<div class="article-nav" style="display: flex; justify-content: space-between; align-items: center; margin-bottom: 20px;">
  <div>
    &nbsp;
  </div>
  <div>
    <a href="https://sarutech.com/article/inventory-introduction">
      <strong>
        🏁 Start: The Perfect Inventory Manager &ndash; Introduction
      </strong>
    </a>
  </div>
  <div>
    <a href="https://sarutech.com/article/inventory_inventory_management_page">
      Inventory Management Page ➡️
    </a>
  </div>
</div>
<h1>
  🧾 The Perfect Inventory Manager &ndash; Introduction
</h1>
<hr />
<h2>
  🔍 What Is the Perfect Inventory Manager?
</h2>
<p>
  The Perfect Inventory Manager is an all-in-one stock control system designed for businesses and institutions that manage physical goods across multiple stores or departments.
</p>
<p>
  Whether you run a hospital, retail chain, pharmacy, clinic, or warehouse, this system gives you a real-time overview of:
</p>
<ul>
  <li>
    What&rsquo;s in stock
  </li>
  <li>
    What&rsquo;s running low
  </li>
  <li>
    What&rsquo;s expiring
  </li>
  <li>
    What&rsquo;s being moved between stores
  </li>
</ul>
<p>
  It allows you to:
</p>
<ul>
  <li>
    Track inventory by store (e.g., Pharmacy, Store Room, Equipment Room)
  </li>
  <li>
    Borrow, dispense, or transfer items
  </li>
  <li>
    Create bills, sales, invoices, or quotations
  </li>
  <li>
    Run audits and stock takings
  </li>
  <li>
    Monitor low stock or expiry
  </li>
  <li>
    Generate reports and print receipts
  </li>
  <li>
    Manage purchases and expenses
  </li>
  <li>
    View detailed timelines and attach files or comments to any product
  </li>
</ul>
<p>
  ✅ All of this is packed into a clean, responsive interface with user roles, permissions, charts, CSV exports, and even barcode printing built in.
</p>
<hr />
<h2>
  🧑&zwj;💼 Who Is It For?
</h2>
<table border="1" cellpadding="6">
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th>
        Role
      </th>
      <th>
        How They Use It
      </th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td>
        <strong>
          Inventory Officers
        </strong>
      </td>
      <td>
        View and update stock, perform audits, monitor expiry/alerts
      </td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>
        <strong>
          Store Managers
        </strong>
      </td>
      <td>
        Track transfers, approve stock movement, view profit reports
      </td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>
        <strong>
          Sales Staff
        </strong>
      </td>
      <td>
        Create invoices, dispense items, generate quotations
      </td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>
        <strong>
          Pharmacists
        </strong>
      </td>
      <td>
        Borrow or dispense medication, set expiry dates, restock shelves
      </td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>
        <strong>
          Admin Users
        </strong>
      </td>
      <td>
        Control user permissions, add stores, upload inventory via CSV
      </td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>
<hr />
<h2>
  🌍 Why It&rsquo;s &ldquo;Perfect&rdquo;?
</h2>
<ul>
  <li>
    <strong>
      Multi-store support
    </strong>
    &ndash; manage all branches in one place
  </li>
  <li>
    <strong>
      Fast data entry
    </strong>
    &ndash; bulk upload, import/export, and smart search
  </li>
  <li>
    <strong>
      Offline-friendly
    </strong>
    &ndash; works even in areas with poor or unstable internet
  </li>
  <li>
    <strong>
      Highly customizable
    </strong>
    &ndash; add your own stores, services, roles, and fields
  </li>
  <li>
    <strong>
      Role-based access control
    </strong>
    &ndash; ensure each user only sees what they need
  </li>
  <li>
    <strong>
      Visual and printable
    </strong>
    &ndash; barcodes, receipts, exports, and analytics all built-in
  </li>
</ul>
<hr />
<h2>
  🚀 Getting Started
</h2>
<p>
  When you log in, you&rsquo;re brought to the
  <strong>
    Inventory Management Page
  </strong>
  , which is your control center. From here, you can:
</p>
<ul>
  <li>
    View stock by store
  </li>
  <li>
    Navigate to any module using the top scrollable menu (like Borrow, Transfer, Sales, etc.)
  </li>
  <li>
    Select items and perform actions on them
  </li>
  <li>
    Add new products or import them
  </li>
  <li>
    See alerts and financial summaries
  </li>
</ul>
<p>
  ✅ Let&rsquo;s now begin a deep dive into this main page.
</p>
<hr />
<h2>
  📦 Part 1: Inventory Management Page (Overview)
</h2>
<p>
  This page is the daily workspace for users managing inventory. Everything starts here &mdash; whether you're checking what&rsquo;s in stock, processing transfers, dispensing items, or looking for low or expired products.
</p>
<hr />
<div class="article-nav" style="display: flex; justify-content: space-between; align-items: center; margin-top: 30px;">
  <div>
    &nbsp;
  </div>
  <div>
    <a href="https://sarutech.com/article/inventory-introduction">
      <strong>
        🏁 Start: The Perfect Inventory Manager &ndash; Introduction
      </strong>
    </a>
  </div>
  <div>
    <a href="https://sarutech.com/article/inventory_management_page">
      Inventory Management Page ➡️
    </a>
  </div>
</div>


