What Is an Order Management System (OMS) for Ecommerce?

Key Points 

• An order management system (OMS) automates and centralizes the entire order lifecycle—from purchase to fulfillment—across all your ecommerce sales channels.
• A robust ecommerce OMS reduces manual work, improves order accuracy, and ensures real-time visibility across marketplaces like Amazon, Walmart, and Shopify.
• Common problems like overselling, order delays, and lack of fulfillment visibility can all be solved with a centralized OMS solution.
• Descartes Sellercloud unifies order, inventory, warehouse, and shipping management into one system—helping multichannel sellers scale without adding more staff. 

An order management system for ecommerce is software that tracks and manages every step of the order lifecycle—from when a customer clicks ‘Buy’ to when the package arrives at their door. If you’ve ever wondered ‘what is OMS in ecommerce,’ it’s essentially the backbone that keeps every sales channel synchronized and fulfillment running smoothly. 

For multichannel ecommerce sellers, an OMS brings together orders from marketplaces, webstores, and wholesale channels into one centralized view. Rather than logging into multiple dashboards or manually updating spreadsheets, sellers can process, fulfill, and track orders in a single interface. The result? Less time wasted on repetitive tasks, fewer errors, and a smoother experience for both sellers and customers. 

In this article, we’ll explore how an OMS solves common ecommerce challenges, which features matter most, and how Descartes Sellercloud helps multichannel businesses simplify order operations and scale efficiently. 

What Problems Does an Order Management System Solve? 

As ecommerce operations grow, managing orders manually—or even across disconnected systems—becomes unsustainable. Sellers often face issues that limit growth, increase costs, and damage customer experience. A strong ecommerce OMS eliminates these bottlenecks by automating core tasks and connecting every part of the fulfillment process. 

Problem 1: Overselling and Inventory Errors 

Solution: An OMS automatically syncs inventory across every connected sales channel. When one marketplace sells an item, quantities update everywhere in real time—preventing overselling and stockouts. 

Example: CPGIO, a 3PL and distribution company, used Descartes Sellercloud to unify all its channels and nearly doubled its order capacity while maintaining accurate stock levels. 

Problem 2: Order Processing Delays 

Solution: An OMS assigns, routes, and prioritizes orders automatically so teams can process them faster. Tasks that once took hours become automated workflows. 

Example: R&Y AC Compressors used Descartes Sellercloud to automate order assignments, saving 3–5 hours per day and increasing daily order volume by up to 300. 

Problem 3: Lack of Fulfillment Visibility 

Solution: A centralized OMS provides a single source of truth for all orders—regardless of where they originated. Sellers can view fulfillment status, tracking, and exceptions in real time. 

Example: THINKCAR replaced manual spreadsheets with Descartes Sellercloud and gained complete visibility across marketplaces, ensuring every order ships accurately and on time. 

Problem 4: Returns and Refund Challenges 

Solution: Modern OMS platforms include integrated returns management to streamline refunds, exchanges, and replacements without disrupting operations. 

Key Features of an Ecommerce OMS 

Not all order management systems are built the same. For multichannel sellers, the best ecommerce OMS combines automation, integrations, and flexibility to handle complex workflows efficiently. 

Here are the core features every ecommerce OMS should include: 

• Centralized order management: Manage all orders from marketplaces, webstores, and wholesale channels in one dashboard.
• Inventory synchronization: Real-time inventory updates across every connected platform to eliminate overselling.
• Automated workflows: Reduce manual steps by automating order routing, fulfillment, and communication.
• Integrations: Connect seamlessly with your accounting tools, shipping carriers, and marketing platforms.
• Backorder and preorder handling: Automatically flag and fulfill backorders when stock is replenished.
• Returns and refunds management: Streamline post-purchase processes with built-in returns handling.
• Forecasting and reporting: Use data insights to anticipate demand and optimize future orders.
• Customization: Adapt the OMS to your unique business rules and workflows. 

Choosing an OMS with these capabilities can transform how you manage your ecommerce business operations—streamlining fulfillment, improving visibility, and freeing time for growth. 

Explore all Descartes Sellercloud OMS features. 

What Are the Benefits of an Order Management System for Ecommerce? 

An ecommerce OMS empowers sellers to scale operations, improve customer satisfaction, and reduce the time spent managing complex fulfillment processes. Understanding why order management is important helps ecommerce teams see how a strong OMS can directly impact customer experience and business growth. 

Improved Efficiency and Speed 

An OMS automates repetitive tasks—like order assignments, invoicing, and shipment updates—so teams can focus on growth instead of manual entry. With Descartes Sellercloud, sellers often see dramatic time savings and faster turnaround. 

Reduced Errors and Returns 

Automation minimizes human mistakes in inventory, labeling, and shipping, ensuring that the right product reaches the right customer. 

Greater Visibility and Control 

Having all data—orders, inventory, and shipping—in one platform allows sellers to make informed decisions, monitor performance, and respond quickly to issues. 

Scalability Across Channels 

As your business grows across platforms like Amazon, Shopify, Walmart, and TikTok Shop, an OMS ensures your workflows scale smoothly without needing more headcount. Hundreds of brands—including CPGIO, THINKCAR, and R&Y AC Compressors—have already scaled faster with Descartes Sellercloud’s OMS features. 

How to Choose the Best Ecommerce Order Management Software 

Every ecommerce business has unique needs, but certain factors should always guide your decision when evaluating OMS solutions. 

Key considerations: 

• Business size: Choose a system that fits your current scale but can grow with you.
• Integration capability: Ensure it connects with your marketplaces, shipping tools, and accounting systems.
• Ease of use: Look for a clean, intuitive interface that minimizes training time.
• Automation and Customization: Prioritize OMS software that adapts to your workflows and supports advanced automations.
• Support and onboarding: Reliable customer support is crucial for long-term success.
• Customer reviews: Check platforms like G2 and Trustpilot for authentic user experiences.

For multichannel sellers, Descartes Sellercloud offers a scalable, integration-rich platform that simplifies order management and eliminates operational silos. 

See the Descartes Sellercloud Ecommerce OMS in Action 

Descartes Sellercloud is more than an order management system—it’s a centralized ecommerce operations platform that connects every part of your business, from order processing and inventory to warehouse and shipping. 

By unifying operations, multichannel sellers gain efficiency, reduce errors, and reclaim hours each day. Brands that once struggled with overselling or manual workflows now fulfill thousands of daily orders seamlessly. 

Watch the video below to hear from our customers and how our solution helped them overcome their order management challenges and advance their business. 

Book a Descartes Sellercloud demo today to discover how we can help you master multichannel order management and grow your ecommerce business confidently.