An Ode to The Amazon Smart Shelf and a Look at The Future of Sensor-based IoT Inventory Systems: SensorBins, Electronic Shelf Labels, RFID

An Ode to the Amazon Smart Shelf

 The Amazon Smart Shelf was an amazing product, in this writer’s opinion. It was a cute little battery-operated metal weight pad that could trigger replenishment. Sadly, it was discontinued last year. It was targeted at the consumer market, which, as it turns out, wasn’t in dire need of perfectly replenishing their Gatorade.

However, the business market and medical industry are filled with companies who absolutely cannot stock out of inventory. And for those companies, there are still other sensor-based replenishment technologies that can help with automating replenishment. 

Introduction to IoT Sensors in Stockroom Inventory Management

Whether you call it weight-based inventory management, smart shelves, hands-free replenishment, or sensor-managed inventory, it is true that IoT sensors can transform order management and replenishment workflows in and out of the stockroom. 

IoT sensor technology brings weight-based inventory options like weight pads, weight scales, and weight sensors to the point-of-use inventory management process. These sensors allow organizations to do on-demand physical inventory counts, automate replenishment, and provide in-depth reporting. Electronic Shelf Labels and and RFID sensors for digital kanban bring labor savings to customer-managed inventory (CMI) replenishment as well. In this article, find out how IoT sensors are revolutionizing point-of-use inventory replenishment systems across industries.

Defining IoT Sensors and Their Impact on Inventory Systems

IoT sensors are devices that collect and transmit data over the internet, providing real-time insights into various aspects of inventory management. Depending on your industry, you might refer to IoT sensors using these additional terms:

• Hands free replenishment

• Sensor-managed inventory

• Smart shelves

• Weight based inventory management

IoT weight sensors measure the weight of the contents of a bin, shelf, or pad, then send that weight information to an inventory management system to be translated into item quantities. The purpose of IoT weight sensors is to get real-time visibility into quantity on hand, to be able to manage replenishment orders from a remote location, and to auto-replenish when minimum levels have been reached. One example of an IoT weight sensor product is Trackstock SensorBins.

In the case of IoT sensors such as RFID or  Electronic shelf labels, users can scan tags or press a simple button to trigger digital replenishment orders directly to distributors. The impacts of these IoT sensors on inventory systems include fewer stockouts and lower procurement labor costs.

The Evolution of Point-of-Use Inventory Management: From Manual to Sensor-based

Point-of-use inventory management strategies have seen drastic change in the last few decades. In the past, inventory management relied heavily on manual counts, paper records, and physical processes to keep an accurate measure of current inventory levels. This time-consuming approach pulled skilled workers away from strategic tasks while also opening the door to counting and recording errors. 

When sensor technology reached the inventory management space, every facet of this process changed. First, QR/bar code scanning with phone apps allowed for much faster counts and more precise tracking. These technologies are still the ideal solution in many inventory settings. When inventory weight sensor technology was developed, organizations could finally leverage remote, automated inventory tracking. These sensor-managed inventory solutions allow teams to reduce errors while also saving time.

How Sensors Are Transforming Inventory Tracking and Replenishment

Sensor-managed inventory software transforms the inventory tracking process by providing on-demand data on stock levels and automating replenishment orders. For example, weight-based inventory management solutions like TrackStock SensorBins send automated reorders to any distributor when inventory levels fall below minimum levels. And sensors allow inventory to be managed and auto-replenished from anywhere.

Automated Replenishment with IoT Sensors

Since IoT sensors allow for on-demand inventory counts, software like eTurns TrackStock can poll the sensors anytime to determine whether inventory levels have fallen below optimal levels. IoT inventory management tools like eTurns SensorBins use weight sensors to provide no-touch inventory counts on demand. 

Then, the software can initiate a replenishment order without any interference from staff. This capability moves organizations toward inventory optimization because they can tailor their min/max levels to promote cost savings while remaining secure in the knowledge that their IoT inventory management solutions will help them avoid stockouts and minimize labor costs.

"Gexpro Services just implemented a 700 scale eTurns SensorBins Sensor-managed Inventory Solution at a large powergen manufacturer in Ohio. The customer was very impressed by the nearly $1M stock reduction and access to real-time on-hand inventory data."

Robert Connors, CEO, Gexpro Services