Even Artisanal Workshops Can Benefit From Inventory Control Software

National and multinational supply chains use bar codes to track the progress of merchandise from the factory to the distribution warehouse and then from the warehouse to the retailer. The final record of this merchandise is captured at the cash register or online shopping cart at the very second that a known or anonymous customer makes payment. However, retail suppliers also need to be able to track shipped goods even further through the shipping process until a satisfied customer receives them at her specified delivery address.

This system is practically taken for granted when it comes to large suppliers of large chain retailers or top e-retailers. But what of the small business that produces a few custom items per day for sales through its own affiliated online or bricks-and-mortar boutique, or even through a small group of door-to-door salespeople?

Can such a business implement efficient tracking procedures without spending resources that it does not have? Considering that many retailers require the use of barcodes on any merchandise that they sell, even on consignment, can a small manufacturing business or artisanal workshop ever hope to introduce its merchandise to traditional retail channels?

Fortunately, full tracking systems that include inventory control software are available for small businesses. The systems are based on portable, lightweight barcode scanners that plug into a regular PC or Mac, as well as an economical wireless scanner that can be used in a small retail location. The cordless scanner is ideal to use both in a retail location and at the end of the manufacturing process to read barcodes into the stock control software for tracking purposes.

These tracking systems are powerful, professional tracking solutions backed by state-of-the-art software. The hardware is manufactured to last under constant use and the software is scalable and maintained with constant updates. Barcodes are printed according to the rules in effect for each retailer and market where the goods need to be sold, and they are easily read by all standard retail and wholesale distribution tracking systems. Barcodes for postal and private shipping can also be printed with these flexible systems, as can internal tracking codes for parts and other manufacturing inventory.

The question is not whether a small business can obtain a proper inventory and sales tracking program based on barcodes and stock tracking software. The question is whether a small business can afford to do without all of the benefits that laser barcode scanners afford it and whether it can prosper without the entry into larger retail channels that is made possible by a fully featured tracking system based on barcode scanners and printers.

Such a system is well within the budget of even a start-up manufacturing business and it pays for itself many times over, both by the opportunities it creates with larger retailers and by the valuable data that it tracks. Improving the efficiency of your supply chain starts with proper record-keeping, and barcode scanner based systems are the best interface for inventory tracking software.