The Benefits of Cloud Inventory Software

With the advancements in technology and thousands of new software solutions coming out every year, the word “cloud” has become an integral part of this evolution. It’s becoming more common to store information in a way that can be accessible at any given moment and from anywhere in the world.

From storing and sharing your photos to displaying key business insights to people across the globe, cloud technology has proven to be a great way to house data. WarehouseOS is on the leading edge of cloud-based inventory management software.

Historically, inventory management software has taken a backseat to technological advancements. For years, and even today, inventory software has been stuck in a traditional in-house server setting. But new cloud-based tools have superseded expectations with speed and functionality, making it an attractive option.

What is a Cloud-Based Inventory Management Software?

Cloud-based inventory management software is a way for a business to manage the levels and flow of products within a warehouse. It seamlessly keeps track of inventory coming in and out of an operation. Most WMS systems allow access to inventory data from anywhere and on any device with an internet connection.

What are the main benefits of Cloud-Based Inventory Software?

There are many benefits to using cloud-based software. We’re going to narrow it down to 4 main reasons and break it down even further to show you why you should make the switch (if you haven’t already done so).

1. Simple and Easy Setup

One of the biggest hurdles to tackle when choosing software for your warehouse or fulfillment operation is what the setup incurs. With traditional systems, this could take months, even more than a year of technical support to get your facility suitable for that system. Especially when dealing with heavy-duty servers and available on-site technical staffing.

With cloud inventory software, it’s possible to completely bypass local servers and utilize offsite (and more powerful) servers all over the globe. Not to mention, you can slim down your in-house IT staff since you’ve simplified your system.

Cloud software usually doesn’t need a heavy onboarding walkthrough because of its ease of use. There may be a small setup with hardware, depending on how it is deployed. With software like WarehouseOS™, it uses iPads with carts for the picking process. The setup is so simple you can almost do it yourself.

It’s not uncommon to be up and running within a few weeks. Depending on what eCommerce and shipping platforms you use, if proper custom APIs have already been setup, the integration process can be fast and easy.

2. Security and Backup

Many service providers have secure data servers that get backed up around the clock. No need to worry about losing any data since backups are automatically generated everytime there is a change or update. And even if the server you are using at the time suddenly gives out, you will automatically be rerouted to another server that’s running.

Moving from a physical storage solution to a completely digital option has proven to be the safest and most cost effective way to back up any information. Cloud service providers are constantly working around the clock to safeguard against cyberattacks, which happen every minute of every day. On the contrary, using your own local server can be dangerous, especially if you don’t have an extensive onsite staff to constantly monitor and update systems to combat these attacks.

3. Better support

Support teams are readily available to help you when you experience issues. With cloud software, it is easy for support teams to help you remotely. Everything, including your data, is accessible with an internet connection. No need to wait for a technician to schedule a time to come and visit your operation. With that, problems are simpler to diagnose and fix.

Also, whenever new updates to your software occur, these changes happen automatically. New features and products are easily updated within minutes.

4. A better way of reporting

Making better decisions for your business always comes down to the data. Getting access to the right kind of data that reflects performance and results is always a major concern. With cloud inventory software, it has never been easier to see exactly what’s going on within the four walls of your warehouse.

You can understand which warehouse workers are working at their best and which ones aren’t by seeing how many picks they made within the hour. Or see which items are selling faster than others.

With that information, you can restructure your warehouse layout to accommodate hot-selling items. This is the kind of actionable information that will take your operations to a whole new level of efficiency.

Historical data can show you a big picture of your overall sales, giving you the ability to make smart decisions on what products you need to let go of and which ones you need to expand on.

With cloud software, this kind of data and historical records can be accessed anywhere, anytime.

Conclusion

Not every cloud-based inventory management software is made equal. Some have different benefits, others lack in certain areas. The option that is best suited for your business comes down to analyzing what kind of information you need, and how you need it displayed.

Getting free demos and trying them out for yourself is the best way to see if it’s a right fit for you. Reach out to us today and see how cloud software can be a benefit to your business.