1.1 Introduction
An Automated Inventory Management System is a software-based business solution used to simultaneously track sales activity and inventory. Manufacturers and trade resellers can both benefit from a thorough solution, where single transaction entry records necessary details on the customer, products purchased, price and date while also updating inventory levels. An inventory control system contains a list of orders to be filled and then prompts workers to pick the necessary items, and provides them with packaging and shipping information. Inventory control may be used to automate sales order fulfillment process and also manage in and outward material of hardware. Automation is the replacement of human workers by technology. For optimal sales and inventory management process, robust functionality is needed for managing logistics facilities. Warehouse management functions for inventory control cover internal warehouse movements and storage and its support helps in the recording and tracking of materials on basis of both quantity and value.
This application takes care of all supply orders reducing cost for warehousing, transportation while improving customer service. It significantly improves inventory turns, optimizes flow of goods. It also improves cash flow, visibility and decision making providing efficient execution of tasks using this fast and reliable computerized method.
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of the Study
The Nigerian Breweries PLC was established in the year 1946. It aims at providing satisfaction and nourishment to the Nigerian population through the distribution of drinks like beer, coca-cola, fanta, sprite etc. It is second to none and for this reason, the demand is high and the company responds to the increasing demand by stabilizing supply to strike a balance. Justifiably, the company has the problem of keeping adequate record of goods transfer and since it is done manually, associated problems of insecurity, high cost of operation and delay in supply arise. Data processing in Nigerian Breweries PLC is presently carried out using people, pens, and paper to control stock and inventory.
The design and development of an automated inventory control system for the Nigerian Breweries PLC will no doubt bring immeasurable relief from the problems associated with the manual system. They also allow for consistent experiences in terms of customer service. People know there is always a uniform interaction at the register that requires tendering payment, taking a receipt and transition of ownership of products and services. This generates confidence in a business and ensures ongoing consumer relationships. Computerized systems are the most common method of inventory control and sales processing in retail markets.
1.3 Statement of the Problems
Investigation revealed the Nigerian Breweries PLC is to an extent manually operated and reveals a number of problems.
- The recording of sales and cash received are done manually on a book that appears rough. Thus, the books are exposed to physical damage, information can be lost and dust particles are accumulated.
- The long list of supply orders waiting to be attended to on daily basis.
- The control system is time consuming, less accurate and less efficient, and the environment is not user friendly.
- Inaccuracies often ensue from human error.
- The manual system is quite tedious and can be reduced or eliminated with the introduction of the proposed system.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of the Study
The aim of the study is to design and implement a web based application that improve current operational process in the Nigerian Breweries PLC to its full capacity by developing efficient computer software that can handle inventory in a computerized fashion. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To develop an independent user application software;
- To automate sales and inventory task/activities;
- To capture the sales and inventory activities; and
- To create a database that will help store sales records.
1.5 Scope of the Study
The scope of this research is focused on the Design and Implementation of an Automated Inventory Management System for a Manufacturing Company using Nigerian Breweries PLC as a case study.
1.6 Significance of the Study
The significance of this study is to Nigerian Breweries PLC that will provide easy-to-use and easy accessed system thus transactions will be more reliable and faster that they do not have to hire another employer to do the job. It gives more accurate and secure records of sales and list of products.
Admin: manages the adding of stocks, updating the inventory, and determining the users of the system.
Customers: have the benefits of the printed receipts right after purchasing an item.
Future Researchers: would see the possibilities of upgrading the system.
Researcher: student, teacher, programmer and web-developer can benefit in this system through a detailed document
1.7 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Establishment Policies: Establishment policies posed a serious limitation as most staffs are not ready to release information needed for this project work. There were lots of information needed from the staffs of this establishment to enhance the study which took them time to release or they did not release at all for security purposes, hence the scope was reduced.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
- High Programming Technique: The programming aspect of this project posed a lot of problematic bugs that took us some days to solve. Problem such as database connections using PHP, MySql, posed a lot of challenging.
1.8 Definition of Terms
Customers: a person who buys goods or services from a shop or business.
Hardware: the physical tangible parts or component of a computer such as the cabinet, central processing unit, speakers and motherboard.
Inventory: is the goods and materials that a business holds for the ultimate goal of resale.
Inventory Management: a discipline primarily about specifying the shape and placement of stocked goods
Inventory Management system: the combination of technology (hardware and software) and processes and procedure that oversees the monitoring and maintenance of stocked products.
