Seamless Workflow Automation, Mobility, and Process Monitoring

Inventory management systems have evolved to meet the growing demand for real-time data, streamlined operations, and increased automation in 2025. Cloud-based solutions like Cloud Inventory (formerly known as DSI) have been industry standards, offering businesses comprehensive control over their inventory.

However, with the rapid technological advancements and the need for more customized solutions, businesses are exploring alternatives to better suit their specific needs.

Understanding DSI and the Need for Alternatives

Cloud Inventory (DSI) is a platform that enables businesses to easily build, manage, and scale cloud-based applications using simple, low-code tools. With DSI’s cloud-based inventory management features, businesses can streamline their supply chain operations by tracking inventory in real time, forecasting demand, and efficiently managing orders.

However, businesses are often driven to seek alternatives due to:

  • Complexity for Non-Technical Users: DSI can be difficult for non-developers to fully utilize.
  • Cost and Pricing Model Limitations: Smaller organizations may find the pricing structure too rigid or expensive.
  • Industry-Specific Limitations: DSI may not meet the unique needs of every industry, particularly those requiring specialized features.
  • Integration Challenges: Integrating DSI with third-party applications or legacy systems can be complex.
Key Considerations When Evaluating DSI Alternatives

When exploring alternatives to DSI, here are key factors to consider:

  • Ease of Use: Look for platforms that are intuitive and accessible to both technical and non-technical users.
  • Customization and Flexibility: Ensure the platform can adapt to your specific business requirements without heavy coding.
  • Integration Capabilities: The ability to seamlessly integrate with existing systems and third-party applications is crucial.
  • Governance and Security Features: Strong security measures and compliance standards are essential to protect sensitive data.
  • Pricing Transparency: A clear and flexible pricing model that suits your organization’s scale and budget is key.
1. Swift – No-Code, Multi-Cloud ERP & App Automation

Swift is a no-code app automation platform that empowers organizations to rapidly build and deploy inventory management solutions. Swift excels at seamlessly integrating with existing business systems, like JD Edwards, and allows users to build custom applications without any coding knowledge. 

With its intuitive drag-and-drop interface, Swift makes it possible for both technical and non-technical users to automate inventory processes effectively.

Why Swift?
  • No-Code Flexibility: Unlike DSI, which requires technical expertise, Swift allows users to build custom solutions without writing a single line of code.
  • Seamless Integration: Where DSI may require complex integrations, Swift provides out-of-the-box integrations with ERP systems like JD Edwards, making it much easier to connect existing tools.
  • Scalability and Flexibility: While DSI might not scale efficiently for rapidly growing businesses, Swift adapts to business needs, whether you’re a small startup or a large enterprise.
2. Creatio – Great for CRM & Workflow Automation

Creatio offers CRM solutions and workflow automation tools designed for small to mid-sized businesses. While it’s excellent for managing customer relationships and automating internal processes, its focus on CRM limits its capabilities for companies seeking a full-featured cloud inventory management system.

Why Creatio?
  • Broader Use Cases: While Creatio excels in CRM and workflow automation, Swift goes beyond these limitations, providing solutions that encompass inventory management, order tracking, and other key business functions.
  • Enterprise-Level Flexibility: Creatio may be suited for smaller organizations but doesn’t scale as effectively for large enterprises with complex inventory needs. Swift is designed to scale with your business, handling complex workflows as your organization grows.
3. Appian – Best for Business Process Management

Appian is a strong player in the business process management space, focusing on optimizing workflows and automating tasks. However, Appian’s steep learning curve can be a barrier for non-technical users, making it difficult to quickly adopt for teams without specialized skills.

Why Appian?
  • Ease of Use: While Appian is powerful, Swift offers a much more user-friendly interface that requires no coding experience, making it more accessible for a wider range of users.
  • Comprehensive Functionality: Where Appian focuses primarily on process management, Swift provides a comprehensive suite of tools for inventory management, order tracking, and supply chain optimization—all in one platform.
4. OutSystems - Developer-Focused Platform

OutSystems is an enterprise-grade platform designed for developers, providing a high level of customization and control over application development. However, it can overwhelm non-technical users, making it challenging for teams without developer resources to fully leverage its capabilities.

Why OutSystems?
  • No-Code Development: Unlike OutSystems, Swift allows both technical and non-technical users to create and deploy applications without any coding knowledge, reducing dependency on IT resources.
  • Faster Time-to-Market: Swift’s no-code approach allows businesses to build and launch inventory management solutions far faster than OutSystems’ developer-heavy process.
5. Pega – Focused on Digital Process Automation

Pega is well-known for its digital process automation capabilities, particularly for IT-focused workflows. While Pega excels in automating complex IT processes, it is often over-engineered for businesses that need a simple, scalable inventory management solution.

Why Pega?
  • Flexibility for Various Departments: While Pega is excellent for IT, Swift offers broader support for business processes beyond IT, enabling inventory management, customer service, finance, and more in a single platform.
  • User-Friendly Interface: Pega’s interface can be intimidating for non-technical users, whereas Swift is designed to be intuitive and easy to use for everyone in the organization.
6. Zoho Creator – Affordable Low-Code Development

Zoho Creator is a popular choice for small businesses looking for a low-cost entry into the low-code development space. While it’s suitable for basic inventory management applications, Zoho Creator lacks the advanced features and scalability that larger organizations need.

