Lost parts. Costly production delays. Hours wasted on manual stock counts. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Inaccurate inventory is one of the biggest hidden costs in any operation, leading to stockouts of critical items and overstock of others.

Many businesses still rely on paper logs or complex spreadsheets, but these manual methods are prone to human error and can’t keep up with the speed of modern industry. It’s time to move beyond guesswork and implement a system that delivers control, accuracy, and efficiency.

This guide will walk you through the modern tools for warehouse inventory tracking and show how an Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS) like the **Infismash Vertical Lift Module (VLM)** is the ultimate solution to take back control.

The Problem with Manual Inventory Tracking

While simple to start, manual tracking quickly becomes a major liability as your business grows. It creates problems that ripple through your entire operation:

• Human Error: A single misplaced digit or missed entry can lead to significant discrepancies.
• No Real-Time Data: Your spreadsheet is outdated the moment it’s saved, leaving you to make critical decisions based on old information.
• Wasted Labor: Your team spends valuable time searching for items and performing tedious manual counts instead of focusing on value-added tasks.
• Poor Visibility: It’s nearly impossible to know exactly what you have and where it is at any given moment, making audits a nightmare.

The Solution: Automated Inventory Tracking with the Infismash VLM

The most effective way to eliminate these problems is to automate the process. While Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) are a step in the right direction, the true game-changer is integrating that software intelligence with smart hardware. This is where the Infismash VLM excels.

Our VLM operates on the “goods-to-person” principle. It’s an enclosed system of vertically arranged trays that are automatically retrieved and delivered to a single, ergonomic access point. Every action is managed and recorded by its integrated software, creating a perfect, error-proof inventory ecosystem.

How the Infismash VLM Masters Inventory Tracking:

• Pinpoint Location Accuracy: The software knows the exact location of every single item in every tray. When an item is requested, the system delivers the correct tray automatically. The concept of a “lost part” becomes obsolete.
• Real-Time Stock Updates: Every time an item is picked or placed, the operator confirms the transaction on the touchscreen. Your inventory counts are updated instantly and are always 100% accurate.
• Secure, Controlled Access: The VLM is a fully enclosed steel unit, protecting your valuable inventory from dust, damage, and unauthorized access. This drastically reduces shrinkage and improves inventory integrity.
• Full Traceability: The system requires user logins for operation, creating a digital audit trail. You’ll know who accessed what inventory and when, providing complete accountability—a critical feature for regulated industries or high-value parts.

Practical Steps to Perfect Inventory (Made Easy by the VLM)

Achieving flawless inventory control relies on proven best practices. The beauty of the Infismash VLM is that it automates most of these steps for you.

1. Implement a Slotting Strategy

Traditional Method: Manually deciding where to store items based on size and pick frequency.
The Infismash Way: The VLM’s software can help organize parts logically, while its high-speed extractor makes every item a “fast-moving” item by delivering it in seconds.

2. Use Barcode Scanning

Traditional Method: Relying on operators to visually confirm part numbers.
The Infismash Way: Integrate a barcode scanner directly with the VLM. A quick scan confirms the correct part is being picked or stored, eliminating human error.

3. Adopt Cycle Counting

Traditional Method: Shutting down operations for a massive, disruptive annual inventory count.
The Infismash Way: Because the system’s count is always accurate, you can perform quick, targeted cycle counts on small sections of inventory during downtime, without ever stopping production.

4. Secure Your High-Value Items

Traditional Method: Locking parts in a separate cage or room, adding extra steps to the workflow.
The Infismash Way: The entire VLM is a secure cage. Store high-value and standard parts together, with access controlled by user permissions in the software.

Take the First Step Towards Perfect Inventory Control

Stop letting inventory errors dictate your bottom line. Transitioning from manual chaos to automated control is easier and more affordable than you might think. The Infismash VLM provides a scalable, secure, and incredibly accurate solution that pays for itself through reduced errors, saved labor, and reclaimed floor space.

If you’re ready to see how an automated inventory tracking system can transform your warehouse, our team is here to help. We’ll analyze your current process and show you exactly what’s possible.