How inventory optimization opens pathways to profitability?
If you own a business that has constantly overlooked the benefits of inventory optimization then it is high time you invest in it. Inventory is defined as a complete list of items such as property, goods or other items. It is considered as one of the crucial and largest investments a company usually makes. In order to maintain an efficient inventory and ensure it is under your control, it is crucial for companies to optimize it. Normally every company today faces the challenge of coping with customer needs. Hence, the point remains how well a company manages to cope with customer needs.
What is Inventory Optimization?
The answer to this question is undoubtedly- inventory optimization. Inventory optimization has been most talked about strategies in businesses today. Inventory optimization is defined as balancing capital investment constraints and goals while considering the demand and supply of products. Optimizing your inventory is seen as one of the most effective ways in today’s scenario to keep control of your inventory irrespective of where you are. Amount of inventory puts a major impact on available cash of a company. Hence, it is important for companies to keep their inventory levels as low as possible and sell their inventories quickly.
In the absence of inventory optimization, companies usually set goals using thumb rules or single calculations. Thumb rules involve setting a target by calculating the number of days of supply. On the other hand, single calculations involve looking at a single item at a single location. This is a hassle some process and involves too much manual work. It is time consuming and not reliable in today’s ever growing business environment.
Inventory Optimization Methods
There are various inventory optimization methods adopted by companies as per their requirement and capital investment. Here are 4 techniques that can help optimize inventories effectively:
Reducing replenishment cycle time: It is one of the important factors in deciding safety stock. Less lead time would help companies lower the complexity of the supply chain. Lead time usually consists of time taken to place order, time taken to manufacture and transit time.
Prioritizing inventory: If you have bulk stocks, then the best way is to rank your inventory. It can help you organize popular and not-so popular products efficiently.
Removing obsolete stock: Next step is to eliminate obsolete stock. There may be some items ruining your inventory, so better removing them immediately.
Understand your customer: One of the best methods to optimize inventory is to understand your customer well. Once you know your customer, you can be sure about their requirements.
Benefits of Inventory Optimization
Inventory optimization is highly beneficial and has helped achieved financial benefits. It enables organizations to reduce inventory levels by considerable amounts in one year. It also helps organizations enjoy a discounted cash flow. Further, inventory optimization helps organizations to achieve higher service levels, reduce finished goods inventory and address demand volatility and supply variability effectively. To conclude, inventory optimization helps organizations to avoid situations of ‘under stocks’ and ‘overstocks’ and eventually smoothing manufacturing cycles.
For more info, Visit https://www.goodsorderinventory.com/