Why Zoho Creator?
  • Advanced Features and Scalability: While Zoho Creator may work for small businesses, Swift offers enterprise-grade features like real-time inventory updates, advanced analytics, and multi-location support that can scale as your business grows.
  • Greater Customization: Swift provides far more customization options, allowing businesses to tailor their inventory processes to unique business needs without complex development.
7. Oracle APEX – Best for SQL-Driven Development

Oracle APEX is a powerful platform for businesses deeply embedded in the Oracle ecosystem. It’s especially effective for SQL-driven applications but lacks the mobile-first and cross-platform features that modern businesses demand.

Why Oracle APEX?
  • Mobile and Cross-Platform Support: Unlike Oracle APEX, Swift is optimized for mobile devices and can be accessed on multiple platforms, making it ideal for businesses that need flexibility and mobility in their inventory management processes.
  • Intuitive Interface: While Oracle APEX may require SQL expertise, Swift’s user-friendly interface is designed for people with no technical background, making it easier to develop inventory solutions without relying on IT teams.
8. Microsoft Power Apps – Seamless Integration with Microsoft Tools

Microsoft Power Apps is great for organizations that rely heavily on Microsoft tools like Office 365, Teams, and Azure. It’s ideal for companies looking to build apps that integrate within the Microsoft ecosystem but may fall short when it comes to cross-platform integrations.

Why Microsoft Power Apps?
  • Broader Integrations: While Power Apps integrates well with Microsoft tools, Swift supports a wider range of third-party integrations and legacy systems, allowing businesses to connect their inventory management solutions with more tools and platforms.
  • No-Code Flexibility: Power Apps still requires some coding knowledge for advanced applications, whereas Swift’s no-code interface allows all users to design and deploy inventory solutions with minimal training.
9. ServiceNow – Excellent for IT Service Management

ServiceNow specializes in IT service management (ITSM), providing solutions for handling IT incidents, requests, and workflows. While it’s highly effective for IT departments, ServiceNow’s focus on IT processes limits its applicability in broader business functions, including inventory management.

Why ServiceNow?
  • Business-Wide Automation: Swift goes beyond IT service management, enabling businesses to automate inventory management, procurement, and order fulfillment across departments.
  • Scalability and Flexibility: Swift offers the scalability to support both small businesses and large enterprises, making it a more versatile option for organizations with diverse needs.
10. Salesforce Lightning – Best for CRM Solutions

Salesforce Lightning is a powerful low-code platform designed for building CRM solutions. It’s ideal for businesses focused on customer relationship management but doesn’t support broader business automation or inventory management.

Why Salesforce Lightning?
  • Broader Capabilities: While Salesforce Lightning excels in CRM, Swift allows businesses to build comprehensive inventory management solutions, automate supply chain processes, and handle more complex workflows across various departments.
  • No-Code Advantage: Swift’s no-code approach makes it more accessible to users without technical expertise, while Salesforce Lightning still requires some degree of customization.
11. Unqork – No-Code Platform for Regulated Industries

Unqork is a leading no-code platform for businesses in highly regulated industries like finance and healthcare. While it excels in compliance and security, it may be overkill for companies outside these industries, and its scalability is often limited.

Why Unqork?
  • Broader Industry Support: While Unqork is tailored for regulated sectors, Swift is designed to support a wide range of industries, from retail to manufacturing, offering flexibility that caters to businesses across verticals.
  • Ease of Use: Swift is designed to be intuitive and user-friendly, making it accessible to organizations that may not have the same regulatory concerns as those served by Unqork.
12. Kissflow – Simple Workflow Automation

Kissflow offers basic workflow automation and is ideal for small businesses looking to streamline operations. However, it lacks the advanced features needed for larger, more complex inventory management systems.

Why Kissflow?
  • Comprehensive Features: While Kissflow focuses on simple automation, Swift offers advanced features for managing inventory, optimizing supply chain processes, and integrating with other business systems.
  • Scalability: Swift scales to meet the needs of growing businesses, while Kissflow is limited in its capacity to support large-scale operations.
Why Swift is the Best DSI Alternative in 2025

When it comes to choosing a cloud inventory solution, Swift from Ephlux stands out as the top alternative to DSI. Its no-code platform, seamless integrations, and flexibility make it ideal for businesses of all sizes. 

Swift empowers both technical and non-technical users to automate inventory management processes, scale with ease, and integrate with a wide range of third-party tools, offering a comprehensive solution that outperforms many of its competitors. 

Choose Swift for a Future-Proof Solution

Whether you’re looking to simplify workflows or implement a robust supply chain management solution, Swift is the best choice to drive efficiency and future-proof your operations.

The Ultimate Guide to No-Code Automation

For JD Edwards Users​

Are You Facing Challenges with your JD Edwards ERP system? Discover how no-code automation can transform your business operations, increase agility, and reduce technical debt in 2025

FAQ’s

Swift Flow acts as a complementary tool to JD Edwards Orchestrator, enabling businesses to integrate mobility and multi-cloud environments seamlessly. It extends Orchestrator’s process automation capabilities by enabling real-time data synchronization and providing mobile-first solutions.

Orchestrator automates internal business processes, while Swift enables businesses to create mobile apps and portals that interact with Orchestrator’s automated workflows. This integration ensures smooth, efficient data flow and allows employees to manage processes on-the-go.

Swift enhances JD Edwards mobility by enabling the rapid creation of mobile apps that integrate seamlessly with JD Edwards E1. These apps provide real-time data updates, streamline approvals, and empower remote workers with the ability to access critical business information from anywhere.