How to Use B2B Wholesale Inventory Management Software

Every wholesale distribution business faces a common challenge: managing inventory efficiently while keeping operations smooth and customers satisfied. Whether you’re handling multiple warehouses, coordinating suppliers, or processing large sales orders, effective inventory management can make or break your bottom line.

That’s where B2B wholesale inventory management software comes in. Designed to streamline wholesale operations, these platforms give you full control over stock levels, order processing, and supplier performance. With real-time visibility into your wholesale inventory, you can reduce errors, shorten lead times, and improve customer relationships.

From small businesses to enterprise-level distributors, using the right inventory management software ensures your team can monitor stock control, track units of measure, and automate repetitive tasks, all from a single platform. In this blog, we’ll explore the benefits, features, and best practices for implementing B2B wholesale software for inventory management.

Importance of B2B wholesale software for inventory management

Running a wholesale distribution business involves juggling multiple moving parts, from supplier performance and inventory levels to customer orders and warehouse staff coordination. This is where B2B wholesale inventory management software becomes essential.

Wholesale distribution software is a digital platform designed to manage the end-to-end processes of wholesale operations. It helps businesses track wholesale inventory, process large sales orders, manage purchase orders, optimize warehouse operations, and maintain strong customer relationships. Essentially, it acts as a central hub for all your inventory management and operational needs, giving you visibility and control over every step in your supply chain.

1. Quick order processing

Gone are the days of manual order handling. With a B2B wholesale software for inventory management, orders are captured and processed instantly, whether they come through your website, sales channels, or direct customer requests. This leads to faster fulfillment, accurate stock control, and happier customers.

Moreover, automating just 10-15% of the overall order-to-cash (O2C) process can lead to savings of $300K-$350K within three to four months. Quick order processing ensures your customers get what they need when they need it, keeping them happy and loyal.

2. Real-time inventory visibility

B2B wholesale software provides real-time data visibility on stock levels, backorders, and units of measure, letting you make informed decisions and adjust quickly to demand changes. You can track inventory across multiple warehouses, monitor lead times, and prevent costly stockouts or overstock situations.

3. Complete control over operations

Managing a distribution business involves juggling various tasks, from raising purchase orders to processing sales.

From barcode scanning and batch tracking to purchase order management, the software streamlines every part of your workflow. You can oversee warehouse staff, manage customer orders, and ensure that warehouse space is used efficiently, all from a single platform. This control reduces errors and enhances productivity.

This is the main reason around 92% of wholesalers choose to implement B2B wholesale software to optimize their operations.

4. Optimized inventory management

Effective inventory management is crucial in maximizing sales and minimizing costs. B2B wholesale software helps you optimize your inventory by providing accurate, real-time data.

This enables you to make data-driven decisions, reduce excess stock, and avoid stockouts. An optimized inventory means better cash flow and higher profitability.

Incorporating wholesale sales software into your business strategy is a necessity. It enhances efficiency, improves customer satisfaction, and provides the data you need to make smart business decisions.

Read more: A guide to cloud-based inventory management software

Essential features of B2B wholesale inventory management software

Choosing the right inventory management software for wholesale means looking beyond basic functionality. Modern B2B wholesale software for inventory management comes packed with features that optimize operations, improve accuracy, and give you complete control over your wholesale inventory.

Here’s what to look for:

1. Inventory control

Effective stock control is the backbone of any wholesale distribution business. Around 73% of warehouses plan to implement inventory management. The best wholesale inventory management software allows you to track products across multiple warehouses, monitor units of measure, and manage batch tracking. With features like barcode scanning, you can reduce errors, speed up warehouse operations, and maintain accurate inventory data in real-time.

2. Purchase order management

A solid B2B wholesale inventory system simplifies purchase order management, helping you track supplier performance, monitor lead times, and ensure timely replenishment. You can automate reorder points and integrate ERP systems for seamless synchronization with other business processes.

3. Accounting

Handling finances efficiently is crucial for smooth operations. B2B Wholesale software with integrated accounting features facilitates efficient order processing, invoicing, and accounts receivable management, resulting in faster B2B payments.

