ITS Campus, ITS News — The community service team from the Information Systems Department of the Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS) has developed a voice user interface (VUI) -based inventory management application, SI-Stock, for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). This innovation provides a more practical and user-friendly voice-based stock recording system for MSMEs.
The activity, led by Prof. Mahendrawathi Er ST MSc PhD, stemmed from the issue of inconsistent inventory records among MSMEs. Despite utilizing digital technology, many businesses still struggle with real-time inventory management due to the need to serve customers and manage inventory.
Based on field identification results at the Warung UB Abror and Warung Bunda Yuli MSMEs, business owners often work while multitasking , neglecting stock recording. Using graphical interface-based applications is also considered impractical, as they require visual attention and touchscreen interaction during service activities.
As a solution, the service team integrated a non-invasive VUI feature into the SI-Stock application. This feature allows users to record incoming and outgoing stock, as well as perform inventory checks using verbal commands. This approach is designed to reduce the friction of using the application amidst busy operational activities. With more practical record-keeping, MSMEs are expected to manage inventory more consistently and accurately.
In addition to voice commands, SI-Stock also offers various supporting features, such as transaction recording, priority stock monitoring, restock recommendations, and inventory reporting. These features are designed to help MSMEs manage inventory in a more structured and data-driven manner. Through real-time information, users can more easily monitor stock conditions.
In response, Warung UB owner Abror welcomed the implementation of the SI-Stock system. He said the voice command feature makes it easier to record stock while busy serving customers. “With this feature, I can directly record stock without leaving my customers,” said Abror, who is familiarly known as Abror.
Warung Bunda owner Yuli expressed similar appreciation. She believes this innovation has helped overcome the challenges of manual inventory recording, which often makes it difficult for businesses to accurately monitor stock availability. “We hope our business management will be more streamlined and the restocking process more accurate,” Yuli said.
During implementation, the student team not only introduced the application but also provided direct training and guidance on how to use the system to partners. This approach ensured that business owners gradually understood the application’s use and were able to operate it independently after the program ended.
Through this activity, ITS hopes to encourage a more inclusive and sustainable digital transformation of MSMEs. This program aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically point 8 on decent work and economic growth and point 9 on industry, innovation, and infrastructure. This is realized through the use of technology to increase MSME productivity and competitiveness. (*)
Reporter: Nabila Rahadatul Aisy Koestriyaningrum
Redaktur: Syahidan Nur Habibie Ash-shidieq
Translator: Devinka Mutianeira