What is an OMS?
An order management system (OMS) is the central hub for orders. It pulls orders in from your online shop, marketplaces and B2B customers, checks where stock is available, decides which warehouse should fulfil each order and tracks it until delivery and returns. For brands that sell on several channels or ship from several warehouses, it keeps orders and stock consistent everywhere.
Core principle: One place for every order. An OMS stops overselling and manual copying between channels by managing all orders and stock from one system.
What an OMS does
Order capture
Collects orders from Shopify, WooCommerce, Amazon, Zalando and other channels, plus B2B orders.
Stock availability
Shows sellable stock across warehouses and pushes stock levels back to every channel.
Why it matters: Selling the same last unit on two channels leads to cancellations and marketplace penalties.
Order routing
Sends each order to the best warehouse, by stock, delivery speed or cost, see distributed inventory.
Status and returns
Shares tracking with customers and channels, and handles cancellations, exchanges and returns.
OMS vs WMS
| OMS | WMS | |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Orders across all channels and locations | Stock and work inside a warehouse |
| Key decisions | Which warehouse ships which order | Where to store, what to pick, how to pack |
| Typical users | eCommerce and customer service teams | Warehouse teams and 3PLs |
Do you need an OMS?
- One shop, one warehouse: your shop platform and your 3PL’s system are often enough.
- Several channels: an OMS or multichannel tool keeps stock in sync and orders in one place.
- Several warehouses or countries: you need order routing rules, either in an OMS or in your fulfilment provider’s platform.
Example: A beauty brand sells on Shopify, Amazon.de and bol. Its OMS collects all orders, sees that a Dutch customer’s order can ship from the Netherlands warehouse and a German order from Germany, routes them accordingly and updates stock on all three channels.
Waredock connects to your shop, marketplaces and carriers, and shows orders and stock across all locations on one platform. See integrations and eCommerce fulfilment.
Frequently asked questions
What does OMS stand for?
Order management system: software that collects orders from all sales channels, checks stock, routes orders to warehouses and tracks them to delivery.
What is the difference between an OMS and a WMS?
An OMS manages orders across channels and decides where they are fulfilled. A WMS manages stock and work inside the warehouse.
Does Shopify have an OMS?
Shopify includes basic order management. Brands selling on several channels or shipping from several warehouses often add an OMS or use their fulfilment provider’s platform.
Do I need an OMS if I use a 3PL?
Not always. Many 3PLs connect directly to your shop and marketplaces. An OMS helps when you use several channels, warehouses or fulfilment providers.
