Salesforce research shows that 80% of customers think the experience you give them matters just as much as your products or services. For eCommerce businesses, the post-purchase period is a critical part of the customer experience. This means that you need to keep your customers happy even after they click on the checkout button.
An order management system is a single platform that handles order processing, inventory management, and fulfillment. You can also find order management systems that allow you to keep an eye on orders and update your customers.
However, these features are typically limited. But you can easily fill this gap with a specialized order tracking system. These software allow you to offer accurate shipping locations and estimated delivery times. You can find order management systems that allow you to keep an eye on orders and update your customers.
Now the question is … does your store regularly manage high volumes or complex logistics? If yes, you must consider integrating advanced tracking software into your OMS. This way, you benefit from a clear view of the entire order fulfillment process. However, this may not always be the most practical decision. The best set-up for your business depends on several factors revolving around your operational needs.
This guide will help you determine whether you need an OMS, an order tracking system, or a blend of both. So, read on!
What is an Order Tracking System?
Let’s get started by understanding what an order tracking system is. Today, customers expect to keep a close eye on their order status until you deliver a product to their address with success. Order tracking systems help you develop this ability and meet tracking demands.
An advanced tracking system gives real-time information on order status and location to you as well as your buyers. It quickly integrates with carriers such as FedEx, DHL, and UPS to follow package movements. Its role also extends to forecasting delivery timelines and accounting for delays.
The core focus of a tracking system is logistics and visibility for all your orders. It helps your buyers stay informed about their orders via email, SMS, or app alerts. This brings down “Where is my order?” or WISMO queries, keeping your customer service executives free for more pressing problems.
Most advanced systems give you access to key features like a dashboard and branded tracking page. They also track logistical data. You can review this information to optimize your strategy, reduce shipping costs, and meet customer expectations in a better way.
If your shipping needs are simple, a standalone tracking solution works well and saves money. However, if you’re tackling hundreds or thousands of orders each month, it’s best to explore integrating it with an OMS.
How does Order Tracking Software Work?
Order tracking goes beyond simple serial number tracking. Let’s take a quick look at how it works:
1. Order Creation
The first step is the assignment of a unique ID to each order. This happens as soon as a customer places one.
2. Carrier Assignment
Next, the carrier generates a tracking number which it links to the correct order ID.
3. Data Integration
The order tracking system establishes a connection with the carrier API to pull tracking information. When this isn’t possible, the system fetches information from the carrier website via web-scraping. This significantly brings down the need for manual processes such as uploading spreadsheets with tracking data, which is time-consuming and prone to human error.
4. Status Processing
All carriers operate a little differently and use different data formats and terminologies. An order tracking solution makes sure all the data across carriers is in a standardized form.
5. Customer Visibility
Tracking pages then reflect live insights on order location. Buyers also receive these alerts via SMS, emails, or app notifications. Each time the location of an order changes, the system conveys it to you and your customers.
6. Exception Handling
Sometimes deliveries take longer due to weather conditions, customs, or other reasons. Tracking systems monitor these delays and notify you in a timely manner for quick resolution and order support.
7. Delivery Confirmation
Finally, the system records the final delivery and closes the case.
What is an Order Management System?
An order management system, or OMS, is a comprehensive digital solution that helps you manage the entire order lifecycle. It is a single source of information for online orders, keeping track of virtually all activities in the supply chain.
With order management software, your team gets the capability to swiftly manage order placement and processing. This includes payments and invoicing, inventory management, warehouse management, and customer support.
An OMS centralizes all the information related to your business operations, whether your store is on Shopify, Amazon, eBay, or any other platform. You don’t have to keep track of multiple channels and websites.
Each aspect of order fulfillment presents you with opportunities to boost customer satisfaction. With an OMS, you can ensure smooth communication between sales channels, warehouses, and logistics partners. It also connects ERPs, CRMs, and customer support tools. The result is a boost in efficiency and lower chances of facing unpredictability. You can then easily avoid stockouts, overselling, unavailability of carriers, or return hassles.
For businesses scaling across sales channels—like DTC, B2B, marketplaces, and physical retail—an order management software ensures unified control and real-time visibility.
How does an Order Management System Work?
Let’s briefly go over the order management process of an OMS.
1. Order Placement
When a buyer places an order, the system logs all details about it.
2. Inventory Check
It then conducts a real-time inventory verification to see if the items are in stock, and whether the quantity is sufficient. It then continues fulfilling orders.
