DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A STOCK MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (A CASE STUDY OF MIDE SUPERMARKET NIGERIA, LAGOS)
Abstract
Stock management is a critical operational function in retail and commercial enterprises. Manual inventory systems, which are still prevalent in many Nigerian businesses, are characterised by inefficiency, inaccuracy, high labour costs, and vulnerability to fraud and data loss. This project presents the design and implementation of an automated Stock Management System for MIDE Supermarket Nigeria, a Lagos-based retail organisation. The proposed system — developed using Visual Basic 6.0 as the front-end programming language and Microsoft Access as the back-end database — was designed to replace the organisation’s existing manual inventory processes with a computerised solution capable of tracking stock levels in real time, generating sales reports, managing customer records, and triggering reorder alerts when stock falls below a defined minimum threshold.
The Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) was adopted as the project framework, with the V-Model specifically chosen due to its suitability for small-scale projects with well-defined requirements. Data was collected through oral interviews, observation, and a structured questionnaire administered to staff at MIDE Supermarket Nigeria. System analysis revealed key weaknesses in the existing manual system, including disorganised records, transaction delays, stock discrepancies, and data insecurity. The new system addresses these shortcomings by providing a secure, user-friendly interface that automates sales processing, inventory tracking, employee management, and financial reporting.
System testing was conducted through unit and integration testing, with results confirming that the software met all functional requirements. The findings demonstrate that the implementation of this automated stock management system will significantly improve operational efficiency, reduce human error, and enhance decision-making capabilities at MIDE Supermarket Nigeria. Recommendations are made for future enhancement, including integration with barcode scanning hardware and web-based access for multi-branch operations.
Keywords: Stock Management, Inventory Control System, Automation, Visual Basic, MIDE Supermarket, SDLC, V-Model.
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