Habitat is to introduce a stock-taking system in time for its January stock audit.

The system, which is at the testing phase, is being implemented by Portech Systems. It will be a shift away from its existing mix of paper-based and computerised audit processes.

Each store will run the system from a back-office PC, which will communicate with 108 Unitech portable computers deployed to capture data during the audit process. The system will also interface with Habitat’s SAP financial system.

Once the system is up and running in the UK, Habitat will roll it out to its Spanish stores and then consider extending its use to other European countries. At present, the stock audit process differs from country to country, so the new system will create a more unified approach.

Moving from a paper-based process will reduce the time taken to complete audits and allow counts to take place out of trading hours. The system also increases accuracy, for instance by immediately highlighting differences between first and second counts.

A Habitat spokeswoman said: “The new system is more than a simple stock audit solution – it has huge potential to help us improve traceability of products and manage our inventory more effectively at any time of the year.

“Store managers will be able to access real-time product inventory during the order process and analyse turn levels far more accurately.”

Portech Systems managing director Shahzad Naeem said that the system has been configured specifically for Habitat.