It used to be that enterprise-level Inventory software systems weren't really capable of operating in real-time and be portable whatsoever. Barcode scanners which communicated with the system in real-time had to be hard-wired to the system itself, accessing the database directly to manipulate the inventory data. So-called "wireless" barcode readers were actually "portable data terminals". These handheld devices were (and still are today) used for the collection of off-line inventory data. The device is then plugged into a base station which connects to a computer. The data in the database is then synchronized with the updated data from the portable data terminal.

Real-time updates of data are now possible in true wireless fashion. Inventory software can be developed as an ASP-page-based system running Microsoft's Internet Information Service (IIS) and any number of back-end databases, including SQL Server. The ASP pages talk to the database in direct response to user interaction in a web browser, which is the means for real-time updates to the database.

What this means is that any computer or mobile device capable of hosting a web browser can be used to interact with modern inventory software systems. And if the computer is also wireless, the inventory actions can be both real-time and portable.

Part of the incentive behind the modernization of real-time wireless inventory systems is some of the newer barcode and RFID scanners. These devices, referred to as "mobile computers", run a version of Windows called the Windows Mobile operating system. This software can run internet browsers built for these operating systems. With the right driver software, data from the built-in barcode or RFID scanners can interact directly with the web pages in the browser on the device.

Communication between these wireless devices and the database can be accomplished in one of two ways. The most common method of communication is through standard wireless networking. This is already installed in a number of facilities, and is readily accessible. The other method of communication is through standard cell phones. Barcode and RFID scanners are now being produced built into devices capable of 3G cell phone service. Inventories can now be accomplished in the field, with real-time interaction still occurring with a centralized database.

Modern Inventory software systems have definite advantages over even systems from five or ten years ago. With real-time inventories being possible at a national and continental level as well, serious inventories are now possible like never before.