Development Of A Web-Based Expiry Date Management System For Inventory Control:- Daniel Ikechukwu I

ABSTRACT

Inventory control is a critical operational activity in businesses and institutions that handle perishable or time-sensitive products such as pharmaceuticals, food items, and laboratory supplies. Manual inventory systems often lack expiry date tracking, real-time alerts, and centralized accessibility—resulting in expired stock, financial losses, and regulatory risks. This study addresses these challenges by developing a web-based expiry date management system that automates inventory tracking, monitors product expiry dates, and generates real-time alerts to ensure timely decision-making and improved stock accountability. The system was developed using the Waterfall Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) model, which provided a structured and sequential approach encompassing requirement gathering, system analysis, design, implementation, testing, and documentation. Data was collected through interviews, document reviews, and direct observation of inventory workflows in small business and academic environments. The system architecture was designed using HTML, CSS, JavaScript (frontend), PHP (backend), and MySQL (database). Core features include item and batch registration, expiry threshold configuration, automated alert generation for “Near Expiry” and “Expired” stock, and exportable inventory reports in PDF and CSV formats. Testing confirmed that the system accurately monitors expiry dates, provides timely notifications, and supports user-friendly interactions through a web interface. The solution offers a low-cost, scalable alternative to expensive enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and is particularly suited for small- to medium-scale organizations. It contributes to digital transformation in inventory management by enhancing efficiency, reducing waste, and enabling proactive stock handling