A system for monitoring an absorbent article and providing stock management functionality, the system comprising: an absorbent article for personal hygiene such as a diaper , or training pant, or incontinence insert, the absorbent article comprising: a liquid permeable topsheet , a liquid impermeable backsheet , and an absorbent core positioned between said topsheet and backsheet ; an indicator for indicating the presence of exudates, said indicator being positioned on a body-facing side and/or garment-facing side of said backsheet , the indicator comprising a color-changing indicator and/or an electrically conductive indicator; a detection device that can be removably attached to the absorbent article and arranged to detect a change in condition of said indicator ; a computing means, such as a computing device or a computing algorithm arranged to deduct a one integer from an inventory value n to generate a new number n-1 representing an actual inventory value, in response to at least one of the following: a signal from the detection device triggered by a change in the state of the absorbent article such as from dry to wet; a signal from the detection device triggered by a first-time connection to an absorbent article; and a signal from the detection device triggered by disconnection of the detection device from an absorbent article after a first-time connection to the absorbent article, and wherein the computing means is arranged to send a signal once the actual inventory value reaches a predefined threshold, wherein said signal triggers at least one of: a warning alarm; an automatic order of new stock comprising a plurality of absorbent articles; and combinations thereof. an absorbent article for personal hygiene such as a diaper , or training pant, or incontinence insert, the absorbent article comprising: a liquid permeable topsheet , a liquid impermeable backsheet , and an absorbent core positioned between said topsheet and backsheet ; an indicator for indicating the presence of exudates, said indicator being positioned on a body-facing side and/or garment-facing side of said backsheet , the indicator comprising a color-changing indicator and/or an electrically conductive indicator; a detection device that can be removably attached to the absorbent article and arranged to detect a change in condition of said indicator ; a computing means, such as a computing device or a computing algorithm arranged to deduct a one integer from an inventory value n to generate a new number n-1 representing an actual inventory value, in response to at least one of the following: a signal from the detection device triggered by a change in the state of the absorbent article such as from dry to wet; a signal from the detection device triggered by a first-time connection to an absorbent article; and a signal from the detection device triggered by disconnection of the detection device from an absorbent article after a first-time connection to the absorbent article, and wherein the computing means is arranged to send a signal once the actual inventory value reaches a predefined threshold, wherein said signal triggers at least one of: a warning alarm; an automatic order of new stock comprising a plurality of absorbent articles; and combinations thereof. a signal from the detection device triggered by a change in the state of the absorbent article such as from dry to wet; a signal from the detection device triggered by a first-time connection to an absorbent article; and a signal from the detection device triggered by disconnection of the detection device from an absorbent article after a first-time connection to the absorbent article, and wherein the computing means is arranged to send a signal once the actual inventory value reaches a predefined threshold, wherein said signal triggers at least one of: a warning alarm; an automatic order of new stock comprising a plurality of absorbent articles; and combinations thereof. <EOS>