Hi I wondered if anyone had any advice for stock control methods. I use packing partner for my invoices etc etc, but seem to be having a real problem with stock management. I do want to keep a constant flow of active stock otherwise money will be lost. Thanks David
You sound like you need an inventory management system. Basic methods include Excel spreadsheets or even just lists of paper. It really depends on how fast your stock is moving that determines how detailed you can be with it all. Clearly if you have stock flying in one door and out the other on a daily basis, you may be restricted on just how much time you can spend on managing your inventory.
Do you have a warehouse or are you operating out of an office at the moment?
Use computer software called 'Quickbooks' probably available in PC World. Not to expensive to buy, very easy to set up and will give you all account and stock control functions you probably need.
Sage will do more but is cumbersome.
If you need a really serious system then look at 'Datafile' this is only available from specialist support dealers but excellent for multi screen users.
Quickbooks has terrible inventory features. It would be my last recommendation. Great for accounting, not worth anything for inventory control.
MYOB is better for inventory, and there are a lot of "sales order" type programs that are designed with inventory in mind that will also do the job.
I use a Point-of-Sale program for inventory, works great but mine is a not-for-resale demo and I would not spend the $ 800 or so for the inventory features alone.
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Depending on how big you are you need something that will tie in with your accounting software so you are not entering similar data into 2 pieces of software. You also need something that will cope with any expansion you plan so you don't have to change all your sytems again in 6 months to a year. We use sage and would be lost without it. You can start small and it will grow (always at a price) with you. It handles inventory order processing vat returns and accounts and can be used with multi users on a network.
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March 2010
