Skubana vs Fishbowl Inventory

Skubana vs Fishbowl Inventory

When it comes to managing inventory and orders for an eCommerce business, selecting the right software can make all the difference. Two popular options in the market are Skubana and Fishbowl Inventory. Both software solutions offer inventory management, order fulfillment, and reporting features. However, there are some differences. In this article, we'll dive into the details to help you make an informed decision.

Introduction: Understanding Skubana and Fishbowl Inventory

Skubana is a cloud-based eCommerce operation management software focused on streamlining operations, increasing sales, and reducing costs. It provides enterprise-level features for multi-channel sellers, automating sales order fulfillment, and inventory management. On the other hand, Fishbowl Inventory is an on-premise inventory management solution designed for small to medium-sized businesses. It offers advanced inventory tracking, manufacturing management, and sales order management features. Both solutions have their strengths and weaknesses, and the choice depends on a business's specific requirements and budget.

Skubana offers a wide range of integrations with popular eCommerce platforms such as Amazon, eBay, Shopify, and Walmart. It also provides real-time analytics and reporting, enabling businesses to make data-driven decisions. Fishbowl Inventory, on the other hand, offers a robust manufacturing module that allows businesses to manage their entire production process, from creating bills of materials to tracking work orders and scheduling production runs.

Another key difference between Skubana and Fishbowl Inventory is their pricing models. Skubana charges a monthly subscription fee based on the number of orders processed, while Fishbowl Inventory charges a one-time perpetual license fee. This means that Skubana may be more cost-effective for businesses with fluctuating order volumes, while Fishbowl Inventory may be a better option for businesses with a stable order volume.

Features Comparison: Skubana vs Fishbowl Inventory

Skubana offers a comprehensive suite of tools for inventory management, order fulfillment, and analytics. It supports FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) and other 3PL (third-party logistics) providers, making it an excellent choice for businesses whose logistics networks span multiple channels. It also integrates smoothly with marketplaces such as Amazon, eBay, Etsy, and eCommerce platforms like Shopify and BigCommerce.

Fishbowl Inventory includes a wide range of inventory management features, including barcoding, tracking, costing, and reporting. Its manufacturing module is a standout feature that helps users manage bills of material, work orders, and job costs. The software also integrates with QuickBooks, allowing for easy financial management.

One of the key differences between Skubana and Fishbowl Inventory is their pricing models. Skubana charges a monthly subscription fee based on the number of orders processed, while Fishbowl Inventory offers a perpetual license with optional support and maintenance fees. This makes Fishbowl Inventory a more cost-effective option for businesses with a high volume of orders.

Another area where Skubana excels is in its customer support. The company offers 24/7 support via phone, email, and chat, as well as a dedicated account manager for each customer. Fishbowl Inventory, on the other hand, offers support during business hours only and charges extra for phone support.

Price Comparison: Skubana vs Fishbowl Inventory

Skubana pricing depends on the number of orders processed per month, the number of warehouses, and the number of users. Its plans start at $999/month, and a free trial is available. Fishbowl Inventory, on the other hand, has a perpetual license pricing model that starts from $4,395 for a single user. However, this pricing excludes implementation and support costs, making it less affordable than Skubana.

While Skubana may be more affordable, Fishbowl Inventory offers more advanced features such as barcode scanning, lot and serial number tracking, and advanced inventory forecasting. These features may be necessary for businesses with complex inventory needs and could ultimately save time and money in the long run.

Ease of Use: Skubana vs Fishbowl Inventory

Skubana is an intuitive and user-friendly software that offers a modern dashboard, customizable reports, and comprehensive analytics. It allows users to sync their eCommerce sales channels, manage inventory across multiple warehouses, and track order shipments through its platform. However, Fishbowl Inventory has a steep learning curve and may require assistance from IT professionals to set up. Its user interface is outdated and not as easy to navigate as Skubana.

Another advantage of Skubana is its ability to automate repetitive tasks, such as order processing and inventory management. This saves time and reduces the risk of errors, allowing businesses to focus on more important tasks. Additionally, Skubana offers a mobile app that allows users to manage their business on-the-go, providing flexibility and convenience.

On the other hand, Fishbowl Inventory offers advanced features such as barcode scanning and serial number tracking, which may be useful for businesses with complex inventory needs. It also integrates with QuickBooks, making it a good choice for businesses that already use this accounting software. However, these advanced features come at the cost of increased complexity and a steeper learning curve.

Customer Service and Support: Skubana vs Fishbowl Inventory

Skubana provides 24/7 customer support through phone, email, and chat. Its dedicated account managers and support teams help businesses implement the software and resolve any issues that arise. Moreover, Skubana has an extensive knowledge base and training resources to help users navigate the software.

Fishbowl Inventory offers similar support options but has received mixed reviews from customers regarding its responsiveness and helpfulness. Additionally, Skubana offers a community forum where users can connect with each other and share tips and best practices. This forum is a valuable resource for businesses looking to optimize their use of the software and learn from others in the industry.

