suggestions for inventory database software?

[decay]

new client who stocks parts for large industrial printers asked about good inventory database software.

he has a mac mini server, two new 2012 iMacs, an iPad and an iPhone. he travels a lot for his work.

are there good solutions for maintaining a database of his parts, with bin locations, costs, etc. that he could easily access on the road from iOS as well as in the office? does Filemaker have an iOS component?

is there something easier to set up that would suit him better than Filemaker Pro?

maybe something like this?
http://productivity-software.com/inventory/index.html

[TheTominator]

decay wrote:
does Filemaker have an iOS component?

Yes. It is called FileMaker Go.

It works as a client for FileMaker Pro 12 databases. It is free for both iPhone and iPad versions.


The FileMaker 11 version of the iOS apps for iPhone and iPad are not free, but are inexpensive compared to a FileMaker Pro license.

[mrlynn]

Unless FileMaker Pro (or some other database software) has pre-existing templates for inventory management, or unless you or the client enjoy creating such programs from a generic database, it would seem to me to make sense to buy a dedicated program like the SpiritWorks one you linked to. Why reinvent the wheel?

If SpiritWorks or a competitor doesn't have iOS compatibility, your client could access a running office computer remotely using Logmein or something similar. Or it's possible the dedicated programs will be built in FMP or another database engine that does support iOS.

Of course my experience with such matters is about 20 years out of date.

/Mr Lynn

[decay]

i doubt he'd want to futz with logmein from an ipad.

FileMaker Pro 12 includes a pre-designed, ready-to-use template for tracking inventory so you don't have to design your own inventory software from scratch. Create and customize your inventory software using FileMaker Pro 12 on Windows and Mac. No programming experience required. Then use FileMaker Pro on your Windows or Mac, or use FileMaker Go on your iPad or iPhone, to view, edit and search your customer database information.

https://www.filemaker.com/solutions/data...tware.html

$300 for FM Pro; a nice Mac interface and solid reputation.
free iOS apps

[mrlynn]

Since FMP has an IV management template, it comes down to features, and other benefits/costs. E.g. the SpiritWorks program has accounting and invoicing features, but is not multi-user. FMP is more money, but also offers a platform you can use for other purposes (e.g. contact database, or whatever). Do either tie in with the client's accounting software? Some accounting software also includes inventory management, e.g. Checkmark Software's MultiLedger.

/Mr Lynn

[decay]

client is using latest version of Quickbooks, he moved from a PC platform at the end of 2012.

[kj4btkljv]

I would recommend FileMaker Pro and Filemaker Go, as well.

Super simple to use, and very well established.

Jeff

[mrlynn]

Quickbooks for Mac (which I assume the client is using) apparently has an Inventory module:

http://findaccountingsoftware.com/direct...inventory/

/Mr Lynn