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# How to Build a Physical Stock Control System
- URL: https://blog.jestor.com/physical-stock-control-system/
- Published: 2026-09-17T22:30:06.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-17T22:30:06.000Z
- Author: Bruno Bannach

A **physical stock control system** tracks three levels for every item: current, minimum, and ideal. The gap between them is what tells you whether to reorder, and when.

## Why single-quantity tracking is not enough

Knowing how many units you hold does not tell you whether that number is a problem.

- Stockouts discovered when a customer asks
- Reordering done by memory rather than by rule
- No distinction between "low" and "critically low"
- Overstocking on items that never move

## The three stock levels and what they do

| Level             | What it defines                                     |
| ----------------- | --------------------------------------------------- |
| **Current stock** | How many units you hold right now                   |
| **Minimum stock** | The threshold below which an item is flagged as low |
| **Ideal stock**   | The target level, used to calculate the stock goal  |
| **Stock status**  | Low, OK, or out of stock, derived from the three    |

## How to configure it in Jestor

1. Register each product in **Jestor** with name, category, brand, price, and the three stock levels.
2. Mark the fields required so no product enters without its thresholds.
3. Let the stock status calculate itself from current, minimum, and ideal.
4. Build a dashboard with total products, low-stock items, and out-of-stock items.
5. Add an alerts panel listing every item needing an inbound movement.

## Why choose Jestor for inventory control?

**Jestor** derives the stock goal from all three levels rather than from a single threshold, which distinguishes an item that is merely below target from one that has actually run out.

The category breakdown chart answers a question a flat list cannot: whether inventory value is concentrated in the right part of the catalogue.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What triggers a low-stock alert?

Any item whose current stock falls below its defined minimum. See [jestor.com](https://jestor.com/?ref=blog.jestor.com).

### What is ideal stock for?

It sets the target used to calculate the stock goal.

### Can I see stock split by category?

Yes, as a percentage breakdown on the dashboard.

## Video Tutorial: Step by Step

Check out other practical tutorials on the Jestor YouTube channel.

## Get to know Jestor

With **Jestor**, you can automate workflows, connect teams, and build internal systems your way — all without code and powered by **AI**. Discover Jestor at [jestor.com](https://jestor.com/?ref=blog.jestor.com) and see how to take your company's operations to a new level of efficiency and control.