There’s a phenomenon catching on in a big way this summer. Perhaps you’ve noticed it. People of all ages, from kids on up, roaming around in odd places, with smartphones outstretched in front of them in search of a virtual character named Pokémon. 

It’s a digital game called Pokémon Go that uses augmented reality, which is a new technology where “players traverse the physical world following a digital map, searching for cartoon characters that surface at random.” The popularity of the game has caught on fast and is a prime example of how technology, in this case, location tracking, has gotten people off their couches and into actively searching for a virtual prize.

How does Pokémon Go tie in with inventory management? Well, if you’ve ever had to physically search for a stock item you thought you had plenty of but couldn’t find then you seriously need to pay attention to technology tools already available to help better track – and manage – your inventory. 

 If, for example, you haven’t embraced the most readily available tracking method – barcode technology – you’re seriously behind the times. It’s not like finding Pokémon but most businesses these days use universal bar codes (UPC) to track movement of inventory. If you’re manually recording when your “widgets” move out of your warehouse, whether that warehouse supports a virtual storefront or a brick and mortar business, there is a better way to track inventory. Consider an inventory management system that uses barcode technology instead. It’s way more efficient in helping you keep track of your product line.

Paying attention to your inventory is not a game. Losing track of what you have on hand costs – not in cartoon characters – but in money. And that’s not virtual realty – it’s hardcore real.