You're staring at two software purchase options on your screen. This could be the biggest decision you make this year for your B2B eCommerce business.
One choice is an order fulfillment system or order management system (OMS) that promises sleek fulfillment workflows. The other option is enterprise resource planning (ERP) software, which offers complete business integration including fulfillment.
How do you know whether order fulfillment or ERP software is what you need at this critical point?
Our expert team at Stellar One has helped hundreds of businesses navigate this choice, and we've seen the real-world impact of both paths.
With insight from that experience, this article explains exactly what each software system does, and which one to choose depending on where your business is right now.
- Why B2B eCommerce Fulfillment Creates Unique Challenges
- Understanding Order Fulfillment Software Types
- Popular B2B Fulfillment Software Options
- What G2 Users Really Think About Fulfillment Software
- How ERP Software Transforms B2B eCommerce Operations
- When B2B Fulfillment Software Makes Sense
- Why Do Growing B2B eCommerce Businesses Choose ERP Software?
Why B2B eCommerce Fulfillment Creates Unique Challenges
B2B fulfillment isn't just B2C with bigger boxes. The entire process works differently, starting with how orders come in and ending with how payments get processed weeks later.
Why You Must Have EDI Capability
Most B2C businesses never deal with Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). But in B2B, it's everywhere. Big retailers like Walmart or Home Depot require EDI for orders, invoices, and shipping confirmations. Miss a single EDI requirement, and you might face chargebacks or lost accounts.
Your fulfillment solution needs to handle EDI compliance automatically, not as an afterthought.
B2B Orders are Far More Complex than B2C Orders
B2B orders often include:
- Purchase order numbers that must appear on every document
- Special packaging requirements
- Multiple delivery addresses for one order
- Custom pricing based on contracts
- Split shipments across different dates
Meanwhile, B2C orders are straightforward: one product, one price, one address.
B2B Payment Terms Span Months
B2C customers pay immediately. B2B customers often get 30, 60, or even 90-day payment terms. Your system needs to track these extended payment cycles while managing cash flow and credit limits.
Understanding Order Fulfillment Software Types
Order fulfillment software is actually two specialized systems working together.
Warehouse Management System (WMS)
WMS handles everything that happens inside your warehouse walls. It tracks where products sit, guides workers through efficient picking routes, and manages receiving and shipping processes.
Think of WMS as your warehouse traffic controller, making sure products move smoothly from receiving dock to shipping bay.
Order Management System (OMS)
OMS manages the customer side of fulfillment. It processes orders from multiple sales channels, updates customers on shipping status, and handles returns. OMS connects your eCommerce platform to your warehouse operations.
Most businesses need both systems, but they don't always need separate systems.
Popular B2B Fulfillment Software Options
Let's look at three systems that handle B2B fulfillment differently.
Fulfil.io: The All-in-One Approach
Fulfil.io combines WMS and OMS into one platform designed for mid-sized retailers. It handles inventory across multiple warehouses, processes orders from various sales channels, and manages basic financial functions.
Best for: Companies with 2-10 warehouses that need quick implementation
Limitations: Basic financial features and limited customization options
Zoho Inventory: The Budget-Friendly Choice
Zoho Inventory focuses on simple inventory and order management with easy setup. It integrates with major shipping carriers and offers mobile apps for warehouse staff.
Best for: Small businesses just starting with B2B sales
Limitations: Only supports 20 orders per month on free plan, lacks advanced B2B features like EDI
Extensiv: The 3PL Specialist
Extensiv targets third-party logistics providers and companies with complex multi-warehouse operations. It offers advanced routing algorithms and deep integration capabilities.
Best for: Companies with complex fulfillment networks or 3PL relationships
Limitations: Expensive implementation and steep learning curve
What G2 Users Really Think About Fulfillment Software
G2's independent user reviews reveal a significant difference in satisfaction rates between specialized fulfillment software and broader ERP systems.
