Your inventory management system isn’t going to last forever. Think about it. The world is constantly changing and technology is evolving with it. Your business is growing, but can your inventory system keep up? Your current system or spreadsheets might get the job done now, but can it grow with you? Is your system still efficient? Does it have all the features you need? Can it integrate with your other software? If you answered no to any of these questions, it’s time for change.
It’s easy to keep doing what you’re doing, but this comes at a cost. These habits can cost your business time and additional expenses that can be avoided with a new inventory software.
But, it can be difficult to determine when you need purchase a new system. So, here’s three signs that you should let go of your current inventory system. Plus, three more signs specific to business size.
All Sized Businesses
1. Your inventory system doesn’t suit your workflow
You need an inventory and order management system that can work with your business operations.
2. No way to integrate with other systems in your organization
Integration is key when creating a seamless flow of information and data. If you don’t integrate your systems, you will spend more time entering data into both. Also, it’s possible that errors will lead to different data in each system.
3. No way to analyze stock levels
Are you able to analyze or optimize your stocking levels with historical data on sales or usage patterns? This can help you avoid overstock or running out of an item. If you can’t do this, then it is time to acquire a system that will.
Medium to Large Businesses
1. The inventory module for your ERP is insufficient
Do you find your existing ERP inventory module lacks in functionality? Or perhaps it’s not customization to what you want? Additionally, your ERP inventory module add-on may be too expensive or slow to implement.
2. Vendor Managed Inventory is part of your business plan
With VMI, you would provide access for inventory data to hundreds of your customers. Also, let’s not forget you want this done in a timely manner. Check out Clear Spider’s VMI solutions
3. There is a need to implement organization-wide Inventory Control
Is your firm planning to provide access for inventory data to hundreds of staff? Perhaps you want to implement this within 6 months? Check out Clear Spider’s collaborative way to manage inventory
Small to Medium Businesses
1. You aren’t tracking your inventory
Are you currently not tracking your inventory at all? If so, you won’t know what is coming in, or what is going out. Perhaps your customers do not have visibility into your stock levels, and your staff have trouble locating items in your stock locations.
2. Excel spreadsheets aren’t cutting it
Have you pushed the limits on using spreadsheets to manage your inventory? You may be running into issues such as version control, multiple users in multiple locations, and inconsistent or delayed data entry.
3. Your inventory system isn’t scalable
For any successful business, growth is inevitable. Can your existing system handle the scale of your operations? Maybe you’re running into limitations such as the number of inventory items, number of reference fields, ability to fine-tune orders, and replenishment orders.
Don’t ignore the red flags! If these signs apply to you, it’s time for a new way to manage your inventory. Find out how Clear Spider can help you.
