For small businesses of all varieties—construction businesses, medical practices, event companies, and more—inventory control can mean the difference between a profitable month and a problematic one. But as you search for an inventory solution, you might start to feel like Goldilocks. This one is too complicated…the other one doesn’t have enough functionality. The expensive one is tailored to your industry, and the affordable one barely meets your needs. How can you identify software that is “just right”—software that helps businesses stay organized but is also simple to use and cost-effective?
Here are the 9 features every business should look for in an inventory control software:
1. The Software Is Fully Functional On Every Device
Odds are you aren’t sitting behind a desk all day. What good is inventory software if it only runs on a desktop computer? The right inventory software should work seamlessly on all devices, from iPhones and Androids to tablets and traditional PCs. Simply, it should go where you go and work where you work.
2. Get Alerts For Dwindling Stock Levels And More
You shouldn’t have to perform constant manual audits to discover low stock levels. Choose an inventory management system that notifies you when you’re running low on your must-haves. Insist on an app that sends you customized low-stock alerts, so you can reorder before business is affected.
3. Even Your Least Tech-Savvy Employees Can Use It
Are you interested in software that requires long hours of training from some IT guru…for you AND your entire team? Probably not. Look for inventory management software that was built for regular people, not data scientists. Inventory control software only actually saves time and money when the people who need to use it can figure it out in a snap.
4. You Can Learn Where Anything Is At Any Given Time
Your inventory probably isn’t sitting neatly in a little supply closet, waiting to be tallied up. Exemplary inventory control software helps your business stay organized even when your stuff is ALL OVER THE PLACE. You should be able to sort and search by location—whether your inventory is in businesses, truck beds, storage units, or your own basement. Extra points if the software syncs automatically, so you can find the location of an item at the crack of dawn (when you’re in business mode but your manager hasn’t even clocked in).
5. Customizable To Your Business Needs And Processes
Look for an inventory control solution that has customizable fields for your items. A medical office needs totally different inventory info than a general contractor…customization is key! You should be able to record details like where an item was purchased, how much you paid for it, how to get in touch with the manufacturer…or any other specs you’d want to access on the spot.
6. Flexible Barcodes Or QR labels That Are Actually Easy To Scan And Use
Barcodes or QR labels can actually make your life easier—IF you have a simple, mobile inventory control app that scans codes with no fuss. Look for a modern inventory management software that allows you to work with the barcodes or QR codes that are already on your products, or gives you the ability to create your own. Either way, you should be able to simply scan an item to learn more about it, change its status, or check it in or out.
7. Complete Control Over User Permissions And Access
Inventory should be for everyone—but not every employee needs to be able to access everything and do, well, all of the things. Find an inventory control solution that allows you to dictate who can move items, see details, and change information. Your team needs the freedom to do their jobs quickly, but not without oversight—you should be able to audit who made inventory changes and when.
8. Include Photos For A Visual Inventory
Maybe your business frequently uses items that sound alike or have very similar names. Maybe you or your colleagues are highly visual and use images to think and plan. A picture is worth a thousand words and serves as many purposes! Using photos, your employees can easily identify the items they need, and you can provide clients with photos when an item they’re interested in isn’t on hand.
9. Import And Export Your Inventory With The Click Of A Button
A great inventory is meant to be shared…and exported…and printed. Find an inventory solution that lets you import and export your data however you want, so you can use it in whatever way you see fit. Use it to create order sheets, audit lists, training manuals, or even gorgeous PDFs to share with clients and investors.
After all, modern inventory management requires software that helps businesses stay organized despite industry type, business needs, and number of locations.
Sortly is a super simple inventory control and asset tracking system that enables you to visually track all your items and any of their details including quantity, price, condition, notes, etc.—for a more intuitive (and less maddening) way for your team to track your inventory across multiple locations.
Unlike other inventory tracking systems, you won’t need any lengthy sales visits or a 100-page guide to figure out Sortly. It’s built so you can have it up and running in minutes, all on your own.
It’s time to say goodbye to lost inventory, complicated spreadsheets, and time-consuming “solutions” so you can spend less time inventorying and more time businessing.
Visit our website to learn more or try Sortly for free today
