SPS Commerce provides cloud-based supply chain management solutions that help businesses streamline their retail operations. Founded in 1987 as St. Paul Software and rebranded in 2001, the company now connects over 120,000 trading partners across 85 countries.
The platform offers various tools to simplify supply chain processes, including EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) solutions, product data management, and analytics. Its core functionality focuses on automating document exchanges, managing inventory, and maintaining compliance with trading partner requirements.
Businesses can use SPS Commerce to handle omnichannel retail operations, from traditional brick-and-mortar stores to digital marketplaces. The software integrates with existing ERP systems and includes features for vendor onboarding, inventory tracking, and order automation.
While pricing starts at $20 per month, specific costs depend on individual business needs and required features. The company provides customer support through its Training Center and dedicated support teams, helping users maximize their supply chain efficiency.
SPS Commerce offers a mixed bag of experiences for business users. While many appreciate its user-friendly interface and strong integration capabilities, some customers find the platform challenging. Users consistently praise its customer support and ability to streamline operations, but occasionally criticize communication processes and overall cost-effectiveness.
The platform seems to work well for some businesses, particularly those seeking customizable EDI solutions. However, technical limitations like manual document generation and potential communication hiccups during system migrations might frustrate some users. Overall, the feedback suggests SPS Commerce is solid but not without its potential drawbacks.
SPS Commerce is a cloud-based supply chain management platform that helps businesses automate and streamline their retail operations. It's ideal for suppliers, retailers, distributors, and 3PLs who need to exchange data with trading partners. If you regularly deal with purchase orders, invoices, shipping notices, or inventory updates with multiple retailers or vendors, SPS Commerce can save you tons of time by automating these processes. Companies of all sizes use it, but it's especially helpful for growing businesses that need to meet retail compliance requirements.
How does SPS Commerce's EDI solution work?SPS Commerce's EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) solution works by translating your business documents into standardized formats that your trading partners can receive and process automatically. When a retailer sends you a purchase order, SPS receives it, converts it to your preferred format, and delivers it to your system. You can then send back invoices, shipping notices, and other documents through SPS, which converts them to your partner's required format. The whole process happens without manual data entry, cutting down on errors and saving time. SPS handles the technical details, mapping, and trading partner requirements so you don't have to.
Do I need technical expertise to use SPS Commerce?You don't need to be a tech wizard to use SPS Commerce. The platform is designed to be user-friendly, with intuitive interfaces and guided workflows. SPS also offers a full-service approach, which means they handle the complex technical stuff like EDI mapping, testing, and maintenance. Their team will walk you through setup and provide training for your staff. That said, having someone on your team who understands your business processes will help during implementation. The learning curve isn't steep, and most users get comfortable with the system quickly.
How long does it take to implement SPS Commerce?Implementation time varies based on your business needs and how many trading partners you're connecting with. A basic setup with a few trading partners might take 2-4 weeks, while more complex implementations with many connections could take 2-3 months. SPS assigns you an implementation specialist who guides you through the process. They'll help map your documents, test connections, and train your team. The good news is that you can start with one trading partner and add more over time, so you don't have to wait for full implementation to start seeing benefits.
What kind of support does SPS Commerce provide?SPS Commerce offers multi-layered support that includes a dedicated customer success team, technical support, and self-service resources. You get access to their Training Center with how-to guides and videos. Their support team is available by phone, email, and live chat to help with any issues. Many customers mention that SPS assigns specific account managers who understand their business and can provide personalized assistance. They also offer optional premium support packages for businesses that need more hands-on help or extended hours coverage. The level of support you receive may vary based on your service package.
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