Our Verdict…

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.

8.3
Our Rating
based on our expert editorial analysis
10.0
User Rating
based on 3 user reviews
Pros:
  • 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
  • Lots of PunchOut options
Cons:
  • Outdated user interface on Enterprise plan (will be updating soon)
  • Must schedule consultation for pricing information
Price Range Learn More
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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.

Pros Cons
  • 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
  • Lots of PunchOut options
  • Outdated user interface on Enterprise plan (will be updating soon)
  • Must schedule consultation for pricing information

Who Is It For?

Bellwether’s procurement software is a fantastic solution for small to medium-sized businesses, comfortably catering to anywhere between 1 to 1000 users. Its sweet spot lies with organizations making an annual revenue of $1m to $50m, although it’s versatile enough to serve companies generating up to $1 billion.

This software finds itself at home in a wide range of industries, including, but not limited to, hospitality, manufacturing, biotechnology, nonprofits, banking, and construction. Regardless of the sector, Bellwether can handle the demands of up to 1,000 purchase orders per month, making it a sturdy and reliable choice for any business in its target range.

This software is a replacement for ePMX.

Our Ratings

Usability - 7.4 Simple intuitive interface but needs update; Some tasks may require technical support to learn; Most functions 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 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
Essential Custom Pricing
  • Automated workflows
  • Requisitions, purchasing, receiving, invoicing
  • Punchouts
  • 2-way and 3-way matching
  • Inventory management
  • Full support and training
  • System help docs and videos
Professional Custom Pricing
  • All features in Essential plan
  • Multi-corps/entities
  • Permission based
Enterprise Custom Pricing
  • All features in Professional plan
  • Quotations (RFQ's)
  • Contract & asset management

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions online about Bellwether Software:

Is Bellwether Purchasing Software suitable for small businesses?

Yes, Bellwether Purchasing Software is suitable for businesses of all sizes, from small to large enterprises. Its scalable design allows it to adapt to different sizes and types of companies. However, smaller businesses might find the initial costs high, and it’s advisable to evaluate the software against specific needs and budgets.

How easy is it to integrate Bellwether Purchasing Software with existing systems?

Bellwether Purchasing 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. They also offer online tutorials and resources for self-help.

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Summary

We recommend Bellwether Purchasing Software to companies seeking modular, ala carte-style software tailored to their business needs. It facilitates streamlined procurement and purchasing processes with seamless integrations with software like QuickBooks Online and Desktop, Sage Intacct, and leading ERP solutions such as SAP, Oracle, and Microsoft Dynamics.

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 interface of the Enterprise plan could use a facelift, although an update is in the works, and consultation is required to receive pricing information. Additionally, the software’s lowest plan lacks role-based user access.

Bellwether Purchasing
★★★★★
★★★★★
(3)
Bellwether is a cloud-based software streamlining procurement and inventory management, with integrations to leading software like QuickBooks, Sage Intacct, SAP, Oracle, and Microsoft Dynamics.
Price Range
   $     $     $     $     $   
   $     $     $     $     $   
Client OS
Windows, iOS, Android
Deployment
Cloud Hosted

User Reviews of Bellwether Purchasing

★★★★★
★★★★★
Submitted on March 17th, 2020 by Louis Nicolosi

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.

★★★★★
★★★★★
Submitted on March 17th, 2020 by Jeannie Robinson-Pownell

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.

★★★★★
★★★★★
Submitted on March 17th, 2020 by Carol Meador

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.