# Keeping Track: How I Manage My Machines with Pinventory

**Source:** IFPA  
**Type:** article  
**Published:** 2026-05-16  
**Beat:** Pinball

**URL:** https://www.ifpapinball.com/keeping-track-how-i-manage-my-machines-with-pinventory/

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## Analysis

The IFPA Companion App creator has released Pinventory.app, a free platform designed specifically for pinball collectors and operators to manage machine inventories, maintenance logs, parts tracking, locations, and financial records. The tool integrates with the Kineticist game database and includes features like QR code-based issue reporting, revenue tracking, and data portability.

### Key Claims

- [HIGH] Pinventory is free with no ads and no subscription model — _Article states directly: 'The app is free, with no ads and no subscription.'_
- [HIGH] Pinventory integrates with the Kineticist game database for accurate machine data and parts catalogs — _Article describes: 'each game is linked to the Kineticist game database. That means accurate manufacturer data, machine images, downloadable manuals, and a parts catalog with vendor cross-references'_
- [HIGH] The platform includes battery tracking specifically for pre-2006 solid-state games — _Article notes: 'There's also battery tracking specifically for pre-2006 solid-state games, which is a small thing that will feel very thoughtful if you've ever had batteries leak in your game.'_
- [HIGH] Pinventory offers a full REST API and data export capabilities for portability — _Article states: 'There's a full REST API at api.pinventory.app for anyone who wants to integrate their fleet data with other tools. Data export is built in for those who want their records portable'_

### Notable Quotes

> "Whether you're in the same boat or you're running games on location, the logistics of pinball ownership quietly pile up in ways that sneak up on you."
> — **Pinventory creator (author)**
> _Articulates the core problem Pinventory solves—the hidden complexity of managing pinball machine fleets_

> "It was made by a fellow enthusiast, for the specific reality of owning and running pinball machines."
> — **Pinventory creator (author)**
> _Positions Pinventory as purpose-built for pinball rather than adapted from generic software_

> "For anyone running games at a bar, a league location, or a small route, that informal feedback loop from players catches problems you'd otherwise only find on your next visit."
> — **Pinventory creator (author)**
> _Explains the practical value of QR code issue reporting for location operators_

### Entities

| Name | Type | Context |
|------|------|---------|
| Pinventory.app | product | Free fleet management platform for pinball collectors and operators, launched by the IFPA Companion App creator |
| IFPA Companion App | product | Free, open-source mobile app used by the competitive pinball community, built by the Pinventory creator |
| Kineticist | product | Game database integrated with Pinventory that provides machine data, images, manuals, and parts catalogs |
| IFPA | organization | International Flipper Pinball Association; publisher of this article |

### Signals

- **[product_launch]** Pinventory.app released as a free fleet management platform specifically designed for pinball collectors and operators (confidence: high) — Article is announcement of Pinventory's availability with detailed feature breakdown and positioning statement
- **[technology_signal]** Growing ecosystem of pinball-specific software tools (IFPA Companion App, Pinventory) built to address community needs rather than adapted from generic platforms (confidence: high) — Creator explicitly states both IFPA Companion App and Pinventory were built 'purpose-built for the pinball community rather than adapted from a generic template'
- **[operational_signal]** Pinventory addresses operational pain points for location operators: maintenance logging, parts inventory, revenue tracking, QR code issue reporting, and location-based financial reporting (confidence: high) — Detailed feature set covers maintenance logs, parts inventory, revenue collection, split calculations, QR code reporting, and printable cards
- **[community_signal]** IFPA endorsement and sponsorship of Pinventory suggests institutional recognition of need for dedicated pinball management tools within the competitive community (confidence: medium) — Article is sponsored post published on IFPA platform; creator is recognized builder of IFPA Companion App

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## Transcript

This is a sponsored post. The author built and maintains the IFPA Companion App, a free, open-source mobile app used by the competitive pinball community, and now has released Pinventory.app, a platform for pinball collectors and operators I’ve been collecting machines for a while now, a few games at home that I’d never part with. Whether you’re in the same boat or you’re running games on location, the logistics of pinball ownership quietly pile up in ways that sneak up on you. Which games are where? What parts did I order last time to shop out Fish Tales? Did that Addams Family actually turn a profit last quarter, or did the repair bill eat everything? For years I tracked this the way most of us do: memory, a notes app, and a spreadsheet that was always one machine short of accurate. It worked, until it didn’t. I built the IFPA Companion App because I wanted software purpose-built for the pinball community rather than adapted from a generic template. That same itch is what drew me to make Pinventory. It was made by a fellow enthusiast, for the specific reality of owning and running pinball machines. Your fleet and your locations Everything starts with your machine catalog, where each game is linked to the Kineticist game database. That means accurate manufacturer data, machine images, downloadable manuals, and a parts catalog with vendor cross-references to the most popular vendors. You can browse the full Kineticist catalog to add games to your fleet as your collection grows (or changes). And if a game leaves your collection or business, the historical data still stays. Locations are first-class objects in Pinventory. Each one has an address, shows on a map, and has its own revenue split and payout frequency configured. If you service multiple spots, the financial picture per location is right there without any manual math. Maintenance, parts, and the details that matter Maintenance logs support line items for parts and labor, photo attachments, and recurring reminders so scheduled work doesn’t get forgotten. There’s also battery tracking specifically for pre-2006 solid-state games, which is a small thing that will feel very thoughtful if you’ve ever had batteries leak in your game. Parts inventory connects directly to those maintenance logs. When you consume a part on a repair, it comes off your stock. Reorder thresholds trigger alerts before you’re caught short, and vendor links mean you’re one click from the right supplier. Knowing what a machine actually costs you Revenue collection logs and time-based financial reporting give operators a real read on whether a location earns its keep. Split calculations are built in for revenue-sharing arrangements. For collectors, there’s collection valuation and full maintenance spend history per machine, useful for insurance documentation, resale, or just an honest accounting of what a game has cost over its time with you. The QR code feature operators will actually use Each machine can have a printed QR code attached to it. When a player notices something wrong, they scan it and fill out a short form to report the issue. No account needed on their end. The report lands in a unified issue queue alongside your own internal and known issues, and you get an email notification so nothing slips through. For anyone running games at a bar, a league location, or a small route, that informal feedback loop from players catches problems you’d otherwise only find on your next visit. Pinventory also generates printable pricing and settings cards per machine, which is a genuinely practical touch for operators who get the same questions from location staff on a regular basis. A few things worth knowing The app is free, with no ads and no subscription. There’s a full REST API at api.pinventory.app for anyone who wants to integrate their fleet data with other tools. Data export is built in for those who want their records portable, and self-service account and data deletion is available for GDPR compliance. You can find it at Pinventory.app, with mobile apps available alongside the full web version.

_(Acquisition: web_scrape, Enrichment: v5)_

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*Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-06-06 | Item ID: fee1ac8b-a2f7-496a-9e8f-423d3e2c77fd*