The Perfect Inventory Manager – Introduction

<div class="article-nav" style="display: flex; justify-content: space-between; align-items: center; margin-bottom: 20px;">
  <div>
    <a href="https://sarutech.com/article/inventory-introduction">
      ⬅️ Introduction to the Perfect Inventory Manager
    </a>
  </div>
  <div>
    <a href="https://sarutech.com/article/inventory-introduction">
      <strong>
        🏁 Start: Introduction to the Perfect Inventory Manager
      </strong>
    </a>
  </div>
  <div>
    <a href="https://sarutech.com/article/switching_between_stores">
      Switching Between Stores ➡️
    </a>
  </div>
</div>
<h1>
  📦 Inventory Management Page
</h1>
<p>
  This is your daily control center for managing stock. It&rsquo;s where most inventory activities begin &mdash; whether you're transferring gloves to another store, dispensing medication, or checking for low-stock items.
</p>
<h2>
  🏪 Switching Between Stores
</h2>
<p>
  If your organization has multiple stores (e.g., Main Store, ER Pharmacy, Surgical Store), this feature lets you switch views and operate within a specific store context.
</p>
<p>
  <strong>
    Users can:
  </strong>
</p>
<ul>
  <li>
    Select which store they are working in
  </li>
  <li>
    Filter product visibility by store
  </li>
  <li>
    Run transfers and stocktaking only for the selected store
  </li>
</ul>
<p>
  <em>
    Example:
  </em>
  You're in the Emergency Room Pharmacy. You select it from the store switcher and only see relevant inventory &mdash; no items from the surgical theatre or general store.
</p>
<h2>
  🔍 Viewing &amp; Searching Products
</h2>
<p>
  Products in the selected store are displayed as cards with name, image, quantity, expiry status, and other key info.
</p>
<ul>
  <li>
    Use the search bar to quickly find items by name, type, or category
  </li>
  <li>
    Color codes help flag low stock or soon-to-expire items
  </li>
</ul>
<p>
  <em>
    Example:
  </em>
  Typing &ldquo;Gluco&rdquo; instantly pulls up &ldquo;Glucose Strips.&rdquo; You see there are 80 in stock and they expire in 45 days.
</p>
<h2>
  ⚠️ Automatic Stock &amp; Expiry Alerts
</h2>
<p>
  The system tracks:
</p>
<ul>
  <li>
    Items below alert threshold
  </li>
  <li>
    Products nearing expiry
  </li>
</ul>
<p>
  Clicking the &ldquo;Stock &amp; Expiry&rdquo; button gives you a focused list for proactive action.
</p>
<p>
  <em>
    Example:
  </em>
  Pharmacy Supervisor checks this every morning and starts a Purchase order for items with red alerts.
</p>
<h2>
  🛠️ Inventory Action Buttons
</h2>
<p>
  Above the product list are several action buttons used daily by staff. These include:
</p>
<ul>
  <li>
    <strong>
      Add Item
    </strong>
