SOS Inventory Review: Pros, Cons, Features
We like SOS Inventory for small to midsize businesses because of its integration with QuickBooks Online, user-friendly interface, and affordable price. We found the system to be pretty easy to navigate, with most actions on one screen within just a few clicks.
However, SOS Inventory may not be the best option for large enterprises and corporations that require a more complex and customized ERP system. Additionally, we found the implementation process time-consuming and challenging without support.
- Integrates with QuickBooks Online, ShipStation, and Shopify
- Affordable pricing for SMBs
- Mobile app for warehouse inventory management
- Setup can be time-consuming and a bit confusing without support
- Only Plus and Pro users can access phone and email support
- Developer Saddle Oak Software
- Client OS
- Deployment Cloud Hosted
What Is SOS Inventory?
SOS Inventory is an inventory management app specializing in streamlining inventory control, order management, and manufacturing operations. This software integrates with QuickBooks Online, allowing a two-way synchronization of inventory, sales, and purchase data. Other key features of this software include inventory tracking across multiple warehouses, low stock alerts, barcode scanning, and inventory adjustments on shortages and overages.
Our Ratings
| Usability - 10 | Dashboard is well organized and easy to navigate; includes separate ‘modules’ for purchasing, inventory, sales, and fulfillment; integrates with QuickBooks Online, with vendors, customers, and inventory data quickly and easily populating into SOS Inventory’s system; the settings toolbar allows users to set up and integrate with UPS, PayPal, and more within just a few clicks; all tasks can be completed on one screen within a few clicks. |
| Support - 6.5 | Technical support is available via phone and email during normal business hours (9 am. - 6 pm CT); only Plus and Pro plans can access phone support; upon signing up, users can schedule a demo or have access to a virtual demo; users also have access to topic videos and support tools. |
| Scalability - 9 | Supports numerous integrations, including QuickBooks Online, Shopify, BigCommerce, MindCloud, UPS, and ShipStation; can integrate with IoT and real-time location systems to provide cold storage warehouse management capabilities; allows for easy upgrades from plan to plan; has great scalability for growing small businesses, handling up to 40,000 inventory items; allows mobile access on iOS. |
| Security - 7 | Multi-factor authentication can be integrated through a third-party service like SAASPASS; allows users to export data in common formats like CSV and Excel but not PDF. |
| Value - 9 | Offers a free 14-day trial for users to try out plans before committing; Companion plan starts at $59.95 per month for two users; prices increase when additional users are added to a plan; highly affordable compared to other inventory management software like Fishbowl and inFlow. |
| Performance - 8 | Responds quickly to adding new data; however, switching between modules results in a slight lag. |
| Key Features - 10 | Users can set up alerts if they are low on inventory or have upcoming orders due; real-time inventory tracking across multiple warehouses and locations; sales rep tracking; supports partial shipping of orders; barcode scanning for fast and accurate inventory counts; inventory adjustments to account for overages, damages, and shortages; temperature and humidity monitoring with alerts; lot tracking and food traceability; sales order management and order fulfillment capabilities; can create to-do lists. |
Who Uses SOS Inventory?
SOS Inventory offers numerous features catering to various sectors including manufacturers and distributors. It best suits smaller companies who want to integrate their inventory management data with QuickBooks accounting software. This could also benefit companies with a limited budget and not wanting to invest in a new ERP system.
How Do You Add a New Invoice to the SOS Inventory?
To add a new invoice to SOS Inventory, follow the steps below:
- Head to your sales tab, then click on ‘Sales Orders.’
- In the upper right-hand corner, there will be a purple ‘Add New’ button. Click on it.
- Here, you can start a new invoice. Choose the customer, add their billing and shipping address, the item, quantity, tax, and more.
- You can also add a customer message and comments.
The software automatically updates inventory levels when invoicing a customer to ensure accurate tracking of inventory levels and sales data.
What Features Are Missing?
- Advanced ERP features: SOS Inventory isn’t a full-fledged ERP system, therefore, some advanced features, such as HR management and supply chain management, aren’t included. The software is primarily focused on inventory management and integrating with QuickBooks Online.
- Phone support across all plans: Although SOS Inventory does offer phone support, the phone number is only given to Plus and Pro users. Companion users could view this as a drawback as there is likely a longer wait period to receive the answers to their questions.
SOS Inventory Pricing Plans
SOS Inventory offers plans as a monthly subscription based on the number of users per platform. It has a Companion, Plus, and Pro plan, which offers three separate packages. Companion plans include general purchasing, inventory, fulfillment, and sales capabilities. The software also offers a 14-day free trial to all users who are looking for a tool to manage their inventory and orders.
| Plan | Pricing | Features |
| Companion (2 users) | $59.95 per month, $20 each per additional user | Starter Plan Features include:
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| Plus (3 users) | $119.95 per month, $20 each per additional user | Includes all Companion features, plus:
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| Pro (5 users) | $169.95 per month, $20 each per additional user | Includes all Plus features, plus:
|
Who is SOS Inventory For?
SOS Inventory is best for SMBs with 1-50 employees that require inventory and order management. The software caters to various sectors but is most popular with manufacturers and distributors, such as craft beer distributors, aircraft manufacturers, and resellers. However, manufacturers should utilize the Pro plan of SOS Inventory as it offers extensive features, including WIP, labor tracking, work orders, contract manufacturing, job cost accounting, and variable-yield manufacturing.
How Do You Connect SOS Inventory to QuickBooks Online?
Connecting QuickBooks to SOS Inventory is quick and effortless:
- In the SOS Inventory, under the settings tab, click ‘QuickBooks Setup’. Select ‘Connect to QuickBooks’ button.
- You’ll be prompted to fill out your login information.
- Select which QuickBooks account you want to connect with SOS Inventory.
- Click ‘Authorize’ to allow SOS Inventory to access your QuickBooks.
- Check your QuickBooks sync settings to ensure it’s set up for automatic sync frequency.
Alternatives
Summary
After utilizing SOS Inventory’s 14-day free trial, we recommend it for small to midsize businesses as this software is user-friendly and highly affordable for smaller teams. The platform offers real-time tracking of stock levels, inventory valuation across all warehouses, purchase order management, sales order fulfillment, and extensive reporting. With free online group customer training and demos, new users can easily adjust to their new system.
SOS Inventory is primarily used by distributors and manufacturers in the food and beverage sectors, as well as retailers, warehousing, and resellers. However, it’s not a good fit for large corporations and enterprises that need more complex features. Overall, SOS Inventory helps small and midsize businesses streamline their inventory, manufacturing, and ordering processes.
User Reviews of SOS Inventory
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