So, you’ve made the choice to embrace automation and invest in an inventory management system?
Congratulations on this forward-thinking decision!
Such a move holds the promise of substantial cost savings and operational efficiency improvements in the future.
However, let’s face it: the market is flooded with such software solutions. How do you find the right one for your needs?
This is precisely where this article comes into play.
We’ve curated a list of the top ten inventory management software options, diving into their pros, cons, pricing, and everything in between.
Of course, our own software is included in the mix as well, so let’s get started with it.
In this article...
GoCodes
GoCodes is a one-stop, cloud-based solution for effective inventory management, enabling you to keep track of all your heavy machinery, tools, consumables, and construction materials.
The system consists of only three components: cloud-based software, a scanner smartphone app, and customizable QR code asset labels.
How does it work?
Simply attach the labels to your machines or tools and start scanning with the app to update or view asset data.
No need to purchase expensive handheld scanners!
This straightforward process enables you to:
- Check assets in or out
- Update their GPS location
- Adjust quantities for consumables
- Assign responsibility for the asset
- Set return dates
- Add inspection notes
- Request and track maintenance
- Assign tasks to workers
In addition to providing you with valuable, rich inventory insights, GoCodes sends email notifications for low inventory, overdue assets, and scheduled equipment service, ensuring all crucial information is brought to your attention and enabling prompt risk mitigation.
One thing GoCodes customers seem to appreciate about the software the most is its intuitiveness and efficiency.
With its many useful features, GoCodes expedites processes, builds accountability, improves data accuracy, and boosts asset security, all without sacrificing its user-friendliness.
In terms of pricing, GoCodes offers various annual plans tailored to the number of assets, features, and users you need. Most of the plans include light-duty poly labels at no extra cost, with metal tags available for purchase at a 20% discount.
There’s no need to print your own labels—we provide everything necessary to get the system up and running.
Moreover, we offer a free trial so you can test the solution out before committing to a purchase.
TeDaLos
TeDaLos is an IoT-based system that uses smart sensors, cloud-based software, and end-to-end wireless communication to deliver real-time tracking of inventory quantities, conditions, and locations.
Once the sensors are attached to your assets, they continuously monitor your inventory, whether it’s stored in the warehouse, on-site, or in transit, ensuring you have your eye on it at all times.
But their technology doesn’t just track location.
It also:
- Automatically alerts you when inventory levels are low
- Tracks inventory removals and returns to stock
- Monitors vibration and temperature changes to prevent damage
- Alerts security in case of suspicious movement or activity
To get a better idea of how the system works, check out the video below:
The system’s main advantage seems to be its simplicity; it requires no training or integration into existing technology.
According to their own website, TeDaLos seamlessly fits into any logistics process and is designed for users without technical backgrounds.
TeDaLos offers a flexible monthly subscription tailored to specific needs, with pricing available upon request through their website.
Sensor units are available for purchase or lease.
For those interested in experiencing the system firsthand, the company provides a two-month free demo that includes all necessary hardware, batteries, and the rest of the setup materials.
Align (formerly ToolWatch)
Align provides a comprehensive suite of cloud-based solutions tailored for the construction industry, covering Environmental Health and Safety (EHS), workforce management, and asset tracking systems.
While our focus here will be on the inventory aspect of the software, it’s worth noting the broader range of its capabilities.
Here are some key features that make Align’s asset tracking and management system efficient:
| Tool Monitoring | Provides valuable insights into tool quantities, locations, and maintenance histories, ensuring optimal usage and upkeep. |
| Equipment Management | Seamlessly integrates with accounting systems for accurate job cost allocation, while also managing inspection schedules, histories, and employee certifications. |
| Streamlined purchasing | Automatically generates notifications for low inventory levels and creates purchase orders, simplifying the procurement process. |
This robustness, along with its ability to seamlessly integrate with various software solutions such as ERP and project management systems, seem to be Align’s two biggest strengths.
Customers appreciate the system’s flexibility, which allows them to customize it to suit their specific needs.
However, judging from the online reviews, some users have also experienced challenges with the learning curve and the implementation process.
Align provides three subscription tiers tailored to different business needs.
For pricing details or to request a free demo, you would need to contact Align directly through their website.
