DEVELOPING A STOCK MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WITH FIFO LOGIC FOR SME FERTILIZER WAREHOUSING

Abstract

Stock management is important for a business’s performance and profitability. However, some companies manage their stock manually to update and check their stock. Manual stock management negatively impacts SMEs’ performance through data inaccuracies and operational inefficiencies, leading to poor decision-making and lost revenue. The absence of systematic tracking mechanisms hinders optimal inventory control, resulting in overstocking or stockouts. Implementing robust inventory management systems is crucial for enhancing accuracy and efficiency in operations. This study focuses on the design and development of a Web-based Stock Management System for a fertiliser company to improve stock tracking and handling by implementing FIFO logic. The system is designed to meet the needs of SMEs which have poor stock management due to manual stock recording. The Rapid Application Development (RAD) methodology includes requirements planning, user design, construction, and cutover phases. Requirements were modelled using UML, followed by iterative user-involved design and development, and concluded with usability evaluation in the cutover phase.  The prototype had been evaluated by five employees from the company on the aspects of usability, ease of use, and satisfaction. Results showed that the system was considered helpful in improving stock efficiency, easy to operate without written instructions, and overall satisfying to use. Future work will explore mobile integration and real-time alerts for further enhancement. This research contributes to the body of knowledge in web-based inventory systems by integrating system development methodology, usability evaluation, and operational efficiency outcomes within an SME context.