What are the disadvantages of a Kanban system in the office?

Kanban works — but it requires physical prerequisites. Two bins per item, space for the swap zone, and a fixed shelf layout. With 30 office items, that's 60 bins. For offices with limited storage, that's often the dealbreaker. repleno replaces bins with digital thresholds and only needs a smartphone.

Do I need special hardware?

No. A smartphone is all you need.

Does repleno work with my office supply vendor?

Yes. repleno sends orders via email in a simple format (text + CSV). Any office supply dealer can process this — whether wholesaler or regional supplier. Your vendor doesn't need to install any software.

Is repleno better than a Kanban system?

It depends. For a few items with stable consumption, physical Kanban can be enough. But once you manage more than 15 items, consumption fluctuates, or you don't have space for bins, repleno is the simpler solution. No shelf rebuild, no training, no processes that fall asleep.

Can I use repleno only for office supplies?

You can, but repleno does more. The app works for any consumable with regular demand: office supplies, workshop materials, cleaning supplies, kitchen stock. Many teams start with office supplies and expand to other areas.

Kanban Alternative

Order office supplies without thinking about it

Toner, paper, pens, sticky notes: repleno makes sure office supplies are reordered on time. No Kanban bins, no visual checks, no order lists.

Get early access

These businesses are testing repleno in the pilot program Elektro Hoppe-Schubert

Elektro-Montagen Schulz Sulzbach-Rosenberg

Office supplies run out at the worst possible moment.

Toner empty. Paper gone. Sticky notes vanished. Right when nobody has time to deal with it.

repleno detects the need early and prepares the order before the shelf is empty.

How it works

Four steps to automatic office supply ordering.

Add your office supplies

Toner, printer paper, ballpoint pens: add your items and define the reorder point. No bins needed.

Team scans on use

Scan the barcode or QR code on the shelf, confirm quantity, done. That's how stock stays accurate in 5 seconds per entry.

repleno detects demand

When stock hits the reorder point, repleno queues it for ordering.

Order goes out

Once a day, repleno notifies you or orders from your supplier. You decide per item.

repleno order overview with automatic orders to office supply vendors

Your benefits

Stock-driven replenishment instead of a bin system.

No shelf space for Kanban bins needed

Classic Kanban systems require two bins per item, shelf space for the swap zone, and floor space for empty boxes. repleno only needs your smartphone.

No manual process

No morning bin checks, no collecting Kanban cards. Your team scans on use, repleno tracks stock and flags demand in time.

Works from day one

EAN codes are already on every package. For items without a barcode, create labels with repleno's label designer in a few clicks — attach once, done.

Typical scenario: 8-person office

One shared supply closet for eight people. Toner, paper, pens, staples, envelopes. Until now, whoever notices something is missing places an order. Sometimes via Amazon, sometimes at the office supply store, sometimes not at all. The office manager never knows what's still in stock and what's already been ordered. With repleno, your team adds items and defines reorder and maximum stock levels. Scan on use, confirm the quantity in the app, done — stock stays in the optimal zone. When an item hits the reorder point, repleno adds it to the order list and notifies once a day — or reorders from the assigned supplier automatically, if you want.

Woman looking at her smartphone in front of a fully stocked office supply cabinet

Frequently Asked Questions

A Kanban system for office supplies works on the two-bin principle: each item has two identical bins. When the first is empty, it moves to the back and the Kanban card is triggered. This signals: reorder. The second bin bridges the delivery time. The system works, but needs physical bins, shelf space, and consistent compliance.

Start with your 10 most common office items

repleno is in pilot mode with the first companies who actively shape the product. We invite you to join early. So repleno works where it matters: in practice.

More features from repleno

Automatic Reordering

Reorders automatically before the shelf runs empty. Set reorder points, repleno places the order with your suppliers.

Barcode Inventory via App for Trades

Barcode inventory by smartphone: no handheld scanner, no label printer, no IT project. Every scan takes 5 seconds. Perfect for every trade business.

Stock Insights: See Where Capital is Tied Up

See in black and white which items tie up capital. Identify slow movers, reduce overstock, free up money.

Order office supplies without thinking about it

Office supplies run out at the worst possible moment.