David Nye Stock Manager Lite

Main screen

Stock Records

This is the main access point to your stock data. It will open with a full scrolling list of all stock items. A specific record may be instantly located by entering the code or first few letters of the name in the green combo boxes, followed by the “Enter” key or clicking the “Select” button. The record selector then highlights the item required, and double clicking this will drill down to its movements. Alternatively the “Movements”, “Issues”, “Receipts” or “Edit Item” buttons may be used to act on the selected item. The blue combo boxes are used to “filter” the list i.e. select only records matching the selection(s) to facilitate browsing.

Booking In and Out

These options present empty booking in or out sheets for batch entry in list format. The item may be selected using either the code or the name combo boxes. When booking out, the current stock balance is displayed at the bottom, and it is not possible to book out more than this quantity. When booking in, any changes to the unit cost will be applied to the item details. It is possible to review or edit previous entries by selecting a single item or range of dates.

Stock Checks

Print stock take sheets from the “Stock Reports” option; select one stock category or a range of stock codes at a time, set the report “type” combo to “Count”, then click “Print”. Write the actual stock quantity counted on the sheets. Enter these using the “Stock Check” option; select the same stock category or range of stock codes, input the quantities, amend the date, order number and reference if desired, then press “Update”. Stock Manager will automatically generate in or out records to correct the stock levels.

Getting Started with Stock Manager Lite

Stock Manager is normally installed with sample data so that you can explore the system before entering your own records. Most functions should be self explanatory, but to get the most out of the software please read the following tips.

Drop-down lists are provided for input wherever possible. These are known as “combo” boxes because they can be used for keyboard input or drop down selection (by keyboard or mouse). If there is only one item in the list of choices beginning with a specific letter, then input of that initial letter will immediately match the item on the list. If there are several items beginning with the letter, then the first item will initially be matched and it may be necessary to type two or three letters to match the correct item. As soon as the user sees that the correct item has been found, she can move on to the next input. Alternatively, the drop down icon maybe clicked (or the keyboard shortcut used) to drop down a list of choices for selection.

“VCR” controls may be used to browse a set of records. The “VCR” buttons represent “first record”, “previous record”, “next record”, “last record”, and “new record”. The user can also type a record number in the central box to go to that record.

In a list, the squares to the left of the first column are called “record selectors”, and a single mouse click will select the record on that line. This highlights the line, and then may allow the user to edit or delete the whole line entry, for example. Where appropriate, double clicking the record selector will “drill down” and display further details related to that line.

Dates are entered with a valid separator, with or without leading zeros and with or without the two or four digit year e.g. 5th April this year may be input as “05/04/03” (the usual display format) or “5/4” or “5 4” or “apr-5” etc. The current date can be inserted using [Ctrl]-[;].

Use the “tab” key to move between fields. If the field contents are highlighted then they will be replaced by new input (in which case you can use the mouse or press “F2” key to edit the contents). The behaviour of the “Enter” key depends on the context. Please also refer to the keyboard shortcut reference sheet.