This integration helps you monitor your financial health and ensures timely payment processing, which is essential for maintaining cash flow.

4. Lot tracking

For businesses handling perishable or regulated products, lot tracking is essential. It enables you to trace products by batch, monitor expiration dates, and maintain compliance with industry standards. This feature ensures that deliveries are correctly aligned, reducing the risk of distributing expired or unsafe products and strengthening customer relationships. Traceability is crucial in maintaining quality and compliance.

5. Route optimization

Shipping costs can significantly impact your bottom line. The best B2B wholesale software includes route optimization features that help you plan the most efficient delivery routes.

Optimizing routes helps in reducing fuel costs and improving delivery times. This boosts operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.

6. Reporting and analytics

Data-driven decision-making is essential in today’s competitive market. Advanced reporting and analytics features in B2B wholesale software provide accurate and thorough reports.

These insights inform your business decisions, helping you identify trends, manage inventory, and optimize operations. Actionable insights from analytics can lead to improved performance and profitability.

Investing in the best wholesale sales software equips your business with the tools needed to manage and grow effectively.

Choosing the best inventory management software for wholesale businesses of every size

Not every distributor operates the same way. A local supplier managing regional deliveries has different needs than a global wholesale business coordinating container shipments. The right B2B wholesale inventory management software should adapt to the size of your operations and scale as your demand grows.

Here’s a detailed guide to help you make an informed decision.

1. Small distributors

For new and growing enterprises, small business wholesale B2B software solutions are a boon. These systems are designed to be user-friendly and cost-effective, catering to companies that do not need complex functionalities.

Key features typically include:

• Basic inventory control
• Order management
• Customer management

Smaller teams benefit from a wholesale inventory management system that reduces manual work, offers clear visibility of stock availability, and shortens order lead times.

The beauty of these systems lies in their simplicity. They are quick to implement and easy to learn, which means small businesses can start benefiting from them almost immediately without a steep learning curve.

2. Mid-sized distributors

Mid-sized businesses often encounter additional challenges, such as increased customer demands and more sophisticated supply chain requirements. Mid-sized B2B wholesale software serves as a bridge between basic systems and comprehensive enterprise solutions.

These systems offer more advanced features, including:

• Advanced analytics
• Multi-warehouse support
• Extensive integration capabilities

These features are crucial for mid-sized distributors, allowing them to manage more complex operations efficiently and scale their business without outgrowing their system too quickly.

3. Enterprise businesses

Larger enterprises have intricate and expansive operational needs. B2B wholesale software for enterprise businesses is designed to meet these demands with advanced tools.

Key functionalities include:

• Global supply chain management
• Complex financial management
• CRM integration

Enterprise ERPs offer unparalleled scalability, integrating operations across multiple departments and international boundaries. They support multi-currency and multi-language functionalities, making them ideal for large-scale operations. Although these systems come with higher costs and a more substantial learning curve, their extensive capabilities provide unmatched support for managing large and complex business environments.

 

Understanding your business size and specific needs is crucial in selecting the right wholesale distribution software.

The best inventory management software for wholesale is the one capable of handling enterprise workflows while still being intuitive for teams handling daily tasks.

Whether you are a small business looking for a straightforward solution, a mid-sized company needing more advanced features, or a large enterprise requiring extensive capabilities, a software solution is tailored for you. Choosing the right software will help drive efficiency, enhance operational control, and support your business growth.

Top B2B wholesale inventory management software to consider

Selecting the right B2B wholesale inventory management software is much more than comparing feature lists. Distributors today deal with supplier delays, complex packaging units, bulk order pricing rules, multiple sales channels, warehouse coordination, and customer-specific fulfillment expectations. The software you choose should optimize those workflows, not force workarounds.

Below are six platforms designed with B2B wholesale inventory management in mind, not retail POS tools, not ecommerce-first apps, not basic spreadsheet replacements.

