Struggling to understand why your stock numbers never quite add up? If you’ve ever encountered discrepancies between recorded stock levels and actual inventory, you’re not alone. Inventory errors are a common challenge across many businesses, but they are entirely avoidable. The Merlin Plugin is designed to make inventory tracking more efficient, intelligent, and accurate.

So, what exactly is the Merlin Plugin?

The Merlin Plugin is an add-on tool developed by Merlin Business Software that connects directly with your inventory and stock control systems. It automates key tasks like barcode scanning, stock updates, and cycle counts, while flagging errors in real time. Whether you’re managing thousands of SKUs across multiple locations or just trying to stay on top of daily stock movements, Merlin helps reduce manual work and boost data accuracy from the ground up.

Here’s why inventory accuracy matters, and how Merlin can transform the way your business tracks stock.

The Problem: Inaccurate Inventory Costs You

It might seem like a minor issue – someone forgets to scan a return, or an item is counted twice – but over time, these slip-ups snowball into real problems.

In fact, the average inventory accuracy across businesses is just 65%. That means 1 in 3 products are probably wrong in your system. Businesses that raise accuracy to 93% often see up to a 9% increase in gross sales, thanks to fewer stockouts and better order fulfilment.

How the Merlin Plugin Fixes Inventory Accuracy Issues

The Merlin Plugin is like your digital inventory watchdog. It keeps stock records sharp by automating the tasks that are most prone to human error. Here’s how:

Real-Time Stock Updates

Merlin connects with your POS and warehouse system so that every action, like receiving new stock or fulfilling an order, automatically updates your inventory. No more guesswork or end-of-day corrections.

Automated Cycle Counting

Forget full inventory counts that take hours. Merlin lets you run smaller, more frequent cycle counts, keeping everything in check and catching issues as they happen.

Discrepancy Alerts

If something doesn’t match (say, the system says 10 units but the count shows 5) Merlin flags it straight away. You can investigate and fix the issue before it becomes a costly error.

Historical Accuracy Tracking

Merlin gives you reporting tools that show how your accuracy improves over time. It even helps identify problem SKUs, suppliers, or departments that regularly go off track.

Why Better Accuracy = Better Business

When your inventory records are reliable, everything else runs smoother:

• Fewer stockouts mean fewer lost sales.
• Less overstock means better cash flow and less waste.
• More confident decisions on purchasing and promotions.
• Happier customers who get what they ordered, on time.

And most importantly, your team spends less time fixing problems and more time pushing the business forward.

Getting Started with the Merlin Plugin

Here’s how easy it is to roll out:

1. Install the plugin via your Merlin dashboard.
2. Set up key scan points: like receiving, transfers, and returns.
3. Create a cycle count routine (weekly, monthly, or daily for high-turnover items).
4. Turn on alerts for discrepancies beyond your preferred threshold.
5. Use reporting tools to track improvements and fine-tune your process.

Final Thoughts

Inventory accuracy affects everything from sales and fulfilment to cash flow and customer satisfaction.

By tightening up your tracking with Merlin, you’re setting your business up for:

• Fewer errors
• Smarter operations
• Real, measurable growth

If inventory tracking is still causing uncertainty in your operations, the Merlin Plugin can help bring clarity and control. With accurate, real-time data, your business can run more smoothly and efficiently.