    &ndash; for new products (not for restocking)
  </li>
  <li>
    <strong>
      Borrow
    </strong>
    &ndash; to issue items temporarily
  </li>
  <li>
    <strong>
      Dispense
    </strong>
    &ndash; for consumables or medications
  </li>
  <li>
    <strong>
      Transfer
    </strong>
    &ndash; move stock to another store
  </li>
  <li>
    <strong>
      Manage Items
    </strong>
    &ndash; bulk edit mode
  </li>
  <li>
    <strong>
      Import / Export
    </strong>
    &ndash; upload/download CSV or JSON
  </li>
  <li>
    <strong>
      Print
    </strong>
    &ndash; for physical audits or barcode printing
  </li>
</ul>
<p>
  Each action opens its own wizard or modal, making it fast and intuitive to operate.
</p>
<h2>
  🔎 Product Detail View
</h2>
<p>
  Clicking any product opens a right-hand panel with four tabs:
</p>
<ul>
  <li>
    <strong>
      Item Details
    </strong>
    &ndash; edit names, units, expiry, barcode, and image
  </li>
  <li>
    <strong>
      Timeline
    </strong>
    &ndash; shows all inventory history for the item
  </li>
  <li>
    <strong>
      Comments
    </strong>
    &ndash; team notes, reminders, alerts
  </li>
  <li>
    <strong>
      Files
    </strong>
    &ndash; upload supplier docs, safety forms, or certificates
  </li>
</ul>
<p>
  Additional tools include transferring that item, printing its barcode, and editing raw JSON for advanced users.
</p>
<h2>
  📚 Real-Life Examples
</h2>
<p>
  <strong>
    Dispense 5 syringes to a patient:
  </strong>
</p>
<ol>
  <li>
    Click Dispense
  </li>
  <li>
    Select &ldquo;Syringe 5ml&rdquo;
  </li>
  <li>
    Enter quantity
  </li>
  <li>
    Tag to patient or use-case
  </li>
  <li>
    Submit and print receipt
  </li>
</ol>
<p>
  <strong>
    Transfer Gloves to Theatre Store:
  </strong>
</p>
<ol>
  <li>
    Click Transfer
  </li>
  <li>
    Select &ldquo;Gloves&rdquo;
  </li>
  <li>
    Choose destination store
  </li>
  <li>
    Enter quantity
  </li>
  <li>
    Submit &mdash; stock updates in both stores
  </li>
</ol>
<p>
  <img src="https://sarutech.com/img/products/inventory-item-detail.png" width="90%" />
</p>
<hr />
<div class="article-nav" style="display: flex; justify-content: space-between; align-items: center; margin-top: 30px;">
  <div>
    <a href="https://sarutech.com/article/inventory-introduction">
      ⬅️ Introduction to the Perfect Inventory Manager
    </a>
  </div>
  <div>
    <a href="https://sarutech.com/article/inventory-introduction">
      <strong>
        🏁 Start: Introduction to the Perfect Inventory Manager
      </strong>
    </a>
  </div>
  <div>
    <a href="https://sarutech.com/article/switching_between_stores">
      Switching Between Stores ➡️
    </a>
  </div>
</div>