1. Ordoro

Ordoro is designed for wholesalers that rely heavily on multiple vendors and dropship fulfillment. It reduces human error by automating supplier routing, purchase order triggers, and order consolidation.

Ordoro positions itself as a B2B wholesale inventory management software that excels in fulfillment automation. Unlike generic inventory tools, it supports complex replenishment paths and vendor assignment rules, making it useful for distributors scaling without building a full ERP system. It functions as a wholesale inventory management system that reduces repetitive tasks and increases output per warehouse employee.

Key wholesale strengths:

• Automatic purchase order creation when inventory hits reorder points
• Dropship routing rules based on supplier lead times and availability
• Bundling, kitting, and multi-SKU packaging variations
• Native barcode scanning support for warehouse operations
• Multi-warehouse visibility for accurate stock allocation

Ideal for:
Small to mid-sized distributors using dropshipping or multi-vendor sourcing models.

2. SOS Inventory

SOS Inventory is a strong choice for distributors who modify products before resale. It connects purchasing, production, and fulfillment into one workflow.

SOS Inventory has evolved into a capable inventory management software for wholesale businesses, particularly those requiring compliance or traceability. By bridging light manufacturing and wholesale distribution workflows, it supports precise inventory creation, conversion, and valuation from raw materials to finished goods. This makes it one of the best inventory management software for wholesale organizations that operate between distribution and production.

Key wholesale strengths:

• Batch/lot control with traceability
• Advanced units of measure
• Multi-location stock
• Landed cost calculations
• Forecasting-based reorder logic

Ideal for:
Distributors needing strong batch control, regulatory traceability, or light manufacturing support.

3. Finale Inventory

Finale Inventory is built for speed and warehouse precision. High-volume wholesalers benefit from its scanning-first workflow.

Because Finale supports multiple locations, advanced picking routes, and throughput tracking, it operates as a wholesale inventory management software that prioritizes operational execution. It offers fast deployment compared to legacy ERP solutions while still meeting the needs of scaling distributors. For growing companies, it can function as a B2B wholesale inventory management software alternative when ERP is too costly or overspecialized.

Key wholesale strengths:

• Mobile barcode scanning
• Scan-based stock adjustments
• Warehouse space forecasting
• Lead-time planning
• Cross-channel synchronization

Ideal for:
Mid-size to large distributors with time-sensitive fulfillment needs.

4. Brightpearl

Brightpearl combines inventory, CRM, order processing, and accounting automation into a single platform. It’s particularly strong for wholesalers selling B2B and ecommerce simultaneously.

Key wholesale strengths:

• Auto-routing orders based on location, priority, or customer rules
• Predictive purchasing based on trends and lead times
• Workflow automation of repetitive admin tasks
• Financials and inventory are tied together for real-time profitability
• ERP-level capabilities without ERP-level deployment timelines

Its advantage is its automation engine, which helps wholesalers reduce manual effort as order volumes scale.

Ideal for:
Established wholesalers with multichannel sales (ecommerce + B2B + reps) requiring enterprise-level automation.

5. Fishbowl

Fishbowl is a strong fit for wholesalers that need tighter control over warehouse operations than spreadsheets or basic tools can provide. It’s built around day-to-day distribution realities, receiving inventory, managing stock across locations, scanning product movement, and keeping reorder decisions consistent as volume grows.

It’s especially useful when inventory accuracy and warehouse execution are your main bottlenecks. Teams that struggle with stock discrepancies, picking errors, or manual purchase workflows often choose Fishbowl to standardize how inventory is tracked, replenished, and fulfilled while staying connected to accounting or broader business systems.

Key wholesale strengths:

• Warehouse-focused inventory controls (receiving, picking, packing, transfers)
• Barcode scanning support to reduce picking/putaway errors
• Reorder points and replenishment workflows to prevent stockouts
• Multi-location inventory visibility for distributors managing more than one warehouse
• Optional manufacturing/BOM-style workflows for kitting, light assembly, or value-added processes

Ideal for:
Wholesalers that need stronger warehouse discipline and inventory accuracy, especially those scaling beyond “manual tracking” but not ready for a full ERP overhaul.

