
Inventory management software is a game-changer for businesses of all sizes. It helps streamline operations, reduce costs, and improve customer satisfaction.
By automating inventory tracking, businesses can quickly identify stock levels, track inventory movement, and receive alerts when stock is running low. This ensures that products are always available to meet customer demand.
Efficient inventory management also helps reduce stockouts and overstocking, which can be costly and wasteful. In fact, a study found that companies that use inventory management software experience a 20% reduction in stockouts and overstocking.
With the right inventory management software, businesses can make informed decisions about product ordering, pricing, and inventory levels. This leads to increased revenue, reduced waste, and improved customer satisfaction.
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What Is Inventory Management Software
Inventory management software is a tool that helps businesses track and manage their inventory levels, locations, and movements. It's a game-changer for companies that deal with physical products.
This type of software can be cloud-based or on-premise, and it often integrates with other business systems such as accounting and customer relationship management.
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Benefits and Advantages
Inventory management software offers numerous benefits and advantages that can help businesses streamline their operations and improve efficiency. By using such software, companies can save time and money, reduce errors, and increase customer satisfaction.
One of the main advantages of inventory management software is its ability to track inventory in real-time, eliminating human error and providing a complete view of existing inventory. This is made possible by integrating with other crucial systems.
Inventory management software can also help businesses reorder stock more efficiently, ensuring they never run out of critical items. This is achieved by configuring the software to order the right amount of items to fulfill orders without holding excess inventory.
The software can also integrate with accounting systems, preventing double-entry of data and eliminating opportunities for human error and confusion. This integration can be a game-changer for businesses, as it helps to reduce errors and improve accuracy.
By using cloud-based inventory management software, businesses can cut down on hardware expenses and redirect capital towards expanding their operations. This is because the software resides in the cloud, eliminating the need for expensive hardware and IT personnel.
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Inventory management software also offers increased efficiency by automating many inventory-related tasks, such as data collection, calculations, and record-keeping. This can result in significant time and cost savings for businesses.
Here are some of the top benefits of inventory management software:
- Inventory tracking: Real-time tracking of inventory, eliminating human error and providing a complete view of existing inventory.
- Reordering: Efficient reordering of stock, ensuring businesses never run out of critical items.
- Accounting integration: Integration with accounting systems, preventing double-entry of data and eliminating opportunities for human error and confusion.
Overall, inventory management software can help businesses save time and money, reduce errors, and improve customer satisfaction. By implementing such software, businesses can gain a competitive edge and achieve long-term success.
Features and Functionality
Inventory management software offers a range of features and functionality to help businesses track and manage their inventory. These features include barcoding and radio-frequency identification (RFID) capabilities to track product movement, as well as inventory management integrations to seamlessly track inventory across multiple warehouses and storage facilities.
Some inventory management software also offers automated demand forecasting and inventory optimization systems, which can help businesses attain key inventory optimization metrics such as reorder point, order quantity, and lead demand. Additionally, cloud-based inventory management software provides ease of integration with current systems, allowing business owners to integrate the inventory software with their eCommerce store or cloud-based accounting software.
Here are some key features to look for in an inventory management software:
- Barcoding and RFID capabilities
- Inventory management integrations
- Automated demand forecasting and inventory optimization systems
- Ease of integration with current systems
- Support for tracking inventory across multiple warehouses
- Extensive shipping functions
- Strong e-commerce capabilities and support for barcoding
How It Works

Inventory management software is a cloud-based system that allows you to track your inventory levels, manage orders, and maintain the right amount of stock.
You'll typically subscribe to inventory management software, which can cost anywhere from $100 to $3,000 per month, depending on your business's size and needs.
A good inventory management software vendor is crucial, as they'll manage the software and provide high-quality service. This will significantly reduce the burden of software management.
Inventory management software includes features that support tracking items as they come into and leave your storefronts and storage facilities, a process known as inventory control.
This helps you maintain the right amount of stock and includes integrations that can track orders in real time and update your accounting software automatically.
A fully automated demand forecasting and inventory optimization system can help you achieve key inventory optimization metrics, such as reorder point, order quantity, lead demand, stock cover, and accuracy.
