Should we outsource inventory management to a 3PL or run it with our own software?
Outsourcing means a UK 3PL or storage provider holds your goods and manages the stock for you, which suits businesses without their own warehouse. Running your own stock with custom software suits businesses that keep their own storage sites and want full control. Keel builds that software and, with Build for Me, hands it over to your team. Many 3PLs use custom software too.
How long does it take to get a custom inventory management system up and running?
With Keel's Build for Me service, most clients are live within a matter of weeks. The process begins with modelling your actual business workflows in real-time, then configuring and deploying the system on managed serverless infrastructure. You'll receive a full handover to ensure your team has complete ownership and confidence from day one.
Can Keel integrate with my existing e-commerce platforms and third-party tools?
Yes. Keel supports API integrations with major e-commerce platforms including Shopify and Amazon, as well as 3PLs, financial systems, and other third-party tools. Stock levels, orders, and returns are synchronised in real time, ensuring consistent data across your entire tech stack without manual reconciliation.
Does Keel support multi-location inventory management across UK warehouses?
Absolutely. Keel is built for businesses managing stock across multiple warehouses, fulfilment centres, or storage locations anywhere in the UK. You get real-time visibility down to the bin level at every site, with transfers between locations, reservation tracking, and centralised reporting all handled within one unified system.
How does Keel handle UK data protection?
Keel, operated by Planko Ltd, is registered with the UK Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) under reference ZB524558 and is bound by GDPR as a data processor. The platform uses deny-by-default access control, row- and role-based permissioning, full audit trails and OpenTelemetry observability, and multi-region data residency lets you choose where your stock data is hosted, including the UK.
What inventory tracking features are included in the system?
Keel's inventory management system includes real-time stock tracking across all locations, barcode scanning for receiving and picking, lot and batch tracking, serial number management, expiry date windows, quarantine and hold statuses, automated reorder points with demand-based suggestions, cycle counting, and inventory valuation using FIFO, average, or standard cost methods—all with a complete audit trail.
Can the system handle products with complex SKU structures or sensitive expiry requirements?
Yes. Keel is specifically designed to manage stock with complex attributes—including products with multiple variants, unique SKU arrangements, expiry-sensitive items, and regulated goods. Lot control, serial number tracking, and quarantine statuses are built into the core workflow, not added as an afterthought, making it suitable for pharmaceutical, food, and regulated product businesses across the UK.
What makes Keel different from off-the-shelf inventory software?
Most off-the-shelf tools force you to adapt your operations to fit their rigid templates. Keel builds the system around how you actually work—your layouts, your terminology, your exception handling, your compliance rules. You get full ownership of the software, the ability to iterate without waiting on a vendor, and a platform that scales as your UK operations grow.
Does Keel provide storage or warehouse space in the UK?
No. Keel builds storage inventory management software; it does not store goods or provide warehouse space. If you need physical storage, a UK storage or 3PL provider is the right fit. If you run your own warehouse or storage site, or you are a storage operator or 3PL yourself, Keel builds the stock control system you use to manage that stock.
What should storage inventory management software handle?
Storage inventory management software should record goods-in and put-away to specific bin or pallet locations, show live stock by location, support stocktakes and cycle counts, track lots, batches and expiry dates for FIFO or FEFO picking, and manage transfers between sites. Keel builds these workflows around your layout, with barcode scanning and a complete audit trail.
How should UK businesses value stock for their accounts?
Most UK businesses value stock using FIFO or an average cost method. LIFO is not permitted under IFRS or FRS 102, the standards UK companies report under, so check your method with your accountant. Keel's inventory management supports FIFO, average and standard cost valuation, and valuation data can be passed to accounting software such as Xero, Sage or QuickBooks via APIs.
Do we still need a year-end stocktake if we cycle count?
Many UK businesses still run a full stocktake at year end for their accounts, but regular cycle counts keep records accurate in between and can reduce the disruption of that count. Your accountant or auditor will advise what your year-end needs. Keel supports cycle counting without shutdowns, with stock adjustments recorded against reason codes and approvals.
Can Keel build inventory software for UK 3PLs and storage providers?
Yes. UK 3PLs and storage operators use custom software to keep each client's stock separate and visible. Keel can build goods-in records, per-client stock views with row- and role-based permissions, audit trails and sync of stock levels, orders and returns with e-commerce sites such as Amazon and Shopify, around how your operation works.