Inventory · 6 min read
Inventory Management for Small Manufacturers Without an ERP
Short answer
Small manufacturers can manage inventory without an ERP by tracking every part with a minimum stock level, deducting parts automatically through the BOM when products are made, and running a short monthly stocktake.
Why ERP is overkill for small shops
Traditional ERP systems are built for companies with purchasing departments. A workshop of one to ten people needs only stock, BOM, orders and quotes.
Three rules that prevent stockouts
- Set a minimum stock for every critical part based on lead time from your supplier.
- Deduct parts automatically when you record a production run.
- Review low-stock alerts once a week before ordering.
Monthly stocktaking in 30 minutes
Count only high-value and fast-moving parts monthly, the rest quarterly. Export the report to Excel for your accountant.
FAQ
What software do small manufacturers use for inventory?
Many start with spreadsheets, then move to simple tools like robeen that combine inventory, BOM and orders without ERP complexity.
Track product cost, BOM and stock automatically with robeen.
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