Wondering what a stocktaking app is? This is a tool designed to manage stock easily and improve inventory. 

There is no doubt that manual stocktaking is labor-intensive and time-consuming. Also, due to lack of computerization, it is hard to share inventory information. 

That’s why small and large business owners have turned to digital stocktaking because the process is fast and accurate. 

If you need to keep track of your stock, you need the best inventory management tool, like Erply Stocktake App. Manage your stock like never before with this tool. 

Stocktake App Overview

If you operate or own a store, you know the importance of taking stock. Depending on the volume of products your company handles, you might need to carry out stocktaking weekly, bi-weekly or monthly. 

You need to conduct stock takes regularly to ensure you know exactly what you have in hand. You do not want to send away your clients because you are out of stock. Also, stock taking is a crucial undertaking for any business that deals with goods.

You do not want to risk overstocking too. 

Performing a Stocktake - Step by Step

Stocktaking needs to be executed properly in order to be of significant help. Follow these easy steps and your process will go smoothly. We are experienced pros when it comes to managing stock. 

Also, we have our
own Stocktake App

so we know the stocktaking process than anybody else. 


Choose a good time for stocktaking


Choose a suitable time to record your stock. You can choose day and time when sales flow is low or can set aside some hours to accomplish this process. You do not want unnecessary distractions that can lead to miscalculated figures.


Prepare your stock


Check your products to ensure that they are correctly labeled. If your products use barcodes, make sure that they are easy to read with a barcode scanner. If they have labels, one can read a good description of the product. 

Stocktake App Overview blog post image

With the Erply Stocktake App, you can scan a barcode right from your phone. This eliminates external hardware costs and streamlines the warehousing process by ensuring all product scans are 100% accurate.


Get the right software or app


Get the right tool such as Erply to take your stock. Use the app to add and edit items in your inventory.  It comes with an inbuilt barcode reader to add items. It will automatically enter date and can categorize your products easily depending on their characteristics, usage, etc.

You can access the software via web or have the app in your smartphone or tablet. 

It is worth noting that the tool has a detailed sorting system to help with locating your items easier. 


Set alerts 


Many inventory management programs, like Erply's stocktaking tools, have an alert feature that you can use to inform when your stock is running low. 

Importance of Stocktaking

Just like I mentioned before, stocktaking is extremely useful to any business that wants to grow. 

You will be able to identify stock issues and rectify them before they become a big problem, measure how your products are performing, know how many products you have, eliminate theft in your business, discover dead stock, just to name a few. 


Correct stock issues

The Stocktake App will help discover and fix stock issues. Common issues include;

A good stocktaking app will help uncover and fix these issues. It is crucial to fix these problems before they become bigger problems such as expired stock, stock-outs or overstocking. 

While the Stocktake App allows for inventory rapid scanning, you can also enter the amount of items being received after scanning one barcode. Custom item entry means your warehouse workers don’t need to scan 100 barcodes during a large shipment -- they can scan one code, enter the number of items received and move on to the next product.


Increase profit for your business


It is a fact that stocktaking will increase profit for your business by reducing discrepancies and loss. When everything is organized, it is easy to tell which products are fast selling so you can order more and which products are slow-moving so you can order less. 

This will save you money in the long run. 


Reduce inventory shortage costs


A stocktaking app will reduce inventory shortage costs. Inventory shortage costs include missing sales due lack of stock, etc. A great inventory management app will inform which products are at risk of running out. 


Uncover theft


This is a threat to your retail store. There are many employees who steal from their work. They might steal products, steal gift cards, and steal customer identity. Stocktake will help prevent and detect theft. 


Ensure your business is meeting targets


Conducting regular stock takes will provide valuable information like fast and slow moving products, show where there are discrepancies, etc. 

If you have items that have been on the shelves for a long time, this is a sign that they are not popular hence you need to cut their price so as to sell them.

On the other hand, fast-selling items shows the products are popular. This means you can order more plus their related products. By doing this, you will meet your business' targets.