Common Implementation Models

Integrated ERP-centered model

The ERP is the system of record for suppliers, items, purchase orders, receipts, inventory balances, costing, and financial postings. Specialized applications may be added for advanced planning, warehouse, transportation, or omnichannel execution.

Best suited for: organizations prioritizing standardized processes and financial control.

Best-of-breed ecosystem

Planning, procurement, WMS, TMS, OMS, supplier collaboration, and visibility applications are selected independently and connected through APIs, EDI, middleware, or an integration platform.

Best suited for: complex networks requiring specialized capabilities.

Control-tower model

Operational systems remain in place, but data is consolidated into a visibility and analytics layer that manages exceptions, scenarios, alerts, and cross-functional decisions.

Best suited for: global, multi-enterprise supply networks with limited end-to-end visibility.

3PL or 4PL managed-service model

An external provider operates warehousing, transportation, fulfillment, or broader orchestration, while the customer retains governance, commercial strategy, and performance management.

Best suited for: companies seeking variable capacity, geographic reach, or lower internal operating complexity.

Platform and network model

Suppliers, carriers, distributors, and customers transact through a shared network for orders, forecasts, shipping notices, invoices, inventory, and shipment events.

Best suited for: industries with many trading partners and high transaction volumes.