The Advantages Of Cloud-Based Inventory Management
Today’s manufacturing sector includes a wide variety of operational systems. From single process assembly to multi-stage production runs, there are many ways to manufacture consumer products. But no matter what your unique process is, there’s one aspect that gives a clear advantage when it comes to operational methods: Cloud-Based Inventory Management.
ACCURACY AND EFFICIENCY
Whether you’re a one-person operation or you manage a team of 500+, using a cloud-based inventory management system guarantees an increased level of accuracy and efficiency for your data. Instead of the manual tasks and risks of human error associated with manual spreadsheet management, cloud-based data is always available with real-time accuracy. There’s no number crunching or visual verification required when you operate with a single source of truth. And efficiency is automatically increased when your team is free from the burden of manual counting and recording, and this freed-up time can be used to elevate your operation in other ways.
“When we implemented Wherefour, the payoff was immediate and onboarding our team was simple. Because so much time was freed up with the elimination of spreadsheet management, we were able to create a solid process for production.”
— Derek Hoffman, Bizzy Cold Brew
WORKPLACE FLEXIBILITY
Just like the size of your manufacturing team may vary, facilities come in all shapes and sizes too. Whether everything you do happens under one roof or you have multiple locations with different production steps happening along the way, cloud-based inventory management software unifies all of your operations and locations with shared, accurate, real-time data. Do you have separate facilities for dry-storage or cold-storage? Do you have a manufacturing location and a brick-and-mortar storefront? Or, do you offer flexible in-person and virtual staffing opportunities? Any and all of these scenarios are supported by a cloud-based system, as people and production processes do not have to be physically on-site when a cloud-based platform unites them.
“I can travel and still know what is going on. The system automatically lets me know if I need to place an order, and I don’t have to check it manually.”
— Diana Cortes-Blanquicet, DOU Bakehouse
SYSTEMS INTEGRATION, ADVANCED REPORTING AND SCALABILITY
Daily operation and workflows are undeniably streamlined by the use of a cloud-based system. But let’s not forget about next-level functionality that is unlocked in terms of systems integration, advanced reporting, and scalability. When inventory management and production are handled with a cloud-based system, all aspects of your business (inventory management, customer & vendor records, order fulfillment and accounting to name a few) can be integrated, and data is automatically shared and updated. And cross-system data that is stored in the cloud enables advanced reporting functionality empowering decision makers to adjust at a moment’s notice. Cloud-based management allows for calculated and purposeful growth and it makes scalability a breeze.
Managing your inventory with a cloud-based system enables accurate and efficient production processes, allows for workplace streamlining and flexibility, and unlocks operational integration and scalability. For more insight on how to optimize your inventory management strategies, read this related article: Optimization Series — Inventory Management.
