3 Best Inventory Management Systems for Your Shopify Store—A 2022 Review

Once your Shopify store starts scaling up, you'll need to start using an inventory management system (IMS). While management concepts such as FIFO inventory management are often discussed when considering inventory management, you'll need the right software system to carry out the functions first.

An inventory management system is a program designed to streamline inventory functions such as tracking, stocking, and fulfillment. Such systems handle everything from the supplier to the customer, helping to keep things running smoothly with minimal manual input. Using such systems in tandem with inventory management apps will help you avoid stockouts and fulfill orders quickly.

It's best to make the transition from manual systems to an IMS before you're overloaded.

Key Features to Look For in an Inventory Management System

Here are some key features to look for before choosing an IMS:

• Multi-store and omnichannel support If you have multiple Shopify stores and physical locations, you'll need an IMS that can bring them together into a unified system.
• Metrics and forecasting A good IMS goes beyond tracking stock by analyzing historical data, forecasting demand, and acting accordingly. IMS metrics are a rich source of data on which to build models and plan strategies.
• Integrations Beyond the obvious Shopify integration, an IMS should support point-of-sale (POS) systems if you have physical locations as well as integrate with your logistics systems.
• Complete automation A good IMS will be able to automate inventory management in various ways, not just record simple metrics and numbers. Functions such as managing out-of-stock items, managing pre-orders, and ordering from suppliers when stock gets low will make the store manager's life a lot easier.

Our Top 3 Picks for the Best Inventory Management Systems in 2022

Here are the best IMS picks for Shopify. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but a good place to start and figure out what you're looking for.

1. Multi‑Store Sync Power—free to $25.99/month

Automatically synchronize inventory data from all of your stores.

Multi-Store Sync Power is the ideal software if you're managing multiple stores, because it links all of your inventory data, thereby removing any manual processes. Whenever a new product is created or updated, or whenever inventory levels change, it automatically reflects across all of your stores. The app offers flexibility and allows you to work according to location or stores.

Pros:

• Automation saves time and eliminates mistakes
• Detailed history reporting features
• Efficient customer service

Cons:

• May require customer service support to set up

2. Out‑of‑Stock Police—free to $26.99/month

Comprehensive out-of-stock software to manage sold out items.

Out-of-Stock Police helps you to manage your inventory by automatically removing or hiding sold out items in your collections, but will still keep your items visible to search engines to improve SEO. The app will notify you when stock levels are low or have run out, giving you more control over re-ordering and timelines.

Pros:

• Customizable to your inventory cycle
• Re-stock more efficiently
• Increase targeted organic traffic
• Efficient customer service

Cons:

• Out-of-stock reports may require refinement


3. Bestsellers reSort—free to $34.99/month

Complete online merchandising tool to organize your product collections.

Bestsellers reSort is a unique product sorting tool that provides additional analytical functions. The app allows you to set sorting rules whereby it organizes your products into collections, including product features, gross profit, inventory levels, discounts, and more. It will also analyze your sales according to the timeline you've set. Utilizing these functions can increase your sales by optimally organizing your items for your customers.

Pros:

• Customizable to your store's needs—including multiple locations
• Increase sales and ROI by matching customer buying behavior
• Efficient customer service

Cons:

• May require customer support to set up

Make the Right Choice for Your Shopify Store

When deciding which IMS is best for you, remember to check which one works the best for your specific needs, not just the one with the best reviews or the cheapest price. All three of our picks scale well, but it's best to ask for demos to make sure you're getting the right solution to manage your Shopify inventory better.