ENHANCING DIGITALIZATION OF INVENTORY MANAGEMENT: CASE STUDY OF THE INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY AT SWISS GERMAN UNIVERSITY

Abstract

This research aims to enhance the digitalization of inventory management at the Industrial Engineering Laboratory of Swiss German University by developing a custom inventory system using Odoo 17 Community. The current inventory management process still relies heavily on manual entry using Excel and Google Sheets, resulting in inefficiencies, data inconsistencies, and a lack of real-time visibility. The development methodology used in this research is the Waterfall model, consisting of requirement analysis, design, implementation, testing, deployment, and maintenance. Key features include a loan request module, barcode scanning, email automation, product replacement reporting, user access control, and integration with PostgreSQL and Python. Findings from the implementation show a significant improvement in system usability, traceability of loan history, and reduction in human error. The integration of automated email reminders and barcode scanning helped reduce late returns and improved administrative control. The system was tested successfully and received positive feedback from laboratory staff and users. In conclusion, the developed system provides a more structured, efficient, and transparent approach to inventory management in the academic laboratory setting, supporting both operational needs and future scalability.