A List Of Inventory Management Software for Small Business

What are the Dangers of Poor Inventory Management?

Poor inventory control can be costly for small businesses in literal and figurative ways.

• Overstocking, resulting in increased storage costs and potential waste

• Stockouts, leading to lost sales and dissatisfied customers

• Time-consuming manual inventory tracking

• Inaccurate stock levels cause poor decision-making and reduced efficiency.

• Inefficient order fulfillment and increased order processing times

If a business has the right products in stock, it may take advantage of sales opportunities. Customers may look elsewhere if they cannot find what they want, resulting in lost revenue and reduced profits.

On the other hand, if a business has too much inventory, it can tie up capital and take up valuable storage space. This can lead to increased costs and reduced profitability.

Inventory management can lead to inefficiencies and waste. For example, if a business overstocks perishable goods, it may throw away products that have gone bad. This can result in lost revenue and increased costs.

Understocking can also strain the supply chain, resulting in delays in order fulfillment and shipping, impacting customer satisfaction and reducing employee productivity. On top of that, poor inventory control can result in increased costs, such as storage, shipping, and labor. This can reduce profitability and make it difficult for a business to compete.

Criteria for selecting inventory management software for small businesses

So you know that some sort of software to track stock levels is critical to success as a business. But what do you think you should look for in your inventory management solution?

User-friendliness

User-friendliness is an important factor when selecting small business inventory management software. This is because user-friendly software can improve efficiency by reducing the time required to perform tasks and reducing errors associated with manual data entry.

Cost-effectiveness

Cost-effectiveness is important for business owners when selecting small business inventory management software. This is because small businesses may have limited budgets, and selecting affordable software that provides a good return on investment is essential. Additionally, companies should choose scalable inventory management software that can grow with the business, preventing the need for expensive upgrades or replacement software in the future.

Cost-effective inventory management software can also provide a competitive advantage by allowing small businesses to reduce costs and improve profitability. Finally, selecting cost-effective software can enable companies to allocate resources to other business areas, such as marketing or customer service.

Scalability

Scalability is an essential factor when selecting small business inventory management software. This is because scalable inventory management software can accommodate business growth and provide flexibility without requiring expensive upgrades or replacement software. Scalable software can also save costs and improve efficiency by streamlining workflows and eliminating redundancies. Additionally, it can provide businesses with real-time data and analytics, helping them make better decisions about inventory levels, purchasing, and sales.

Integration with other software

Integration with other software, like a POS system, is essential when selecting inventory management software for small businesses. This is because integration can improve efficiency by streamlining processes and eliminating redundancies, ensuring data accuracy and consistency across multiple platforms, and saving costs by eliminating the need for manual data entry or duplicate systems. Integrating inventory management software with other software can also provide better data for decision-making, a competitive advantage by allowing businesses to respond more quickly to market changes and customer demands.

Customer support

Customer support is an important factor when selecting small business inventory management software. This is because customer support can troubleshoot any issues, provide training and support to ensure the software is used correctly, provide updates and patches to keep the software up-to-date, customize the software to meet specific needs, and provide quick and responsive assistance. Small businesses should select inventory management software that offers reliable and responsive customer support, as it can help prevent downtime, ensure accuracy, and maximize the benefits of the software.

Which inventory management software is best?

There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to inventory management software. However, some of the best inventory management software for small businesses include Zoho Inventory, Inflow, Sortly, and Fishbowl. We will talk about these solutions in detail below.

Zoho Inventory: A Comprehensive Solution for Small Businesses

Zoho Inventory is a cloud-based inventory management system that offers a wide range of features, making it an ideal choice for small businesses looking to streamline their inventory management process. Some key features include:

• Real-time inventory tracking

• Multi-channel sales integration, including Shopify, Amazon, and eBay

• Barcode scanning and QR code support

• Integration with popular accounting software, such as QuickBooks and Zoho Books

• Mobile app for iOS and Android devices

• Customizable workflows and automation

Zoho Inventory offers a free plan with limited features, making it an attractive option for small businesses on a budget.

Inflow: A Robust and User-Friendly Inventory Management Software

Inflow is a cloud-based inventory management solution for small businesses and retail operations. Inflow’s features include:

• Warehouse management for multi-location businesses

• Point-of-sale (POS) system integration

• Purchase orders and sales order management

• Inventory control and low stock alerts

• Barcode scanning and serial number tracking

• Integration with accounting software, such as QuickBooks

Inflow offers a free trial, allowing small businesses to test the software before committing to a pricing plan.

Sortly: A Simple and Intuitive Inventory Management App

Sortly is a mobile app-based inventory management system for small businesses. It offers a simple, intuitive interface that allows business owners to manage their inventory from a mobile device. Sortly’s inventory management features include:

• Barcode scanner and QR code support

• Customizable inventory categories and folders

• Cloud-based inventory data syncing across devices

• Integration with e-commerce platforms like Shopify

• Low stock alerts and reorder point notifications

Sortly offers a free plan with basic features, making it a cost-effective option for small businesses.

Fishbowl: A Powerful Inventory Management System for Growing Businesses

Fishbowl is an inventory management software solution that caters to small and medium-sized businesses looking for advanced features and integrations. Fishbowl’s key management tools include:

• Warehouse management with multi-location support

• Integration with popular accounting software, such as QuickBooks and Xero

• Sales order and purchase order management

• Automation and customizable workflows

• Barcode scanning and serial number tracking

• Integration with e-commerce platforms like Shopify, Amazon, and eBay

• Forecasting and inventory optimization tools

Fishbowl offers a free trial, allowing small businesses to evaluate the software before selecting a pricing plan.

Comparing Inventory Management Solutions: Which One is Right for Your Small Business?

When comparing inventory management software, small businesses should consider their specific needs, such as their industry (retail businesses won’t have the same inventory needs as a construction contractor), sales channels, and growth potential. Here are a few additional considerations to help you make the right choice:

• Pricing: Ensure that the software fits your budget, considering upfront costs and ongoing fees. Free inventory management services are available, but if you want the advanced inventory tracking tools available on the market, you’ll need to pay.

• Integration capabilities: Look for solutions that seamlessly integrate add-ons with your existing tools and platforms, such as accounting software, e-commerce platforms, and CRM systems. In addition, good inventory control software will also integrate with your online store and brick-and-mortar location.

• Scalability: Choose software that can grow with your business, accommodating increased inventory levels, additional sales channels, and new locations.

• Customizability: Opt for software tailored to your unique business needs, including custom reporting, alerts, and workflows.

• Support: Ensure the software provider offers responsive customer support and comprehensive documentation.

The Benefits of Implementing Inventory Management Software

Investing in inventory management software can offer several benefits for small businesses, including:

• Improved inventory control: Accurate, real-time tracking of inventory levels helps prevent stockouts and overstocking, leading to cost savings and increased customer satisfaction.

• Streamlined order management: Automation of purchase orders and sales orders reduces manual errors and speeds up order fulfillment.

• Time savings: By replacing time-consuming spreadsheets and manual inventory tracking, inventory management software frees up valuable time for small business owners.

• Better decision-making: Access to accurate, up-to-date inventory data enables informed decisions about purchasing, pricing, and sales strategies.

• Enhanced integrations: Bundling your inventory management with existing tools and platforms, such as accounting software and e-commerce platforms, streamlines workflows and improves overall efficiency.

By carefully considering your business’s specific needs and comparing the various inventory management software options available in the marketplace, you can find the best solution to optimize your supply chain and drive business success.