Usage Logging
How to record material consumption during construction work to keep stock accurate.
- Select a material row → click Log Usage from the actions menu
- Enter the quantity consumed and date of consumption
- Optionally add remarks (e.g., "Foundation pour Block A")
- Click Log Usage — stock decreases immediately
- Usage entries are immutable — they can't be edited or deleted after saving
- Each entry records who logged it and when, for audit purposes
Full Guide
When to Log Usage
Log usage when materials are consumed during construction work. Common scenarios:
- Concrete poured for a foundation or slab
- Steel rebar tied and placed for a structure
- Cement bags used for plastering or masonry
- Aggregate used for road base or fill
Log usage as close to the actual consumption as possible — daily logging is ideal for high-volume materials. Weekly or per-activity logging works for smaller quantities.
The Log Material Usage Dialog
| Field | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Yes | Pre-selected if opened from a material's actions menu |
| Quantity Consumed | Yes | How much was consumed (in the material's unit, minimum 0.001) |
| Date | No | When the material was consumed — defaults to today |
| Remarks | No | Context about the usage (location, activity, purpose, max 500 chars) |
Good Remarks Examples
Remarks help you track where and why materials were used:
- "Foundation pour — Block A, Level 1"
- "Roofing — Tower 2, Level 5"
- "Plastering — East wall, 3rd floor"
- "Backfill — North drainage trench"
- "Retaining wall — Section B, Phase 2"
When you review usage history later, these remarks make it clear what each entry was for.
What Happens After Logging
- Stock decreases by the logged quantity immediately
- The Consumed progress bar updates (if planned quantity is set)
- Low stock alerts may trigger if stock drops below 10%
- The entry appears in the material's Usage tab on the detail page
Immutable Records
Cannot Be Undone
Usage logs cannot be edited or deleted after saving. This is by design — usage records serve as an audit trail for:
- Quantity reconciliation against budgets
- Dispute resolution with contractors
- Progress verification by project managers
- Cost tracking and variance analysis
If you logged an incorrect quantity, use a Manual Stock Adjustment to correct the stock level and note the reason.
Viewing Usage History
To see all usage entries for a material:
Open the material detail page
Click the material row in the Inventory tab.
View usage entries
On the detail page, switch to the Usage tab. Each entry shows: date, quantity, remarks, and who logged it.
Related
- Stock Tracking — How usage affects stock calculations
- Stock Adjustments — Correcting mistakes with manual adjustments
- Material Detail Page — Navigating the detail view