Adding Products to Inventory
Maintaining an accurate inventory is essential for planning events and creating menus. This guide walks you through the process of adding products to your Bartendie inventory.
Understanding Products and Inventory
In Bartendie:
- Products are specific items like bottles of spirits, mixers, or garnishes
- Inventory tracks the current quantity of each product you have available
Adding Products Using Barcode Scanning
The fastest way to add products is by scanning their barcodes.
Step 1: Access the Scanning Feature
From the main dashboard:
- Tap the "Scan" icon in the bottom navigation bar, or
- From the Inventory screen, tap the "Scan" button in the top-right corner
Step 2: Scan the Barcode
- Position your camera so the barcode is visible in the scanning area
- Hold steady until the barcode is recognized
- If scanning is successful, you'll see product details appear
Step 3: Verify Product Information
After scanning, you'll see one of three results:
Product Recognized in Database:
- Review the product details (name, brand, category, volume)
- Confirm or adjust the information if needed
Product in Your Inventory:
- If you've previously added this product, you'll be prompted to update the quantity
- Choose between "Add More" or "Replace" options
Product Not Recognized:
- If the product isn't in our database, you'll need to enter details manually
- Fill in the required fields (name, brand, category, etc.)
Step 4: Enter Quantity Information
- Enter the current quantity
- Select the appropriate unit (bottles, oz, ml, etc.)
- Optionally set a minimum threshold for low stock alerts
- Specify storage location (e.g., "Main Bar," "Storage Room")
Step 5: Save the Product
Tap "Add to Inventory" to complete the process.
Adding Products Manually
If you can't scan a barcode or prefer manual entry:
Step 1: Access the Add Product Screen
From the Inventory screen:
- Tap the "+" button in the bottom right corner
- Select "Add Product Manually"
Step 2: Enter Product Details
Fill in the following information:
- Name: Product name (e.g., "Bourbon Whiskey")
- Brand: Manufacturer (e.g., "Maker's Mark")
- Category: Type of product (e.g., "Whiskey")
- Alcohol Content: Percentage (e.g., 45%)
- Volume: Amount (e.g., 750 ml)
- Barcode (optional): Enter manually if available
Step 3: Add an Image (Optional)
Tap the camera icon to:
- Take a photo of the product, or
- Select an image from your photo library
Step 4: Enter Inventory Information
Same as in the barcode scanning method:
- Enter the current quantity
- Select the appropriate unit
- Set minimum threshold (optional)
- Specify storage location
Step 5: Save the Product
Tap "Add to Inventory" to complete the process.
Bulk Import Using Spreadsheets
For advanced users who want to add multiple products at once:
Step 1: Export Template
- From the Inventory screen, tap the menu icon (three dots)
- Select "Import/Export"
- Tap "Download Template"
- Save the spreadsheet template to your device
Step 2: Fill Out the Template
Open the template in a spreadsheet application and fill in:
- Product details (name, brand, category, etc.)
- Inventory information (quantity, unit, location)
- Minimum thresholds (optional)
Step 3: Import Spreadsheet
- Return to the Import/Export screen
- Tap "Import Products"
- Select your completed spreadsheet
- Review the import preview
- Tap "Confirm Import" to add all products
Managing Product Details
Editing Product Information
To modify product details:
- Find the product in your inventory list
- Tap to open the product details
- Tap "Edit" in the top-right corner
- Make your changes
- Tap "Save" to update
Adding Product Tags
Tags help organize and search your inventory:
- Open the product details
- Scroll to the "Tags" section
- Tap "Add Tags"
- Select existing tags or create new ones
- Tap "Save" to apply tags
Tips for Effective Inventory Management
- Be consistent with units for similar products
- Use descriptive locations to make finding products easier
- Set appropriate minimum thresholds based on how frequently you use each product
- Add tags to help filter and organize your inventory
- Take photos of unique or uncommon products for easy identification
- Regularly scan your bar to keep inventory accurate
Next Steps
After adding products to your inventory, you'll want to:
- Track your stock levels as you use ingredients
- Generate shopping lists for upcoming events
- Explore available recipes based on your current inventory