inventory question similar to martin.a.john's

[destaroyah]

I am working on an inventory database to track medical equipment for patients. I started with the filemaker 10 template (even though I'm using 8.5) included with the filemaker downloads and modified it. One thing about the provided template is that it doesn't actually count your inventory. You must do it yourself and then input that number as the item total. Why bother with a program if you have to go over and count every time you need to know something about your inventory?

I want it to count and give me a total for each item number - brand, but we also input serial numbers for these high-price items (we have very few separate inventory items). So I am also needing to be able to have it look at the serial number and count unigue sn's for that item number and manufacturer. I also like to be able to verify serial number so that the same sn doesn't get input again for a specified item number and brand.

Then too, I have a radio button set for sold, loaned and returned. A sold or loaned item would not be IN inventory. I need it to count IN inventory items for my "amount in inventory" per item number and brand. This part may not be done the best way it can be. I'm not really knowledgable of the ins and outs of inventories or databases for that matter (this is my second database project). We have units we sell. Some that are loaned out for the patient to decide if they would like to buy one and units that have been returned from being loaned. I actually think this part needs work. Any suggestions would be most appreciated. The loaner units are added to if all other loaners are currently out, but will become the borrower's purchase unit if they decide they want one.

Due to our small inventory, I have only one table for it. A Patient table is tied to it so that we know who received what.

I hope I've explained that so its understandable.