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Here are some key inventory optimization metrics to keep in mind:
Product Identification
Product identification is a crucial aspect of inventory management. Barcodes are often used to input data on products and orders into inventory management software.
Using barcodes, workers can scan items as they're received, moved, and shipped, tracking all movements automatically. This includes serial tracking for high-ticket items and batch barcoding for high-volume, low-cost items.
Radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags and wireless methods of product identification are also growing in popularity. If you affix RFID tags to items in your warehouse, you can track movement without scanner hardware.
Modern inventory software programs may use QR codes or NFC tags to identify inventory items and smartphones as scanners. This method provides an option for businesses to track inventory using barcode scanning without a need to purchase expensive scanning hardware.
Here are some key features to consider when it comes to product identification:
- Barcoding: includes serial tracking for high-ticket items and batch barcoding for high-volume, low-cost items
- Radio-frequency identification (RFID) capabilities: tracks movement without scanner hardware
Top Features

Cloud-based inventory management software offers numerous advantages, including ease of integration with current systems. You can integrate the inventory software with your eCommerce store or cloud-based accounting software.
Inventory management software includes features that support tracking items as they come into and leave your storefronts and storage facilities. This process is known as inventory control.
Some inventory management software is designed specifically for retailers and lacks key features manufacturing businesses would need. You must understand your needs before you buy.
A good inventory management system delivers asset identification, order tracking, and supply chain optimization capabilities. Warehouse management systems often use barcoding to track product inflow and outflow in storage facilities.
Here are some top features to look for in inventory management software:
- Barcoding capabilities, including serial tracking for high-ticket items and batch barcoding for high-volume, low-cost items
- Radio-frequency identification (RFID) capabilities for tracking movement without scanner hardware
- Inventory management integrations with your more extensive inventory management software
- Automated demand forecasting and inventory optimization to attain key inventory optimization metrics
- Reorder point, order quantity, lead demand, stock cover, and accuracy features
Inventory management software can also include features such as sale and purchase order functionality, support for tracking inventory across multiple warehouses, extensive shipping functions, and strong e-commerce capabilities.
Some Common Terms
In inventory management, you'll often come across the term "BOM" or "BOMP", which stands for "Bill of Materials" or "Bill of Material Processing." This is used in production inventory systems to list the sub-items that make up an inventory item.
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A BOM is a list of sub-items that are used to create a finished item, and you can have both kitting and a BOM in a single inventory item, depending on the item's complexity. Kitting is a bundling of parts or items that make up a finished item.
Just-in-Time (JIT) inventory is a logistics term used in supply chain management (SCM) operations to time the receipt of inventory so that it arrives just before or precisely when it's needed. This strategy reduces the time that inventory is actually stored, saving costs.
Work in Process tracks any inventory released to manufacturing and then tracks the inventory as it's used on the production shop or factory floor. This term is often used in production inventory systems for small shops and large-scale factories alike.
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Implementation and Integration
Implementing inventory management software is a straightforward process that can be completed quickly, allowing business owners to start tracking their stock and streamlining their operations.
Ease of integration is a key benefit of cloud-based inventory management software, enabling business owners to connect their software with existing systems such as eCommerce stores or cloud-based accounting software.
This integration allows for seamless tracking of stock across all channels, including online marketplaces and in-store inventory.
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Cloud and ERP Considerations
Using cloud inventory management software offers several benefits, including real-time inventory tracking and automated data synchronization.
Cloud inventory management software can be accessed from anywhere, at any time, allowing businesses to stay connected and make informed decisions.
ERP inventory management software also provides a centralized platform for managing inventory, streamlining processes and reducing errors.
By leveraging the advantages of both cloud and ERP inventory management software, businesses can improve their overall efficiency and productivity.
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Benefits of Cloud
Cloud inventory management software offers numerous benefits, including improved scalability and flexibility. This allows businesses to easily adjust to changing needs and grow their operations.
With cloud inventory management software, you can access your data from anywhere, at any time, making it easier to stay on top of your inventory levels, even when you're not in the office.
The main benefits of a cloud inventory management software include reduced costs and increased efficiency. This is because cloud-based solutions eliminate the need for expensive hardware and maintenance.
