How to Build an Inventory Manager App Without Code

Welcome to our detailed guide on “Building an Inventory Management System with Knack: Step-by-Step Instructions.” Whether you’re a small business owner looking to streamline your inventory control or part of a larger organization aiming to optimize stock levels and avoid overstocking, this guide will show you how to create a custom inventory management software solution tailored to your needs.

In this guide, we will explore three distinct approaches to building your Inventory Manager app using Knack—a versatile no-code platform that combines ease of use with powerful customization options. You’ll learn how to track inventory items in real-time, integrate barcode scanning for efficient inventory counts, and build a scalable backend to manage your supply chain effectively. Whether you’re managing inventory for ecommerce, point-of-sale (POS) systems, or any other application, this tutorial will help you create a robust inventory management app that minimizes human error and enhances profitability.

By the end of this guide, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge to build an inventory management application that not only meets your current needs but can grow with your business, providing real-time insights and efficient management of your inventory system. Let’s get started on your journey to creating an effective inventory management solution with Knack.

Option 1: Using Knack’s Inventory Manager Template

If you’re looking for a quick and efficient way to get started, Knack offers a ready-to-use Inventory Manager template. This option is perfect if you prefer a straightforward setup with minimal customization, making it an excellent choice for those transitioning from spreadsheets or Excel-based systems to more robust inventory software.

Step 1: Choose the Inventory Manager Template

• Navigate to the Knack template gallery and select the Inventory Manager template. This template provides a solid foundation for managing your inventory, with predefined tables, fields, and connections, all designed to help you track and manage different types of inventory efficiently. The template is part of a web app, making it accessible from anywhere, which is ideal for businesses that need to manage inventory in real-time.

Step 2: Customize the Template

• Tailor the template to your specific needs by modifying layouts, adding or removing fields, and adjusting the design to align with your brand’s aesthetics. For example, you can add custom fields to track product categories, suppliers, pricing, or other details relevant to your business. This front-end customization ensures that the inventory software meets your exact requirements, whether you’re managing new inventory or existing stock.

Step 3: Integrate Your Data

• Import your existing inventory data via CSV upload or connect to external data sources like Google Sheets. If you’ve been using spreadsheets or Excel for inventory management, this step allows you to seamlessly transition to Knack’s more advanced system. Ensure that relationships between products, orders, and purchases are correctly configured to maintain data integrity and reduce the risk of manual data entry errors.

Step 4: Launch and Test

• Conduct thorough testing to ensure all components, such as real-time inventory tracking and data relationships, function as expected. Once you’re satisfied, deploy the app to your team and start managing your inventory efficiently. This approach not only streamlines your inventory management but also integrates well with other systems like CRM, helping you maintain a holistic view of your operations.

Option 2: Leveraging Knack’s AI App Builder

For those looking to integrate advanced features and automation into their Inventory Manager app, Knack’s AI App Builder offers a powerful option. This approach is ideal for users who want to add intelligent automation to their inventory management process.

Step 1: Start a New App with AI App Builder

• Log in to your Knack account and select “Create New App” from the dashboard, then “Start with AI”.

Step 2: Review and Refine the AI-Built Structure

• Describe the Inventory Manager app you want to create, such as managing stock levels, tracking shipments, or automating reorder alerts. The AI will generate a basic app structure with recommended tables, fields, and connections. Review and tweak this structure to meet your specific business needs, adding custom fields, objects, or workflows as necessary.
  • Sample Prompts:
    • Inventory Tracking: “Create tables for Products, Orders, and Purchases. Add fields for product name, SKU, quantity, supplier, and pricing. Ensure connections between tables allow for real-time inventory updates and low-stock alerts.”
    • Supplier Management: “Include a Suppliers table linked to Products. Add fields for supplier contact details, lead time, and pricing agreements. Ensure the app can track orders by supplier.”
    • Order Fulfillment: “Build an Orders table connected to Products. Include fields for order date, quantity, customer name, and status. Automate updates to inventory levels when orders are fulfilled.”

Step 3: Customize User Roles and Permissions

• Define distinct user roles, such as Admin, Warehouse Manager, or Sales Representative, and set appropriate permissions to ensure secure access and data management.

