models also influence SCM software needs. For example, direct-to-consumer ecommerce requires seamless integration with order management systems and warehouse automation—facilitating efficient fulfillment workflows to meet customer expectations.

3PL providers must synchronize complex transportation workflows across clients, so transportation management and control tower visibility are essential. Yard management, real-time tracking, and freight audit automation also enable efficient 3PL operations.

By aligning capabilities to specific requirements around business size, distribution models, geographic scope, and more, specialized SCM solutions deliver optimal capabilities out-of-the-box. However, flexible platforms also enable customization as supply chains evolve.

Get RFP templates and requirements lists for SCM software
 

Choosing the Best SCM Software

Selecting the best-fit SCM software is critical for enterprises looking to transform their supply chain operations and logistics. The right solution provides the specialized capabilities, scalability, and configurability needed to drive resilience, efficiency, and innovation across evolving global networks.

Key factors to consider when researching SCM systems include:

• Industry-Specific Functionality—Evaluate how well software features address vertical-specific supply chain requirements around merchandise planning, cold chain distribution, global trade compliance, and more.
• Business Size and Model Fit—Assess whether solution complexity matches current scale and anticipated growth while catering to distribution strategies from direct-to-consumer to wholesale to 3PL.
• Total Cost of Ownership—Model total licensing, implementation, and ongoing costs over a 5+ year timeline aligned to expected return on investment (ROI).
• Technology Architecture—Ensure flexible cloud-native platforms to enable phased functionality rollouts, scalability for growth, and rapid integration of emerging technologies like AI, IoT, and blockchain.

To accurately capture SCM software requirements across business units, we recommend downloading our free SCM software features and modules list. You can also access tailored SCM RFP templates are also available for specific solutions such as Korber Supply Chain, Infor WMS, Infor Nexus, and Logility.

Implementing SCM software introduces many complex considerations around current requirements and future strategic objectives. Carefully evaluating options to find the right fit enables enterprises to transform global network visibility, resilience, sustainability, and performance.

By prioritizing critical capabilities around inventory optimization, transportation management, warehouse automation, and supply/demand planning, supply chain leaders can drive step-change improvements.

With over 30 years guiding clients through impartial software evaluation and selection, TEC has developed a proven methodology and a plethora of SCM tools (such as SCM RFP templates and comparison reports comparing specific SCM solutions side by side) to guide your SCM selection efforts so you can achieve maximum ROI on your SCM software investment.

Contact our experts to get started on identifying your optimal SCM technology for your business.

Additional Resources

Top SCM Software Solutions
Top SCM Vendors
SCM Requirements Checklist
SCM Comparison Reports