Cloud inventory management software also provides real-time updates and alerts, ensuring that you're always aware of any changes or issues with your inventory. This helps prevent stockouts and overstocking.
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Advantages of ERP
Using ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) software can bring numerous benefits to your business. One of the main advantages is improved inventory management, which can be streamlined with real-time tracking and automated reordering.
According to manufacturers, key features that support advanced inventory management needs include product cost analysis, forecasting, and e-commerce integrations. Product cost analysis tools can track raw materials and finished goods, helping to predict labor and operating costs.
A good ERP system can also help eliminate human error by integrating with other crucial systems to improve inventory control. This means you can get a complete view of your existing inventory, even if it's scattered across multiple locations.
Some of the top benefits of ERP inventory management software include inventory tracking, reordering, and accounting integration. Inventory tracking allows you to see where your inventory is located and how it moves throughout your ecosystem, eliminating the need for manual spreadsheets.
Here are some key features to look for in an ERP system that supports inventory management:
- Product cost analysis: Tracks raw materials and finished goods, predicting labor and operating costs.
- Forecasting: Analyzes historical production and sales data to predict future order management needs.
- E-commerce integrations: Allows for streamlined sales to retail clients and expands sales channels in the future.
Warehouse and Inventory Management
Warehouse and inventory management is a crucial aspect of any business that deals with physical products. By 2018, 66% of warehouses were poised to undergo a seismic shift, moving from pen and paper processes to automated and mechanized inventory solutions.
Inventory management software can help distributors, wholesalers, manufacturers, and retailers optimize their warehouses. This is achieved by grouping products that are often sold together or are more popular than others, and placing them near the delivery area to speed up the process of picking.
Automated inventory solutions will perform cycle counts more often and with less effort, increasing inventory visibility, and leading to more accurate fulfillment, fewer out-of-stock situations, and fewer lost sales. More confidence in inventory accuracy will lead to a new focus on optimizing mix, expanding a selection, and accelerating inventory turns.
To effectively manage warehouse inventory, consider the following features in a warehouse inventory management system:
- Barcoding: This allows workers to scan items as they’re received, moved to a specific aisle and bin, and then scanned again when they’re out for shipment, tracking all movements automatically.
- Radio-frequency identification (RFID) capabilities: This enables the tracking of movement without scanner hardware, further streamlining the order management process and eliminating the risk of workers forgetting to scan items or misplacing them.
- Inventory management integrations: Look for a warehouse inventory management system seamlessly integrated with your more extensive inventory management software.
Real-time tracking of inventory is also essential, allowing business owners to track and collect data, generate reports, and access cloud-based inventory data from a wide range of internet-enabled devices.
Integration with Other Systems
Integration with other systems is a key feature of cloud inventory management software. This allows business owners to connect their inventory management software with their existing systems, such as their eCommerce store or cloud-based accounting software.
One example of this is integrating with 3rd party marketplaces, which is now a common feature of cloud-based inventory management companies. This integration enables business owners to view and control their stock across all channels.
Business owners can also integrate their inventory software with popular platforms like Shopify and Amazon FBA stores. For instance, Xero Inventory Plus allows users to connect their Shopify and Amazon FBA stores to track inventory, sales orders, and returns in real-time. This integration also keeps accounting up to date, making it easier to manage finances.
Here are some of the benefits of integrating Xero Inventory Plus with Shopify and Amazon FBA stores:
- Connect your Shopify and Amazon FBA stores to track inventory, sales orders, and returns, then keep your accounting up to date
- View products to re-order them, create purchase orders, and accept partial receipts of goods
- Fulfill and ship orders and manage delivery all from a single piece of software
- Track what's selling and know your profits to help grow your business
Easy Integration
Easy integration is a major advantage of cloud inventory management software. It allows business owners to seamlessly connect their inventory system with their existing systems, such as eCommerce stores or cloud-based accounting software.
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For instance, integrating inventory software with an eCommerce store enables business owners to manage their stock levels in real-time, ensuring that products are always available for customers to purchase. This level of integration also helps to streamline inventory management, reducing the risk of stock discrepancies and errors.
Business owners can also integrate their inventory software with 3rd party marketplaces, allowing them to view and control stock levels across all sales channels. This is particularly useful for businesses that sell their products through multiple platforms, as it gives them a unified view of their inventory levels.
