Inventory Control Software

In today’s fast-paced business world, managing inventory efficiently is crucial for maintaining smooth operations and ensuring customer satisfaction. Inventory control software helps businesses track their inventory levels in real-time, manage orders, and optimize stock levels. It also minimizes errors and reduces the chances of stockouts or overstocking, ultimately saving you money. This article will discuss everything you need to know about inventory control software, the best software options out there, and how they can benefit your business.

What is the Best Software for Inventory Management?

When it comes to selecting the best inventory management software, there are numerous options available, each offering unique features. However, certain programs stand out above the rest:

1. Ordoro

Ordoro is highly regarded as a top-tier inventory management tool. It integrates seamlessly with various eCommerce platforms and serves several hundreds of happy Shopify merchants. The software assists businesses in streamlining their inventory, purchasing, and shipping processes. With its user-friendly interface, comprehensive analytics, and multi-channel support, Ordoro is a great choice for businesses of all sizes.

2. Zoho Inventory

Zoho Inventory is another popular choice, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It offers several features, including order management, warehouse management, and serial number tracking. Zoho's integrations with other Zoho tools make it a versatile option for growing businesses.

3. TradeGecko

TradeGecko (now QuickBooks Commerce) is great for product-based businesses. It supports scalability and offers features like automation, B2B commerce, and comprehensive reporting.

4. Cin7

Cin7 provides advanced inventory and order management solutions. It's particularly suited for multichannel retailers that sell products through multiple channels and require complex workflows and automation.

Can I Use Excel for Inventory Management?

Yes, you can use Excel for inventory management, especially for small businesses or startups with limited stock. Excel offers an accessible way to manage inventory without incurring additional software costs. You can create simple spreadsheets to track stock levels, sales, and purchase orders.

To make Excel more efficient for inventory management, you can use functions and formulas, like VLOOKUP, SUMIFS, and conditional formatting, to help organize and automate your data. However, managing inventory with Excel can become cumbersome and error-prone as your business grows. In such cases, opting for dedicated inventory management software is the better option.

Can You Use QuickBooks for Inventory Control?

QuickBooks is widely recognized as a robust accounting software, but it also offers inventory management features. With QuickBooks, you can:

1. Track inventory quantities and costs
2. Set reorder points
3. Manage vendors and purchase orders
4. Generate inventory-related reports

QuickBooks’ inventory features are ideal for small to medium-sized businesses. For more advanced inventory management, QuickBooks can integrate with other dedicated inventory software like Ordoro, expanding its capabilities.

Is Zoho Inventory Really Free?

Zoho Inventory offers a free plan which is great for small businesses or startups. The free plan provides essential features, such as basic inventory tracking, order management, and shipping integration. However, it comes with limits, like a cap on the number of orders per month. As businesses grow and require more comprehensive solutions, they typically opt for Zoho's paid plans to access additional features and higher order limits.

For more details about Zoho Inventory's free plan, you can visit their official page.

Inventory Control Software Free Download

Finding free inventory control software for download can be challenging, as most modern solutions are cloud-based and require subscription fees. However, some software providers offer free trials or limited-feature plans. It’s important to exercise caution when downloading any software to ensure it's from a trusted source.

Here are a few free inventory control software options:

1. Zoho Inventory

Zoho Inventory, as previously mentioned, offers a free plan that can be accessed online without the need for a download.

2. ABC Inventory Software

ABC Inventory Software provides a powerful, free inventory management solution suitable for small businesses. It offers various features like order management, reporting, and item tracking.

3. Odoo

Odoo provides a free basic version of its powerful open-source ERP, which includes inventory management features. Businesses can download and install the software locally.

Inventory Control Software Free

Free inventory control software can be a good starting point for businesses on a tight budget. Here are a few free solutions available:

1. inFlow On-Premise

inFlow offers a free version of its on-premise inventory software, limited to a certain number of entries. It's ideal for very small businesses looking to explore basic inventory management features.

