Fishbowl Inventory vs 3PL Central (3PL Warehouse Manager)
Managing inventory is crucial for any business that deals with physical products. Whether you are a small business owner or a large corporation, having the right inventory management system is essential for smooth operations. When it comes to choosing the right software for inventory management, Fishbowl Inventory and 3PL Central (3PL Warehouse Manager) are two of the most popular options available in the market. In this article, we will compare the key features, pros and cons, pricing, user interface, integrations, and customer support of these two software options to help you make a well-informed decision.
What is Fishbowl Inventory and 3PL Central (3PL Warehouse Manager)?
Before we dive into the comparison of these two software options, let's take a brief look at what Fishbowl Inventory and 3PL Central are all about.
Fishbowl Inventory is a comprehensive inventory management system designed for small to medium businesses. The system offers a wide range of features including inventory control, manufacturing management, warehouse management, order management, and more. Fishbowl Inventory is known for its user-friendly interface, easy-to-use features, and customizable reports.
3PL Central (3PL Warehouse Manager) is a cloud-based warehouse management system that handles all aspects of warehouse operations for third-party logistics (3PL) providers. The system streamlines warehouse processes, eliminates manual errors, and enhances visibility of inventory and supply chain data. 3PL Central offers features such as order management, inventory management, and shipping management.
Features of Fishbowl Inventory and 3PL Central
Both Fishbowl Inventory and 3PL Central offer several features that are essential for effective inventory management. Some of the key features of Fishbowl Inventory include:
- Inventory control: Stock tracking, inventory forecasting, and management of stock levels
- Manufacturing management: Bills of materials, production scheduling, and more
- Warehouse management: Picking, packing, receiving, and shipping management functions as well as cycle counting and barcode scanning
- Order management: Sales updates, sales quotes, and customer shipment tracking
On the other hand, 3PL Central offers features like:
- Order Management: Online Order Portal, Shipping and Receiving functionality, and multiple order types such as Purchase Orders, Sales Orders, and Transfer Orders
- Inventory Management: Real-time inventory visibility, rotation control, lot tracking, and cycle counting capabilities
- Warehouse Management: Zone Reception configurations, Online Electronic Signature Capture, Workflow and Business Rules, and more
- Vendor Management: A secure platform that connects warehouses with their vendors in order to streamline business processes and efficiently share important logistics information
Which One is Better Suited for Your Business: Fishbowl Inventory or 3PL Central?
The answer to this question significantly depends on your business requirements and needs. If you are a small to medium business looking for a comprehensive inventory management system, Fishbowl Inventory would be a better choice. However, if you run a third-party logistics provider, then the 3PL Central Warehouse Manager software is tailored to the requirements of your specific type of business.
The Pros and Cons of Using Fishbowl Inventory for Your Business
There are several advantages to using Fishbowl Inventory for your business, including:
- User-friendly interface and easy-to-navigate menus
- Efficient tracking of inventory supplies and orders
- Robust reporting options that allow you to customize and filter reports according to your requirements
- Supports multiple user access and is scalable so it can grow with your business
However, there are also a few drawbacks to consider:
- The initial setup and implementation process can prove to be time-consuming for smaller businesses
- Some of the features in Fishbowl Inventory can be too elaborate and may not be relevant to a company's requirements
- The cost of Fishbowl Inventory can be significantly higher if you have many users that require access to the system
The Pros and Cons of Using 3PL Central for Your Business
When it comes to using 3PL Central Warehouse Manager, here are a few of the advantages:
- Integrates easily with other systems and processes such as barcode scanning and CRM software
- Third-party logistics providers can benefit from the system's specialized features catered to their type of business
- 3PL Central Warehouse Manager hosts its software on the cloud, meaning you don't have to handle software upgrades or security issues on your own
That being said, there are also some disadvantages to consider such as:
- The software may be too complicated for small businesses that don't require as many features
- The system's interface can be challenging to figure out for first-time users who may require significant training
- Monthly subscription fees can add up over time, especially if you are already using other software and services that are costing your business money
How to Choose the Right Inventory Management System for Your Business
When it comes to making this decision, there are a few things you should consider. First and foremost, you need to determine your business requirements and needs. If you are a small business looking for comprehensive inventory management, Fishbowl Inventory might be a better option for you. If you're a third-party logistics provider, 3PL Central Warehouse Manager should be at the top of your list.
You should also consider factors such as pricing, integrations, customer reviews, and customer support. These factors can help you get a more comprehensive understanding of which software solution is right for your business.
A Comprehensive Comparison of Fishbowl Inventory vs 3PL Central (3PL Warehouse Manager)
Let us now delve into a more extensive comparison of Fishbowl Inventory versus 3PL Central (3PL Warehouse Manager), considering different aspects of the software options.
Understanding the Key Differences Between Fishbowl Inventory and 3PL Central
While both Fishbowl Inventory and 3PL Central offer similar functionalities in terms of inventory and order management, there are significant differences between the two systems that are worth noting.
