October 19, 2022   / Uncategorized

Checklist to Find the Best Inventory Management System

2 minutes Read

An inventory management system is a combination of tech and various procedures that support the maintenance and monitoring of stocked items. It is a way in which sellers can organize and oversee the stocking of products and raw materials in the inventory. It helps them organize how products or raw materials need to be sent out to vendors and buyers. 

Be it a small-scale business or a large-scale business, it is important to get a hold of the materials and products you have to avoid waste of money and resources. Here is how you can choose the best inventory management system for your business from different types of products. 

What are the business requirements?

When deciding which program is best for you, it’s a good idea first to consider the requirements and difficulties facing your company. Could it be that your small firm is expanding more slowly than anticipated or that you’ve outgrown an antiquated enterprise resource planning or inventory management system?

Are supply levels erratic throughout your sales channels, or perhaps you’re using up product more quickly than you anticipated? Do you have the capacity to manage inventory KPIs in order to achieve your goals, or do you need to increase tracking in order always to be aware of the location of your units?

Locating your pain points and determining the capabilities your inventory management software must have will be made easier by asking yourself questions about your existing problems.

Do you need a cloud-based or server-based inventory? 

Even though cloud deployment has long been a staple, many businesses still invest in on-site, server-based management systems. 

It’s crucial to think about whether a server-based or cloud-based inventory management system would be more advantageous for you while looking for a new inventory management software to deploy.

Do you wish to save money on major capital expenses by using cloud-based software instead of owning your program and server locally? It’s a good idea to consider your selections in addition to your unique requirements so you can decide which is best for you.

What is your inventory management policy? 

Your product flow, cost tracking, and loss or shortfall avoidance are all governed by your inventory control policy. If your policy hasn’t evolved along with the expansion of your business, an update may be necessary. A well-defined policy, such as FIFO: first in first out, can maximize the effectiveness of your supply chain and fulfillment processes.

Considering factors like product cost, lead time, handling needs, and other policy requirements will help you choose the inventory management software that is most appropriate for your company.

What additional features do you require? 

The ideal software should be cost-effective and perform the tasks you need it to, so it makes sense to assess it for scalability, capability, and quality (as much as price). Consequently, it is crucial to identify the extra characteristics needed to manage your firm.

Do you require lot control, RFID, serialization, or barcode stock tracking? Or are there requirements unique to your industry that you must adhere to? Will your employees be scanning barcodes with mobile devices? 

Maybe you require detailed information on your inventory across all warehouses or wholesalers or real-time visibility into the availability of your products.

That’s all for now. What other points do you have on your checklist?

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