Using Open Source Inventory Management Is More Expensive Than You Think

On this page you will find information on the following topics:

• Why Specialised Inventory Software Like Timly Is Almost Always at an Advantage
• Holistic Inventory Software With Barcode: Hardly Feasible Free of Charge
• One Thing Is Clear: Open Source Reaches Its Limits
• Using an App for Inventory Management Brings Decisive Advantages
• Using Free Software for Inventory Management Creates Risks
• Excel Available Free of Charge – With Less Functionality
• Inventory Management: Separate Private and Professional, With Timly
• Hardware Inventory: Open Source Usually Only as an Isolated Solution
• Open Source Inventory Management Free of Charge: Download – Professional Software Package With More Efficiency

Why Specialised Inventory Software Like Timly Is Almost Always at an Advantage

If a company uses open source inventory management, this saves licensing costs. Nevertheless, it is advisable to critically question its use. The idea behind open source is to publish the source code of a programme so that free developers can work on it. In addition, this gives security researchers the opportunity to check the software for security gaps and also data protection principles.

This makes sense in many areas of application – for example, popular web browsers. Using open source for inventory management, on the other hand, only makes sense if those responsible in the company intend to have the source code examined by experts and adapted if necessary. This is probably not the case in most companies. Therefore, they are better served with a commercial product like Timly, which is backed by a permanent team of professional developers.

But there are other reasons to go with a commercial solution. These include the significantly higher range of functions and trained support.

Holistic Inventory Software With Barcode: Hardly Feasible Free of Charge

Open source projects thrive on a large community that contributes to the development of the software free of charge. This is why such constellations are particularly successful with very widespread applications. In the corporate environment, on the other hand, other factors count. Using open source for inventory management unnecessarily restricts the range of functions. It is usually only available as an “island solution” for individual application purposes.

A professional inventory management system such as Timly is designed in such a way that a holistic recording of the company’s inventory, from pieces of furniture to vehicles and machines, is possible. The software accompanies an asset for its useful life in the company. It is a central pool for all data related to inventory management.

In concrete terms, this means that operating instructions and technical details are stored, as well as all dynamic parameters, such as locations and persons responsible. The maintenance calendar manages upcoming appointments of the work equipment and the inventory mode supports the annual inventory.

The assets can be marked with a QR code. The profile of an asset can be called up from any work location with the barcode scanner. Those who use open source for inventory management do without this range of functions.

One Thing Is Clear: Open Source Reaches Its Limits

A complex IT infrastructure is necessary so that the data stock of an inventory software can be accessed from every workplace, even though open source is used for inventory management. Timly is already implemented as a cloud service. Users only need an internet-enabled end device.

This brings the advantage that all information is permanently available to every authorised employee. No matter whether he is in the office, in the workshop or at the customer’s site. Tools can be handed over at the construction site and defects can be reported in real time.

The experts at Timly take care of the GDPR-compliant setup and administration of the cloud servers. An implemented rights management system protects data from unauthorised access. This server infrastructure must be set up and maintained by the company itself if open source is used for inventory management. This is a task that even experienced IT staff cannot do “on the side”.

Using an App for Inventory Management Brings Decisive Advantages

To make it easy to operate the inventory software on site, at the construction site or in customer service, there is the Timly inventory app. This is specially optimised for smartphones and tablets so that information can be viewed, updated and supplemented at any time. The developers permanently take care of the further development of the software.

A barcode scanner is integrated into the app. This allows QR codes to be read from assets without additional hardware. Information can always be captured in real time. Annoying intermediate steps, such as making notes, are no longer necessary. The same applies to time-consuming messages to employees in administration or the workshop.

Using Free Software for Inventory Management Creates Risks

If open source is used for an important task such as inventory management, permanent availability of the software must be ensured. Otherwise, there is a risk that errors and uncertainties that occur among users will bring work processes to a standstill and thus jeopardise deadlines.

With a professional software package like Timly, the help of a trained and experienced support team is already included. The developers permanently take care of the further development of the software. Functional enhancements and security updates are regularly installed. This creates the necessary planning security.

Excel Available Free of Charge – With Less Functionality

Instead of using open source inventory management, the use of Excel is a possible alternative. The software is in use in most companies anyway, so there are no additional costs. However, the decisive factors for the effectiveness of inventory software are ease of use and constant availability.

Processing large tables on mobile devices is not very practical. This is where a database-based solution like Timly has an advantage. This dynamically displays only the required data to the user, depending on the context.

Functionalities such as software maintenance, the maintenance calendar or a fine-grained authorisation administration must be realised with the generic spreadsheet programme via additional scripts. In Timly, these and other tools are already implemented natively.

Inventory Management: Separate Private and Professional, With Timly

With Timly, the current work location of employees no longer plays a role. Whether home office or assembly, work resources are quickly and reliably assigned. Locations and responsible persons remain transparent at all times via Timly. The assignment can be made via QR code to avoid confusion. Employees have access to the necessary information on site, and those responsible can keep an eye on the issued inventory at all times.

When the annual inventory is due, the practical self-inventory helps. Each employee simply scans the inventory assigned to him or her and it is recorded in a legally secure manner. If open source is used for inventory management, it would be necessary to visit the company headquarters.

Open Source Inventory Management Free of Charge: Download – Professional Software Package With More Efficiency

Using open source inventory management has decisive disadvantages compared to professional inventory software like Timly. Timly’s inventory solution has been used by numerous companies and authorities for years. Valuable experience has been gained there, which regularly flows into further development.

The use of Timly increases the efficiency of work processes. In addition, work equipment is used more effectively and sustainably. The costs saved through this ensure that the use of free software no longer pays off in almost all cases.