Sortly
According to its own website, Sortly is “an all-in-one inventory software that helps businesses of all sizes save time and money.”
It achieves this goal through an extensive feature set, which includes:
- Barcode/QR code asset tracking
- Purchase order creation
- Quick asset check-in and check-out
- Low stock alerts
- Maintenance schedule tracking
- Inventory summary reports
- Integration with platforms such as QuickBooks Online, Slack, Webhooks, and Microsoft Teams
Sortly also has extensive reporting capabilities, generating reports on low stock, location or quantity changes, and more, empowering your decision-making.
Online feedback underscores Sortly’s user-friendly interface and high degree of customization, allowing users to tailor the system to their specific requirements with ease.
In terms of pricing, Sortly offers four distinct plans, each catering to varying needs in terms of item count, user licenses, and included features.
There is also a free plan available for up to 100 items, a good starting point for familiarization with the system.
But, if you’d like to explore all of Sortly’s capabilities, they provide a 14-day free trial for their Ultra and Advanced plans as well.
Acctivate
Acctivate is a versatile inventory software solution that can be deployed either on-premise or in the cloud, catering to various industries, including construction.
Supported by SQL Server, one of the most prevalent and robust data servers, it’s quite scalable, and therefore able to meet the needs of companies of all sizes.
Some of the key features of this system include:
- Real-time inventory visibility
- Multi-warehousing
- Barcoding capabilities
- Integration with QuickBooks
- Inventory analytics
Moreover, Acctivate provides an extensive knowledge base on its website, featuring numerous articles and tutorials aiding users in software installation, as well as in understanding its features and specifications or troubleshooting common issues.
Their pricing is transparent, too.
Acctivate offers three package options tailored to the number of users, add-ons, and integrations, starting at $916 per month ($10,955 per year).
While a free trial isn’t available currently, interested parties can request a live demonstration for a firsthand experience of the system’s capabilities.
SalesBinder
According to the SalesBinder website, what distinguishes this web-based inventory management system from its competitors is its firm dedication to providing highly user-friendly and affordably priced software.
As you can see from the image above, SalesBinder is another system that caters to many different industries.
Let’s take a look at some of its features:
- Real-time monitoring of stock levels across multiple warehouses or job sites
- Low inventory notifications
- Generation of purchase orders
- Barcoding functionality
- Customizable item attributes such as size, color, and location
- Kitting and bundling
Given the consistently positive online feedback from SalesBinder clients, it seems that they managed to achieve their primary objective of delivering a super intuitive solution.
The software is easily navigable and streamlined, the users say, offering just the right amount of features to accomplish all the tasks efficiently without making the system overwhelmingly complex.
It’s important to note, however, that the mobile app is exclusively compatible with iOS devices and lacks built-in barcode scanning capabilities.
This means that those opting for this solution would need to purchase separate handheld scanners from third-party vendors.
SalesBinder provides a variety of pricing plans to cater to different needs.
They also have a “Forever Free Plan” which includes 100 items, 1 user license, and 1 custom field.
Paid plans range from $9 to $99 per month, each offering a fully-featured 30-day free trial period.
HeronTrack
HeronTrack is an inventory monitoring system comprising two components: sensors affixed to assets, transmitting real-time inventory data, and software (accessible via mobile or web) that displays the assets’ location, recent users, and operational hours.
The system employs two types of sensors:
- BLE sensors, which communicate with the app, tagged assets, and the kiosk in the warehouse
- BLE/Sigfox sensors, which transmit their location four times a day. They also come equipped with an antitheft function that triggers alerts upon detecting suspicious movements
Additionally, HeronTrack offers a companion app with a convenient tool reservation system.
This feature empowers workers to browse available tools, request their availability, and make reservations within seconds.
Installation of HeronTrack sensors is pretty straightforward.
You can do it on your own using silicone adhesive, screws, or tape, and if you encounter issues along the way, there’s always HeronTrack’s free video support.
HeronTrack presents two payment options: the Business Plan starting at $100 per month, and the Enterprise Plan, for which pricing information is available upon inquiry.
Interested parties can also schedule a video call in their language of choice for a free demonstration.
