managing an inventory system is a big task that cannot be efficiently performed through manual bookkeeping. Just like other businesses, schools also have to keep track of various resources and assets.An Inventory Management System can help you digitize the process.
With more and more ed tech advancements, schools are opting to choose school management software for dailyasks like teaching, exams, and homework. When you decide to switch to school management software, you get an inventory management system to help ease and perfect your inventory processes.
What is an Inventory Management System?
An inventory management system is a part of Education ERP Software. It offers specific features and tools to assist with keeping track of the school’s resources and assets. When we talk about keeping an inventory for schools, we include the following items.
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- sports equipment
- Smart devices/gadgets (laptops, computers, projectors, tablets)
- library materials (books, research papers, brochures)
- classroom furniture
- school supplies
- safety supplies.
What are the Benefits of Using an Inventory Management System?
When you get Education ERP Software, you get an inventory management module that helps you maintain and track the school’s assets. With a digitized inventory system, there are a lot of benefits. Let’s discuss these benefits.
1. Store Location Details of Assets
With an inventory management system, you can list down all the names of assets and save additional details with them. When you register an item in the system, add details such as location, type of asset, purchase date, and condition. With this tool, you can stay informed on the asset’s information. In case of an accident or issue, you can just pull up the records to check the information.
2. Avoid Misplacing the Items
Theft, damage, or misplacement of a school’s assets is an added expense to the school. To make sure that these instances are avoided, the inventory management system comes with a tracking tool.
With this system, you can generate and assign special barcoded tags for each inventory item. This tool helps you to see a complete log of the people who used the item. With this tool, any misplaced asset can be located quickly. It’s also helpful in preventing any possible thefts.
3. It Improves Inter-departmental Efficiency
With an inventory management system, you can categorize items based on different departments to make sure they have an accurate log of items. This helps streamline the inventory process and avoid any confusion.
- The science department’s inventory list would include lab equipment, safety items, chemicals, and more.
- For the sports department, it would include sports gear, footwear, and clothing.
- For the Art department, it would include crafting supplies, painting and sketching materials, knitting materials, and so on.
4. Reports about the Item’s Condition
You can keep track of smart devices (laptops, computers, and projectors) and their performance to get insights into their condition. This way you can get resourceful information that helps you decide if the device needs to be updated, repaired, or replaced. This information can be used while planning the school budget for the next year.
5. Acess the System Remotel
In the event of a global pandemic, or other emergency situation you can use the school management software to access the inventory management system remotely. This means whether you’re working at school or from home, you can still log in and do your inventory process tasks.
Now that we have discussed the benefits of having an inventory management system, let’s talk about how to choose one.
How to Choose an Inventory Management System?
As Inventory Management System is a part of school ERP software, you must choose the right one. There are certain inventory management system features you need to look out for before you make a decision.
- Asset Tracking
To efficiently manage the school’s inventory, you need to be able to know an asset’s location, access logs, and condition reports. You’ll need a tracking feature that allows you to generate barcodes that helps you keep track of every inventory item. Only with the tracking feature can you efficiently locate the items and make sure that no items have been misplaced or stolen.
- Stock Summary Notifications
This feature is important for the smooth functioning of your school’s daily processes. With this feature, you get notified when any items are low on stock, or if any items need to be purchased. With this information, you can also maintain a detailed report of purchase history and plan the budget for the upcoming school year.
- Check-In/Check-Out for Borrowing
In this feature, the administration can manage a list of items borrowed or requested by the students, teachers, and non-teaching staff. With the right inventory management system, the system maintains a log of borrowed items, the date they were borrowed, and when they’re due for return.
- Multiple Logins
Teachers and other staff members need details of available pieces of equipment, study materials, and other school supplies for lesson planning, exams, or other events. This is why you need to get software that offers a multiple login feature where other members can log in to get access to these details.
- Integration Support with Other Modules
Before deciding on a school management software, make sure that their inventory management system can integrate with other modules such as calendar, timetable, accounting, and such. With this feature, you get to experience an overall smooth managing experience.
FAQ’s
1. What an inventories for schools?
Inventories for schools include smart devices, school supplies, furniture, study materials, and sports equipment.
2. How Important is inventory in educational management?
Inventory management makes sure that the institute’s assets, resources, and materials are used to their full potential. It is important in reducing management costs by making sure nothing is lost, stolen, or damaged.
3. What is an asset register in schools?
An asset register is essential for accounting and reporting purposes to make sure the resources are properly utilized. However, maintaining a physical register is more tedious & time-consuming as compared to using a tool like school ERP.
EndNote
A good inventory management system improves a school’s efficiency, helps reduce unnecessary costs, and saves time with its tools. Managing the inventory is essential as most of the daily processes and classes depend on it. Here are the benefits of an inventory management system for the school.
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- Store Location Details of your Assets
- Avoid Misplacement of Items
- It Improves Inter-departmental Efficiency
- Reports about the Item’s Condition
- Access the System Remotely
To make sure that your school can enjoy all these benefits, the school management software you choose should provide these inventory management features.
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- Asset Tracking
- Stock Summary Notifications
- Check-In/Check-Out for Borrowing
- Multiple Logins
- Integration Support with Other Modules
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