Is the spare part on the shelf, on a work order or already invoiced? When stock is kept by hand, the honest answer is often “we are not sure”. Barcode stock tracking removes that uncertainty.
What barcodes provide
Each product or part is identified by a unique code; when scanned, the system records which part was taken, to whom it was given and how many remain. Errors drop sharply compared with manual entry, and counting gets faster.
Set-up steps
- Product list: Part codes, names, units, critical stock levels.
- Labelling: Barcode labels on shelves and products.
- Scanning: A handheld terminal, scanner or phone camera.
- Movements: Entry, exit, return and count records.
- Alerts: Notification for parts that drop below the critical level.
Together with work orders
Stock makes sense not alone but linked to work orders: when a part is added to a work order it is deducted from stock and the cost reflects on the job. We covered this in choosing a service tracking program.
Watch points
It matters that it can work in places with poor connectivity, can be backed up and allows permissions for staff; see offline-first software. If a ready tool is not enough, we prepare custom software. For the general decision see custom software or off-the-shelf.