6. Katana

Katana is a great option for wholesale businesses that aren’t just moving stock; they’re assembling, bundling, kitting, or producing items before shipping. If your wholesale operation includes light manufacturing, private labeling, or packaging workflows, Katana helps connect inventory availability to production and purchasing decisions, allowing you to fulfill orders without guesswork.

What makes Katana useful in wholesale is its ability to show what’s available now, what’s committed to open orders, and what still needs to be made or purchased. That visibility helps teams avoid overselling, prevent production delays, and keep high-demand items flowing even when material lead times or supplier schedules change.

Key wholesale strengths:

• Real-time inventory visibility across raw materials and finished goods
• Production planning workflows for make-to-stock and make-to-order operations
• Bill of materials (BOM) support for bundling, kitting, and assemblies
• Purchase planning that ties replenishment to demand and production requirements
• Useful for wholesalers selling products that require pre-fulfillment processing (assembly, finishing, packaging)

Ideal for:
Wholesale brands/distributors with light manufacturing, kitting, or assembly needs who want modern, cloud-based control over inventory and production planning in one system.

WizCommerce: Sales-layer option to pair with your inventory systems

Most inventory systems are built to manage stock, warehouses, purchasing, and fulfillment, but they’re not always designed for how wholesale selling happens day-to-day. WizCommerce acts as the missing sales and ordering layer that sits on top of your inventory management software (like Fishbowl or SOS Inventory), giving sales reps and B2B customers an easier way to place accurate orders without back-and-forth or manual entry. 

By integrating with your inventory system, WizCommerce can pull in live inventory availability and customer-specific pricing so buyers and reps see the right products, quantities, and negotiated rates at the point of ordering. That means fewer errors, faster order cycles, and a better customer experience, while your inventory software remains the system of record for stock and operations.

Why is WizCommerce the best wholesale sales platform that syncs with your inventory system?

WizCommerce isn’t just a B2B ecommerce platform; it’s a complete operating B2B wholesale system that integrates seamlessly with your inventory management software to streamline your business from quote to cash.

Whether you’re using QuickBooks, NetSuite, Fishbowl, or any other inventory system, WizCommerce integrates and ensures real-time, bi-directional data sync to power accurate operations, eliminate manual work, and enable sales reps and customers alike to act on the most up-to-date information

1. Real-time inventory updates

Display live stock availability by warehouse location, backorder status, and quantity levels,  all automatically pulled from your inventory management system, so customers and reps always have accurate information at checkout.

2. Two-way order synchronization

Orders placed in WizCommerce or your inventory system are synced in real time. Status changes, shipping details, tax information, discounts, and payment tokens are mirrored instantly, keeping your teams aligned and customers informed.

3. Dynamic product catalog integration

WizCommerce keeps your entire product catalog in sync, including SKUs, variant data, categories, product descriptions, media files, and pricing. It supports multiple price lists, customer-specific pricing, and promotional rates, all pulled directly from your inventory platform.

4. Flexible customer data sync

Automatically sync customer profiles, sales reps, billing and shipping addresses, tax IDs, and contact details between systems. Any edits made on either side reflect instantly, ensuring smooth account management and fewer manual updates.

5. Integrated invoice payments

Enable buyers to make payments directly on WizCommerce against open invoices, with real-time updates on payment status, transaction IDs, and methods, all reflected in your inventory or accounting software for full visibility.

6. WizSync button for on-demand control

Want instant updates? Use the WizSync feature to manually sync customers or orders at any time. Plus, schedule auto-syncs hourly or as per your preference for continuous accuracy across your systems.

Best practices while using a B2B wholesale inventory management system

Implementing B2B wholesale software effectively requires a structured approach. Here’s a guide to ensure a smooth transition and maximize the benefits of your new system. 

