Inventory management is not an easy task for many eCommerce businesses. There is always a risk of having too much or too little stock.
An inventory management system (IMS) is software that helps prevent such situations by automating the inventory management process as much as possible. However, false beliefs and myths often lead to a misunderstanding of the role inventory management software actually plays.
In this article, we've put together some of the most common myths about IMS and the facts that debunk them. Let's start:
1. There is no need to invest in inventory management software
Many eCommerce retailers believe they can manage their inventory without the help of an inventory management system, relying instead on their own manual tracking methods. In reality, however, a lack of an efficient software solution usually results in trouble with inventory processes and warehouse management.
With inventory management software, you can reduce production inefficiencies and save time and resources. The system automates key business processes such as inventory, orders, customers, accounting, and reporting. It is a valuable addition to any eCommerce business, regardless of size.
2. It's too difficult to master inventory management software
Not so. The truth is that with the right inventory management software, managing inventory is straightforward. Choose a system suited to your business needs, and inventory management stops being a source of complexity. Modern platforms are also increasingly designed for non-technical users — for example, some retailers now run parts of their store operations with AI-assisted tools that require no developer involvement at all.
3. Inventory requires constant checking for stock accuracy
A common misconception is that you need to make frequent manual inventory checks even when using inventory management software. Of course, if the system fails, you should verify that everything is working correctly.
But with a reliable inventory management system running everything automatically, there is no need for expensive, time-consuming, and frequent manual checks. Such a system provides an accurate inventory count and manages stock according to real business demand.
4. You need an inventory specialist to track orders and place demand
One of the most stereotyped myths about inventory management systems is that only a dedicated specialist can track inventory and place orders. In fact, with barcode scanners and the right software, any employee can receive, manage, and process orders. They just need some training, the correct equipment, and discipline.
5. Inventory management software is too expensive
It's true that many small businesses can't afford the systems large companies use. Still, there is a wide variety of affordable inventory management solutions on the market that offer similar functions and features to higher-priced systems — at a lower price point.
6. Connecting the store to an IMS is difficult
For many store owners, connecting their store to an inventory management system seems too difficult to implement, and this concern often keeps them from considering an IMS solution at all. In practice, though, this is rarely something store owners need to handle themselves, as the IMS provider typically takes care of the integration.
Shopping Cart Integration for Inventory Management Software
To meet client needs, inventory management system providers need to integrate their software with various shopping carts in order to gather the necessary data. However, accessing users' data across different platforms requires strong technical expertise, since each solution has its own specific way of storing data.
Inventory Management API Integration
Explore how to develop the integration between your inventory management software and eCommerce platforms easily.
Building and maintaining these integrations also takes time: finding a way into each platform's core, learning how to retrieve data from it, and hiring developers who specialize in specific platforms. Once built, each integration needs ongoing updates and technical support, so maintaining multiple direct integrations requires considerable time and money.
Luckily, there is a way to integrate with multiple eCommerce platforms faster, easier and cheaper. API2Cart helps your inventory management system overcome the challenges of building and maintaining integrations with different shopping carts. Through a single integration with API2Cart, you can connect with 70+ shopping carts, including Walmart, Salesforce Commerce Cloud, Ecwid, Lightspeed, and many others at once — from established shopping carts to some of the popular eCommerce marketplace services retailers sell on today. This lets you retrieve, add, update, and sync all the data you need from customers' stores on these platforms, including orders, products, customers, and other related information. If you're evaluating integration platforms more broadly, it's also worth seeing how API2Cart compares to other integration platforms like Cyclr.
For more information about integrating with shopping carts via API2Cart, schedule a free consultation with our representative to discuss the details.