Inventory Management Page

<div class="article-nav" style="display: flex; justify-content: space-between; align-items: center; margin-bottom: 20px;">
  <div>
    <a href="https://sarutech.com/article/inventory_management_page">
      ⬅️ Inventory Management Page
    </a>
  </div>
  <div>
    <a href="https://sarutech.com/article/inventory-introduction">
      <strong>
        🏁 Start: Introduction to the Perfect Inventory Manager
      </strong>
    </a>
  </div>
  <div>
    <a href="https://sarutech.com/article/viewing_and_searching_products">
      Viewing and Searching Products ➡️
    </a>
  </div>
</div>
<h1>
  🏪 Switching Between Stores
</h1>
<p>
  Perfect Inventory Manager supports multiple stores or departments under one unified system. Each store can represent a physical location (e.g., Pharmacy, Lab Store, Ward Store) or a logical department (e.g., Cardiology, General Store).
</p>
<p>
  Switching stores changes the current working context, ensuring that you only view and act on items belonging to that selected store.
</p>
<h2>
  🔄 Why Store Switching Matters
</h2>
<ul>
  <li>
    Each store may have unique stock, staff, and workflows
  </li>
  <li>
    Users should only interact with the stock relevant to their assigned location
  </li>
  <li>
    All actions like dispensing, borrowing, purchasing, or transferring are scoped to the selected store
  </li>
</ul>
<h2>
  🛠️ How to Switch Stores
</h2>
<ol>
  <li>
    Click the store dropdown at the top-left of the screen
  </li>
  <li>
    Select a different store from the list (e.g., &ldquo;Cardiology Store&rdquo;)
  </li>
  <li>
    The product list, alerts, and dashboards update to reflect only that store&rsquo;s inventory
  </li>
</ol>
<p>
  <img style="max-width: 100%; margin: 20px 0;" src="https://sarutech.com/img/products/inventory-transfer-items-to-another-store.png" alt="Store Switcher" />
</p>
<h2>
  ✨ Practical Examples
</h2>
<h3>
  📍 Example 1: Pharmacy Manager Views ER Stock
</h3>
<p>
  The pharmacy manager switches to
  <strong>
    ER Pharmacy
  </strong>
  from the store dropdown. They immediately see only ER items &mdash; like medications or IV fluids &mdash; and can perform dispense or reorder actions specific to that unit.
</p>
<h3>
  📍 Example 2: Lab Technician Logs into &ldquo;Lab Store&rdquo;
</h3>
<p>
  When the lab technician logs in, their role restricts them to the &ldquo;Lab Store&rdquo; view. All actions are scoped to that store, so they don&rsquo;t accidentally update another department&rsquo;s inventory.
</p>
<h3>
  📍 Example 3: Admin Adds a New Store
</h3>
<ol>
  <li>
    Click the store selector
  </li>
  <li>
    Click
    <strong>
      Add New Store
    </strong>
    (only visible to Admins)
  </li>
  <li>
    Enter a name like &ldquo;Cardiology Store&rdquo;
  </li>
  <li>
    Click Create
  </li>
</ol>
<p>
  This new store now appears in the list and can have items imported or manually added.
</p>
<p>
  <img style="max-width: 100%; margin: 20px 0;" src="https://sarutech.com/img/products/inventory-add-new-store.png" alt="Add New Store" />
</p>
<h2>
  🔐 Role-Based Visibility
</h2>
<p>
  Not every user sees every store. Roles can be configured so that staff only see the store(s) they are responsible for.
</p>
<ul>
  <li>
    Cashiers may see only &ldquo;Retail Store&rdquo;
  </li>
  <li>
    Pharmacy staff may see &ldquo;Main Store&rdquo; and &ldquo;Pharmacy&rdquo;
  </li>
  <li>
    Admins see all stores by default
  </li>
</ul>
<h2>
  🧠 Best Practices
</h2>
<ul>
  <li>
    Switch stores before starting a stock action to ensure accuracy
  </li>
  <li>
    Always check the store label at the top before importing data
  </li>
  <li>
    Use store-specific exports when sending reports to finance or procurement
  </li>
</ul>
<hr />
<div class="article-nav" style="display: flex; justify-content: space-between; align-items: center; margin-top: 30px;">
  <div>
    <a href="https://sarutech.com/article/inventory_management_page">
      ⬅️ Inventory Management Page
    </a>
  </div>
  <div>
    <a href="https://sarutech.com/article/inventory-introduction">
      <strong>
        🏁 Start: Introduction to the Perfect Inventory Manager
      </strong>
    </a>
  </div>
  <div>
    <a href="https://sarutech.com/article/viewing_and_searching_products">
      Viewing and Searching Products ➡️
    </a>
  </div>
</div>


