As an office manager, you know that effective inventory management is more than counting the number of widgets on your shelves. Management inventory can translate into good customer service, but businesses of different sizes have different needs. Which method is best for your organization?

Some large companies employ inventory consultants, who design and manage inventory systems. Other companies don't require a complex inventory management system and keep track of inventory by using Microsoft Office Excel 2003 worksheets. It is important to decide which inventory management tool will work best for the size and type of business that you manage. In the end, of course, it's the accuracy of the method that counts.

Some accounting systems provide inventory control features. You might decide, however, to create your own, separate inventory management database. Building your own has many advantages, including customizing fields and reports specific to your business and creating a system that is available to and usable by all your employees.

The following tools and information will help you identify and implement the right inventory management strategy for your business.

• Create an Access database (Article)
  Design and create an inventory management database that works for you.
• Supplier list (8 1/2 x 14, landscape) (Template)
  Use this Excel template to easily keep track of your suppliers.
• Inventory management database (Template)
  Use this Access template as a starting point for developing an inventory management database specific to your business.
• Inventory list (Template)
  Use this Excel inventory template to create a line-item list of your entire inventory.