In G2's comparison between Fulfil.io and cloud ERP software, ERP systems scored higher across every category:
- Meets Requirements: ERP 9.0 vs Fulfil.io 7.6
- Ease of Use: ERP 9.5 vs Fulfil.io 7.0
- Ease of Setup: ERP 10.0 vs Fulfil.io 7.6
- Quality of Support: ERP 9.0 vs Fulfil.io 8.3
- Product Direction: ERP 10.0 vs Fulfil.io 7.5
Users consistently reported that cloud ERP software better meets their business needs than standalone fulfillment tools.
But why do users prefer ERP systems for B2B eCommerce fulfillment software? The answer lies in how the two types of solution work differently in your tech stack.
How ERP Software Transforms B2B eCommerce Operations
ERP systems approach fulfillment as part of a complete business process rather than an isolated function.
Financial Integration Across All Departments
When your fulfillment system connects directly to your accounting software, errors vanish. Orders automatically create invoices. Shipping costs update cost of goods sold. Customer payments match the right invoices.
ERP systems handle this integration smoothly because that’s what they’re built to do. With standalone fulfillment software, you're often managing multiple disconnected systems.
Accounts Payable and Receivable Management
B2B customers expect detailed invoices, statements, purchase order matching, and flexible payment terms. ERP systems track these complex financial relationships automatically.
Standalone fulfillment software typically requires separate accounting software, creating data gaps and manual reconciliation work.
Real Financial Reporting for Business Decisions
ERP systems generate profit margins by customer, product profitability analysis, and cash flow forecasts using actual fulfillment data. This helps you identify which customers and products drive real profits.
Order fulfillment software usually provides operational reports but lacks the financial depth needed for strategic decisions.
Manufacturing and Supply Chain Integration
Many B2B companies manufacture or assemble products. ERP systems connect manufacturing schedules to customer orders, tracking work-in-progress and raw material needs.
This integration prevents overselling unfinished products and helps plan production based on actual demand.
When B2B Fulfillment Software Makes Sense
Standalone fulfillment software works well in specific situations:
Small B2B Operations with Simple Needs
If you're selling simple products to a small customer base without complex financial requirements, dedicated fulfillment software might be enough.
Companies with Existing ERP Systems
Some businesses already run robust ERP systems but need better fulfillment capabilities. Adding specialized fulfillment software can fill gaps without replacing core systems.
3PL Providers
Third-party logistics companies often prefer specialized fulfillment software designed for their multi-client operations.
Why Do Growing B2B eCommerce Businesses Choose ERP Software?
As B2B companies grow, they hit walls that standalone fulfillment software can't break through.
The Integration Challenge
Growing businesses use more software tools, such as CRM systems, business intelligence platforms, and advanced inventory planning tools. ERP systems integrate these tools naturally, while standalone fulfillment software creates data silos.
Compliance and Audit Requirements
Larger B2B operations face increased regulatory requirements and customer audits. ERP systems provide the documentation trails and controls that auditors expect.
Advanced B2B eCommerce Features in ERP Platforms
Top ERP systems include sophisticated B2B eCommerce capabilities:
- Customer-specific pricing and catalogs
- Quote-to-cash workflows
- Contract management
- Advanced approval workflows
Scalability Without System Changes
ERP systems grow with your business. You’ll be able to add new warehouses, sales channels, or even acquire companies without changing core systems.
Making the Right Choice for Your B2B eCommerce Business
The choice between fulfillment software and ERP software isn't just about what you need today. It’s also about providing room for where your business is heading.
Choose standalone fulfillment software if:
- You're a small B2B operation with under 100 orders monthly
- You already have strong ERP systems in place
- Your products and customer needs are simple
- You prioritize quick implementation over long-term flexibility
Choose ERP software if:
- You're growing beyond basic operations
- You need integrated financial management
- Your customers require complex B2B features like EDI
- You want one system instead of managing multiple tools that don’t communicate
The stakes here are higher than just immediate software costs. You don’t want to have to switch systems a year or two from now, migrate data, retrain staff, and explain system limitations to frustrated customers. If you choose a good match, you'll have a foundation that supports growth for years.
This decision shapes how efficiently your team works, how quickly you can serve customers, and ultimately how much profit your B2B business generates. The right system pays for itself through improved operations and better customer relationships.
Ready to see how an integrated ERP solution can transform your B2B fulfillment operations? Check out our guide to the best B2B eCommerce software to see how native integrations make a difference.