Inventory Setup Guide

# Inventory Setup Guide Build and manage your rental fleet effectively. This section covers everything you need to configure your equipment, set availability rules, and keep your inventory rental-ready. ## 🎯 What You'll Learn - Organize equipment into logical categories (fleets) - Add and configure individual rental units - Set up availability schedules and calendars - Track maintenance and equipment status - Optimize inventory for maximum utilization ## 📋 Guides in This Section ### [🚤 Fleet Configuration](fleet-configuration.md) Organize your rental inventory into manageable categories: - Create fleet categories (boats, UTVs, equipment, etc.) - Configure fleet-specific settings - Set up SmartWaiver integration - Manage fleet visibility and SEO ### [🔧 Unit Management](unit-management.md) *(Coming Soon)* Add and maintain individual rental items: - Create new units - Set capacity and specifications - Upload photos and descriptions - Track unit status and availability ### [🔨 Maintenance Tracking](./) *(Coming Soon)* Keep your equipment in top condition: - Schedule regular maintenance - Track service history - Manage out-of-service periods - Monitor equipment lifecycle ### [📅 Availability Rules](availability-rules.md) Control when customers can book your equipment: - Configure rental schedules (hourly, daily, flexible) - Set minimum/maximum rental periods - Create seasonal pricing rules - Manage blackout dates ## 🚀 Quick Setup Checklist **Getting Started:** - [ ] Create your main fleet categories - [ ] Add at least one unit to each fleet - [ ] Set up basic availability rules - [ ] Configure rental durations - [ ] Test booking on each unit ## 💡 Inventory Best Practices ### Organization Tips - **Group Similar Items**: Keep boats with boats, UTVs with UTVs - **Use Clear Names**: "2023 Sea-Doo Spark" not "Unit 5" - **Consistent Photos**: Same angle and quality for all units - **Detailed Descriptions**: Include all features and restrictions ### Availability Strategy - **Buffer Time**: Add cleanup time between rentals - **Maintenance Windows**: Block regular service periods - **Seasonal Adjustments**: Adapt to demand patterns - **Overbooking Protection**: Set realistic quantities ### Fleet Optimization 1. **Monitor Utilization**: Track which units book most 2. **Balance Inventory**: Add units to high-demand categories 3. **Retire Underperformers**: Remove rarely-booked items 4. **Seasonal Rotation**: Adjust fleet mix by season ## 🆘 Common Setup Issues **Units not showing online?** → Check "Published" status in [Fleet Configuration](fleet-configuration.md#publishing) **Can't set different prices by day?** → See [Pricing Strategies](../03-revenue-optimization/pricing-strategies.md) **Double bookings happening?** → Verify quantities in [Unit Management](unit-management.md#quantities) ## 📊 Inventory Metrics Key performance indicators to track: - **Utilization Rate**: Aim for 60-80% in peak season - **Turn Time**: Keep under 30 minutes between rentals - **Maintenance Ratio**: <10% of fleet out of service - **Revenue per Unit**: Track monthly performance ## 🎓 Setup Sequence **Recommended Order:** 1. **Plan Your Structure**: List all equipment categories 2. **Create Fleets**: Set up main categories first 3. **Add Units**: Start with most popular items 4. **Configure Availability**: Set basic rules 5. **Test Thoroughly**: Make test bookings 6. **Refine Settings**: Adjust based on results ## 🔗 Related Sections - [Pricing Setup](../03-revenue-optimization/pricing-strategies.md) - Set your rates - [Calendar Management](availability-rules.md) - Control bookings - [Maintenance Planning](./) - Keep fleet ready --- 💡 **Pro Tip**: Take time to set up your inventory properly - it's the foundation of your rental business! *Questions? Check our [FAQ](../07-reference/) or contact support*