AN INVENTORY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

Abstract

Effective inventory management is crucial for the success and profitability of small businesses, yet many struggle with outdated manual processes or overly complex systems that are not tailored to their needs. This study addressed this gap by developing a web-based inventory management system called "EzStock" specifically for small businesses. The system provides real-time visibility into inventory levels, automates key processes, and offers cross-platform accessibility. An Agile methodology guided the development process, with requirements gathered through surveys of 30 participants and a comprehensive literature review. The system was developed using web technologies, including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and PHP, with a Mysql database backend. Key findings revealed high user satisfaction rates, with 93.3% of users expressing overall satisfaction with the system, 96.7% likelihood of recommendation, and 90% finding the user interface intuitive. The system significantly improved inventory management processes, data accuracy, and time savings. This study contributes an affordable, user-friendly solution that streamlines inventory management for small businesses, with identified areas for future development, including enhanced search functionality, improved reporting features, and product bundling capabilities.