Implementing Inventory Process

Implementing Inventory Process

I am just starting to create an inventory system through Zoho for a nonprofit.  We receive in-kind donations of items for kids, and utilize them in 2 or 3 different programs.  Then families come in and take the items.

I'm thinking of this structure:
Our donors would be Vendors
Our families would be Customers.

Can we use Branches for the 2 different programs, or should we enable locations? Are there additional fees associated with "Branches" Or "Locations"?  I see that if I enable locations, we can't turn that feature off.  Both programs store all of their items in our building, but in separate rooms.

I'm working my way through the youtube videos, and have figured out how to input items.  But before I get too far into that, I want to make sure I am using Branches or Locations properly to track items in each program.  We do often move items from one program to another, so we'd need to be able to track that.  The two main programs have a lot of the same items, but one program in particular has many more additional items. 

Thank you for any guidance you may be able to offer!

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