Switching Between Stores

<div class="article-nav" style="display: flex; justify-content: space-between; align-items: center; margin-bottom: 20px;">
  <div>
    <a href="https://sarutech.com/article/switching_between_stores">
      ⬅️ Switching Between Stores
    </a>
  </div>
  <div>
    <a href="https://sarutech.com/article/inventory-introduction">
      <strong>
        🏁 Start: Introduction to the Perfect Inventory Manager
      </strong>
    </a>
  </div>
  <div>
    <a href="https://sarutech.com/article/stock_and_expiry_alerts">
      Stock &amp; Expiry Alerts ➡️
    </a>
  </div>
</div>
<h1>
  🔍 Viewing and Searching Products
</h1>
<p>
  The Perfect Inventory Manager displays all products in your currently selected store as visual cards. These cards provide essential information at a glance, with built-in search and alert features to streamline your workflow.
</p>
<h2>
  📦 Product Cards
</h2>
<p>
  Each product appears as a card that shows:
</p>
<ul>
  <li>
    <strong>
      Product Name
    </strong>
  </li>
  <li>
    <strong>
      Available Quantity
    </strong>
    (with alert colors if low)
  </li>
  <li>
    <strong>
      Selling Price
    </strong>
    if set
  </li>
  <li>
    <strong>
      Expiry Status
    </strong>
    if applicable
  </li>
  <li>
    <strong>
      Borrowed/Returned Indicators
    </strong>
    if in use
  </li>
</ul>
<p>
  This helps store staff, pharmacists, and managers quickly understand stock status without needing to click into each item.
</p>
<p>
  <img style="max-width: 100%; margin: 20px 0;" src="https://sarutech.com/img/products/inventory-item-detail.png" alt="Inventory Product Detail View" />
</p>
<h2>
  🔎 Instant Search
</h2>
<p>
  The search bar above the product list supports keyword search by:
</p>
<ul>
  <li>
    Product name
  </li>
  <li>
    Category or type
  </li>
  <li>
    Tags or alternative names
  </li>
</ul>
<p>
  As you type, results appear instantly &mdash; no need to press Enter.
</p>
<h3>
  🧰 Example:
</h3>
<p>
  A staff member is looking for &ldquo;Paracetamol.&rdquo; They type &ldquo;Para&rdquo; and immediately see a product card with:
</p>
<ul>
  <li>
    Quantity: 200
  </li>
  <li>
    Expiry: 3 months left
  </li>
  <li>
    Price (if set)
  </li>
</ul>
<h2>
  ⚠️ Visual Alerts
</h2>
<p>
  Cards may show colored badges to signal:
</p>
<ul>
  <li>
    <span style="color: red;">
      <strong>
        Red
      </strong>
    </span>
    : Item is below quantity alert level
  </li>
  <li>
    <span style="color: orange;">
      <strong>
        Orange
      </strong>
    </span>
    : Nearing expiry
  </li>
  <li>
    <span style="color: green;">
      <strong>
        Green
      </strong>
    </span>
    : In good condition
  </li>
</ul>
<p>
  This allows for quick prioritization &mdash; especially in pharmacies and medical stores.
</p>
<h2>
  📂 What You Can Do from a Product Card
</h2>
<p>
  Clicking a product card opens the full product panel where you can:
</p>
<ul>
  <li>
    View timeline of all actions
  </li>
  <li>
    Edit item details (if you have permission)
  </li>
  <li>
    Upload files (e.g. certificates, invoices)
  </li>
  <li>
    Leave comments for staff
  </li>
  <li>
    Transfer, print barcode, or open JSON editor
  </li>
</ul>
<h3>
  🧠 Tip:
</h3>
<p>
  You can also press the barcode icon to print a label directly for that item. This helps with shelf tagging and fast scanning.
</p>
<h2>
  👁️ Best Practices
</h2>
<ul>
  <li>
    Use the search bar to avoid scrolling through long lists
  </li>
  <li>
    Hover or tap product cards to see tooltips for expiry and location
  </li>
  <li>
    Monitor low stock colors at least once per shift
  </li>
  <li>
    Encourage your team to add product images and barcodes for easy identification
  </li>
</ul>
<hr />
<div class="article-nav" style="display: flex; justify-content: space-between; align-items: center; margin-top: 30px;">
  <div>
    <a href="https://sarutech.com/article/switching_between_stores">
      ⬅️ Switching Between Stores
    </a>
  </div>
  <div>
    <a href="https://sarutech.com/article/inventory-introduction">
      <strong>
        🏁 Start: Introduction to the Perfect Inventory Manager
      </strong>
    </a>
  </div>
  <div>
    <a href="https://sarutech.com/article/stock_and_expiry_alerts">
      Stock &amp; Expiry Alerts ➡️
    </a>
  </div>
</div>


