Automated Inventory Management

By Dan Jeppson
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If one minute you’re out of stock on key products and the next you’re sitting on a pile of overstock that ties up your cash flow, you’re experiencing the problems with trying to balance inventory in a complex environment. The more manual your inventory processes are, the more often you will have these types of problems—human error (usually because of blind spots) is the likely cause.   There’s a better way to tackle it: inventory automation. 

What if your system kept tabs on all your products in real-time while adjusting stock levels automatically?  What if it even placed reorders for you before you knew you needed them? Automated inventory management can use AI to consolidate data accurately, and it’s become one of the most important things for businesses that want to stay competitive.

Acumatica (a leading cloud-based enterprise resource planning (ERP) system) is a top solution for companies who want to streamline and optimize their inventory processes. Acumatica isn’t just software—it’s a game-changing operating system that helps businesses make smarter decisions and improve profitability. 

In simple terms, automated inventory management means using technology to track, monitor, and control your stock without needing to do everything manually. Instead of having someone walk through the warehouse with a clipboard, Acumatica does the hard work for you. 

How it works: Acumatica continuously updates inventory data and shows you in real-time exactly what’s in stock, what’s running low, and when it’s time to reorder. It also integrates with barcoding, RFID, and warehouse management systems to make everything run seamlessly. This level of automation eliminates mistakes and keeps your stock accurate. 

What are the main benefits of inventory automation and how can Acumatica help you achieve them? 

1. Real-Time Visibility

You’re not alone if you have ever dealt with a stockout at the worst possible time! One of the biggest advantages of automating your inventory is real-time visibility. Instead of relying on outdated manual updates, an automated system lets you see what’s happening with your stock at any given moment. This is especially useful if you’re managing multiple warehouses and/or sales channels. 

With Acumatica you can easily track inventory across various locations and see everything from your laptop or smartphone (inside or outside of your VPN). The cloud availability means your warehouse workers see the same data you do from the golf course. 

2. Reduced Human Error

We all make mistakes—especially when it comes to inventory management and all its moving pieces. Human errors can lead to costly issues like overstocking or running out of critical items because of miscounting stock or entering the wrong product code.  (Automation can help correct these issues real time!) 

By automating tasks like stock tracking and reordering, Acumatica can effectively eliminate the risk of human error—by preemptively routing around the problems in advance. For example, with Acumatica’s barcoding system, you can scan items as they come in and out of your warehouse—this instantly updates your inventory data with precision. The result? Your business will have more accurate stock levels, fewer headaches, and more data-directed decision-making. 

3. Scalability

If your business growing, then congratulations! But with growth comes complexity, and while managing inventory manually might have worked when you were small, it’s probably obvious that now it’s time for something more scalable. Automated inventory systems (especially cloud-based systems like Acumatica) are designed to grow alongside your business and will handle everything from small warehouses to multi-location supply chains. 

Acumatica’s cloud-based platform is built for scalability.  Acumatica seamlessly adapts to your growing inventory needs whether you’re managing one warehouse or dozens of warehouses. And because it’s in the cloud, you don’t need to worry about infrastructure costs or software updates—Acumatica handles it all. 

4. Automated Reordering

Running out of stock on any in-demand item can be nightmare. (But automated inventory systems can prevent that from happening!)_By setting predefined reorder levels and allowing the system to use machine learning to anticipate demand and other variables, these systems can automatically trigger restocking orders to fit your situation. 

Acumatica’s powerful forecasting tools just make the machine-learning/AI engine more robust. By analyzing past sales data and predicting future demand, it helps you maintain the perfect amount of stock. Acumatica does the heavy lifting and instead of worrying about when to reorder, you can focus your time on keeping your customers happy. 

5. Improved Customer Satisfaction

Inventory management isn’t just about keeping your warehouse organized—it’s also a key driver of customer satisfaction. When a customer places an order, they expect the item to be in stock and shipped promptly. You risk losing that customer to a competitor if you can’t fulfill that order due to inaccurate stock levels.  (When a customer makes plans based on your bad data, you risk losing a customer.) 

In addition to inventory tools, Acumatica also integrates with customer relationship management (CRM) systems to keep you informed about customer preferences and demand patterns. It ensures that your best-selling products are always in stock, which leads to fewer delays, backorders, and disappointed customers. The result? Happier customers are more likely to return than if you left them hanging uncomfortably. 

While there are plenty of automation tools out there, Acumatica offers unique advantages that make it a top choice for streamlining inventory management and automating workflows.

1. Cloud-Based and Mobile Friendly

Acumatica is a cloud-native ERP system, meaning you can access it from anywhere at any time. You can stay connected to your inventory on any device whether you’re managing a local warehouse or overseeing global operations. This kind of flexibility is crucial for multi-site businesses—especially when they have remote teams. 

2. Seamless Integrations

Managing inventory is just one piece of the puzzle (although super critical to profitability)! Acumatica integrates smoothly with e-commerce platforms, shipping and tax providers, and many other API-based systems to give you a complete, 360-degree view of your business. You can manage everything from a single, unified platform instead of juggling different tools.  

3. Automation for Complex Needs

If you’re tracking serial numbers (or lots), managing production batches, or running a distribution network, Acumatica can handle it. Its powerful automation features are built for today’s level of complexity. Acumatica allows businesses with intricate operations (like manufacturers and distributors) to run smoothly while minimizing the risk of human error. For example, Acumatica’s Manufacturing edition (coupled with eWorkplace Apps Quality Management System) helps you track individual items from production to sale, ensuring full visibility and control over your inventory while tracking QA testing results for regulatory compliance. 

4. Advanced Reporting and Forecasting

Having accurate inventory data is mission critical, but knowing what to do with data is a much more difficult task. Acumatica’s advanced reporting and forecasting tools give you insights into sales trends, customer demand, and stock levels; and with these insights, you can make informed decisions about reordering, production, and even pricing strategies. This data-driven approach helps you tune your data to your specific use scenarios through deep data analysis toolsets. 

As business landscapes evolve, so too will the demands on your inventory management system evolve and change. By adopting an automated inventory solution like Acumatica, you can future-proof your business, reduce costs, and improve efficiency. 

So, if you’re ready to overcome manual inventory struggles and tackle a tighter approach, Acumatica is an excellent choice for a partner for success.