By integrating their inventory system with other business tools, business owners can save time and reduce the risk of errors, freeing up more time to focus on growing their business.
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Add Xero Plus
Adding Xero Plus to your inventory management system can be a game-changer for your ecommerce business. With Xero Inventory Plus, you can track your inventory across multiple channels and locations, giving you a clear view of your business performance.
You can connect your Shopify and Amazon FBA stores to Xero, which allows you to track inventory, sales orders, and returns in one place. This keeps your accounting up to date and helps you stay organized.
Here are some key benefits of Xero Inventory Plus:
- Connect your Shopify and Amazon FBA stores to Xero to track inventory, sales orders, and returns, then keep your accounting up to date
- View products to re-order them, create purchase orders, and accept partial receipts of goods
- Fulfill and ship orders and manage delivery all from a single piece of software
- Track what's selling and know your profits to help grow your business
Things to Consider
Inventory management software is a crucial tool for any business, but it's essential to consider several factors before choosing the right one. Here are some key things to consider:
Your business's complexity and inventory needs will dictate the type of inventory software you require. If you're a manufacturer, you'll need to track raw materials and finished goods, whereas retailers will focus on tracking sales and inventory levels.
Drop shipping is an exception to the traditional inventory management process, where you can sell products without holding any inventory. However, this requires a supplier willing to ship directly to customers. If your supplier is willing, you can use your inventory software to manage drop shipments.
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Inventory management software often comes with features like SCM (Supply Chain Management) and Reorder Point, which help you manage logistics and automate ordering. Some systems use Economic Order Quantity (EOQ) to calculate the optimal amount and timing of orders to minimize costs.
As a manufacturer, you'll want to look for features like product cost analysis, forecasting, and e-commerce integrations. Product cost analysis tools help track raw materials and finished goods, while forecasting tools analyze historical data to predict future order management needs.
Retailers, on the other hand, should focus on features like POS system integration, inventory catalog, automated reordering, and e-commerce integrations. POS system integration ensures that sales are tracked in real-time, while automated reordering helps maintain optimal inventory levels.
Here are some key features to look for in inventory management software:
- Product cost analysis
- Forecasting
- E-commerce integrations
- POS system integration
- Inventory catalog
- Automated reordering
These features will help you streamline your inventory management process, reduce costs, and improve customer satisfaction.
Retail and Manufacturing Considerations
For retailers and manufacturers, inventory management software can be a game-changer. It helps create work orders and bills of materials, streamlining the manufacturing process and ensuring that the right tools and parts are available when needed.
Manufacturers can create multilevel work orders and bills of materials, which outline the specific tasks and processes required to build a final product. This level of detail is especially important for complex manufacturing jobs.
Syspro's inventory management software is particularly well-suited for production, distribution, and retail businesses. It offers excellent capabilities for these industries, including its own Point of Sale and Demand/Forecasting engines.
However, it's worth noting that Syspro lacks payroll and human resources (HR) modules, which may be a drawback for some businesses.
Sell with Xero
Sell with Xero, and you'll be able to manage up to 4,000 finished items at your fingertips with their small business inventory management system.
Xero's stock control software helps you prevent stockouts or overstocking with detailed stock-quantity insights, so you can review real-time sales data to adjust stock levels and make timely purchase orders.
With Xero, you'll see what's selling at a glance so your purchase orders never leave you short, and you can use real-time stock value intel to inform confident spending decisions.
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You can connect your Shopify and Amazon FBA stores to Xero to track inventory, sales orders, and returns, then keep your accounting up to date with Inventory Plus.
Xero Inventory Plus also allows you to view products to re-order them, create purchase orders, and accept partial receipts of goods, making it easier to fulfill and ship orders and manage delivery from a single piece of software.
Here are some of the key features of Xero's inventory management system:
- Prevent stockouts or overstocking with detailed stock-quantity insights
- See what's selling at a glance so your purchase orders never leave you short
- Use real-time stock value intel to inform confident spending decisions
With Xero, you'll be able to track what's selling and know your profits to help grow your business, and you'll have a clear view of your business performance – all in one place with Inventory Plus.
