Construction is a business in which a lot of people come together to bring a client’s vision into existence. Whether it’s the erection of a brand new house or the installation of a roofing system, it is fast-paced and has a lot of moveable parts. Often particular aspects of a project are dovetailed so that construction is as fluid as possible.
Organising the logistical elements of a project is crucial to keeping everything running smoothly. if you’ve got a crew waiting on equipment at one site while that same equipment is heading off to a different site, production suffers. Construction software is an important tool when it comes to inventory management.
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What Is Inventory Management?
In construction, inventory management is the process of dealing with all aspects of inventory, which consists of anything that the business stocks for various purposes. The job of the inventory manager is to keep track of the ordering, utilising and storing of the inventory.
The inventory manager will work with project managers to keep apprised of what items need to go to which sites. When communication is good, efficiency and productivity are maximised. It is here in the realm of inventory management that determines whether or not materials will be where they are supposed to be on a given day.
What Is Construction Software?
Construction software is any type of software that construction companies employ to keep track of any information regarding their business, projects and clients. It can streamline and centralise many aspects of the construction industry, automating documents and generally making the process of collating information simple and efficient.
How Does Construction Software Benefit Inventory Management?
Software is beneficial to inventory management in lots of ways. Consider something as simple as a barcode. Any time inventory is registered with a barcode, it can be easily and immediately tracked, from shelf to site. When manual data entry like counting supplies and jotting down the numbers is replaced by a constantly running software system that identifies how many of something there is, how and when it is used, and when it is time to order more, business is more efficient.
The accuracy of the barcode system is tantamount to real-time benefits. Let’s say, for instance, that there were only so many buckets of joint compound in the warehouse, but the addition of a new project calls for double that amount. When the new project data is entered into a software system, it can communicate with inventory software to immediately notify the inventory manager to order more. This even before the project manager has considered whether or not the joint compound is in stock. While they are focusing on the salient aspects of their job, the software is hastening the actions of the inventory manager, who promptly makes the offer.
Strong inventory control is also important for shipping and receiving purposes, and software can be of great assistance. Besides quickly generating packing lists and shipping labels, good software is like an eye that is always watching the comings and goings of inventory. It can calculate landing costs and review all inventory movements, including shipments, purchases, returns and leases.
Keeping track of work orders is more efficient with the right software. All relevant information is stored in the software suite regarding the amounts of inventory needed, dates, delivery logistics and costs accrued. The right software can keep track of thousands of work orders, separated by project, and available for instant examination.
Utilising construction software for inventory purposes is kind of a game-changer. It makes dealing with the logistics of any construction project a more efficient practice and improves productivity across the board.