Android application for the inventory management of equipment, case study: laboratory 2 of the Software Engineering career Aplicación Android para la gestión de inventario de equipos, caso estudio: laboratorio 2 de la carrera de ingeniería en Software

Abstract

This research addresses the equipment inventory management issues at Laboratory 2 of the Software Engineering program at the Universidad Laica Eloy Alfaro de Manabí (ULEAM), El Carmen Extension. The study identified the absence of a structured digital system for monitoring technological resources, a situation that has led to administrative disorganization, difficulties in identifying faults, loss of components, and limited equipment availability for academic activities. To improve inventory control, organization, and supervision, an Android-based mobile application was developed. The app is designed to register, query, update, and manage equipment status, as well as report faults promptly. The system was implemented using Android Studio and Java, following a client-server architecture and the MVVM pattern. Methodologically, a mixed-approach was applied, incorporating field, bibliographic, and descriptive research. Data collection included surveys administered to 54 students and a semi-structured interview with the laboratory coordinator. The results showed a positive perception of the application and confirmed its relevance in optimizing inventory management. It is concluded that the application constitutes a viable and functional solution to modernize administrative processes and strengthen the efficient use of technological resources in the academic environment