inFlow Inventory

What is inFlow

inFlow is an inventory management software developed by Archon Systems Inc. It is designed to help small and medium-sized businesses control their stock, manage orders, and track sales. The core purpose of inFlow is to provide a centralized system for all inventory-related activities, moving businesses away from spreadsheets or manual tracking methods. Its main functionality includes tracking stock levels across multiple locations, creating purchase and sales orders, generating invoices, and providing detailed reports on business performance. The software is known for its user-friendly interface, making it accessible for team members without extensive technical training. Archon Systems Inc. created inFlow to offer a powerful yet simple solution for businesses that need more than a basic spreadsheet but less complexity than a full-scale Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system.

inFlow Features

• Inventory Control: Track product stock levels in real-time. Set reorder points to receive alerts when inventory is low, preventing stockouts.
• Order Management: Create, manage, and track both sales and purchase orders from a single dashboard. Fulfill orders, manage returns, and generate invoices efficiently.
• Barcoding: Generate and print barcodes for your products. Use a barcode scanner, including the inFlow Smart Scanner or mobile app, to quickly pick, pack, and receive items.
• Manufacturing & Kitting: Assemble finished goods from raw materials or bundle products into kits. The system automatically deducts component stock and adds the finished product to your inventory.
• Multi-Location Management: Track inventory across different warehouses, stores, or even service vans. Transfer stock between locations with ease.
• Reporting and Analytics: Access over 30 pre-built reports to analyze sales, costs, and inventory levels. Gain insights into your business's health and make data-driven decisions.
• User Access Control: Set specific permissions for each team member to control who can view, add, or edit information, ensuring data security.
• Integrations: Connect inFlow with popular e-commerce platforms, accounting software, and online marketplaces to sync data automatically.

inFlow Pricing Plans

inFlow offers several pricing tiers tailored to businesses of different sizes. The plans are typically structured based on the number of users, monthly orders, and included features.

• Entrepreneur Plan: This entry-level plan is designed for solo entrepreneurs and very small businesses. It includes core inventory and order management features with limitations on the number of orders and products.
• Small Business Plan: Aimed at growing teams, this plan offers more users, a higher order limit, and access to integrations with e-commerce and accounting software.
• Mid-Size Plan: This tier is for established businesses that require more advanced features. It typically includes API access, dedicated support, and higher limits on all metrics.
• Enterprise Plan: A custom plan for larger organizations with complex needs, offering unlimited orders, premium support, and advanced features for manufacturing and multi-location management.

inFlow Free Plan

inFlow does not offer a permanently free plan. However, it provides a 14-day free trial for new users. The trial gives you access to all the features of one of their premium plans, allowing you to test the software thoroughly with your own business data. No credit card is required to start the free trial, so you can explore its capabilities without any commitment.

How to use inFlow

Getting started with inFlow is a straightforward process designed to get your inventory organized quickly.

1. Sign Up and Setup: Begin by signing up for the 14-day free trial on the inFlow website. During setup, you will enter basic information about your company.
2. Import Products: Add your products to the system. You can do this manually one by one or save time by importing a CSV file containing your product list, stock quantities, and costs.
3. Create a Purchase Order: To add new stock, create a purchase order and send it to your supplier. When the items arrive, use the 'Receive Order' function to update your inventory levels automatically.
4. Make a Sale: When a customer places an order, create a sales order in inFlow. As you fulfill the order, the system automatically deducts the items from your stock.
5. Track and Report: Use the dashboard to get a quick overview of your inventory status and sales performance. Run detailed reports to analyze sales by product, check inventory value, or review order history.

Pros and Cons of inFlow

Pros:

• User-Friendly Interface: The software is intuitive and easy to navigate, which reduces the learning curve for new users.
• All-in-One Solution: It combines inventory, purchasing, sales, and reporting in a single platform.
• Good for SMBs: The features and pricing are well-suited for small to medium-sized businesses.
• Hardware Support: It integrates well with hardware like barcode scanners and label printers.
• Strong Customer Support: Users often praise the responsive and helpful customer support team.

Cons:

• Limited Customization: The software may not be flexible enough for businesses with highly specific or unique workflows.
• Pricing Can Scale Up: As your business grows and requires more users or orders, the subscription cost can become significant.
• Mobile App Limitations: While a mobile app is available, it may not have the full functionality of the desktop or web application.

inFlow integrations

inFlow connects with various platforms to help automate your workflow. Key integrations include:

• E-commerce Platforms: Seamlessly sync inventory and orders with platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and Amazon.
• Accounting Software: Integrate with QuickBooks Online and Xero to automatically send sales and purchase data, simplifying your bookkeeping.
• Shipping and Logistics: While not direct integrations, inFlow works with shipping software by exporting order data that can be imported into shipping platforms.
• Zapier: Connect inFlow to thousands of other apps through Zapier to create custom automated workflows.

inFlow Alternatives

• Zoho Inventory: A strong competitor that is part of the larger Zoho ecosystem. It offers a free plan with limitations and integrates tightly with other Zoho apps, making it ideal for businesses already using Zoho CRM or Books.
• Cin7: A more advanced inventory management solution aimed at larger businesses with complex, multi-channel sales operations. It offers more features for automation and warehouse management but comes at a higher price point.
• Odoo: An open-source ERP software that includes a comprehensive inventory management module. It is highly customizable but can be more complex to set up and manage compared to inFlow.
• QuickBooks Commerce (formerly TradeGecko): A powerful inventory and order management platform for e-commerce businesses. It offers robust features for wholesale and multi-channel sellers but is generally more expensive.

inFlow API

Yes, inFlow provides a REST API for developers. The API allows you to connect inFlow with custom applications, build unique integrations, or automate specific workflows that are not covered by the standard integrations. API access is typically included in the higher-tier subscription plans.

To get started, you would need to generate an API key from within your inFlow account settings. You can find detailed documentation on their developer portal.

Here is a basic example of how to fetch a list of products using the API with cURL:

curl -X GET 'https://api.inflowinventory.com/v1/products' \
-H 'Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY' \
-H 'Content-Type: application/json'

Replace YOUR_API_KEY with the key generated from your account.

inFlow Affiliate program

inFlow offers a referral program for its customers and partners. Instead of a traditional affiliate program with public commission rates, they provide a system where existing customers can refer new businesses. When a referred business signs up for a paid plan, the referrer typically receives a credit or a discount on their own subscription. To participate, you usually need to be an inFlow customer and use the unique referral link found within your account dashboard. For more formal partnership or influencer collaborations, it is best to contact the inFlow sales or marketing team directly to discuss potential opportunities.