Inventory Operations vs Spreadsheets
Spreadsheets are great for lists. They break down when inventory is moving, multiple people update data, and you need a defensible history.
IO gives you location structure, movement events, and exports—so teams stop debugging files and start operating with confidence.
Where spreadsheets break
- No consistent location model (moves don’t have destinations).
- Conflicting versions and manual reconciliation.
- Hard to answer “who changed what?”
- Counts are slow and variance compounds.
- Exports for audits are painful and inconsistent.
What IO adds
- Locations + destination-based transfers as first-class events.
- Audit-ready history for movements and adjustments.
- Cycle counts and reconciliation cadence that prevents drift.
- Controlled adjustments with reason codes.
- Exportable reports for reviews and stakeholders.
FAQ
Short answers to common comparison questions.
Can we import/export CSV?
Yes—exports help with reviews, stakeholders, and reconciliation. Imports help teams migrate off spreadsheets.
How do we keep data accurate?
Use consistent receiving and destination-based transfers, then reinforce with cycle counts.
Do we need barcodes?
Not required, but scanning reduces manual entry and improves speed and accuracy.
What’s the fastest way to switch?
Start with a small location map and top items, then add transfers and a weekly cycle count cadence.
Want help deciding fast?
Tell us your workflows and constraints. We’ll recommend the fastest rollout that stays accurate.