Viewing and Searching Products

<div class="article-nav" style="display: flex; justify-content: space-between; align-items: center; margin-bottom: 20px;">
  <div>
    <a href="https://sarutech.com/article/viewing_and_searching_products">
      ⬅️ Viewing and Searching Products
    </a>
  </div>
  <div>
    <a href="https://sarutech.com/article/inventory-introduction">
      <strong>
        🏁 Start: Introduction to the Perfect Inventory Manager
      </strong>
    </a>
  </div>
  <div>
    <a href="https://sarutech.com/article/add_borrow_dispense_transfer_inventory">
      Add, Borrow, Dispense or Transfer Inventory ➡️
    </a>
  </div>
</div>
<h1>
  ⚠️ Stock &amp; Expiry Alerts
</h1>
<p>
  The
  <strong>
    Stock &amp; Expiry
  </strong>
  alert system is designed to keep you proactive, not reactive. Instead of waiting for items to run out or expire, this page helps you act early to restock, rotate, or remove stock &mdash; all in one place.
</p>
<h2>
  🚨 Stock Alert Tab
</h2>
<p>
  This tab lists all items whose
  <strong>
    current quantity has dropped below their alert threshold
  </strong>
  .
</p>
<ul>
  <li>
    Every item in the system has a
    <code>
      quantity_alert
    </code>
    value
  </li>
  <li>
    When stock falls below that number, it gets flagged here
  </li>
</ul>
<p>
  The alert view shows:
</p>
<ul>
  <li>
    Product Name
  </li>
  <li>
    Current Stock
  </li>
  <li>
    Red badge with quantity shortfall
  </li>
</ul>
<p>
  <img style="max-width: 100%; margin: 20px 0;" src="https://sarutech.com/img/products/inventory-purchases-add-stock-alert-to-purchase-order.png" alt="Stock Alert tab" />
</p>
<h3>
  🧰 Example Workflow: Restocking Critical Items
</h3>
<ol>
  <li>
    Go to the
    <strong>
      Purchases &amp; Stock Alert
    </strong>
    page
  </li>
  <li>
    View items with red alert badges
  </li>
  <li>
    Click
    <strong>
      Add
    </strong>
    to move items into a new purchase order
  </li>
  <li>
    Optionally filter by Supplier to batch purchases efficiently
  </li>
  <li>
    Click
    <strong>
      Add All
    </strong>
    to mass-import low stock items into the order
  </li>
</ol>
<h2>
  🧪 Expiry Alert Tab
</h2>
<p>
  This section flags products
  <strong>
    nearing their expiry date
  </strong>
  based on the threshold you set in the system settings (e.g., warn 30 or 60 days in advance).
</p>
<p>
  It displays:
</p>
<ul>
  <li>
    Product Name
  </li>
  <li>
    Expiry Date
  </li>
  <li>
    Colored badge showing how long until expiry
  </li>
</ul>
<p>
  Color coding makes the urgency clear:
</p>
<ul>
  <li>
    <strong>
      Red
    </strong>
    : Already expired
  </li>
  <li>
    <strong>
      Orange
    </strong>
    : Nearing expiry
  </li>
  <li>
    <strong>
      Green
    </strong>
    : Safe
  </li>
</ul>
<h3>
  🧰 Example: Weekly Expiry Review
</h3>
<ol>
  <li>
    Open the Expiry Alert tab
  </li>
  <li>
    Print or export the list
  </li>
  <li>
    Use the report to plan disposal or stock rotation
  </li>
</ol>
<h2>
  🗂️ Export &amp; Print Options
</h2>
<p>
  Both tabs allow you to:
</p>
<ul>
  <li>
    <strong>
      Export
    </strong>
    data in CSV/JSON
  </li>
  <li>
    <strong>
      Print
    </strong>
    lists for physical reconciliation or regulatory reporting
  </li>
</ul>
<p>
  <img src="https://sarutech.com/img/products/inventory-expiry-calendar.png" alt="" width="100%" />
</p>
<h2>
  🧠 Best Practices
</h2>
<ul>
  <li>
    Check alerts
    <strong>
      daily
    </strong>
    at shift start
  </li>
  <li>
    Set realistic
    <code>
      quantity_alert
    </code>
    levels based on usage patterns
  </li>
  <li>
    Use expiry alert data to transfer short-dated products to high-turnover locations
  </li>
  <li>
    Train staff to act on red badges before they become critical issues
  </li>
</ul>
<hr />
<div class="article-nav" style="display: flex; justify-content: space-between; align-items: center; margin-top: 30px;">
  <div>
    <a href="https://sarutech.com/article/viewing_and_searching_products">
      ⬅️ Viewing and Searching Products
    </a>
  </div>
  <div>
    <a href="https://sarutech.com/article/inventory-introduction">
      <strong>
        🏁 Start: Introduction to the Perfect Inventory Manager
      </strong>
    </a>
  </div>
  <div>
    <a href="https://sarutech.com/article/add_borrow_dispense_transfer_inventory">
      Add, Borrow, Dispense or Transfer Inventory ➡️
    </a>
  </div>
</div>


