What a physical stock control system should track
Physical stock control needs more than a count of what you hold. It needs to show what is running low, what has run out, how inventory is distributed and how much value is moving in each direction. In Jestor, a ready made template covers all of it in a single panel.
Why counting is the easy part
Knowing you have two hundred items is not useful on its own. The operational questions are different: which of them are about to run out, which are already at zero, and where is the value concentrated.
Those questions are what turn stock data into a purchasing decision.
What teams need to see daily:
- Items below their minimum level
- Items already at zero
- How stock is distributed across categories
- The last movement recorded, and in which direction
- Total value moving in and out
What the panel should display
| Indicator | What it shows | Action it drives |
|---|---|---|
| Total products registered | Size of the catalog | Registry maintenance |
| Low stock items | Below the minimum you defined | Restock before it runs out |
| Out of stock items | Quantity at zero | Urgent purchasing |
| Stock by category | Distribution of inventory | Where capital is concentrated |
| Inbound movements and value | How much entered and its worth | Verifying receipts |
| Outbound movements and value | How much left and its worth | Consumption and sales pace |
Step by step to set it up
- Install the stock template, which is simple by design.
- Register your products, assigning each one a category.
- Define the minimum level per item, since the low stock alert depends on it.
- Record movements as they happen, marked as inbound or outbound.
- Watch the last movement panel to confirm what was recorded.
- Review the category chart monthly to see where value is concentrated.
Why minimum levels deserve real thought
A minimum set too low means discovering a shortage when it is already a shortage. Set too high and you tie up cash in inventory you do not need. The number should reflect lead time and consumption pace, not a round figure chosen quickly.
- Alert based on your rule: the minimum is defined per item
- Value in both directions: inbound and outbound measured in money
- Category distribution: concentration made visible
- Simple by design: the template is meant to be used immediately
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the low stock alert work?
It compares the current quantity against the minimum level you defined per item. See jestor.com.
Can I see stock by category?
Yes. A chart shows the percentage of stock in each product category.
Does it show the value of movements?
Yes. Total value entering and leaving stock is tracked separately.
Video Tutorial: Step by Step
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 and see how to take your company's operations to a new level of efficiency and control.