Exploring a New Cloud Inventory System? Here’s How to Find the Limits of Your Software
If you’ve recently moved into cloud inventory software, it’s probably because someone told you just how amazing it all was.
And they were right. Cloud inventory is a game-changer for the average business.
But just like any other piece of tech or software, it’s never a complete miracle cure. Even the most advanced and expensive bits of kit have their limits – and you won’t find them listed in an advert or a sales pitch.
So what’s the solution? You’ve got to find those limits for yourself. (With a little help from us at BlueHub, of course.) Let’s see what you need to watch out for:
Can your inventory software handle your data?
If you’re a product-based business, you’ll know how overwhelming it can be trying to manage all of your data. And that was probably one of the biggest attractions of moving to a modern inventory app – streamlining your processes and letting the software handle the details for you. But as your range of products grows, you could find that your business starts to outgrow your new software.
So what should you be looking for? Here are the main data limits you need to find:
1. The number of different products you can upload
2. The number of orders you can process each month
3. And the product data fields your business needs
Unfortunately, there’s no quick and easy answer that applies to every inventory app. So you’ll have to dig in to the specifics of the software you’re using to find the limits for each one – and ideally, you’ll be aware of the limits before you start to reach them!
Can your new software speak to your other platforms?
One of the best benefits of upgrading to a cloud-based inventory system is the potential for an automated experience across all of your other bits of software. But not every inventory app has the same capabilities – and it’s important to understand where the limits lie early on:
1. The third-party integrations that come as standard
2. A connection to your Ecommerce site
3. A link to your Point of Sale (POS) system
Luckily, most capable bits of inventory software will automatically come with all of the most common and useful integrations to major third-party apps.
But if you’re still working through your inventory app’s trial period, and you find you don’t have the right connections, it might be time to rethink your options. (Or instead, start to learn about how custom app development can give you and your software the links your business needs.)
Can your software make life easier for your teams?
The best cloud inventory packages will come with options to give your other departments the access they need. But different businesses will have different needs – and you might find that some inventory software doesn’t tick all the boxes you’re looking for.
You should check that your chosen inventory software can:
1. Control how your sales teams use it – with specific user permissions to restrict what they can change or edit
2. Automate your purchasing – assigning minimum stock levels, setting automatic reordering points, and giving your teams the alerts and notifications to keep them on track.
Modern software is all about giving your staff more time to focus on their most important work. And if your chosen inventory app isn’t helping out your people, your business is missing out on a huge opportunity to save time and money.
Can your inventory software serve your customers?
You wouldn’t expect an inventory system to have any interaction with your customers. But if you’re in a B2B business that supplies products to other companies, you need to be sure you’ve got the software that can help:
1. The ability to create and manage customer agreements – with things like credit limits, multiple locations, or structured pricing tiers that are affected by what they order.
2. Customisation options for your B2B portal – including the level of control you have over pricing, how you manage their orders, and the level of control you have over your portal’s visual branding and interface.
Still not sure if you’re making the right choice?
Finding the right fit with a cloud-based inventory system isn’t easy. If you’re still exploring your inventory options, we’re here to help. We’ve been guiding businesses into the world of cloud inventory for years – helping them to identify their problems and discover the practical limits of the software they’re using or considering. So if you’re a business that’s gearing up for a new piece of inventory software, you can book a free consultation with one of our experts.