> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.vori.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Get Started with Inventory Essentials > Inventory Lite gives you the tools to track on-hand counts, monitor shrink, and establish a baseline for your store’s inventory health. Built for speed and simplicity, Inventory Essentials helps your store move faster and stay in stock. ### What is Inventory Essentials? Inventory Essentials is built for speed and simplicity. It allows grocers to move faster, stay in stock, and protect margins without the heavy lift of a perpetual inventory system. 🚧 It’s important to understand one key principle: **Your starting baseline determines your long-term accuracy.** ### Features Available Now with Inventory Essentials You can start managing your store today with these tools: * [**Inventory Snapshots:**](/inventory-and-ordering/inventory/manage-inventory-on-the-floor-with-vori-os) Scan your floor with the VoriOS app to create clear, time-stamped baselines of what you have on hand. * [**Shrink Tracking:**](/inventory-and-ordering/inventory/manage-inventory-on-the-floor-with-vori-os) Track spoilage, damage, and theft directly in the app to catch margin leaks early. * **[Sales Tracking](/reporting/inventory-and-purchase-reports/track-movement-and-inventory-reports):** Items sold at the POS are automatically deducted, giving you a "theoretical" on-hand count to help guide ordering decisions. * [**Invoicing & Smart Pricing 2.0 *(In Beta)*:**](/invoicing-cost-changes-and-smart-pricing/cost-changes-and-smart-pricing/manage-invoices-new-items-and-cost-changes) Catch cost changes and pricing errors with smart alerts. * **[Scan-Based Ordering *(In Beta)*](/inventory-and-ordering/inventory/get-started-with-inventory-essentials):** Build fast, shelf-driven orders using scan data and live vendor catalogs. *** ### Choosing Your Inventory Starting Point There is no perfect option. There is only the right option for your operational reality. #### Option 1: Phased Rollout — Start with Center Store First **Best for:** Stores that want controlled accuracy without overwhelming their team #### What To Do 1. Begin active inventory tracking in **Center Store only (Pantry, Frozen),** because products in this section: 1. Use Manufacturer UPCs 2. Are sold by the “Each” 3. Are easy to scan and track 4. Have cleaner units of measure 5. Typically have lower shrink 2. Stabilize scanning and ordering workflows. 3. Expand to additional departments once habits are strong **🚧 Caution:** Avoid starting with **Produce** or **Meat**. These areas are difficult to track due to high shrink, trimming, and complex units of measure (pounds vs. each). #### Pros & Risks Pros Cons / Risks More realistic than a full-store count Inventory won’t be accurate across the entire store immediately Lower labor burden Requires discipline before expanding Builds operational confidence Accuracy expands gradually, not instantly Aligns naturally with Inventory Essentials workflows Requires strong POS scanning habits *** #### Option 2: Full Physical Inventory Count (Gold Standard) **Best for:** True perpetual accuracy from Day 1 #### What You Do 1. Conduct full-store count (after hours or closed) 2. Upload verified on-hand counts into Vori 3. Go live with clean baseline #### Pros & Risks Pros Cons / Risks Cleanest and most accurate starting point High labor and time burden Strongest foundation for shrink and ordering accuracy Difficult to coordinate operationally Required for true perpetual inventory May delay launch **🚧 Important:** A full physical count only stays accurate if floor habits are maintained. Clean POS scanning, structured receiving, and consistent scan-based ordering are required to preserve perpetual accuracy. *** #### Option 3: Import Legacy Inventory “As-Is” + Stabilize Post-Go-Live **Best for:** Maintaining continuity and avoiding a full-store count ##### What You Do 1. Import legacy on-hand inventory into Vori as-is 2. Perform a targeted “sanity check” (not a full count) 3. Go live with inventory tracking enabled 4. Improve accuracy using cycle counts + clean receiving #### Pros & Risks Pros Cons / Risks Preserves current baseline (even if imperfect) Inventory will not be perfect on Day 1 Lowest effort before launch If cycle counts and receiving aren’t followed post-launch, inaccuracies will persist Most realistic for store size + staffing constraints May require cleanup over time 🚧 **Important:** This option avoids starting at nothing, but it does not guarantee perpetual accuracy. It is the most operationally practical starting point for most stores. *** #### Option 4: Import Products + Pricing + Par Baselines (No On-Hand Values) **Best for:** Stores that don’t trust legacy on-hand quantities ##### What You Do 1. Import par baselines from legacy system. Do not import legacy on-hand values 2. Improve accuracy through receiving + cycle counts #### Pros & Risks Pros Cons / Risks Avoids importing incorrect or negative on-hand values Not reflective of actual inventory in the building Cleaner reset than starting at no count Requires more setup assumptions Creates structured baseline Accuracy depends heavily on post-launch discipline **🚧 Important:** If you choose Option 3 (structured baseline without importing on-hand), these operational habits are critical. Without disciplined scanning, receiving, and cycle counts, your baseline will drift quickly. *** ### Coming Later: Inventory Advanced By end of **Q2 2026**, the **Inventory Advanced** tier will introduce powerful new tools designed for precision, automation, and scale. These features will shift the focus from "floor speed" to "system-driven control." * **Perpetual Inventory:** Move from snapshots to always-on, real-time tracking where every scan, receipt, and invoice updates your counts automatically. * **Automated Order Replenishment:** Enable par-based ordering where the system suggests orders based on precise stock levels, demand, and lead times. * **Invoice-Driven Receiving:** Receive deliveries once against the invoice to automatically update inventory, reconcile costs, and trigger vendor credits. * **Centralized Management:** Designed for multi-store operators to maintain a single source of truth across all locations. * **Vendor Credit Automation:** Full tracking and automation for vendor credits and returns. ## Related topics - [Preparing Your Store for Advanced Inventory Launch](/inventory-and-ordering/inventory/preparing-your-store-for-advanced-inventory-launch.md) - [Your Vori Training Agendas and Checklists](/getting-started-with-vori/meet-vori/your-vori-training-agendas-and-checklists.md) - [Vori Onboarding Guide](/getting-started-with-vori/meet-vori/vori-onboarding-guide.md)