Read Time: 4 minutes
The Challenge
Large retailers processing thousands of orders daily struggle with traditional inventory methods. Consider an online grocer processing 10,000+ daily orders—stock checking is a necessary, if inefficient, way to verify physical stock. Yet checking all items daily remains impractical.
For low-margin grocery and food companies, robust inventory tracking is the difference between profit and loss.
Two Tracking Approaches
1. Local Storage
The Approach: Information stored on physical crate labels via QR codes.
The Problem: Repeated label changes cause wear, confusion, and inefficiency. Anecdotal evidence suggests that 2-3% of untracked crates are lost each month, directly impacting margins.
2. Remote/Cloud Storage
The Approach: Each crate receives a static ID. Data updates occur via QR code scans without reprinting labels, eliminating waste and confusion.
The Benefit: Information lives in the cloud and updates in real-time as crates move through your supply chain.
Primary Benefits of Cloud-Based Systems
- Loss Prevention: Eliminate the 2-3% monthly loss rate by tracking every crate precisely
- Traceability: Farm-to-fork tracking provides consumers security and your company higher margins
- Audit Automation: Compare weight shipped versus received to identify losses automatically
- Instant Recalls: Perform targeted recalls by batch, date, or delivery details with precision
- Supply-Demand Balance: Better matching reduces waste significantly and improves profitability
Impact on Your Operations
Cloud-based inventory systems streamline multi-hub supply chains, maintain food safety standards, and build customer confidence through transparency. By moving from local storage to cloud-based tracking, you gain real-time visibility, reduce losses, and improve margins.
Ready to transform your inventory management? Contact us at hello@iotready.co.