Stock refers to raw materials and finished goods that are received through a supply chain and stored in a warehouse. When stock is received it must be uniquely identified so that it can be tracked as inventory for production purposes or when it is consigned to a customer.

Stock control software is used to perform the function of inventory tracking for this purpose. This software is used to identify items in inventory in a warehouse and to track their movements so that employees and management can easily see how much of a given item is on hand, at what point it is in the production or distribution process and when it needs to be replenished.

Most modern software uses barcode scanners or RFID chips to identify stock items, This enables the electronic tracking of items within the warehouse and identifies when they are moved to the next phase of production or consignment. Reporting functions also provide insights into process flow and how it can be made more efficient.