They should have used an Access database

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This doesn’t sound like an Excel problem it sounds like a management/software upkeep/bus factor problem.

I’m going to be the odd man out and say that Excel isn’t even that bad: I use it a lot for RPG simulations and engineering simulations, and not just because CSV is normalized. It can be part of the tech stack, but not in a mission critical way. There’s really no tool like it especially if you are doing simulations.

clear example of why people should only work on their “single” proficiency. Excel? really?

Pretty sure every professional CAD software has interfaces for external parts, which can then trigger an analysis in accounting for parts not on storage.

I use Minecraft developed in-game built computers for all my parts inventory needs