The current inventory control system is inefficient, unproductive and ineffective. Three individuals (the stockroom foreman, the purchasing manager and the manufacturing manager) are charged with ensuring that orders are place for replenishment "whenever one of them notices that the inventory is low". This type of system is ludicrous and should be abolished immediately. The company should instead invest in a digital inventory control system, complete with Personal Digital Assistant devices and the software to coordinate the input from those systems. Research shows that this type of system is both portable and easy to use and that "mobile devices, such as smart cell phone, personal digital assistants (PDA's) and portable computers enable business users to perform work-related tasks without the need to stay close to a wired information system infrastructure" (Gebauer, 2008, p. 102). Even if the company does not wish to take away the responsibility from these three gentlemen, they can become much more productive by entering the low inventory status into a PDA which will automatically place the order. Another, even more effective manner for handling inventory is to invest in the PDA's and software that will automatically track inventory and initiate new orders when inventory hits a certain level. Since PDA's are relatively inexpensive to purchase and maintain, the company should also consider purchasing one for each warehouse worker so that the three men currently
To be successful in today’s business environment, an organization must be able to perform certain fundamentals accurately and efficiently. One of these elements is having an effective and efficient Inventory System Management (ISM). ISM enables one to have the knowledge of where his or her inventory is at every step of the way. This allows one to better interact with consumer and make sales. Choosing the right ISM can lead and pave the ground work for future business success and profitability.
During the game, I realized that wide gaps in orders of every role in the supply chain such as factory, distributor and retailer create inventory management challenges. For example, distributor records 0units between week1-week 4 compared to retailer within the same period. The retailer records 3units, 5units, 2units and 2units between weeks 1- week 4. The same applies to factory with 0units from weeks 2-4. Addressing inventory management problems requires developing an average unit level to avoid disappointing customers when demand
In this final paper for Managerial Finance I will attempt to show how the supply chain inventory management method can be affected depending on the situation of the retailer. Studying the control method for problems in inventory, which would include both, excesses in inventory as well as shortages, and hoping to minimize loss.
“In an age of increasing specialization, it is rare for one person to be knowledgeable in all aspects of a complex task” (Thompson, 2015, p. 88). In this case, the first step was to understand our incoming demand. For this, I relied on information technology to generate numerous reports as well as the expertise of our sales team. It was at that point that the data was analyzed in conjunction with an inventory specialist. After we had the knowledge of what current product to inventory, we then needed to establish a set of guidelines of how to qualify products in the future. Inventory control management processes were instituted as well as a supply an auditing system. These steps included information from organizational members from our manufacturing group, planning department, and procurement department. Finally, we needed to understand and facilitate the storage and shipping of the product. We enlisted the help of our warehouse employees as well as our transportation department. This type of project included various levels of the organization and required a tremendous amount of communication. The project workload was enormous and also had a substantial financial investment associated with it. Instrumental in the project’s success was the team’s cohesion, diversity, and strategies deployed
In addition, the company can benefit from a distinctly higher level of productivity as well as an increase in the morale of staff as a result of putting in place this technology. In other instances, it has been argued that putting in place this technology will be key in ensuring that the company’s intranet will be a helpful aid in ensuring that each of the store’s managers and employees will be able to clearly track their sales and inventory (Zhang & Li, 2009). Considering the fact that the company is a retailer that is growing retail store, the use of iPads will be critical in ensuring an automation of the store’s processes of supply chain which will be an aid in enabling them to efficiently receive inventory and ensuring that the pricing of shelf labels as well as in performing of markdowns (Fosso et al,
Handheld mobile computers are efficient, have the ability to scan and allow for accurate, real-time data and inventory control and can be used throughout the supply chain process to enable instant inventory adjustments. Bar-coding is essential for just-in-time systems. Using scanners with a handheld PC will decrease the number of errors that occur from manual entry of data for inventory purposes. (ecampus.phoenix.edu, November 2009)
Second, the classification in inventory management is still inaccurate. That results in some problems such as: the severe lack of some products which are in growing demand (1 inch valve series 230), the redundancy making storage expenses go up and the stagnancy in storage area (to products like gear driven rotary and monitor controller)
point of sale system. The POS system is a perpetual inventory counting method that electronically records items immediately upon their point of sale (Stevenson, 2015, pg. 552). In other words, as a cashier scans a customer 's groceries, each scanned item is automatically recorded in the system and deducted from the store’s inventory. Implementing a point of sale would benefit a business’s inventory management function in several ways. First, the POS system will provide managers with a continuous flow of updated information (Stevenson, 2015, pg. 552). As a result, the information will provide more accuracy when used for sales forecasts and analysis, which substantially affect inventory decisions. Continuously, this inventory system would also allow greater flexibility in the sense that it can be wirelessly linked to the main company’s inventory system, creating a network of the company’s inventory systems. The POS system is capable of tracking many operations at once and can be modified according to management’s needs (MacCarthy, n.d.). This flexibility would undoubtedly benefit a large company like Wegman’s with many store locations. Lastly, the system is able to help businesses maintain a high level of customer service. Because the system gives customers a receipt with the price and quantity of each item purchased, the customer is able to see exactly what he or she purchased. This practice
All retailers have a common goal in mind, and that is to make a profit. Companies earn a profit by first connecting customers with products, which can lead to an exchange of product for money. Without the ability to connect customers with products, no money exchange is possible and no profit is earned. It is, therefore, immensely important for retailers to have the right products, in the right quantities, at the right locations, and at the right time. Inventory Management Systems provide companies like L.L.Bean with the necessary information to achieve just that. L.L.Bean’s advanced inventory management system (IMS) connects customers with products, irrespective of the location of the product or the customer (Hoffsess, 2015).
When offers of reduced pricing are accepted for equipment, meeting delivery expectations becomes an important part of enhancing the customer experience to maintain satisfied loyal customers. An inventory specialist in the current distribution center would be given the additional task of segregating and maintaining inventory levels to meet the needs of the customer loyalty department.
Inventory control is the biggest challenge because of inappropriate inventory management system. There is a requirement of proper food service for better inventory control and also for identifying the important requirements. There is a need to develop the inventory methods for the products and with a standard inventory management company should try to minimize the wastes in terms of future. (Gartenstein, 2012)
Nowadays, in an era that has advanced technology and a place in the world. Everything can be linked only at your fingertips in the times of rapidly developing with the sophisticated technology of today. Therefore, an inventory system is also not lagging behind in introducing a method of keeping an inventory data systematically and safely. The system plays a very important role in improving the competitiveness of a business. Usually, organizations today face too many challenges to achieve the cost, speed and reliability. Efficient inventory system really help in order to make sure the store’s performance and data record is always in good condition and secured from abusers. The system basically to ease the admin to manage the
Inventory management has two very different, but effective methods: Vendor managed inventory, and consignment inventory. A company may choose to utilize either of these two methods to manage inventory. If a company is able to manage inventory, they will be better able to work the company's capital to the fullest extent. The following paper will identify the differences between the two as well as identify what type of company is best suited for each method.
A common way of decreasing the amount of inventory a business holds on a daily basis is implementing a just-in-time inventory process. A Just-In-Time inventory system means that the business gets the materials for a product, as they are demanded. “The electronic data
Axsäter, 2006). In this area only large scale multi-national companies have set a number of