Industry: Service Trucks

If your inventory system came bundled with your dispatching or invoicing software, it's probably the weakest part of that package. All-in-one field service platforms promise convenience, but when one vendor builds five tools, inventory is usually the one that suffers most. This article looks at how Katy Plumbing and RED RHINO fixed that by choosing a standalone inventory app built for plumbing and HVAC service trucks, and what it got them: Katy Plumbing recovered $1-2M in billable time, and RED RHINO cut count time by 75%.

Not every stockroom needs the same automation. Here's how I'd decide between scanning apps, eLabels, RFID, weight sensors, BoxLock, and vending machines for replenishing point-of-use inventory in a VMI or CMI model.

A manual stockroom system runs on two things: a spreadsheet and someone's memory. Point-of-use inventory management replaces that guesswork with a scanning app and automated reorder triggers. The result is a stockroom that reflects what's actually on the shelf, not what a spreadsheet from three months ago says should be there.

A mobile inventory app only creates value when it becomes part of the normal workday.

When every location uses the same item structure, replenishment logic, and transaction rules, the business can make better decisions and reduce waste. Learn how United Airlines saved with inventory standardization.

Stockouts of MRO and field service consumable inventory rarely come from one big mistake. They come from small breakdowns that repeat.

Point-of-use inventory only works when usage is captured consistently. The best tracking technology is the one your team will actually use in the places inventory gets consumed: the stockroom, the truck, and the jobsite. Here are some factors to consider

This guide covers six inventory management mistakes that cause stockouts, write-offs, and wasted time, plus simple fixes you can implement without a massive overhaul.

eTurns TrackStock has many features that can help distributors and their customers replenish point-of-use inventory more efficiently.