While Fishbowl Inventory is praised for its user-friendly interface and ease of use, making it a popular choice for small businesses and startups, some users have reported issues with the software's scalability and ability to handle large volumes of orders and data.

Integrations and Add-ons: Skubana vs Fishbowl Inventory

Skubana offers over 100 integrations with eCommerce platforms, shipping carriers, and accounting software. It supports Zapier, which allows users to connect to even more apps and automation workflows. Additionally, Skubana provides a robust API for custom integrations and add-ons.

Fishbowl Inventory supports QuickBooks, Xero, and Salesforce, among other software. However, its integrations are limited compared to Skubana.

Skubana's integrations with eCommerce platforms include popular marketplaces such as Amazon, eBay, and Walmart. It also supports major shopping carts like Shopify, Magento, and BigCommerce. This makes it easier for businesses to manage their inventory and orders across multiple channels.

On the other hand, Fishbowl Inventory offers a unique integration with UPS WorldShip, which allows users to automatically import shipping information into Fishbowl. This can save time and reduce errors when fulfilling orders. Fishbowl also has integrations with popular barcode scanners and printers, which can streamline warehouse operations.

Reporting and Analytics: Skubana vs Fishbowl Inventory

Skubana has advanced reporting and analytics features that provide users with real-time insights into their eCommerce operations. It includes a dashboard that displays key performance indicators (KPIs) such as sales, inventory levels, and fulfillment times. It also generates custom reports based on users' requirements.

Fishbowl Inventory offers insightful reporting capabilities, including inventory valuation, sales analysis, and reorder point analysis.

Inventory Management Capabilities: Skubana vs Fishbowl Inventory

Skubana is designed for inventory management across multiple warehouses, providing features such as automatic purchase order creation, forecasting, and demand planning. It also supports real-time inventory syncing, allowing for accurate tracking of inventory levels across all sales channels.

Fishbowl Inventory offers similar features like cycle counting, inventory forecasting, and kitting and assembly management. However, it's not ideal for warehouses that operate at scale.

Order Management Capabilities: Skubana vs Fishbowl Inventory

Skubana offers an extensive order management system, including automated order routing, shipping label printing, and rules-based order processing. It makes managing orders from multiple channels more efficient and delivers an exceptional customer experience.

Fishbowl Inventory also has order management capabilities, such as sales order tracking, multiple shipment support, and customized shipping options.

eCommerce Platform Compatibility: Skubana vs Fishbowl Inventory

Both software solutions offer integration with popular eCommerce platforms such as Shopify, Amazon, and eBay. Skubana also supports BigCommerce, Magento, and WooCommerce. Fishbowl Inventory offers integration with eCommerce platforms like Amazon, Magento, and Volusion, allowing businesses to streamline the ordering process and centralize inventory.

Pros and Cons of Using Skubana and Fishbowl Inventory

• Skubana Pros:
  • Cloud-based access
  • Emphasis on automation
  • All-in-one suite of features for larger sellers
  • Extensive integrations
• Skubana Cons:
  • Expensive compared to some solutions
• Fishbowl Inventory Pros:
  • Advanced inventory tracking
  • Manufacturing management
  • Sales order features
  • Integration with QuickBooks
• Fishbowl Inventory Cons:
  • Less suited for complex warehouse management
  • Challenging to set up

Conclusion: Which is the Better Option?

Choosing between Skubana and Fishbowl Inventory depends entirely on your requirements and budget. Skubana is an excellent option for eCommerce businesses with high-volume sales and complex logistics networks. It's designed for larger sellers seeking to automate and integrate their operations. Fishbowl Inventory is better suited for small to medium-sized businesses that require a manufacturing module alongside inventory and sales management features. It's an on-premise inventory and order management software that syncs with accounting software.

Case Study: How a Company Benefited from Using Skubana

A company that sells products across several warehouses and eCommerce channels chose Skubana to manage its operations. Skubana helped automate their sales order fulfillment, synchronize inventory across all locations, and improve their shipping times. The company also experienced significant cost savings by streamlining their operations and receiving real-time insights into their profitability. It was reported that the software helped increase revenue by over 20% within the first year of using Skubana.

Case Study: How a Company Benefited from Using Fishbowl Inventory

A manufacturer that produces custom goods needed a software solution to manage their inventory and production process. Fishbowl Inventory helped the company track raw materials, optimize their production cycle, and manage orders from start to finish. It provided valuable insights into their manufacturing costs and enabled them to streamline their product delivery timeline. The company experienced an increase in production and profits as a result of using Fishbowl Inventory.

Expert Opinion on Choosing Between Skubana and Fishbowl Inventory

The choice between Skubana and Fishbowl Inventory depends on the scope and nature of your business. According to market research firm Gartner, Skubana is an excellent choice for mid-size businesses looking for an all-in-one operations software suite. In contrast, Fishbowl Inventory is best suited for smaller enterprises that require an on-premise solution. However, both software options are continuously improving their features and integrations, making them worth considering in the long run.