Step 4: Implement Automation and Logic

• Use Knack’s automation tools to create workflows that trigger notifications, update stock levels, or generate reports based on specific conditions. For example, you could automate alerts when inventory levels fall below a certain threshold.

Step 5: Build and Design Pages

• Construct pages for key functionalities, such as inventory tracking, order management, and reporting. Customize the design to match your brand, ensuring a user-friendly experience for all users.

Option 3: Building Your Inventory Manager App from Scratch

For those who want complete control over the design and functionality of their app, building from scratch with Knack is the way to go. This approach allows you to create a fully customized solution that precisely matches your inventory management needs, incorporating advanced features like real-time inventory tracking, barcode scanners, and ERP integration.

Step 1: Creating Tables & Fields

Start a trial here or log into your account. In the upper right corner, choose “Create New App” then “Start from scratch.”

To begin, you’ll need to add several tables to store different kinds of records. Think of each table as its own spreadsheet, with the table’s fields acting as columns in the spreadsheet. This foundational step sets the stage for your custom inventory management system.

• Products Table: Start by creating a “Products” table to store the details about each product being tracked. Add a number field named “Starting Inventory” to track the initial stock level for each product. By default, set this field to “0” as a starting point for new inventory.
• Purchases Table: Next, create a “Purchases” table to store the details of each product purchase. Include an auto-increment field to generate unique identifiers for each purchase automatically.

Step 2: Adding Connections

After setting up your tables, establish connections between them to ensure data flows correctly across your app.

• Create Connections: From the “Purchases” table, create a connection field that links to the “Products” table. This connection will enable you to track inventory by linking purchases to specific products. Additionally, add a “Quantity” field in the “Purchases” table to record the amount of stock received for each product.

Step 3: Creating an Orders Table

Now, you’ll need to create an “Orders” table to track outgoing orders, mirroring the “Purchases” table structure.

• Duplicate Fields: Copy the fields from the “Purchases” table into a new “Orders” table. This table will capture details about outgoing orders, including the product ordered and the quantity shipped. Connect this table to the “Products” table to ensure that each order adjusts the product inventory accordingly.

Step 4: Defining Formulas

With your tables and connections in place, it’s time to define the formulas that will calculate your inventory levels.

• Inventory Received Formula: In the “Products” table, create a sum field named “Inventory Received” to aggregate the quantities from the “Purchases” table.
• Inventory Shipped Formula: Similarly, create a sum field named “Inventory Shipped” to track the total quantities shipped via the “Orders” table.
• Inventory On Hand Formula: Finally, create a numeric equation field named “Inventory On Hand” in the “Products” table. This formula will calculate the current inventory by adding the “Starting Inventory” to the “Inventory Received” and subtracting the “Inventory Shipped.”

Step 5: Building Your Pages

Now that the data structure is defined, it’s time to build the user interface where your users will interact with the app.

• Current Inventory Page: Start by creating a “Current Inventory” page to manage product records. This page should include a grid view to display all product records and a form view to add new product entries.
• Incoming Purchases Page: Next, build a page to manage purchase records. This page allows users to add new purchases and view all past purchase records linked to specific products.
• Outgoing Orders Page: Finally, create an “Outgoing Orders” page for managing orders. Users will utilize this page to track outgoing shipments and adjust inventory levels accordingly.

Step 6: Extending the Functionality and Design of Your App (Optional)

Once the core app is up and running, consider extending its functionality to meet more specific business needs.

• Line Items Table: Add a “Line Items” table to handle multiple products within a single order, providing more detailed order tracking.
• Scheduled Tasks: Set up automated inventory reminders to notify users when stock levels are low or when it’s time to reorder.
• User Logins and Roles: Enable user logins and establish different user roles to control access and permissions within the app.
• Custom Design: Finally, enhance the look and feel of your app by customizing its design using Knack’s Live App Design settings or by adding custom code in the API & Code section.

Start Building Your Inventory Manager App with Knack

By following these options, you can build a customized Inventory Manager app with Knack that fits your specific business requirements, enhancing your ability to manage stock levels, track shipments, and optimize your inventory management processes. Whether you choose to start with a template, leverage AI tools, or build from scratch, Knack provides the flexibility and tools needed to create an effective inventory management solution.

Start your journey today by exploring Knack’s free 14-day trial and see how easy it is to build, customize, and deploy your Inventory Manager app.