Guide
When to upgrade your inventory management system
If your business is starting to buckle under the pressure of spreadsheets? Or perhaps you invested in software to manage your business, and the honeymoon period is over. We’ve put together this guide to help you understand if you need to change systems, how Katana can help your business, and the benefits your stakeholders need to know.
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Understanding the value of cloud-based inventory software
We’ve highlighted the key differences between Katana, spreadsheets, and ERP systems — from pain points others have experienced to why many businesses switched to Katana.
Katana vs. spreadsheets
Spreadsheets are a great choice for getting started and managing your business since they’re cost-effective, accessible, and easy to set up. However, they quickly become a burden, primarily due to their lack of scalability and limited functionality. Here’s a sneak-peak at the differences between Katana and spreadsheets:
Spreadsheets
- It often requires manual updates, leading to errors, outdated information, and inefficient processes
- It becomes cumbersome and less efficient as the volume of data grows, leading to slower performance and increased risk of errors
- Typically requires manual data exchange between systems, which can be inefficient and error-prone
Katana Cloud Inventory
- Provides real-time updates on inventory levels, production statuses, and order progress
- Automates tasks such as stock level adjustments, order tracking, and production scheduling
- Seamlessly integrates with other business tools such as accounting software, ecommerce platforms, and shipping solutions
If I didn’t have Katana, I would be drowning in spreadsheets, which would all break at some point. Because of Katana and our pre-order methods, we can make sure our hero products are always in stock.
Katana vs. ERP
ERP systems appear to be a great choice as they are an all-in-one solution. But when a system claims to be an all-in-one solution, it usually means that it’s a Jack of all trades, master of none. To get real-time data, scalability, and automation with an ERP, you experience high costs, lack of flexibility, and miss out on technological advancements.
ERP
- Have complex interfaces that require extensive training and onboarding
- Requires a significant upfront investment in hardware and software, as well as ongoing maintenance and IT support
- Rigid and difficult to customize, often requiring specialized consultants for modifications
Katana Cloud inventory
- Features a modern, intuitive interface that is easy to learn and use
- Requires minimal IT infrastructure and maintenance. Software updates and data backups are handled automatically
- Flexible customization options to adapt to specific business needs and workflows
We were doing £150-250,000 a month while struggling with the previous system at that time. With Katana, we’ve doubled that number and are working a lot more efficiently.
Katana Cloud Inventory Software
How Katana Cloud Inventory serves SMBs
Optimize your processes with a robust, intuitive solution for managing inventory and production processes — streamline operations, maintain optimal stock levels, automate key workflows, reduce costs, and enhance efficiency.
Getting your products to customers faster
Katana supports your workflows no matter your industry with the features and seamless integrations you need to manage your business how you want.
Inventory management
Real-time product visibility at all your locations helps you achieve improved delivery tracking, seamless operations, and efficient order fulfillment.
Purchase management
Issue purchase orders for supplies and materials in Katana that are delivered directly to your warehouse or contract manufacturer.
Sales order management
Consolidate all your online and offline sales channels and data into a single view for total omnichannel support.
Planning and forecasting
Make better data-driven decisions as Katana automates your inventory planning — using historical data to predict future demand.
Production management
Optimize your production and decrease lead times based on your bill of materials and operations data.
Cloud accounting
Get your inventory and accounting data in sync to better understand your business’s finances.
Warehouse management
Katana’s Warehouse add-on gives you all the information you need to optimize workflows and improve picking routes.
The benefits of using Katana Cloud Inventory
Learn about how Katana supports scalability with unlimited users, ease of implementation through guided onboarding, seamless integrations with existing tools, and the ability to increase sales volume and reduce carrying costs by optimizing inventory processes.