A robust inventory system is critical for all sizes of businesses. While large enterprises have barcode-based inventory management systems, small businesses also need one. With the increasing use of smartphones and mobile devices, it is best to integrate mobile inventory solutions. It is a cost-effective resort as it saves money spent on specialized barcode scanning devices. Smartphones, tablets, and laptops can be turned into barcode readers for barcode scanning on the go.
Best Practices for Building a Barcode-based Mobile Inventory Management System
With the help of a powerful barcode-based mobile inventory management solution, businesses can amplify profit margins by simplifying processes, reducing out-of-stock, decreasing shrinkage, and enhancing forecasting. Here are some best practices for companies to develop effective barcode-based mobile inventory solutions.
- Defining all the SKUs and the Variants
Begin with making a list of all the items in your inventory—key all the SKU variants and numbers into a database. Also, add other information such as the purchase cost, item measurements, vendor information, additional physical information, and the minimum stock required in the inventory.
- Choosing a Mobile Inventory Management Software
If you do not have any mobile inventory app, you’ll have to look for one. Some solutions also let you generate barcodes. Hence, it’s better to choose those solutions. Select the one that goes well with your company’s requirements and scale.
If you have a solution that lacks barcode reading functionality, you should consider adding it. Developing a module on your own will take a lot of time and effort. Hence, the best option is to choose a barcode scanning SDK. Selecting a leading vendor will let you do so using just a few lines of code at a lower cost into a new or existing mobile inventory app.
- Deciding on the Barcodes
Before implementing a mobile inventory management system, decide what all barcode types you’ll need. Retail businesses require EAN codes, UPC codes, Code 93 codes, etc. Similarly, each business and industry uses a specific set of barcode symbologies. Also, you need to decide whether your business requires linear or 2-dimensional barcodes. 2D barcodes can store much more data than 1D codes. Depending on the operations and usage, decide what all barcode types you’ll need. This guide will give you a glimpse of barcode types and make this process easier.
- Creating the Barcodes
Once you have decided what all barcodes you’ll need, start generating the barcodes. Leading inventory management solutions let you do so. The software will allow you to choose the type of code and create the barcode automatically for you. For warehousing, you’ll also want to track the placement of inventory. Hence, you’ll also require code for shelves to generate the barcodes.
- Printing the Barcode Labels
The last step in the process is to print all the barcode labels. Once printed, place them on the respective items. While this step doesn’t sound much tricky, you’ll have to pay attention to the tag quality and what kind of item you will put them on. Consider laminating the ones that may face bad weather conditions.
Following these steps will help you build barcode-based mobile inventory solutions for your business.
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