3. Order Management
The order management system estimates fulfillment time, and routes orders to the nearest dispatch centre or warehouse. In many cases, the OMS’s capability also includes shipping label automation. The warehouse then packs the order, applies the correct shipping label, and sends it out.
4. Delivery and Confirmation
The customer receives the order, and the system confirms delivery.
5. Post-Sales Services
If needed, users can return items, provide feedback, or request support.
6. Tracking and Analysis
The system monitors orders, monitors inventory levels, and analyzes performance to improve operations.
Order Tracking Software vs Order Management System
It’s important to understand the differences between an order tracking system and an order management system. This clarity will help you streamline your buyers’ post-purchase experience as well as your backend operations.
While the two solutions have overlapping terminologies and involve easy setups, their functionalities are quite different. Let’s compare the order tracking and order management systems.
| Feature | Order Tracking System | Order Management System (OMS) |
| Track Orders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Order Processing | – | ✓ |
| Inventory Management | – | ✓ |
| Order Fulfillment Integration | – | ✓ |
| Returns Management | – | ✓ |
| Customer Communication | Basic Notifications | Full CRM Integration |
| Multi-Channel Support | Supports multiple carriers and sales platforms) | Handles multiple sales channels, carriers, and integrates with ERP systems) |
1. Order Tracking
Both order tracking systems and order management systems offer the ability to track orders. They provide visibility into the shipping and delivery status. However, while this is the core functionality of a tracking system, it’s just one component of what an OMS provides.
2. Order Processing
Order tracking systems do not support sales order processing. Their purpose is limited to post-shipping visibility. In contrast, an OMS handles order processing end-to-end, from receiving the order to confirming, routing, and preparing it for shipment. This makes OMS essential for businesses that need to manage orders at scale with efficiency.
3. Inventory Management
Inventory management is a key differentiator. An order tracking system does not offer any inventory-related features. An OMS, however, includes real-time inventory tracking, stock level alerts, and even helps in preventing overselling or stockouts. This functionality is crucial for syncing inventory across multiple sales channels.
4. Order Fulfillment Integration
Order fulfillment is not part of the order tracking system’s capability. It simply follows the order once it’s on its way. On the other hand, OMS integrates directly with warehouses, fulfillment centers, and shipping providers to streamline the entire fulfillment process from picking and packing to delivery.
5. Returns Management
eCommerce order tracking software do not handle returns, nor do they give you a detailed view of order history. If a customer needs to return a product, there is no built-in functionality to support that workflow. OMS platforms, however, offer complete returns management, including generating return labels, tracking return shipments, and initiating refunds or exchanges.
6. Customer Communication
When it comes to communicating with customers, order tracking systems provide only basic notifications—like shipment updates or delivery confirmations. In contrast, OMS platforms often include full CRM integration, enabling personalized communication, support ticketing, and deeper customer engagement throughout the order lifecycle.
7. Multi-Channel Support
Both systems support multiple sales channels and carriers, which is important for businesses operating on platforms like Amazon, Shopify, or WooCommerce. However, OMS takes it further by integrating with ERP systems, providing a centralized hub for managing operations across all business functions.
8. Purpose
The purpose of an order tracking system is narrow and focused on post-purchase tracking. It’s ideal for providing customers with visibility on where their orders are. OMS, however, is designed to handle the entire order journey—from order capture and inventory syncing to processing, fulfillment, and returns—making it a more comprehensive solution.
When to Pick an Order Tracking System?
Order tracking software solutions provide a clear view of shipments without the pricing and complexity of full order management. They ensure transparency throughout the delivery process, significantly building trust while reducing support inquiries about shipment status.
Ideal for:
Small eCommerce Businesses
If you run a small online store, you’ll benefit from order tracking systems that streamline your customer communications without complex overhead. You can efficiently manage sales orders without dedicating your entire team to fulfillment tracking.
The ability to implement delivery update automation helps you maintain service quality while controlling costs. This is crucial when every purchase order matters to your bottom line.
Freight and Logistics Companies
As a logistics provider, you need enterprise order management systems that integrate with multiple carrier networks. You can then track shipments across all transportation modes. You can create your own rules for standardizing tracking across air, sea, and land shipments. With proper integration between systems, you maintain inventory visibility while fulfilling orders across complex supply chains.
Global Logistics Operations
If you handle international shipping, you require sophisticated tracking solutions that address cross-border complexities while maintaining transparent pricing and delivery estimates.