2. Sortly

Sortly is a simple, user-friendly inventory management app offering a free plan with limited features, suitable for very small operations or personal use.

3. Zoho Inventory

With its free plan, Zoho Inventory allows for a limited number of transactions and basic inventory management features, perfect for startups and small businesses.

Free Inventory Management Software in Excel

Many businesses start with free inventory management software in Excel. Here's how you can set it up:

1. Create a spreadsheet:

Label columns for Item Code, Description, Quantity in Stock, Reorder Level, Unit Price, and Total Value.

2. Use formulas:

To calculate the total value, use the formula: Total Value = Quantity in Stock * Unit Price.

3. Conditional formatting:

Use conditional formatting to highlight low-stock items automatically.

4. VLOOKUP:

Utilize VLOOKUP for quick searches of item details.

While using Excel is free, it does require manual upkeep and can be time-consuming. As your inventory grows, transitioning to dedicated software is advisable.

Inventory Control Software for Small Businesses

Small businesses need inventory control software that is affordable, scalable, and easy to use. Some of the top options include:

1. Ordoro

As mentioned, Ordoro is perfect for small businesses seeking inventory management coupled with warehouse and shipping solutions. Its affordable plans and Shopify integration make it an excellent choice for eCommerce businesses.

2. Zoho Inventory

Zoho Inventory's free and affordable paid plans make it accessible for small businesses needing inventory and order management features.

3. Sortly

Ideal for small businesses or small teams, Sortly offers a user-friendly interface for basic inventory management needs.

Best Inventory Control Software

While choosing inventory control software, it's crucial to consider your business size and inventory management needs. Here’s a consolidated list of the best inventory control software:

1. Ordoro

Top-rated for its ease of use and powerful eCommerce integrations, particularly with Shopify.

2. Zoho Inventory

Offers strong features at competitive pricing, making it accessible for small businesses.

3. Cin7

Suitable for businesses needing multichannel sales and integrations.

4. TradeGecko

Ideal for growing businesses that require scalability.

Zoho Inventory

Zoho Inventory is an all-in-one inventory management solution offering features that benefit businesses of various sizes. Key benefits of Zoho Inventory include:

1. Order management with automated workflows
2. Seamless integration with other Zoho apps and popular eCommerce platforms
3. Warehouse management features
4. Multi-currency transactions

Zoho Inventory also offers a user-friendly interface and comprehensive customer support, making it a reliable choice for businesses looking to streamline their operations.

Inventory Management App

For businesses that need on-the-go inventory control, using an inventory management app can prove invaluable. These apps track inventory in real-time, manage sales and purchase orders, and generate reports directly from your smartphone or tablet.

1. Ordoro

Ordoro's mobile features ensure business owners can monitor their inventory and manage shipping processes no matter where they are.

2. Sortly Mobile App

Sortly provides an easy-to-use mobile interface designed for small businesses and makes adding and removing stock a breeze.

3. Zoho Inventory Mobile App

A companion to the main Zoho Inventory software, this app keeps all your inventory information readily available on your mobile device.

Inventory Management App Free

Several inventory management apps offer free plans or trials, ensuring businesses can explore their potential before committing to a paid plan. Here are a few notable options:

1. Zoho Inventory Mobile App

Accompanies the free version of the main software as a mobile app, with features like order and stock management.

2. Sortly Free App

Offers basic inventory tracking features in a free plan, suitable for personal use or very small businesses.

3. inFlow Inventory App

Although more limited than its desktop counterpart, inFlow’s free app provides access to essential inventory control features.

In conclusion, while there are many inventory control software options available, the best choice depends on your specific business needs. Ordoro remains a popular choice among businesses, particularly for Shopify merchants, while Zoho Inventory and others offer valuable features at reasonable prices. Whether opting for a free solution or investing in a dedicated product, effectively managing your inventory is crucial for business success.