Best practice	Key actions	Benefits for wholesale operations
Planning and preparation	Define clear objectives for implementing B2B wholesale inventory management software (e.g., improving order processing speed, enhancing inventory accuracy). Set specific timelines: initial setup in 3 months, full functionality in 6 months. Allocate resources and assign responsibilities (project managers, IT specialists, end-user reps). Budget for software, training, and infrastructure.	Ensures a structured rollout, reduces disruptions in wholesale operations, and aligns teams on goals.
Training and onboarding	Develop a comprehensive training program covering all aspects of the inventory management software for wholesale. Conduct hands-on workshops, online sessions, and one-on-one coaching. Provide user manuals, FAQs, and reference guides.	Enhances user adoption, minimizes errors in sales orders and warehouse management, and empowers staff to fully utilize the system.
Ongoing support	Maintain a helpdesk or support team. Keep an updated knowledge base with guides, FAQs, and video tutorials. Provide refresher training as the system evolves.	Reduces downtime, resolves issues quickly, and maintains accurate wholesale inventory tracking.
Monitoring and evaluation	Track key performance indicators such as order processing times, stock levels, and customer satisfaction. Compare results against objectives and identify gaps.	Provides data-driven insights for improving inventory control, optimizing warehouse operations, and enhancing customer experience.
Continuous improvement	Adjust workflows and add new features as needed. Gather regular feedback from staff and sales teams. Incorporate suggestions to refine the B2B wholesale inventory management system.	Keeps your system aligned with business needs, maximizes efficiency, and ensures scalability as your wholesale business grows.

By following these best practices, you can ensure a smooth implementation of your wholesale distribution software, which will improve efficiency, resource management, and customer satisfaction.

Grow your wholesale business with the right software

The right B2B wholesale inventory management software makes running your business easier. It keeps track of stock, manages orders, and connects your sales and inventory in one place, so you can focus on serving customers and growing your business.

Whether you’re a small wholesale operation or a large enterprise, the right software helps reduce errors, speed up order processing, and give you clear insights into your inventory and sales.

For businesses looking to unify sales, customer orders, and inventory operations, WizCommerce offers real-time inventory visibility, automated order sync, and a dynamic product catalog, all built to streamline wholesale operations and enhance customer satisfaction.

Book a demo with WizCommerce now to see how it can optimize your inventory, sales, and operational efficiency.

FAQs

What is B2B inventory management?

B2B inventory management is how businesses track, store, replenish, and forecast products sold in bulk to other businesses. It focuses on managing larger quantities, multiple warehouses, negotiated pricing, and long lead times while reducing carrying costs and preventing stockouts.

What are the 4 types of inventory management systems?

The four types of inventory management systems are periodic (manual counts at set times), perpetual (real-time automated tracking), just-in-time (stock arrives only when needed), and MRP (demand-driven planning for manufacturers and distributors).

Can I use Excel for inventory management?

Yes, you can use Excel or Google Sheets for inventory management, but only at a very small scale. These tools can’t automate reorders, track stock in real time, prevent data entry errors, or support bulk orders across locations, making it risky and time-consuming for wholesalers.

How to manage bulk inventory?

Efficiently managing bulk inventory requires clear forecasting, real-time tracking, batch or lot tracking, defined reorder points, and automation to balance availability and carrying costs.

Which free software is best for inventory management?

Free options like Zoho Inventory’s free plan, Odoo Community (open-source), and Sortly’s free tier can work for small businesses that only need basic stock tracking. WizCommerce also offers a free version, but it’s built for B2B wholesalers and distributors, and most growing wholesale teams eventually move to paid plans to get advanced pricing, multi-warehouse support, and deeper integrations.

How do small businesses keep track of inventory?

To keep track of inventory, most small businesses start with manual counts or spreadsheets before moving to software that automates stock levels, sets reorder alerts, and reduces errors as sales volume grows.

What is the simplest inventory software for small businesses?

For small operations, simple inventory management software like inFlow, Zoho Inventory, and Sortly offer easy setup and basic stock tracking. If you’re a small wholesale business, WizCommerce can be a strong fit. It’s built for wholesale workflows and enables you to start simple and scale your B2B operations as order volume grows.