Inventory Tracking Modes
Beam supports two distinct modes for tracking your inventory. The mode you choose determines how stock is recorded and what level of detail is available for each item. You can use different modes for different items within the same organization.
Amount only
Amount only is the simplest inventory mode. You track the total quantity of an item at each location without identifying individual units. This is ideal for items where individual unit tracking is not necessary.
- Track quantities per location (e.g., 50 units in Warehouse A, 20 units in Warehouse B).
- Add, remove, or set stock levels manually or via scanning.
- Best suited for bulk goods, consumables, and supplies where individual unit identity does not matter.
- No additional hardware required; works with just the app.
- A barcode scanner is optional and handy for quickly finding an item in Beam.
Random UIDs (UID/RFID)
Random UIDs lets you track each unit individually. RFID is not required: you can print QR codes on items and scan them to identify units, so you still know exactly which unit is where. RFID makes this easierespecially when counting or verifying many units at oncebut both approaches give you full unit-level tracking and history.
- Each unit has a unique identifier (EPC). You can use QR labels on items and scan them with the app, or use RFID tags for faster identification and bulk scanning.
- Track exactly which specific unit is at which location.
- View the complete history of each individual unit when it was received, moved, picked, or written off.
- With RFID: bulk scanning to instantly count and verify inventory. With QR: scan items one by one or in smaller batches.
- Hardware: QR-printed labels work with the app alone; for RFID you need tags on your items and a compatible RFID reader.
Comparing the Two Modes
| Feature | Amount only | Random UIDs |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Individual unit identity | No | Yes |
| Unit-level history | No | Yes |
| Bulk scanning | Limited | Full support |
| Hardware required | None (optional barcode scanner) | QR labels or RFID tags + reader |
| Best for | Bulk goods, consumables | High-value assets, serialized items |
You can change an item's tracking mode from the item detail page: open the three-dots menu (⋯) and choose Change tracking mode. The Choose Tracking Mode screen shows the two options: Amount only and Random UIDs. You can only change the mode when the item has no stock; otherwise the app shows: "Cannot change tracking mode with existing stock, first empty stock of item."