2019 Review of Zoho Inventory Management

From the May 2019 reviews of Inventory Management systems.

Zoho Inventory Management is a cloud-based inventory control application that is part of Zoho’s suite of applications designed for small to mid-sized businesses. Zoho Inventory allows users to centralize inventory, a great option for those with both brick and mortar and online stores. Along with inventory management, Zoho Inventory includes warehouse management, order management, order fulfillment, and multichannel selling capability. Great for those that sell products globally, Zoho Inventory is available in U.S., UK, Canadian, Australian, Indian, and Global editions.  

The latest edition of Zoho Inventory includes numerous enhancements and additions, including password protected report exporting, the ability to process partial drop-shipments, the ability to add items in bulk, and the addition of an Android app that allows users to manage inventory from any location. The Android app joins the iOS app that Zoho has previously offered.

Zoho Inventory contains a user-friendly dashboard that allows users to manage inventory from a central location. The dashboard is completely customizable, so users can view the information they desire. Inventory lists can be imported into Zoho from other applications, or users can enter single items, assign items to a specific group, and create a composite item, which is a single product that is composed of two or more items. Zoho Inventory supports multiple warehouses, with users able to create a main warehouse with subsidiary locations, or simply create multiple locations. Drop-shipments and back orders are easily processed, and users can track items using batch tracking or serial number tracking.  A complete item history for any inventory item is also available.

Zoho Inventory includes barcode scanning capability, but the product does not currently offer an option to create custom barcodes that can be printed in-house. The product includes kitting capability using the Composite Items feature, and users can also perform assemblies by bundling raw materials and labor costs together to complete the finished product.

Zoho Inventory only supports a single selling price for each inventory item, but a price list can be created which allows users to choose special pricing if necessary. Pricing lists can include a specific percentage discount, a “buy one – get one free” option, or simply preferred pricing levels that can be applied to specific customers. A general pricing list can be created, or users can create special lists and attach them to specific customers or items. Zoho Inventory does not offer volume pricing, though the special pricing list can be used if desired. The product uses FIFO as its current inventory valuation method.

Zoho Inventory offers a decent selection of standard reports including inventory reports such as a Product Sales report, an Inventory Sales report, and a Product Purchase report. Sales reports such as Sales Order History, Sales by Category, and a Sales by Item report are also available. There is limited report customization capability in Zoho Inventory, though users can export any report as a CSV file for additional customization if desired. Reports can also be exported to Microsoft Excel or saved as a PDF.

Zoho Inventory integrates with other Zoho applications such as Zoho Books as well as a variety of third-party applications such as BigCommerce, Magento, Amazon.com, Etsy, eBay, and Shopify. The product also integrates with shipping vendors such as FedEx, DHL, UPS, and also offers integration with a variety of payment processing options including PayPal, Stripe, WePay, and WorldPay, with numerous other integrations available. 

The Resources option in Zoho Inventory provides users with a variety of help and support options including in-depth help documentation that includes a comprehensive Getting Started guide. FAQs, business guides, a community forum, and a list of weekly webinars can also be accessed from the Resources page. Product support is available during regular business hours, with users able to access support via the toll-free number provided, or via email or chat if desired.

Zoho Inventory is a good fit for smaller retail businesses and online merchants. Zoho currently offers a limited free version that works well as an introduction to the product. Three paid versions offer greater functionality: Basic, costs $39 per organization per month, and supports up to two warehouse locations and up to 10 system users; Standard, costing $79 per month for up to five warehouse locations and up to 15 users; and Professional, priced at $199 per month and supporting up to 10 warehouses and unlimited system users. All pricing is based on an annual payment, with month-to-month options running slightly higher. Zoho also offers a free 14-day trial for those interested in learning more about the product.

2019 Rating – 4.5 Stars