Bellwether Purchasing Review: Pros, Cons, Features
Bellwether offers a customized approach that’s well-suited for small to medium-sized businesses. While the Enterprise plan’s interface looks traditional, it integrates with a variety of third-party platforms like QuickBooks and Sage Intacct. Its modular, à la carte structure is also convenient for those who prefer customizable solutions.
We found Bellwether’s offerings quite cost-effective, providing access to key features without requiring a more expensive plan. While a consultation is required to receive pricing information, Bellwether can handle up to 1,000 purchase orders per month, making it a reliable choice for any business in its target range.
- Seamless integrations with QuickBooks and Sage Intacct, plus APIs for other ERP systems
- Unlimited Purchase Orders
- Inventory management features, including status inquiries based on item codes
- Dedicated tech personnel during business hours
- Outdated user interface on Enterprise plan (will be updating soon)
- Must schedule consultation for pricing information
- There are some glitches in the lookup features
- Developer Bellwether Software LLC
- Client OS Windows, iOS, Android
- Deployment Cloud Hosted
What is Bellwether Software?
Bellwether, formerly ePMX, is a cloud-based software streamlining procurement and inventory management, with integrations to leading software like QuickBooks, Sage Intacct, SAP, Oracle, and Microsoft Dynamics.
It offers features such as purchase order and supplier management, inventory tracking, requisition workflows, and analytics for spending trends and cost reduction. Catering to industries including healthcare, manufacturing, education, and hospitality, it provides tailored solutions for each.
Our Ratings
| Usability - 7.4 | Simple, intuitive interface but needs an update; Some tasks may require technical support to learn; Most functions are well integrated, creating a PO from an approved requisition can be more streamlined - users must manually search for approved requisitions. |
| Support - 9.2 | It is easy to find the help center and contact information for customer support; Email and phone support (no chat); Dedicated support person; Support available during regular business hours. |
| Scalability - 9 | Mobile app; Has all the main features we would expect from purchasing software; Some features are somewhat cumbersome to use; Businesses can add new modules as needed. |
| Security - 8.8 | Two-factor authentication, SSO; Lowest plan does not have role-based user access. |
| Value - 7.5 | Pricing available by request; Ala-Carte style pricing based on modules; Most vital features not hidden behind expensive plan; Role-based access not available in Essential plan. |
| Performance - 8.5 | Software is fast and responsive; Tasks like creating a purchase order from an approved requisition could be more streamlined. |
| Key Features - 8 | Most tasks accomplish what we expect; Software unexpectedly jumps from Receiving to a form in Inventory for creating new inventory items. |
Pricing Plans
| Plan | Pricing | Features |
| Starter | Custom Pricing |
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| Growth | Custom Pricing |
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| Enterprise | Custom Pricing |
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FAQ’s
How easy is it to integrate Bellwether Purchasing Software with existing systems?
The software is designed to be flexible and customizable, meaning it can integrate with various existing systems. As a result, the ease and success of integration can vary depending on the specific systems a business uses.
What kind of customer support does Bellwether offer?
Bellwether provides customer support via several channels, including phone, email, and live chat. It also offers online tutorials and self-help resources.
Alternatives
Summary
We recommend Bellwether Purchasing Software to companies seeking modular, ala carte-style software tailored to their business needs. Its feature suite includes purchase order management, supplier management, inventory tracking, and requisition workflows. This software also offers powerful analytics tools that provide valuable insights into spending trends to aid in strategic decision-making and cost reduction.
Despite its strengths, Bellwether might not be ideal for companies preferring all-inclusive package plans. While offering benefits such as seamless integrations, unlimited purchase orders, comprehensive inventory management, and dedicated tech support, we would like to see improvements to streamline tasks like creating a purchase order from an approved requisition.
The Enterprise plan’s interface could use a facelift, although an update is in the works. Consultation is required to receive pricing information. Additionally, the software’s lowest plan lacks role-based user access.
User Reviews of Bellwether Purchasing
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A small financial investment upfront pays for itself
Since centralization and implementation of Bellwether Purchasing Software, employees cannot simply buy what they want. Now they are more informed. We have tools. We have better contract com- pliance, and we know what we spend. Bellwether Purchasing Software is a small investment, considering the ROI. A small financial investment upfront pays for itself many times over in the long run.
Bellwether allows me to look back and see EXACTLY what was ordered
As a fundrasier, I have to keep track of a myriad of details for our fundraising events, and it has to be PERFECT! Bellwether allows me to look back and see EXACTLY what was ordered and from what vendor, which not only aids in my tracking of expenses but helps tremendously when planning recurring events.
Bellwether Purchasing Review
What I notice is the big difference with Bellwether software, it is written by people that were apparently in purchasing, they were hands on, and get how it works.
