This is why the use of the appropriate RFID inventory tracking system is not optional anymore; it has become a critical part of operational performance and long-term success.
However, there are so many tools in the market; which of them is powerful, but not too big, although inexpensive, to meet your size and budget?
The following is an instruction on the best inventory tracking systems that fit small and mid-size businesses and how to select and implement the one that suits your operations.
1. Understand Your Inventory Needs Before Choosing
Prior to the choice of any software, do an inventory (both literal and figurative) of your current inventory hassles:
- Do you consider locating inventory in more than one place?
- Do you handle raw materials, finished products, or both?
- Do you synchronize your inventory between offline and online sales?
The goal of SMBs should be to have a system to resolve immediate pain points and have an opportunity to expand. There is no need to be overcharged for a business-grade tool with functionality that one does not use.
Action step: Come up with a list of must-haves (e.g., real-time tracking, barcode support, RFID, integrations) and nice to-haves (e.g., demand forecasting, mobile apps access).
2. Top Inventory Tracking Systems for SMBs
The following is a compiled list of respected systems suitable for small and mid-sized operations:
1. Zoho Inventory
Ideal to: E-commerce and retail
Zoho Inventory has multi-channel sales, order automation, and integration with Shopify, Amazon, and eBay.
Pros:
Easy to install and operate
Low-priced tier pricing
Good inventory and shipping capabilities
Cons:
Lack of advancement at the lower levels
It may need to be upgraded when operations grow bigger
2. Sortly
Its purpose is best at Visual tracking of inventory and tracking of assets with tags.
Sortly offers a graphical solution using photo inventory and an easy means of categorization.
Pros:
Very user-friendly
Mobile app scanning via Barcode and QR codes
Offline access
Cons:
It is not quite suitable when it comes to supply chains that are high-volume and sophisticated.
Limited integrations
3. Look For Seamless Integrations With Your Existing Systems
Regardless of the system you select, it has to be installed intuitively within your accounting software, e-commerce site, or point-of-sale system. Integration ensures:
- Real-time stocks information
- Quality of financial reporting
- Order syncing Automated
SMBs also tend to skip this part and not only increase work done across platforms but also often waste money doing so. Time: When choosing a system, look for one that has plug-and-play connectors or open APIs. Even in hospitals, the administration can use an RFID patient tracking system that is effective for patient care in the hospital.
Pro tip: Pay more attention to integrating with platforms that you already use (copyright, Shopify, Square, WooCommerce, etc.).
When you invest in a scalable, smart inventory tracking technology today, you will reduce all the costly errors, have tighter operations, and establish the basis of profitable growth.