Sari-Sari Inventory System
Desktop Inventory Management System
Company
Academic Project
My Role
Software Developer
Tools
- C#
- .NET Framework
- MySQL
Timeline
Jul 2023 – Sep 2023
Description
A C#-based inventory management system designed specifically for small neighborhood convenience stores (sari-sari stores) in the Philippines. It helps store owners track stocks, monitor sales, and manage basic accounting.
Problem
This project is inspired by my Lola who has a sari-sari store. Sari-sari store owners often rely on manual pen-and-paper tracking, which leads to inventory loss, overstocking, and poor visibility into sales trends. Many existing systems are too complex or expensive for small store owners, especially those in rural areas with limited digital exposure.
Process
The project focused on building an offline-first, simple and intuitive desktop app tailored for non-technical users, with localized terminology and workflows.
- Observed and documented my Lola's daily store operations to identify real-world pain points.
- Outlined essential features such as stock-in/out, product lookup, and daily sales tracking.
- Designed a clean, tab-based Windows Forms UI with Filipino-friendly labels.
- Built the application using C# and the .NET Framework, connected to a lightweight local database.
- Tested the system with real-life scenarios and made UX adjustments based on family feedback.
Solution
An easy-to-use, offline desktop app that enables sari-sari store owners to manage inventory, log sales, view stock levels, and generate simple daily reports — all without internet access or technical training.
Key Insights
Building for my Lola taught me that software is most effective when it reflects its user's real habits and needs. Simplicity, clarity, and cultural context were more important than fancy features.
Sari-Sari Inventory System
Desktop Inventory Management System
Company
Academic Project
My Role
Software Developer
Tools
- C#
- .NET Framework
- MySQL
Timeline
Jul 2023 – Sep 2023
Description
A C#-based inventory management system designed specifically for small neighborhood convenience stores (sari-sari stores) in the Philippines. It helps store owners track stocks, monitor sales, and manage basic accounting.
Problem
This project is inspired by my Lola who has a sari-sari store. Sari-sari store owners often rely on manual pen-and-paper tracking, which leads to inventory loss, overstocking, and poor visibility into sales trends. Many existing systems are too complex or expensive for small store owners, especially those in rural areas with limited digital exposure.
Process
The project focused on building an offline-first, simple and intuitive desktop app tailored for non-technical users, with localized terminology and workflows.
- Observed and documented my Lola's daily store operations to identify real-world pain points.
- Outlined essential features such as stock-in/out, product lookup, and daily sales tracking.
- Designed a clean, tab-based Windows Forms UI with Filipino-friendly labels.
- Built the application using C# and the .NET Framework, connected to a lightweight local database.
- Tested the system with real-life scenarios and made UX adjustments based on family feedback.
Solution
An easy-to-use, offline desktop app that enables sari-sari store owners to manage inventory, log sales, view stock levels, and generate simple daily reports — all without internet access or technical training.
Key Insights
Building for my Lola taught me that software is most effective when it reflects its user's real habits and needs. Simplicity, clarity, and cultural context were more important than fancy features.