Stock and inventory software features

Month after month, your software gathers information about your products, where they are, how fast or slow they're selling, where they're placed in the store, and many other data sets.

With this information, you can eventually predict what customers will do next, which gives you more opportunities to sell. One of the most important parts of using data that's gathered is visualizing it. Good inventory systems auto-populates tables and custom reports, so you can easily understand what your data is telling you.

If an item is decreasing in popularity and is about to become a space-waster on your shelves, this software can help you spot those items so you can put them on clearance and discontinue it. Not only can you find out which items aren't bringing you the revenue you need, but you can also reduce theft. You can figure out precisely where products are getting stolen from or broken so you can put them behind glass doors or try other security methods.

This software can prevent so much loss while it increases profitability. It's important to know that not all inventory management solutions are created equal, and there are dozens of software brands out there with unique features. Make sure that the software you select is as easy to use as Simple Inventory Management Software.

Free software typically doesn't come with all of the features unlocked, and you have to upgrade to get the most out of it. Paid programs are obviously going to offer deeper insights, but they aren't always affordable for small businesses. Some programs have multiple free features that can do a lot for your business, but the additional features unlocked after upgrading aren't that much better.

When you're ready to upgrade to a better program, you'll have to transfer all the data and start again. Therefore, it's best to choose a program that will give you great free and paid features. You don't want to have to pay somebody to go through your free program and copy everything over to a better-paid program when you can just run your credit card number to unlock the improved features and be done with it.

How much data is your software gathering about your business? Do they sell your business information to marketers? Some programs run ads and will gather and sell your contact information to marketers, so make sure you read the terms of service and opt-out of having your information sold to the highest bidder.

Odoo lets you track inventory, does forecasting, and has a sales and a customer portal. It als0 features order reminders and automates bid requests. Zoho is cloud-based and accessible from anywhere. It has the capability to help you build product kits and track your supplies for that in addition to all other inventory.

There are ecommerce integrations and shipping management tools that help you to become a better ecommerce seller. Square is user-friendly with unlimited products, and it comes with extra options for labeling different colors, sizes, etc. It's synchronized across mobile platforms, desktops, and in-store sales so you can get the information you need in real-time.

Boxstorm reads barcodes and lets you apply an entire action to the whole list of items. The program also counts sales cycles, automates re-orders, and works well with accounting programs. Skyware Inventory is a web based inventory system that allow you to upload multiple images of your products, as well as setup barcodes, sku's and more. Ecommerce inventory systems need to support accurate inventory controls and automated processes that deliver products to customers without interruption. Accounting integrations that incorporate online payment processing, email invoicing and inventory tracking are popular ecommerce features.

Before evaluating specific features, ask the following questions:. Do you need to upgrade to a new, integrated system? Would integrating standalone inventory management applications using web services or an API to your existing systems be sufficient? For example, ask vendors about third-party integrations for your current accounting software before considering investing in a new platform that requires training and implementation across multiple business units. Be sure to plan for the installation and training of staff on the new features.

With this in mind, ask potential providers about outside vendor support contracts and training for your team. Do you have the existing IT infrastructure and expertise to handle an in-house rollout, or will you need to outsource it? Designate someone to help with that. Be sure to ask about hidden fees you might not anticipate when comparing systems. Questions to ask include:. Use this downloadable PDF checklist to review the requirements for your business.

An inventory management system can automate processes, improve inventory practices and help keeps customers happy by always having the goods they want in stock. Decision-makers have a lot of options, and picking the right solution takes time, research and asking smart questions.

NetSuite has answers and a variety of tools that can help make the process easier. NetSuite offers a suite of inventory management and control features including multi-location inventory management, warehouse and fulfillment management, automated stock replenishment, lot and serial tracking and cycle counting.

Learn more about how you can use NetSuite to manage inventory automatically, reduce handling costs and increase cash flow. Business Solutions Glossary of Terms. August 26, What Is an Inventory Management System? Automation for eliminating manual processes of business functions related to inventory management.

A reliable, secure database that provides accurate, real-time data. Using a system like Zoho Inventory can help you grow more efficiently, while taking care of all of your end-to-end inventory management needs including tracking, multiple sales platforms and warehouses, vendor management, reports, and integrations. Take our free trial and find out how Zoho Inventory can help streamline your inventory management processes.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. Hi Bharat, Unfortunately, this is not something we offer. Please contact us at support zoho-inventory. Learn More. Guides 4 min read 2 comments. Reading Time: 4 minutes Inventory software , also known as an inventory management system, is a solution that allows businesses to track, organize, and oversee all of their inventory, as well as their inventory-related processes. How can inventory management software benefit you?

Improved inventory turnover rate One of the biggest advantages of using inventory software is that you can control your inventory turnover rate. Organized warehouse Inventory software can also simplify your processes by organizing your warehouse or stockroo. Reduced costs Inventory software can save you from unnecessary costs.

What features do inventory management software typically offer? Shipment tracking Shipment tracking is used to check the location of shipments that you have sent to your customers.

Inventory reports This feature gives you detailed reports on your inventory, sales, and operations to help you make important decisions. Barcode scanning Warehouses typically label each item they store for easy identification.

How is Inventory Tracked? Switch to cloud-based warehouse management with Zoho Inventory. What is Inventory Tracking? Mira Natarajan Content Marketer. Cancel reply.