For starters, Fishbowl Inventory is designed for small to medium businesses, whereas 3PL Central is a specialized software solution catering to the needs of third-party logistics providers.
Additionally, the user interface of both systems differs significantly. Fishbowl Inventory is known for its easy-to-use interface, customizable dashboards and reports, and user-friendly functionality. 3PL Central Warehouse Manager's interface, on the other hand, is more complex and may require significant time investment for training and understanding to use it successfully.
Finally, the pricing models differ between the two systems as well. Fishbowl Inventory uses a one-time software license fee model, whereas 3PL Central has a SaaS subscription model, meaning an ongoing monthly fee.
Pricing Comparison: Fishbowl Inventory vs 3PL Central (3PL Warehouse Manager)
When it comes to choosing a software option for your business, cost is an essential factor to consider. Fishbowl Inventory's pricing model includes a one-time license fee that starts at $4,395. This licensing fee covers installation of the software and training for up to five users. Additional users will require an additional fee which starts at $1,395. Fishbowl Inventory also offers monthly financing plans to businesses that are unable to pay the license fee upfront.
On the other hand, 3PL Central has a subscription-based SaaS pricing model that starts at $1,300 per month. This fee includes access to all the software's features, implementation support, training, and access to customer support. The cost for 3PL Central increases depending on specific requirements and the size of your business.
Customer Support Comparison: Fishbowl Inventory vs 3PL Central (3PL Warehouse Manager)
Customer support is essential when you're using software for inventory management. Fishbowl Inventory offers customer support through phone, email, chat, and remote desktop assistance for technical issues. Additionally, Fishbowl Inventory has an extensive knowledge base that features tutorials and frequently asked questions.
3PL Central Warehouse Manager also provides robust customer support through phone, email, and a support ticket system. The support team is available during business hours of 8 am to 6 pm PST. Additionally, they offer training and educational resources on their website.
Integrations Comparison: Fishbowl Inventory vs 3PL Central (3PL Warehouse Manager)
Integrations with other software solutions are an essential aspect of choosing an inventory management system. Fishbowl Inventory offers integrations with several popular software solutions such as QuickBooks, Salesforce, and Magento. Fishbowl Inventory integrates with other software through the Fishbowl API, which is available for developers interested in building custom integrations.
3PL Central Warehouse Manager, on the other hand, offers integrations with several well-known shipping carriers such as UPS, FedEx, and USPS as well as with EDI and Amazon fulfillment. They also feature an open API for developers interested in building custom integrations.
User Interface Comparison: Fishbowl Inventory vs 3PL Central (3PL Warehouse Manager)
As previously mentioned, the user interface of Fishbowl Inventory and 3PL Central differs significantly. Fishbowl Inventory is known for its easy-to-navigate interface that offers customizable dashboard and report options. 3PL Central Warehouse Manager's interface is more complex, and users may require significant training to master it. However, 3PL Central has made a significant effort towards a streamlined user interface with a new update in 2021.
Customer Reviews: What Users Have to Say About Using Fishbowl Inventory and 3PL Central
In addition to comparing features, pricing, and customer support, it is also essential to consider the experiences of other business owners who have used these software options. Here are a few comments from Fishbowl Inventory users:
"Fishbowl Inventory was exactly what we needed to handle and balance our inventory in multiple warehouses across locations."
"I love the ability to track everything that's ever happened with an item - orders, inventory levels, etc."
"The fact that Fishbowl Inventory integrated so well with QuickBooks was a huge selling point for us."
However, there are also a few negative reviews about Fishbowl Inventory:
"Fishbowl inventory is complicated to set up."
"The software is far too cumbersome and overcomplicated for our small business. We found the system convoluted, confusing, and not user-friendly."
"The pricing is pretty steep if you have several users requiring access to the system."
When it comes to 3PL Central Warehouse Manager, here are a few comments from users:
"The 3PL Central system had everything we needed to manage our warehouse operations, including receiving, inventory management, and shipping."
"The integration with shipping carriers like USPS and FedEx was a huge plus. We were able to track and ship packages with ease."
"The customer service team was excellent. They were always available to answer questions and provided timely support."
However, there are some criticisms of the 3PL Central Warehouse Manager:
"The interface was not user-friendly, and it required significant training to master."
"The cost of using the system is a bit steep, and it can become quite expensive if you have many users that require access to the software."
"The system can become slow and unresponsive at times."
Final Thoughts
Choosing the correct inventory management system is crucial for any business that deals with physical products. Fishbowl Inventory and 3PL Central are two popular software options that offer several essential features for inventory management. While Fishbowl Inventory is designed for small to medium businesses with customizable reports and dashboards, 3PL Central Warehouse Manager is catered to the specific needs of third-party logistics providers. Ultimately, the decision to choose either one of these software systems depends on your business requirements, needs, budget, and preferences.