Stock & Expiry Alerts

<div class="article-nav" style="display: flex; justify-content: space-between; align-items: center; margin-bottom: 20px;">
  <div>
    <a href="https://sarutech.com/article/stock_and_expiry_alerts">
      ⬅️ Stock &amp; Expiry Alerts
    </a>
  </div>
  <div>
    <a href="https://sarutech.com/article/inventory-introduction">
      <strong>
        🏁 Start: Introduction to the Perfect Inventory Manager
      </strong>
    </a>
  </div>
  <div>
    <a href="https://sarutech.com/article/inventory_action_add_item">
      Add Item ➡️
    </a>
  </div>
</div>
<h1>
  🛠️ Inventory Action Buttons
</h1>
<p>
  Located above the product list on the Inventory Management Page, these buttons allow users to perform all major inventory operations quickly. Each action opens its own workflow wizard to guide the user through the process.
</p>
<h2>
  ✨ Overview of Available Buttons
</h2>
<ul>
  <li>
    <strong>
      ➕ Add Item
    </strong>
    &ndash; Add a brand new product to the system
  </li>
  <li>
    <strong>
      📤 Borrow
    </strong>
    &ndash; Record temporary item checkout (e.g. equipment loan)
  </li>
  <li>
    <strong>
      💊 Dispense
    </strong>
    &ndash; Dispense consumables or medications permanently
  </li>
  <li>
    <strong>
      🔁 Transfer
    </strong>
    &ndash; Move stock between stores or departments
  </li>
  <li>
    <strong>
      📋 Manage Items
    </strong>
    &ndash; Access and edit the full product list
  </li>
  <li>
    <strong>
      📥 Import from File
    </strong>
    &ndash; Upload new or updated inventory via CSV/JSON
  </li>
  <li>
    <strong>
      📤 Export CSV / JSON
    </strong>
    &ndash; Download inventory for reporting or backup
  </li>
  <li>
    <strong>
      🖨️ Print
    </strong>
    &ndash; Print the current product list (useful for audits)
  </li>
  <li>
    <strong>
      ⚠️ Stock &amp; Expiry
    </strong>
    &ndash; Open the alert viewer for low stock and expiring items
  </li>
  <li>
    <strong>
      🗑️ Delete
    </strong>
    &ndash; Remove selected products (admin only)
  </li>
</ul>
<p>
  <img style="max-width: 100%; margin: 20px 0;" src="https://sarutech.com/img/products/inventory-management.png" alt="Inventory Buttons Toolbar" />
</p>
<h2>
  🧰 Real-World Examples
</h2>
<h3>
  📌 Add Item
</h3>
<p>
  Add a completely new product to the inventory, including details like name, cost, unit, subunit, quantity alert level, and barcode.
