We get it. It is easier to find comfort on things that you are used to or familiar with. However, if you think of practicality, efficiency and productivity, is it really worth it to remain in your conventional ways? Or is it better to explore new ways with better opportunities?
In the earlier days of your business, you may find spreadsheet and other desktop apps handy in managing your inventory.
However, as it grows, it will start to become more overwhelming up to the point that you will not be able to handle it as efficiently as before.
Here are some of the biggest problems that you’ll face when you try to manage your inventory in a spreadsheet:
- Manual data entry and Stock Tracking – What makes spreadsheet inventory management fall behind is because you have to do everything on it manually, from putting in customer information and looking it up once they buy from you again.
Unlike the modern inventory management systems today, using spreadsheet will deprive you of the ability to automate the tracking of incoming and outgoing stock.
This means when you are buying or selling stocks, you have to manually increase or decrease your inventory. This increases the chances of making mistakes by a mile.
Using simple spreadsheet also will not track of reason behind the adjustment, making it hard to look back into stock history.
- Lack of analytics – When you settle with just spreadsheet, all hopes are lost when it comes to generating instant reports especially when you need them. This means it will be longer and more difficult to do internal audit of stock, calculations, and report generations because they will be manual.
Problem with desktop apps
- Limited accessibility – Since the software that you will use is installed in a certain computer, it means that the data will be stuck there. This will prevent you from accessing your data while on the move. Therefore you are required to come back to the office just to operate your business.
- Manual data backup – If you choose to rely on a desktop solution, then be prepared of the risks because when the system fails, all your data will be lost.
Advantages of online inventory
- Quick and Easy set-up – Sign in with your chosen username and password and enjoy a wide range of benefits that will establish your control on your warehouses, taxes, and currencies.
- Manage your data from anywhere: As long as your device has a browser and an internet connection, you can access cloud-based applications. No matter where you are, your business will be in your hands.
- Reliable real-time integrations: Having an online inventory app allows you to easily integrated it with the your marketplaces and shopping carts. This means all your systems can be synced; a good way to ensure that you have the latest updates about your products, sales orders, and shipments.
Without a good inventory management system, your stocks will be in shambles. If you really want to have a successful business today, You have to make sure that you will not find it hard to move your products in and out of your warehouses.
Cloud-based inventory systems promises you the latest tools, the best security, and the ability to focus on the sales and customer satisfaction, which are vital in the growth of your business.