Jonas Construction Software
Jonas Construction Software presents itself as a comprehensive solution aimed at bridging the back-office with on-field tasks.
Tailored primarily for medium to large enterprises across various construction trades such as mechanical/HVAC, electrical, and plumbing, it presents an integrated system encompassing accounting, project management, and inventory control.
On the inventory management side of the system, Jonas Construction Software boasts the following features:
- Tracking of minimum and maximum inventory levels
- Automatic creation of purchase orders based on stock levels
- Inventory reporting
- Location monitoring
- Depreciation analysis
- Maintenance scheduling
According to Charla Smith, controller at BCI Mechanical and a happy customer, Jonas Construction Software is quite intuitive and user-friendly:
“The Jonas interface is very clean, the layout is easy to navigate, and information can be easily exported out to Microsoft Excel. Even our receptionist finds it very intuitive and she was able to learn the system relatively quickly.”
On top of that, it provides all the essential tools for effective inventory management, streamlining, and expediting many processes.
Since pricing details are not readily available on the website, you’ll need to reach out to the sales team for a customized quote.
And if you’re keen on exploring the system firsthand, you can request a free demo to get a deeper understanding of its capabilities and suitability for your needs.
Equipment360
Equipment360 is one of the many products offered by HCSS (Heavy Construction Systems Specialists), serving as a heavy machinery maintenance system helping companies manage their asset upkeep needs and scheduling.
One of its main goals is to streamline the maintenance workflow by facilitating easy entry of work order information and granting full visibility into pre-repair requirements for each machine.
Equipped with a range of features, it offers:
- Efficient creation of detailed work orders
- Real-time tracking of equipment part inventory
- Monitoring of part utilization
- Maintenance request capabilities
- Generation of inspection forms
- Streamlined submission, review, approval, and rejection of time cards
Clients report that the software is user-friendly and backed by excellent customer service.
However, it’s important to note that Equipment360 primarily focuses on maintenance aspects of inventory management.
It does not include features for, say, tracking consumables or material quantities, nor does it offer location monitoring.
In other words, for comprehensive inventory management, additional software may be required.
Nevertheless, if your priority is efficient maintenance management without unnecessary complexities, then Equipment360 is an ideal solution for you.
It’s fast, it’s simple, and it provides all you need for an effective preventive maintenance regime.
Not to mention it includes features not found in other systems mentioned in this article, such as spare part performance tracking.
For pricing information, you would need to reach out to HCSS for a custom quote tailored to your specific needs.
ZarMoney
ZarMoney is a versatile cloud-based software designed to handle various business functions, including accounting, billing, invoicing, bookkeeping, and inventory management.
Some of its inventory control capabilities are:
- Supply status and history tracking
- Monitoring inventory across multiple warehouses
- Insights into purchase histories and real-time stock updates
- Inventory forecasting tools
- Evaluation and tracking of inventory costs
Clients praise the software for its responsive customer service and intuitive interface, catering even to beginner users.
In fact, according to some online reviews, this ease of use has prompted many to switch from solutions like QuickBooks to ZarMoney.
It’s worth noting that, while the system excels in accounting and the financial side of inventory control such as cost forecasting and taxation, some users find its capabilities in pure inventory management somewhat limited.
Still, ZarMoney does a great job of unifying accounting and inventory management, enabling its users to stay on top of multiple aspects of their business using a single platform.
So, if you are on the fence about whether or not this solution would suit your needs, you can always request a free trial to test it out.
As for pricing, ZarMoney offers three distinct plans: Entrepreneur ($15 per month, per user), Small Business (from $20 per month), and Enterprise (starting from $350 per month).
Conclusion
So, which of these software solutions is the best?
The answer is: that depends on you and your specific needs.
That’s why it’s important to take a more holistic approach when looking for inventory management software.
Rather than solely focusing on price or the number of features, you need to dive deeper into your unique requirements and circumstances.
Are you looking for a particular feature?
How robust and accessible is the support and knowledge base offered by the software provider?
What precisely is your intended use for the software—is your focus on maintenance or something else?
Taking the time to really reflect on your needs and doing proper research will eventually lead you to the ideal solution that will help you take your inventory control to the next level.
