The trading and services industry faces the problem of inventory management. As it is located in multiple locations, it is tough to consolidated data and plan accordingly.

The multiple locations make it difficult to manage both the centralized and the de-centralized locations. The data is not available for the management most of the time so, it is very difficult for the management to take quick and improved decisions.

One of the key issues in trading organization is to keep a track of the materials that are in transit. A proper account of the inventory cannot be maintained throughout the locations. Track of the materials that are lost in transit also cannot be maintained.

Accurate management of the warehouses in all the locations becomes a major problem. As the warehouses are located zone wise, it is difficult to get the consolidated data in order to make quick and improved decisions. It is very difficult to analyze the data from across the location and to monitor and control the inventory process.

This is an attempt to obtain the fair value of the stocks that are available. It is required to valuate the inventories that are available at various locations. Most of the trading houses don't have the infrastructure to maintain the data from all the locations and practically, valuation of the stock from multiple locations is also not a viable option. It also helps in tracking the excise to be transferred to the customers while selling and also in tracking of documents to be received/ furnished to the suppliers / customers.

These sales are an opportunity to get near perfect merchandise at a fraction of the price. It is often difficult to have information on the date and time of sample sales. A sample sale is practiced in order to discard excess merchandise. These samples are distributed to the local vendors in order to promote sales. The problem arises when an invoice has to be raised for the consumer after tracking the lead. SMEs don't have the IT infrastructure to track the sample sales and manage the leads.