Desktop-Based Expiry Date Application for Retailers Inventory Management

Inventory management is a complex process that requires constant evaluation and control.It is essential for retailers to perform inspections regularly to ensure that all goods are available for sale and in good condition to meet customer expectations.While many retailers are still dependent on manual paper-based method, it poses a high risk of human error and causes negative impact on inventory management and eventually the business.It is not only labor-extensive, but also time-consuming.This project is proposed to automate inventory management process by developing a realtime inventory monitoring system and notify user on low stock items and items close to expiration.The desktop-based inventory management application is equipped with a PC and a handheld scanner and involve three main inventory processes; scan incoming inventory, scan outgoing inventory during customer checkout and allow users to manage stock counts and update data if necessary.The desktop application is developed using Windows Forms form as user interface and SQL Server as the database engine which enables the users to monitor stocks in real-time.As a result, users can use the desktop application to monitor inventory levels and receive notifications when items need to be restocked or nearing their expiration date.As different item categories may need different reminder durations based on expiry dates, users entering the correct password are able to update the minimum quantity and minimum duration for each item category for notification purposes.With this system, issues related to inventory can be resolved quickly based on real-time data monitoring, less time spent for repetitive works while providing a better customer experience.