Combining a WMS With Order Management Software for Better Results

For businesses looking to scale in the future (which most companies are), it might be beneficial to look beyond a simple order management system and go for a WMS with broader capabilities.

When handling orders and inventory, you don't always have to pick between an order management system (OMS) or a warehouse management system (WMS). The two often work better together than as an "either-or" decision.

But how do you know which capabilities matter most—and when is it time to combine the power of an OMS and a WMS?

Why you need both an OMS and a WMS

When managing orders, many businesses focus on shipping speed. While fast delivery is important, true fulfillment success requires more—accurate inventory tracking, efficient warehouse operations and seamless multi-channel coordination.

Relying on only an order management system can limit visibility. While it excels at processing customer orders and ensuring a smooth purchasing experience. However, an OMS lacks the warehouse-level visibility needed to optimize inventory movement and fulfillment. That’s where a Warehouse Management System (WMS) steps in. By integrating both systems, businesses gain real-time control over inventory levels, reduce human errors and create a foundation for sustainable growth.

How an order management system streamlines fulfillment

An Order Management System (OMS) handles the sales side of your business by automating order fulfillment from purchase to delivery. It can also manage returns and refunds, making maintaining a positive customer experience easier.

Inventory accuracy becomes even more critical as companies grow and start selling through multiple sales channels—like Shopify, Amazon or physical stores. Luckily, many affordable OMS options integrate with eCommerce platforms. Some accounting software, such as QuickBooks, even include built-in OMS modules.

Key Capabilities of an OMS:

How warehouse management software improves operations

A Warehouse Management System (WMS) is designed to streamline and improve warehouse processes from receiving to shipping. While an OMS focuses on processing the customer's order, a WMS looks at it from the logistic team’s perspective. It aims to improve efficiency at every stage, minimizing costs and maximizing accuracy.

Key capabilities of a WMS:

Struggling to sync your order and warehouse management? Schedule your demo to see how InfoPlus streamlines integration.

The benefits of integrating an OMS with a WMS

When focusing solely on order fulfillment, you're operating in a silo. Without the visibility of a WMS, things can get messy for the warehouse. When these two systems work together, businesses gain complete control over inventory, reduce errors and create a seamless fulfillment process.

Automation plays a key role here. It minimizes human error, speeds up operations and keeps everything running smoothly—no more scrambling to locate missing stock or juggling last-minute changes. By integrating an OMS with a WMS, businesses don’t just fulfill orders; they optimize the entire process.

How an OMS and WMS work well together in different scenarios

When order management software operates alone, it can only take you so far. However, when paired with a WMS, it can fill in those gaps, helping to improve workflows and transform warehouse operations from reactive to proactive. Here are a few examples of how they are better together.

Optimizing picking and inventory tracking

A warehouse associate using only an OMS gets an order for a best-selling item. The system confirms it’s in stock, but when the picker reaches the designated shelf—nothing’s there. Frustrated, they scramble through the aisles or flag a supervisor, causing delays.

Now, add a WMS into the equation. Pickers can see exactly where the item is stored—even if it's still in receiving and awaiting putaway. Even better, the system suggests an optimized picking path, reducing unnecessary movement. For high-demand products, it automatically creates forward-picking areas to keep inventory readily accessible.

Managing raw materials for assembly

A furniture company that assembles custom desks needs a steady supply of raw materials—wood panels, screws, metal legs and finishing materials. The OMS tracks finished inventory available for sale but doesn’t monitor the components needed to make them.

This is where the WMS steps in. Managing raw materials ensures there’s always enough stock for production without overordering. If certain materials run low, the system flags it early, preventing last-minute shortages that could delay shipments.

By integrating both systems, businesses maintain a balance—ensuring raw materials are available without overstocking or running out when demand spikes.

Handling losses and unsellable inventory

Breakage, theft, spoilage—it happens. However, as mentioned in the previous scenario, an OMS alone only tracks available inventory for sale. If a product is damaged in transit or goes missing, it simply disappears from stock without a clear record of what happened.

A WMS, however, keeps a detailed log of all inventory movement, including losses. It tracks why products become unsellable, whether due to mishandling, vendor issues or expired goods. More importantly, it enables businesses to address the root cause—improving storage conditions, refining vendor contracts or enhancing security.

This level of visibility prevents inventory shrinkage and reduces waste, directly impacting the bottom line.

Reducing shipping costs and optimizing carrier selection

Shipping costs can add up quickly; without optimization, businesses often pay more than necessary. While an OMS handles order processing, it doesn’t factor in the most efficient or cost-effective shipping methods.

A WMS, on the other hand, seamlessly integrates with shipping carriers, automatically selecting the best routes and generating shipping labels before the warehouse team even arrives. By the time they start their shift, everything is prepped and ready to go—minimizing delays and maximizing efficiency.

For high-volume warehouses, this level of automation not only streamlines operations but also leads to significant long-term savings.

These examples show how an OMS becomes significantly more powerful when integrated with WMS. While an OMS excels at multi-channel order processing, most businesses need additional capabilities. A robust warehouse management system enhances efficiency, from receiving and putaway to storage and fulfillment.

Plus, with the data collection and reporting tools of a WMS, businesses gain valuable insights to refine operations, boost productivity and make data-driven decisions.

Finding the Right Order Management System and WMS for Your Business

As you compare different options, You should evaluate features, pricing, integrations, support and scalability to find the best fit for your long-term goals and unique needs (and reap the benefits of a more reliable operation.)

A well-integrated system allows your business to:

• Manage customer orders efficiently
  
  
• Track shipments and deliveries in real-time
  
  
• Reduce fulfillment time and shipping costs
  
  
• Minimize manual processes and human errors
  
  
• Optimize stock levels and avoid stockouts
  
  
• Improve forecasting and decision-making with data-driven insights
  
  
• Automate workflows and streamline warehouse tasks

Final Thoughts

Combining an OMS and WMS isn’t just about streamlining tasks—it’s about giving your business the ability to scale up, handle surprises in demand and ensure you never miss a chance to delight your customers. With the right order management system and a robust WMS working together, you’ll eliminate time-consuming manual processes, cut down on fulfillment errors and transform your overall customer satisfaction ratings.

In a world where fast shipping and accurate deliveries can make or break a brand’s reputation, a well-integrated system is a choice that pays off. You can save time, money and stress by building an integrated environment—where your inventory management is accurate, your order management process is organized and your warehouse management runs smoothly. It’s a matter of ensuring every product gets from Point A to Point B with minimal friction while giving you full access to the data you need to make the best decisions.

Companies that rely on only one system may face inefficiencies and limitations.

Integrating these systems doesn’t have to be complicated. If a business uses an eCommerce platform like Shopify, our open API (application program interface) connects the OMS and WMS in real-time, ensuring smooth data exchange, automating workflows and eliminating bottlenecks. This integration doesn’t just enhance the customer experience—it also streamlines operations for the entire team, making fulfillment faster, more accurate and more efficient.

Want to see it in action?

Request a demo to discover how InfoPlus’ warehouse management ecosystem can complement your order management and deliver better results for you and your customers.