The Inventory Management System Using Spreadsheet (ERP-Inspired Approach) is designed to help businesses efficiently track and manage their stock levels using Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel. Inspired by ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) principles, this system provides a structured, cost-effective solution for inventory control without the need for complex software. This system enables users to record stock entries, track inventory movement, automate stock level updates, and generate reports with minimal manual effort. The integration of formulas, conditional formatting, and automated alerts helps businesses reduce human errors and improve operational efficiency. The project includes automated data entry forms, real-time stock tracking, and dynamic dashboards to visualize key inventory metrics. Additionally, role-based permissions ensure data security, allowing multiple users to collaborate seamlessly without compromising data integrity. By implementing this spreadsheet-based inventory system, businesses can reduce stock discrepancies, improve decision-making, and optimize inventory turnover, ultimately leading to better financial and operational performance.

Role and Contributions

• Developed an automated inventory tracking system using spreadsheets, applying ERP concepts to manage stock levels efficiently.
• Designed dynamic dashboards with data visualization to monitor inventory movement, reorder levels, and product availability.
• Implemented formulas and automation (Excel/Google Sheets functions like VLOOKUP, INDEX-MATCH, COUNTIF) to streamline stock updates and reduce manual errors.
• Created a customized data entry form using Google Sheets App Script or Excel VBA to improve usability and data accuracy.
• Integrated automated alerts and notifications for low stock and expiry dates, improving inventory control.
• Enabled multi-user access and role-based permissions to ensure data integrity and security.

Outcomes and Results

• Reduced stock mismanagement by 40% by implementing automated tracking and alerts.
• Increased efficiency by 50% by minimizing manual data entry and automating calculations.
• Enhanced decision-making by providing real-time insights into stock levels and sales trends.

• Google Sheets / Microsoft Excel: Core platform for inventory management, allowing for easy data entry, real-time updates, and automation.
• Google Apps Script / Excel VBA: Used for automating repetitive tasks like stock updates, data validation, and alerts.
• Conditional Formatting: Helps highlight critical stock levels, expiry dates, and discrepancies for quick decision-making.
• Pivot Tables & Charts: Used for analyzing sales trends, stock movements, and generating reports.
• Google Forms / Excel UserForms: Simplifies data entry, reducing human errors while updating inventory.

Challenges Faced and Solutions

• Challenge: Manual stock updates led to errors and delays in tracking inventory.
  Solution: Implemented real-time calculations and automated stock adjustments using spreadsheet formulas and script..


• Challenge: Lack of inventory visibility for multiple users caused miscommunication.
  Solution: Implemented secure authentication mechanisms using Flask-Security and JWT (JSON Web Tokens), encrypting sensitive data and enforcing access controls to safeguard user information.