#Canada #Toronto #inFlow Inventory #lot tracking #expiry date tracking

inFlow Inventory Enhances Batch Tracking Capabilities

Introduction

inFlow Inventory has unveiled its latest feature - lot number and expiry date tracking, aimed specifically at helping small and midsize manufacturers and distributors streamline their operations. This innovative tracking capability enables users to gain full visibility over batch-level transactions, a feature often associated with high-end enterprise systems, now accessible at a fraction of the cost.

The Need for Effective Tracking

In industries such as food, beverage, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices, the ability to trace items from receipt through to the customer is crucial for ensuring quality and safety. Traditional methods of tracking lot numbers, often involving manual spreadsheets, can be tedious and prone to error, causing significant operational bottlenecks, especially during recalls or returns. Small manufacturers and distributors—typically constrained by budget and resources—are often left with minimal options, either sticking with outdated methods or resorting to expensive enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems.

Key Features of inFlow's Tracking

inFlow's innovative feature set significantly reduces the challenges these businesses face. With the new lot number and expiry date tracking, users can:

• - Trace batches from arrival to customer delivery, providing a complete movement history of each lot.
• - Generate automated expiry reports that categorize stock by expiration status, enabling proactive management of products nearing their sell-by dates.
• - Implement a First-Expired-First-Out (FEFO) picking strategy, ensuring the oldest products are dispatched first.
• - Leverage advanced barcode scanning capabilities, allowing for efficient tracking and record-keeping with just one scan of the GS1 QR codes.
• - Manage both lot and serial numbers, giving businesses advanced functionalities typically seen in larger-scale systems.

These features not only improve traceability but also assist in reducing waste and preventing financial losses due to expired stock.

Success Through Development

The launch of this feature is the result of two years of dedicated development and a testing phase that included direct collaboration with food manufacturers and pharmaceutical distributors. Louis Leung, co-founder and CEO of inFlow Inventory, emphasized the shift towards accessibility, stating, “Traceability shouldn't be a luxury feature. The businesses we built this for need quick and effective tools to manage their systems without incurring costs that could cripple them.”

Who Can Benefit?

The new tracking capabilities are primarily designed for a variety of small and midsize enterprises, including:

• - Food and beverage producers
• - Contract manufacturers
• - Pharmaceutical distributors and pharmacies
• - Medical device companies
• - Manufacturers of supplements and cosmetics
• - Specialty chemical businesses

All of these sectors share a pressing need for genuine traceability and face the challenge of managing perishable or time-sensitive products without the financial capacity to invest in costly ERP solutions.

Availability and Pricing

inFlow’s lot number and expiry date tracking feature is available at no additional cost to users on the Mid-Size plans and above. It can also be utilized by businesses trialing inFlow for the first time, facilitating an easy entry into complex inventory management. Setup guides are conveniently provided in the inFlow Learning Center to assist new users in maximizing the benefits of these tools.

Conclusion

As businesses evolve, the need for effective inventory management grows. inFlow Inventory’s latest offering equips small manufacturers and distributors with the tools necessary to compete, reduce waste, and manage traceability issues effectively. This affordable, user-friendly solution represents a significant advancement in making sophisticated inventory management accessible to all.

For further information and to explore how inFlow Inventory can support your business, visit inflowinventory.com.