The 6 best inventory management apps of 2023 [and how to choose the right one for your business]

Today, businesses of all sizes are under pressure to do more with less. In the past, companies could rely on extensive inventory levels to cushion them against fluctuations in customer demand. However, the recent economic downturn has forced many businesses to re-evaluate their inventory strategies.

What is an inventory management software?

An Inventory management software helps businesses keep track of their inventory levels in real time, allowing them to make changes quickly when demand shifts. In addition, inventory management software can help businesses reduce their overall inventory levels, freeing up working capital and reducing storage costs.

Why inventory management software is important?

As businesses continue to look for ways to improve their bottom line, it's likely that inventory management software will become an ever-more essential tool. Not only do you need to know what you have in stock, but you also need to be able to track where your inventory is, how much it’s worth, and when it needs to be replenished.

In this article, we'll discuss the 6 best inventory management solutions of 2023. We'll also provide tips on how to choose the right software for your business.

Here are 6 of the best inventory management software:

1.  Fishbowl Inventory

Fishbowl Inventory is a comprehensive inventory management software solution that offers a variety of features to help businesses streamline their operations.

Some of its key features include:

• Real-time tracking of inventory levels, items, and locations

• The ability to create and manage custom reports

• Support for barcode scanning and mobile devices

• Integrations with leading accounting and ERP software

• A robust set of security features to protect sensitive data

2. InventoryLab

InventoryLab is a leading provider of inventory and accounting software for Amazon sellers.

Some of its key features include:

• Integration with Amazon’s listing and shipping tools, making it easy to keep track of your inventory and orders

• Allows users to manage and track their inventory across multiple sales channels

• Offers real-time data reporting and analytics to help users make informed decisions about their business

• Provides tools for automating listing, repricing, and order fulfillment

• Helps users manage their business finances with features like income and expense tracking

• Gives users the ability to connect with InventoryLab's community of sellers for advice and support

3. Sellbrite

Sellbrite helps businesses manage their inventory across multiple sales channels, including Amazon, eBay, and Shopify. It offers automated listing, synchronization, and more.

Some of its key features include:

• Enables merchants to sell their products on multiple marketplaces around the world, including Amazon, eBay, and Walmart

• Real-time inventory updates, so users always know what's in stock and can avoid overselling

• Automatically generated shipping labels and packing slips, eliminating the need for manual data entry

• Order tracking from start to finish, so users always know where their products are and when they will arrive at their destination

• Powerful tools for pricing, promotions, and shipping, giving users everything they need to run their business efficiently

4. TradeGecko

TradeGecko is a comprehensive inventory management solution that offers features like order and shipment tracking, automatic reordering, and financial reporting.

Some of its key features include:

• Multi-currency and multilingual support

• Built-in accounting and financial reporting

• Managing both physical and digital goods

• Built-in accounting and financial reporting

• Fully customizable to suit the unique needs of businesses

• Integrates with popular ecommerce platforms, such as Shopify, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce, making it easy to manage online and offline sales from one central system

5. Unleashed

Unleashed is designed to grow with businesses. It offers features like multi-location inventory management, product kitting, and advanced reporting.

Some of its key features include:

• The ability to track inventory in real-time, across multiple locations

• Multi-currency and language support

• A user-friendly interface that's easy to navigate

• Detailed reporting capabilities, so businesses can identify trends and anomalies

• The ability to integrate with other business software, such as accounting and ecommerce platforms

• Flexible pricing options that can be tailored to the specific needs of a business

6. Zoho Creator Inventory Management App

The Zoho Creator Inventory App is a powerful low-code platform for tracking stock levels and keeping on top of inventory management.

Some of its features include:

• Tracking stock levels, warehouse locations, and inventory valuations in real time 

• Setting up reorder points and creating purchase orders to keep your inventory levels topped up

• Monitoring incoming shipments and stock movements between different locations

• Generating intelligent reports on inventory levels, stock valuation, and more

• Integrating with other Zoho apps like Zoho Books, so you can easily manage your finances and inventory in one place

• Available for free on the Zoho Creator app store

• Highly customizable

Zoho Creator is a low-code application development platform that enables businesses to quickly create custom applications without the need for programming knowledge. The platform includes a wide range of features and tools that make it easy to develop and deploy sophisticated business applications.

One of the most popular applications on Zoho Creator is the Inventory App. This app allows businesses to track inventory levels, issue purchase orders, and create reports. The app is highly configurable, making it easy to tailor the app to the specific needs of the business. In addition, the app integrates with other Zoho Creator apps, allowing businesses to manage their inventory across multiple locations seamlessly.

How to choose the right inventory management software for your business?

Each business has unique needs, so each business will require a different inventory software solution. However, there are a few tips you can use to help choose the right software for your business:

• Do your research

There are a lot of inventory software programs on the market, so it's important to do your research before making a decision. Compare different programs and read reviews to find the one that best suits your needs.

• Consider your budget

New software can be expensive, so you'll need to consider your budget when making a choice. There are many affordable options available, so you don't have to break the bank to get the right program for your business.

• Make sure the software is user friendly

It's important that the software is easy to use, especially if you're not familiar with computers or inventory systems. Look for a program that's intuitive and simple to navigate.

• Choose a solution that's customizable

Not all businesses are the same, so it's important to choose a program that's customizable to fit your specific needs. Find a program that allows you to track inventory levels, create reports, and set up alerts for necessary stock adjustments.

• Invest in software that provides after-sales support

Make sure the software is reliable and supported by a good company that offers good customer service and technical support, in case you need help using the software.

Must-have features of inventory management software

1. The ability to track stock levels in real-time is crucial for keeping on top of inventory. This information needs to be accurate and up-to-date in order to make sound decisions about reordering and stock level management.

2. The software must be able to generate reports detailing stock levels, turnover rates, and other important information. This data is essential for understanding how inventory is performing and identifying areas where improvements can be made.

3. Efficient order processing is another key feature of good inventory management software. The software should be able to automate and streamline the ordering process, as well as keep track of supplier details and delivery schedules.

4. A good inventory management system will also have features for managing returns and damaged goods. This ensures that stock levels are accurate and that businesses can avoid selling defective products to customers.

5. Security is important for any software system, but it's especially vital for inventory management software, as it often contains sensitive data like pricing information and supplier details. That's why the software should have robust security features, such as user authentication and data encryption.

6. The software should be easy to use and intuitive, so that staff can quickly learn how to use it effectively. A complex or difficult-to-use system will lead to errors and inefficiencies in the inventory management process.

7. The system should be scalable so that it can grow along with the business—and be able to handle an increasing number of SKUs and users without performance issues.

8. Good inventory management software will integrate with other business systems, such as accounting and point-of-sale systems. This eliminates the need to manually enter data into multiple systems and reduces the chances of data inconsistency across different platforms.

9. The software should have a mobile app, so that employees can access inventory information while on the go. This is particularly useful for businesses with multiple locations or sales staff who work remotely.

10. The system should offer excellent customer support in case any issues arise during use. A knowledgeable customer support team can help resolve problems quickly and ensure that businesses can continue to run smoothly.

The best inventory management software is here. What's your pick?

There are many factors to consider when choosing inventory software for your business. The first thing to think about is what type of business you have and what your specific needs are. Do you have a lot of products or just a few? Are your products perishable or do they have a long shelf life? What kind of logistics do you need to track? Once you've considered your needs, you can start looking at different software options.

There are many different programs on the market, so it's important to do your research and find one that will work well for your business. Be sure to read online reviews and compare pricing before making your final decision. With the right software in place, you can streamline your inventory management and keep your business running smoothly.