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I want to design a custom Inventory Management System. I have no previous experience designing anything similar. Since the subject can dig deep into many fields of Accounting and Economics, as a programmer I cannot come up with a perfect mental model of the system without first understanding some principles of Accounting (in general and according to a country's laws) or Management. Finding information about the economics side of things was easy. However, I cannot seem to find any further information about designing such systems electronically. Does anyone know where to look?

EDIT : I think this question might have answered for what I was looking for.

Community
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Paul-Sebastian Manole
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  • I appreciate your asking for advice here, but I really don't think this kind of question fits the SO format very well – Eric Petroelje Dec 26 '12 at 21:37
  • Yeah, I figured. But the main question was that before I started explaining too much. Mainly, where I do find theoretical or practical knowledge on designing inventory management systems? I'll just shorten the question and remove the bloat in the meantime. Thanks for giving this a bit of attention. – Paul-Sebastian Manole Dec 27 '12 at 07:50
  • I have shortened the question. Thank you for your help, Eric. – Paul-Sebastian Manole Dec 27 '12 at 08:03
  • The Average Cost Method seems to be mysteriously missing from the post you referenced... I'd say it's probably more common nowadays that LIFO or FIFO, and usually more practical than Specific Identification. – Brandon Moore Jan 25 '13 at 11:43
  • Hi. I've managed to gain access to a database of a very old but practical and constantly updated system that we are using at work. Based on that information and practical knowledge of the application, I've gathered that the specific identification method seems to be used. And for good reason. Everything is tracked. Everything can be reversed/undone. – Paul-Sebastian Manole Jan 27 '13 at 06:05

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I would start with ADempiere as a model. It is an open source ERP that has good ties to accounting and storage. You can see how they implemented material receipts, inventory moves, physical inventories, cycle counts, and shipping...

You are correct in that the domain is deep and wide with many ties to other areas. There are ties to lot number management, fifo, lifo, etc...

Here is a review I wrote about ADempiere. http://www.chuckboecking.com/blog/bid/196464/ADempiere-Review-Open-Source-ERP. I believe this document will help you think through the domain. It will also help you understand how to use ADempiere if you do want to use it as a model.

Good luck, and I hope this helps!!

Chuck Boecking www.chuckboecking.com

Chuck Boecking
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  • Thanks Chuck. I'll have a look at ADempiere's internals, see if I can figure it out. I watched your videos on your website. Really great introduction to ERP! You make it seem too easy! - Seems like **ADempiere** already does everything I want but sadly, it's not geared towards my industry of interest... and it's in Java. :( Otherwise I would have hacked at it but I'm learning Django at the moment. I'd love to see more helpful material on ERP, POS, Accounting... from you in the future, if possible. I love your sketches and simple explanations. Thank you! – Paul-Sebastian Manole Jan 02 '13 at 12:51
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I will also prefer Adempiere. It has a default POS but its not very effective, but for small application it is enough.

And if you customize the existing POS in Adempiere according to your requirement, it would be a good POS application.

Here it is possible to link the POS with accounting also, you can make the POS payment like multiple currencies as well as card payment also and these details can be linked to accounting also.

Why I'm telling this with confidence is that we have developed POS using Adempiere for a Hyper Market and its working perfectly.

Praveen P Moolekandathil
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In the question, it is asked to design an inventory management system for POS considering Accounting and Economics segment. 

Usually, every inventory management system using a POS system notably making it easier to manage retail businesses, simplify daily business tasks, facilitates business operations, reduce costs and save money. 

To design and custom inventory management system for POS for Accounting, you should first gain knowledge of the law made for accounts and finances. Then you should note down what business operations are performed in daily activity between employees and the management. 

Consider every aspect of the industry and then start customizing accordingly. There is ready-made software available in the market such as: 

• Accounting software 
• Manufacturing ERP systems 
• Retail management systems 
• Distribution ERP systems 
• Warehouse management system and more

Check the readymade software and its features first and then analyze which are the other features you need to add to make a perfect fit for your client's business needs. If you still have confusion about customization and need to learn more. You can read the article - Designing an Inventory Management System for Point of Sale (POS)

Jeff Harvey
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