Key Considerations for Manufacturers
When choosing inventory management software, manufacturers should prioritize features that support their unique needs. Manufacturers tend to have more advanced needs because they must track raw materials and finished goods.
To efficiently manage inventory, manufacturers should look for software that can generate a bill of materials with descriptions of costs. This will help track raw materials and finished goods, reordering the necessary components when they hit minimum levels.
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Product cost analysis tools can also help predict labor and operating costs, including machinery acquisition and maintenance expenses. This is especially important for manufacturers who need to stay on top of their expenses.
Forecasting is another key feature to consider. Demand forecasting is an inventory management technique where you analyze historical production and sales data to predict your future order management needs. A forecasting tool can help improve the accuracy of this process.
Some manufacturers may also benefit from e-commerce integrations. This allows them to streamline sales to retail clients and expand sales channels in the future.
Here are some key features to look for in inventory management software for manufacturers:
- Product cost analysis: Tracks raw materials and finished goods, reordering necessary components when they hit minimum levels.
- Forecasting: Analyzes historical production and sales data to predict future order management needs.
- E-commerce integrations: Streamlines sales to retail clients and expands sales channels in the future.
Pros and Cons
Inventory management software offers several benefits to businesses. It allows for on-premises or cloud deployment, giving companies flexibility in how they implement the system.
One of the key advantages of inventory management software is its ability to work with many databases, making it a versatile tool. This is particularly useful for businesses with multiple systems or those who want to integrate their inventory management with other aspects of their operations.
The software also provides robust costing methods, which can be beneficial for businesses with complex pricing structures. This can include features such as non-user-based pricing, which is ideal for companies with growing needs.
A table summarizing the pros of inventory management software:
Disadvantages of Cloud
Cloud computing can be expensive, especially for small businesses or individuals who need to store and access large amounts of data.
The cost of cloud storage can add up quickly, with some providers charging as much as $15 per month for just 1TB of storage.
Data breaches and cyber attacks are a major concern for cloud users, with 71% of organizations experiencing a cloud data breach in 2020.
Security measures like encryption and two-factor authentication can help mitigate these risks, but they also require additional setup and maintenance.
Cloud outages can be a significant problem, with some providers experiencing downtime of up to 24 hours in a single month.
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Disadvantages of ERP
The ERP system has its downsides, and understanding them is crucial for making informed decisions. The main disadvantage of ERP is its high cost.
Many businesses struggle to justify the expense of implementing and maintaining an ERP system. Its complexity is another significant drawback.
This complexity can lead to a steep learning curve for employees, causing frustration and decreased productivity. The main disadvantages of inventory management software are its cost and complexity.
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Pros & Cons
Using ERP inventory management software can be a game-changer for businesses, but it's essential to weigh the pros and cons before making a decision.
One of the biggest advantages of ERP inventory management software is that it offers robust deployment options, allowing you to choose between on-premises or cloud deployment.
The software also boasts a wide range of costing methods, making it suitable for various business needs.
In addition, it works seamlessly with many databases, and its solid reporting capabilities provide valuable insights into your business operations.

Non-user-based pricing is another benefit, as it accommodates growing companies and allows them to scale their operations without worrying about increasing costs.
The software's browser-based app also makes it easy to use mobile devices, giving you the flexibility to work remotely.
Navigation is also a breeze, making it easy to find what you need quickly.
However, estimating licensing costs can be a challenge, so be sure to factor that into your decision-making process.
Standard report filters may also need customizing, which can take some time and effort.
Additionally, if you're implementing ERP for companies outside the manufacturing/distribution vertical, you may need to rely on third-party add-ons, which can add complexity to your operations.
The pricing structure can also be unusual, so be sure to review it carefully before committing to a purchase.
Here are some key pros and cons of ERP inventory management software in a concise table:
Despite the potential drawbacks, many businesses find that the benefits of ERP inventory management software far outweigh the costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Excel for inventory management?
Yes, you can use Excel for inventory management, making it easier to track and stay on top of your stock and assets. Download a free template or create your own to save time and boost efficiency.
Is QuickBooks good for inventory?
QuickBooks helps you track inventory value in real-time, ensuring accurate costs and informed planning. This makes it a reliable tool for managing inventory and expenses.
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