About Paragon:
Paragon Protection Systems specialise in creating undercover spaces with their signature product, the Zappshelter. These mounted shelters can be installed on shipping containers, concrete "lego" blocks, or steel frames, providing durable protection from the elements. Designed to be rapid to install and simple to dismantle, Zappshelters give businesses the flexibility of a large-scale shelter without the long lead times or planning consent usually required. With a product that relies on multiple components, stock management plays a critical role in keeping projects on track and meeting customer demand.
The Challenge:
Before working with us, Paragon were relying on Sage 50 combined with manual tracking through Google Sheets to manage their stock. This setup worked in the short term but struggled to keep pace with the complexities of their business.
The biggest challenge came from managing “bundles” — complete Zappshelters made up of multiple component parts. Although Paragon don’t physically pre-assemble these bundles, every sale involves pulling together several items. The previous system didn’t allow for reliable tracking of these bundles, which meant:
- Individual parts could appear available even if they were already allocated to a bundle.
- Orders risked being delayed if a bundle couldn’t be fulfilled due to missing components.
- Staff spent unnecessary time manually cross-checking spreadsheets to work out whether orders could actually be dispatched.
As demand grew, this manual process became a significant risk to both efficiency and customer satisfaction.
Our Solution:
To address these challenges, we implemented Zoho Inventory combined with Zoho Analytics. Zoho Inventory provided a structured way to manage both individual items and bundled products, ensuring stock could only be allocated when all required components were available. We also created a set of custom reports in Zoho Analytics, designed specifically for Paragon’s needs. These reports give the team instant visibility into which bundles are ready to dispatch and which are awaiting deliveries from suppliers. This proactive view enables them to prioritise purchasing and fulfilment with confidence.
An additional enhancement came through Zoho Inventory’s stock take functionality, which streamlined the process of verifying stock levels. What used to be a manual and time-consuming task is now far more accurate and efficient.
The Result:
Since implementation, Paragon now have:
- Accurate bundle tracking — Bundled items can only be sold if all component parts are available, eliminating the risk of overselling or delaying orders.
- Smarter purchasing decisions — Custom reports highlight exactly where shortages exist, so supplier orders can be managed proactively.
- Faster, more reliable stock takes — Zoho Inventory’s stock take features have significantly improved accuracy and reduced staff workload.
- Greater confidence across the team— With better visibility, stock management has shifted from a constant source of frustration to a smooth, reliable process.