You need the ability to monitor high volumes of shipments across regions with different regulations. Proper tracking helps you control fulfillment variables and supports online visibility for customers tracking packages across continents.
When to Pick an Order Management Software?
An OMS helps you manage operations across multiple sales channels with complex fulfillment requirements.
Ideal for:
Multi-Channel Retailers
Selling across multiple platforms? You need a system that pulls all orders—online and in-store—into one place. Plus, it gives you a complete view of customer interactions, making it easier to manage operations and improve the buying experience.
Large E-Commerce Companies
Handling thousands of orders daily? Automation is key. An OMS streamlines order management, integrates with warehouse systems for smoother fulfillment, and helps control costs. With better shipping and warehouse management, you get faster drop-offs and lower expenses.
Growing Businesses
Scaling up shouldn’t mean starting over. An OMS grows with you, letting you add new sales channels without disruption. It also gives you the data to make smarter decisions—whether it’s about inventory, pricing, or expansion.
Make the right Choice!
As your eCommerce company grows, your needs will evolve. Order tracking focuses on visibility for a single order, while management systems coordinate your entire operation from inventory to fulfillment. Evaluate your decision based on business complexity, order volume, future growth trajectory, and market requirements.
Why Integrate Advanced Tracking into Your Order Management System?
An Order Management System helps businesses process orders, manage inventory, and handle fulfillment, but its tracking features are often limited. Many OMS platforms provide only basic shipment updates, leaving you and your buyers with minimal visibility. This can lead to frustrated customers, increased support inquiries, and inefficiencies in managing shipments.
Without real-time tracking and multi-carrier support, you may face delays in shipment updates, inaccurate delivery forecasting, and manual intervention to resolve tracking issues. These gaps can impact customer satisfaction and operational efficiency.
Limitations of Standard OMS Tracking
- Limited Carrier Support: Most order management systems exercise seamless integration with only a few carriers. This can make things difficult for you if you rely on multiple shipping providers.
- Basic Status Updates: OMS tracking typically includes only major milestones (for instance, “Order Placed” or “Shipped”) and lacks detailed real-time updates.
- Manual Data Entry: Tracking information may not sync automatically, requiring manual updates that can lead to errors.
- Customer Communication Challenges: Many OMS solutions don’t offer automated tracking notifications, forcing customers to check manually or contact support.
How Advanced Tracking Enhances OMS
Integrating an advanced order tracking system, you can eliminate these limitations and improve the overall post-purchase experience. Key benefits include:
- Real-Time Shipment Visibility: Keep an eye on orders with live updates from multiple carriers.
- Multi-Carrier Support: Seamlessly manage shipments across various logistics providers.
- Accurate Estimated Delivery Dates: Provide customers with reliable timelines.
- Automated Notifications: Reduce support inquiries by keeping buyers informed via SMS or email.
- Branded Tracking Experience: Create a seamless, on-brand tracking page for customers.
- Exception Handling & Alerts: Detect delays early and take immediate action.
Final Words
In a nutshell, order management software is a one-stop-solution playing the role of an inventory management software, a warehouse management system, order support service, and more. You can rely on an OMS to unify your business across physical and digital channels, reducing manual work.
On the other hand, order tracking software solutions help you get precise details on where a shipment is. It helps reduce post-purchase stress for you and your clients with timely alerts and order status communication.
Choose TrackingMore as Your Order Tracking Partner
TrackingMore provides a seamless, API-driven order tracking solution that integrates with over 1,300 carriers worldwide. Its API simplifies multi-carrier tracking, ensuring real-time updates and reducing the need for complex in-house integrations.
Why TrackingMore?
Whether you operate an online store, marketplace, or dropshipping business, TrackingMore can help you enhance visibility, automate tracking, and improve logistics efficiency.
Beyond its API, TrackingMore offers branded tracking pages, automated notifications, and analytics dashboards to elevate the post-purchase experience. Businesses across industries, including eCommerce retailers, SaaS providers, and even competitors, rely on TrackingMore for accurate and efficient shipment tracking. Partnering with TrackingMore ensures better transparency, reduced customer inquiries, and a stronger brand experience.
Check out TrackingMore’s pricing plans, and start a demo to get familiar with all its features today!
Having worked in the B2C, B2B, and dropshipping industries, I has built a profound understanding of e-commerce and logistics. Passionate about writing, I loves creating compelling and in-depth content that resonates with our audiences.
