Manufacturing and processing: Inventory software for packaging manufacturers
Inventory software for packaging manufacturers that tracks board batches, part rolls and sheets by grade and shows what is already reserved for a job.
Where stock drifts for packaging manufacturers.
Board arrives at a packaging manufacturer in batches, on reels or as sheets, in grades that look alike at first glance. After a production run there is a part roll or a stack of sheets left that is just too small for the next big job but fine for a small one. Those leftovers are often put down somewhere and are unknown at the next estimate. At the same time, a full rack is no guarantee: some of that board is already committed to a job printing next week. Without a view of what is genuinely free, purchasing over-orders, or production starts and the right grade turns out to be gone.
Inventory software for packaging manufacturers
Example- 1
Make batches and reels identifiable
DoneEvery batch or reel gets a label on arrival with grade, size, supplier and batch number.
- 2
Reserve for scheduled jobs
In progressWhen a job is scheduled, the board it needs is linked to that job.
- 3
Report actual usage
NextAfter the run the operator reports how much was actually used and what is left.
From receipt to use.
Make batches and reels identifiable
Every batch or reel gets a label on arrival with grade, size, supplier and batch number. A part roll gets its own label after the run, with the estimated remaining length or sheet count. Every piece of board can be traced, even once the supplier label has been removed.
Reserve for scheduled jobs
When a job is scheduled, the board it needs is linked to that job. The system suggests suitable part rolls before a full reel is touched. Reserved board stays physically in the rack but no longer counts as free stock for new quotes.
Report actual usage
After the run the operator reports how much was actually used and what is left. The difference from the reservation becomes visible: more waste than expected, or a usable remnant. During a rack count, discrepancies are corrected with a reason, so the figures match the warehouse again.
Alongside your purchasing and suppliers.
At packaging manufacturers board stock is often tracked partly in the ERP and partly on the warehouse supervisor's own list. Purchasing orders based on supplier agreements and experience. The inventory software reads receipts from the existing purchasing process and jobs from the order system, and writes usage back where it is needed for cost price. Purchasing owns suppliers and orders, the warehouse owns locations and counts, production owns the reported usage.
Log every part roll or only large ones
Labelling every scrap of board takes time and produces remnants nobody ever uses. Logging only remnants above an agreed quantity keeps stock useful. The threshold varies by grade: a small remnant of an expensive printable board is still worth keeping, one of standard corrugated much less so.
Stock by batch or by grade
Counting by grade is simple and enough for many jobs. But on printed packaging, colour differences between batches can show. Tracking batches separately lets you run a job from a single batch and, on a complaint, find out which batch was used. It takes a little more discipline at receipt and issue.
Scan or book out by hand
Scanning at issue makes stock more accurate but needs labels and scanners on the floor. Booking out by hand at the end of a run is simpler but leaves room for estimates. Many manufacturers start by scanning full reels at receipt and issue and book small remnants out by hand.
Clients in other industries.
No customer story from this industry yet. This is how the software works for businesses elsewhere.
All customer stories
Hotel Aadam Wilhelmina
Online check-in, even at two in the morning.
Read the story
L'Artiste Barbershop
A full calendar starts with easy booking.
Read the storyNovaw Pilates
Focus on the class. Let the booking take care of itself.
Read the storyWhich stock we record.
We set up the board grades you use most, with labels on receipt, reservations per order and reporting of usage and offcuts. We walk through an ordinary week of receipts and runs together, and an order where the reserved batch turns out to be damaged. A periodic count with corrections and a signal to purchasing when free stock drops below an agreed level are ready to switch on later.
View pricingSupport and updatesGood to know.
Explore pricing and optionsCan estimating see which part rolls are available?
Yes. When quoting a short run, the estimator can see which free remnants exist in the requested grade and the required size. They can provisionally reserve one, so the calculation does not rely on board that has meanwhile gone into another job.
How do we handle board supplied by the customer?
Customer-owned material gets its own marking and can only be linked to that customer's jobs. It does not count towards your own free stock. After the job you can see how much was used and what is left, so you can return the rest or store it by agreement.
What if a reel label has become unreadable?
The operator can look the reel up by location and properties such as grade and width, and print a new label. The system shows which reels should be at that location, so an unknown reel is quickly recognised. If that fails, it is marked unknown until someone has checked it.
Do we need to replace our ERP for this?
No. The ERP stays the place for purchasing and financial stock value. The inventory software adds what the ERP often lacks: remnants, rack locations and reservations per job. Where the ERP needs usage figures for cost price, we pass them on.
What often connects to this.
- Digital job cards for packaging manufacturersDigital job cards for packaging manufacturers that keep the approved proof and its revision number, the machine settings and the checks for each production run with the same job.
- Website for packaging manufacturersA website for packaging manufacturers that explains box formats, board grades and print options clearly enough that a buyer knows what to supply before sending an enquiry.
- Enquiry form for packaging manufacturersAn enquiry form for packaging manufacturers that asks for cutting die, run size, board and print, so your estimator can price the job without three rounds of follow-up emails.
Know what is really there.
Start with a short intake. Then we schedule a call to show the software with your services, team and way of working.
WhatsAppinfo@vorlyo.com Inventory software for packaging manufacturers: board batches and part rolls by grade and size, with reservations per job and remnants you can find.
- Make batches and reels identifiable
- Reserve for scheduled jobs
- Report actual usage