How do you organise the catalogue and stock of an auto parts store?
In a parts store the customer comes with a car, not a code. The catalogue must help you get from the car to the right part and from the part to its shelf.
Short answer
- Give each part a unique internal code and record the manufacturer's OEM code.
- Note the compatible makes, models and years on the part record.
- Keep stock by location: shelf, warehouse, store.
- Set a minimum stock threshold, so parts running out appear on the reorder list.
Useful fields on a part record
- Internal code, OEM code, manufacturer, category.
- Compatibility: make, model, year range.
- Purchase price, sale price, mark-up.
- Quantity by location and minimum threshold.
Compatibility remains your decision
Compatibility is information you note yourself, from supplier catalogues. The application keeps it and makes it easy to find, but it does not check by itself whether a part fits a car. For critical parts, confirm with the OEM code or the car's chassis number.
How SoftAuto helps
- A catalogue with internal code, OEM code and noted compatibility.
- Stock by location and a list of parts below the minimum threshold.
- For online sales you use 4shopy.net, from the same ecosystem.