Overview
AI-Automated Item Entry is a powerful tool designed to streamline your inventory management process. Available on the Professional and Vendor Mall Plus plans, this feature uses artificial intelligence to suggest pricing and descriptive information for items, saving you time and increasing listing accuracy. It isn't included on the Basic or Standard plans.
This guide walks you through every step of the process—from setup to submission—while also addressing common questions and advanced settings.
Key Features
- 2,000 uses per location/month (Professional and Vendor Mall Plus plans)
- Photo Input: Take or upload up to 2 item photos per entry
- Shopify Integration: Choose whether to save images to items for use with Shopify
- Flexible Settings: Control image saving behavior such as auto background removal in General Settings
How It Works
Step 1: Start an Inventory Batch
- From the Inventory tab, click on the green "+Add inventory" button.
- Locate and scan the QR code displayed at the bottom of the batch page using your mobile device.
📸 Tip: Your mobile device must have a camera and QR code scanner enabled
- Click on the yellow link that appears at the bottom of your screen. This will bring up a new web page.
Step 2: Add Photos
- On your mobile device, the scanned QR code will open the AI entry tool.
Tap "Add from camera" to snap a picture of your item or upload from your gallery by selecting "Add from files".
- Take 1–2 clear photos of the item, making sure to capture both the branding (like the logo or packaging) and the barcode for the most accurate results. Two photos is the maximum.
✅ Ensure the item is well-lit and centered in the frame for best results.
Step 3: Submit for Research
- Tap "Research Item" after uploading your images.
- The AI analyzes your photos and automatically suggests values for relevant fields, including:
- UPC
- MSRP
- Item Name
- Size
- Tags
- Brand
- Color
- Price (based on internal logic and current online listings)
- Category
- Condition
- Extra information
- Family Group
Step 4: Review & Submit
- Review the AI-generated suggestions.
- Edit any fields you want to change.
- Tap "Approve and Submit" to add the item to your inventory batch. You can also select Restart to redo the process.
- After a successful submission, the inventory information will be added to SimpleConsign. Click Done in the upper right-hand corner to complete the entry.
Important Notes:
If you wish to continue using AI for inventory research, simply repeat the process. A new item entry will be created in SimpleConsign when you scan a different item.
The AI-Automated Item Entry web page will expire after 24 hours or until the batch is completed, whichever comes first. Please note that bookmarking the page or leaving the tab open in your browser will not extend its availability beyond this period. Once it expires, you will need to initiate a new batch by re-scanning the QR code in the item entry screen.
Shopify Compatibility
When enabled, AI photos can be saved and used directly in your Shopify listings.
To enable:
- Go to Settings > General Settings.
- Locate the toggle for "Save Images from AI Automated Item Entry".
- Turn it ON to retain photos with item records.
🛍 This setting is especially useful for ecommerce stores using Shopify sync.
Price Book Considerations
If your location uses a Price Book, your Price Book prices can replace the AI-suggested price, but only once submitted to the SimpleConsign item entry list. It will now show in the AI entry on your phone. For this to happen:
- Price Book Active? must be enabled.
- Allow Custom Pricing at Item Entry and POS? must be disabled.
- The item’s brand must match a brand in your Price Book exactly.
Common Questions
Q: How does this feature work? Where is it pulling the data from?
A: Our AI pricing tool uses several AI models and techniques to generate general pricing recommendations for unknown items. It pulls from all available web sources and synthesizes the results to suggest a price. The system is designed to evolve over time as we continue to improve it. While it doesn't guarantee perfect pricing, its purpose is to provide reliable, data-informed guidance where historical pricing is unavailable.
Q: Can I use this feature without taking a photo?
A: No, at least one photo is required for AI to generate suggestions.
Q: Will AI suggestions override existing price rules?
A: No. If your Price Book is active, custom pricing at item entry is turned off, and the item’s brand matches a Price Book brand exactly, the Price Book price replaces the AI-suggested price once the item is submitted from your phone.
Q: What happens if I don't use all my monthly entries?
A: Usage resets each month. Unused entries do not roll over.
Q: How can I rate the AI's suggestions?
A: After submitting the item, use the thumbs up/down icons to provide feedback.
Troubleshooting & Tips
- Blurry or incorrect suggestions? Use well-lit, high-resolution photos.
- Can't scan the QR code? Ensure camera permissions are enabled.
- Photos not appearing in Shopify? Confirm the save setting is enabled in General Settings.