ERP vs WMS vs Inventory Software – What’s the Difference?

If you're running a growing food business, you've probably Googled a few acronyms lately. ERP, WMS, IMS… it’s enough to make your head spin. Do you need all three? Just one? Which does what?

Let’s break it down — simply and practically — so you can make the right choice for your business.

ERP: The Operational Brain

ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) software is like the central nervous system of your business. It manages everything from purchasing and production to inventory, sales, customer accounts, reporting — all in one place.

Good for:
✅ Multi-department visibility
✅ Connecting purchasing, sales, manufacturing, and finance
✅ Fast-moving businesses that need to scale without chaos

If you’re using Supply’d:
Your ERP is handling order management, supplier purchasing, batch tracking, forecasting, financial reporting, and more — all tailored to food businesses.

WMS: The Warehouse Specialist

WMS (Warehouse Management System) is focused purely on warehousing operations. It optimises where your stock goes, how it’s picked, packed, and shipped.

Good for:
✅ Larger warehouses with complex storage needs
✅ Improving pick/pack speed
✅ Reducing human error in warehouse processes

But…
Many WMS tools don’t handle production, purchasing, or expenses. You’ll need another system for that — which can create silos.

With Supply’d:
You get WMS-style features like scan-based pick & pack, location tracking, receiving workflows, and delivery routing within your ERP.

Inventory Software: The Basics

Inventory Management Software is usually lighter-weight — designed to track stock levels, alerts, and maybe reorder points.

Good for:
✅ Small teams just starting out
✅ Simple buying/selling workflows
✅ Managing stock across limited SKUs

The Limitations:
It often lacks depth — no support for batch tracking, production runs, supplier terms, forecasting, or financial reporting.

Outgrowing inventory tools?
That’s often the point when food businesses come to Supply’d.

So… Which One Do You Need?

The Bottom Line

If you're a food manufacturer, grocery wholesaler, or bakery looking to simplify operations, an ERP like Supply’d brings it all together — WMS-level warehouse tools, inventory tracking, purchasing, production, and reporting — without juggling multiple systems.

🔗 Explore how Supply’d brings order to your operations → https://supplyd.co