Stock monitoring

A portable device for use in a stock monitoring system for monitoring items of stock in one or more storerooms for stock items, the stock monitoring system including a first computer system, wherein data relating to stock items is stored in a database of the first computer system, the portable device comprising:

• a first processor and, coupled thereto, a first wireless transceiver and a second wireless transceiver;
• wherein the first wireless transceiver is configured for short-range communication;
• and
• wherein the second wireless transceiver is configured for long-range wireless communications with the first computer system, remote from the portable device;
• wherein the portable device is configured to receive user inputs from a first user;
• and
• wherein the first processor is configured for
• receiving a user ID of a second user via the first wireless transceiver, the user ID having been transmitted via a wireless transmitter of an intermediate unit upon reading of the user ID from an ID card of the second user by a reader of the intermediate unit;
• and
• receiving one or more further inputs, at least a first input being received via the first wireless transceiver and including item data corresponding to an item, and at least a second user input being from the first user and associating the item with the second user;
• and
• wherein the first processor is configured for transmitting to the first computer system via the second wireless transceiver, at least the item data, associated with the user ID.

An intermediate unit for a stock monitoring system, the stock monitoring system being for monitoring stock items in one or more storerooms and including a first computer system, wherein data relating to stock items is stored in a database of the first computer system, a portable device, the portable device including a first processor and, coupled thereto, a first wireless transceiver for short-range communication, the portable device being configured to receive user inputs from a first user;

• and a second wireless transceiver, coupled to the first processor, the second wireless transceiver being configured for long-range wireless communications with the first computer system, remote from the portable device;
• wherein the first processor is configured for receiving a user ID of a second user, and receiving one or more further inputs, at least a first input being received via the first wireless transceiver and including item data corresponding to an item;
• and wherein the first processor is configured for transmitting to the first computer system, remote from the portable device via the second wireless transceiver, at least the item data, associated with the user ID, the intermediate unit comprising:
• a second processor and, coupled thereto, a reader and a wireless transmitter, the reader and/or wireless transmitter being configured for short-range communication;
• wherein the second processor is configured, upon reading the user ID from an ID card of the second user by the reader, for transmitting the user ID user via the wireless transmitter.

A method carried out in a portable device for use in a stock monitoring system, the stock monitoring system being for monitoring items of stock in one or more storerooms for stock items and including a first computer system, wherein data relating to stock items is stored in a database of the first computer system, the portable device comprising a first processor and, coupled thereto, a first wireless transceiver and a second wireless transceiver;

• wherein the first wireless transceiver is configured for short-range communication;
• and wherein the second wireless transceiver is configured for long-range wireless communications with the first computer system, remote from the portable device;
• the method comprising
• receiving one or more user inputs from a first user;
• and
• operating the first processor for
• receiving a user ID of a second user via the first wireless transceiver, the user ID having been transmitted via a wireless transmitter of an intermediate unit upon reading of the user ID from an ID card of the second user by a reader of the intermediate unit;
• and
• receiving one or more further inputs, at least a first input being received via the first wireless transceiver and including item data corresponding to an item, and at least a second user input being from the first user and associating the item with the second user;
• and
• transmitting to the first computer system via the second wireless transceiver, at least the item data, associated with the user ID.