</p>
<h3>
  📌 Borrow
</h3>
<p>
  Used when equipment or supplies are given out with the intention of return. Tracks the borrower and return status.
</p>
<h3>
  📌 Dispense
</h3>
<p>
  For permanent stock movement to patients or departments. Each dispense is recorded for traceability.
</p>
<h3>
  📌 Transfer
</h3>
<p>
  Moves items from one store to another while updating both source and destination inventories automatically.
</p>
<h3>
  📌 Import / Export
</h3>
<p>
  Speeds up bulk operations &mdash; ideal during system setup or large product updates.
</p>
<h2>
  🔐 Role-Based Access
</h2>
<p>
  Not all buttons are visible to every user. For example:
</p>
<ul>
  <li>
    Cashiers may not see
    <strong>
      Transfer
    </strong>
    or
    <strong>
      Borrow
    </strong>
  </li>
  <li>
    Admins see everything, including the
    <strong>
      Delete
    </strong>
    button
  </li>
  <li>
    Pharmacy staff may be limited to
    <strong>
      Dispense
    </strong>
    and
    <strong>
      Stock &amp; Expiry
    </strong>
  </li>
</ul>
<p>
  This ensures users only perform actions relevant to their role, reducing errors and maintaining audit clarity.
</p>
<h2>
  🧠 Best Practices
</h2>
<ul>
  <li>
    Use
    <strong>
      Manage Items
    </strong>
    for batch updates to prices or categories
  </li>
  <li>
    Only use
    <strong>
      Delete
    </strong>
    on test or duplicate items &mdash; always prefer archiving or zeroing stock
  </li>
  <li>
    Review
    <strong>
      Stock &amp; Expiry
    </strong>
    every morning as a routine
  </li>
</ul>
<hr />
<div class="article-nav" style="display: flex; justify-content: space-between; align-items: center; margin-top: 30px;">
  <div>
    <a href="https://sarutech.com/article/stock_and_expiry_alerts">
      ⬅️ Stock &amp; Expiry Alerts
    </a>
  </div>
  <div>
    <a href="https://sarutech.com/article/inventory-introduction">
      <strong>
        🏁 Start: Introduction to the Perfect Inventory Manager
      </strong>
    </a>
  </div>
  <div>
    <a href="https://sarutech.com/article/inventory_action_add_item">
      Add Item ➡️
    </a>
  </div>
</div>


Find product guides and articles

Perfect Inventory Manager

The Perfect Inventory Manager – Introduction

Inventory Management Page

Switching Between Stores

Viewing and Searching Products

Stock & Expiry Alerts

Add, Borrow, Dispense or Transfer Inventory Items