Cloud-based Inventory Management System Design

In a digital world where businesses and operations are becoming more and more fast-paced, it has become pertinent to have a system that is efficiently agile and optimized.

Troo is a Nigerian digital innovation for businesses. A cloud based retail tech stack built for inventory that caters to in-store and brick and mortar businesses. Whether you are just starting out, or looking to scale your business, Troo’s retail operating system helps businesses streamline their operations. A smart system that helps to set up shop, take orders, accept payments, track inventory, grow sales and manage employees all in one place. This is what Troo offers.

Many retail business environments in Nigeria still adopt the traditional paper cash register and stock taking. This has brought about a great deal of strain on their operations particularly now that human endeavors are becoming more and more fast- paced. Consequently, it has become essential that companies turn to  a more optimized cloud-based system that is convenient and saves a lot of time.

In-store shops and warehouse businesses that use the legacy cash registers get limited solutions. At best, the legacy cash register handles transactions and keeps track of sales figures. A cloud-based point-of-sale system provides the same core functions, but also improves day-to-day operations by automating critical processes and extending access through the web.

We began research by conducting targeted user interviews with SMEs in order to learn about their experiences with payment structure as well as inventory management, both traditional and digital. A couple of open-ended questions were asked in the interview sessions to ensure that users could talk more about their daily struggles and pain points.

After a successful session with seven business owners and warehouse management services we were able to draw useful insights into the potential challenges of their point of sale structure and inventory management. The results are tremendously beneficial in identifying these pain points and how to solve them. The data derived from these interviews will play a crucial role in structuring the Troo platform and mobile app.

The idea is to create a platform that offers smart point-of-sale systems for every business. Troo’s reporting and analytics layer helps to track key business performance indicators on all levels such as sales, inventory, operations, etc. Business owners can now plan and make informed decision to grow their businesses.

Right off the bat, we realized there was a great deal of complexity to manage. Some of our products include:

Inventroo: comprehensive yet simple inventory management back office to optimize business operations, offers a centralized product catalogue accessible across multiple touch points, enabling merchants to edit products in bulk, track stock movement, low stock notification, print barcodes and labels, and much more.

Tilltroo: android compatible smart cash registers, terminals, hand-held POS that run dedicated troo retail software.

Paytroo: designed to help businesses create their own set up with android compatible terminals that run their dedicated troo retail POS software.

Scantroo: designed to help turn mobile phones into a barcode scanner using the Troo inventory mobile app.

We’ve seen that inventory managers need to handle a high level of informational complexity when it comes to managing orders. The goal with designing the interface was to empower the user to handle all this information and take action on it quickly.

The essence of Information Architecture is basically a representation of all information that needs to be tracked by the user, and how it should be organized hierarchically.

Wireframes allows me to arrange the interface elements while I focused on the functionality rather than what it looks like. Moreover, the simplicity it allows me to quickly test ideas without diving into the details.

With the information architecture in place, we put together a wireframe that allowed easy access to all relevant information in new customer, new invoice and new supplier and any action you need to take can be done right from within this interface.

We designed the landing page as an essential part of the user journey. The aim of the landing page is to stimulate a predetermined action using targeted copy to connect with users and persuade them to act.

Reports play a key role in decision making which can help cut costs, increase productivity, and improve profits. This is one of the major functions of the Troo system, allowing users generate numerous reports such as sales activities and top selling items so they can make informed decisions.

Barcoding module helps to eliminate standard human error, which often occurs due to manual data accumulations. Knowing this, we ensure to integrate all product barcode formats (SKU, EAN, ISBN, UPC) into the Troo system. This help to ensure a much global reach of the system as users, wherever they are, can be catered to.

Troo was design to be flexible. We understand that no two business functions are alike and similarly, the inventory management system must enable you to customize and define parameters as per your needs. Troo adapts to the way users manage their businesses. Right from organizing stock your way to molding business processes such as sales, purchases, etc.

Troo’s POS system helps users combine payment processing, inventory control and secure customer data storage. This feature enables users create their own set up with Troo’s Android compatible terminals that run on dedicated retail POS software. This feature also integrates multiple touchpoints across mobile, tablets and smart desktops which allow your staff process orders, track inventory and receive payments.

We identified the need to help restaurants transit from their traditional note writing process of taking orders particularly between the hostesses and the kitchen staff. To do this, we adopted the more advances Kitchen Display System approach. We discovered no fast food restaurant in Nigeria has thought about this process, making this an innovative idea for a more optimized restaurant operation.

The main functionality of the platform is inventory management with key features including payment gateway, till system and RFID scan to manage products with better efficiency. This is a pilot version with which other business features will be included overtime, based on the success rate. Taking into consideration the essence of inclusivity, we intended to create a more robust platform that straddles more business types and management processes. With a user-centered interface design, future updates will rely heavily on further research and user feedbacks.