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Re: Tracking Inventory

KARLAAMAYA — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 02:38:07 GMT

Hi Caffeinated,

I am a virtual assistant who provides Supply and Inventory management for my clients. I first make a list of all supplies they use, then make a spreadsheet with different columns. Depending on their needs I make a list with what items they have on hand, how often used, etc. If you need help, contact me maybe I can assist you. karla@yourpracticaladmin.com .

Karla

http://www.yourpracticaladmin.com

Re: Tracking Inventory

caffeinated — Mon, 05 May 2008 15:25:30 GMT

thank you puzzleman for taking the time to respond! i use a spreadsheet to track inventory today, but its very manual intensive. i'm looking to be be more automated.....something that ties the sales at the register to my inventory. Then, at the end of the week/month, i can just click a button and the software spits out a report of exactly what i need....

Re: Tracking Inventory

caffeinated — Wed, 07 May 2008 13:30:06 GMT

puzzleman, good point!! i've noticed that when people order a cold drink (which comes in a plastic cup), they want to keep their hands dry so they ask for a foam cup to to put it in to catch the sweat....that sounds kind of gross, i mean to catch the condensation.

Re: Tracking Inventory

clnshirtz — Fri, 09 May 2008 03:55:25 GMT

We use dajisoft, which would be useless to you in your business, but my point is that there are likely customize s/w solutions for coffee shops. Have you checked with any trade organizations or even your wholesalers to see if they can make any suggestions?

My guess is someone has noticed the explosion in coffee shops and built a nice little business out of meeting your inventory tracking needs

Re: Tracking Inventory

puzzleman — Thu, 08 May 2008 22:32:38 GMT

Caffinated, Thanks for the answer star. I have some of my best ideas from watching and talking to my customers. I just try to pay attention to what they are doing and see if it helps me.

This has worked for me numerous times in creating and/or modifying products.

Jim

Re: Tracking Inventory

caffeinated — Thu, 08 May 2008 18:43:10 GMT

thx puzzleman. when i first started out, i modeled after a major franchise. they use styrofoam cups for hot liquids (better insulator) and plastic for cold (didnt matter because it had ice). but you're right, perhaps its time to shop around for a new vendor

Re: Tracking Inventory

Chief.Don — Wed, 07 May 2008 21:24:53 GMT

I use Microsoft Office Accounting 2008

get a trail version at http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/account
ing/FX100518171033.aspx

If you need something more powerful checkout their dynamics product.

regards

Re: Tracking Inventory

puzzleman — Wed, 07 May 2008 21:01:30 GMT

Caffinated, If people are asking for a foam cup to put around their plastic cup, you are using two cups. Wouldn't it be easier to just put the cold drinks in a foam cup? That way you only have one cup going out instead of two (cuts costs) and you do not have to stock two different items, just one (saves time and storage space). Just a thought. I don't know the cost difference, so that is something that you would have to figure out.

I know that with my business, I try to stock as few different containers as possible. I have changed the sizes of some so they do double duty. Even though the cost per piece is slightly higher, I benefit by using less storage place, fewer items to keep track of and gets rid of clutter at the packing area.

Jim

Re: Tracking Inventory

puzzleman — Mon, 05 May 2008 22:21:33 GMT

You will still need to do a physical inventory on a regular basis to account for theft, donations and extra items used that are not accounted for in your POS system. Relying only on it will lead to problems. You need to find, look at and investigate variances.

Jim

Re: Tracking Inventory

puzzleman — Sat, 03 May 2008 22:19:02 GMT

Caffeinated, Inventory does not have to be on software. I have done inventory on paper for many years in several restaurants and businesses that I managed. I found it easier for me to have it physically done each week.

What I did was create a page that had a row for each item and 3 columns for each week. On each Monday, I would physically count each item by each or case (whichever is easier). That number would go in column A of that week. If I wanted to order an item, I would put that number in column c. The next week, I would count again. Put the count in column A of that week. Then add up columns A and C from previous week, then subtract the amount in column A of this week. Place that number in column B. That is the amount of inventory used that week. If need to order again, put that amount in column C. If this is done every week on a regular basis, you will have a history of what is used each week. this will let you know when you need to re-order product. Once you get used to this, it takes about 20 - 30 minutes to make your order.

If want more info, give me a call at 314 524 4993.

Jim