Inventory Management Software Development

ScienceSoft starts inventory system implementation projects with the following steps:

• Eliciting functional and non-functional requirements for an inventory system, defining user roles, required integrations with other systems (ERP, CRM, WMS, POS, accounting system, etc.) and data migration activities (to move data from currently used spreadsheets or an inventory management solution).
• Deciding on the inventory system type: software-only or hardware-supported (barcode/QR code scanning, RFID, computer vision). Outlining a list of required hardware equipment if needed.
• Designing a high-level architecture of the solution with major components and interactions between them. Prototyping UX and UI.
• Composing an optimal tech stack for inventory system development. To streamline and speed up development, we rely on proven frameworks, low-code platforms, and ready-made components where possible.

ScienceSoft’s experts strongly believe that precise project planning is the cornerstone of a successful inventory system implementation. At this stage, we cover:

• Outlining the scope of work and its duration, associated risks and the ways to mitigate them.
• Calculating expected TCO and ROI of the inventory system.
• Defining milestones, objectives, and KPIs for the inventory system implementation project.

At ScienceSoft, this stage includes:

• Delivering the back end of the inventory solution that will consolidate and process inventory data uploaded by users and generated by inventory tracking devices and trigger actions based on this data to automate inventory operations.
• Delivering user-facing web and mobile applications.
• (Optionally) Implementing a demand forecasting module driven by machine learning to optimize inventory management processes.
• Running quality assurance procedures to validate inventory software quality and fix bugs prior to production.

At this stage, ScienceSoft’s team finalizes integration patterns and procedures defined at the inventory system’s design stage. We implement and test integrations with other business-critical systems and business intelligence (BI) solutions for inventory reporting and visualization of inventory-related data.

Prior to solution launch, ScienceSoft assists in data migration from currently used inventory software or spreadsheets. For this, we take the following steps:

• Developing a migration scenario, scripts for migration automation, data mappings.
• Extracting inventory data from a legacy inventory system or spreadsheets and validating its quality, identifying and solving issues (e.g., lost or corrupted data).
• Loading the data into a dedicated inventory database and running data verification procedures to ensure data accuracy and consistency.

The deployment of an inventory system with ScienceSoft usually covers the following stages:

Stage 1. Configuring software infrastructure, backup and disaster recovery procedures. Implementing robust security mechanisms: authorization controls for APIs, DDoS protection algorithms, firewalls, IDSs / IPSs, and more. Installing and tuning hardware if required (e.g., barcode printers and readers, RFID tags and readers, computer vision cameras, etc.). Deploying the solution to one of the targeted facilities (warehouse/distribution center) for a pilot run. Duration: 2 weeks for hardware-supported systems.

Stage 2. Monitoring the system’s functioning in real-life conditions. Handling possible change requests and issues (e.g., barcode/RFID-related). Duration of pilot operation: 1-2 months.

Stage 3. Rolling out the final version of the solution to all the targeted facilities. Duration: ~ 2 months for deploying RFID/barcode-based systems (depending on the number of facilities and their layout complexity, the duration can be longer).

To help employees involved in inventory-related operations quickly learn how to use the solution for their daily operations, ScienceSoft takes the following steps:

• Devising the plan on incorporating the new inventory system into employees’ (inventory and purchasing specialists, warehouse workers) workflows.
• Creating software and hardware administrator guides and user tutorials.
• Conducting workshops for involved user groups (e.g., training warehouse staff to label inventory items for the new system).

ScienceSoft offers a range of after-launch services to ensure smooth performance of the inventory system in the long run. The services include:

• Providing continuous user support.
• Running planned system updates and extending functionality based on evolving business needs and user feedback, e.g., more types of inventory reports enabled, improved UI.
• For barcode/RFID/computer-vision-supported systems: fixing hardware defects and maintaining hardware (in cooperation with a hardware vendor).