Welcome to Chapter 3 of Sellercloud’s inventory management guide. In this chapter, we will explain all you need to know about inventory management techniques and go into detail about several of them.
Inventory management techniques are used to track and control the flow of products in a business efficiently.
Learning inventory management techniques is beneficial because it helps businesses avoid stockouts and overstocking, leading to cost savings and improved customer satisfaction.
Many of the terms in this chapter of the guide were listed in Chapter 2. Here we will go into greater detail about how they are used in inventory management.
Feel like you’re missing something? Head back to the inventory management guide homepage and refresh on Chapter 1 or Chapter 2.
Top 7 Inventory Management Techniques
These seven industry-standard techniques will help you become more organized as you take your first steps into inventory management.
Incorporating these techniques into your inventory management approach can enhance efficiency, minimize waste, and improve customer satisfaction.
Let’s get started.
1. What Is Just-In-Time (JIT) In Inventory Management?
Just-in-time, often shortened to ‘JIT,’ is a warehouse inventory management strategy that involves ordering and receiving inventory only when needed and sending it out for delivery.
Does JIT Mean Zero Inventory?
Just-in-Time (JIT) does not mean zero inventory, although it does aim to minimize inventory levels.
JIT is an inventory management (and production) approach focusing on delivering goods ‘just in time’ to meet customer demand.
This inventory management technique reduces inventory holding costs and waste and can help free up warehouse space.
The goal of JIT is not to eliminate inventory but to achieve a balance between having enough inventory to meet customer demand promptly and avoiding the costs associated with excess inventory.
Just-In-Time Inventory Management Advantages and Disadvantages?
JIT is not a perfect inventory management technique. Though several great reasons exist to implement JIT, some faults could hold you back.
Advantages:
- Cost Reduction—JIT minimizes inventory holding costs, such as storage, insurance, and obsolescence expenses.
- Improved Efficiency—Synchronizing production with demand reduces lead times and waste and enhances overall operational efficiency.
- Quality Control—JIT emphasizes early detection and prevention of defects, promoting better quality control and reducing the risk of holding defective inventory.
- Lower Working Capital—With reduced inventory levels, less capital is tied up in inventory, enabling businesses to invest in other areas and improve cash flow.
- Faster Response to Market Changes—JIT enables merchants to quickly adjust product offerings to respond to changing market demands.
Disadvantages:
- Supply Chain Vulnerability—Any disruptions in the supply chain, such as supplier delays or disruptions, can significantly impact customer satisfaction.
- Lack of Redundancy—JIT operates on thin inventory buffers, leaving little room for unexpected events like sudden increases in demand, supply chain disruptions, or production issues.
- Limited Flexibility—JIT requires precise demand forecasting and stable production processes. Sudden changes in customer demand or production disruptions can strain the system.
- Risk of Stockouts—Inaccurate demand forecasting or delays in supplier deliveries can lead to stockouts, potentially resulting in lost sales and customer dissatisfaction.
- High Reliance on Suppliers—Effective JIT implementation necessitates close relationships with reliable suppliers who consistently deliver materials and components on time.
How Do You Implement Just-In-Time Inventory?
Implementing JIT inventory involves several key steps. It all starts by analyzing historical demand patterns to identify consistent trends.
Next, you must establish strong relationships with reliable suppliers to ensure timely deliveries. This helps to streamline production processes to eliminate waste and reduce setup times.
You will also need to embrace a pull-based approach, where production is triggered by customer demand which requires effective demand forecasting techniques (more on this in a moment).
Key performance indicators like inventory turnover and lead times should be monitored.
It would also be beneficial to embrace lean principles like 5S (Sort, Set in order, Shine, Standardize, Sustain) and visual management to improve organization and efficiency.
Finally, remember to regularly review and adjust inventory levels based on demand fluctuations.
2. What Is ABC Analysis in Inventory Management?
ABC analysis is an inventory control system that categorizes items into three categories: A, B, and C.
A—Items that contribute to a significant portion of the inventory’s value or sales. These items are critical and require close monitoring and the tightest control.
B—Items that have a moderate impact on inventory value or sales. They require a reasonable level of control and management attention.
C—Items that have minimal impact on overall inventory value or sales. These items have lower control requirements.
It’s important to note that ABC analysis is not a grading system. Whether a product is categorized as A, B, or C does not reflect the product’s condition.
What Is the Objective of ABC Analysis in Inventory Management?
ABC analysis helps businesses prioritize their inventory control efforts and allocate resources effectively.
By categorizing inventory this way, businesses can focus on high-value items while applying more relaxed control measures to low-value items.
This allows for efficient allocation of resources, improved inventory management, and better decision-making regarding ordering, stocking, and overall inventory control strategies.
What Are the Advantages of ABC Analysis?
Firstly, ABC analysis enables efficient resource allocation by focusing efforts on high-value items that significantly impact inventory value or sales. This ensures that resources are utilized effectively.
Second, it allows optimal inventory control by categorizing items based on importance. Businesses can then apply appropriate control measures to high-value items.
Meanwhile, lower-value items can be managed with less stringent controls, saving resources.
Third, ABC Analysis helps cost savings by avoiding overstocking or stockouts, reducing unnecessary inventory holding costs and lost sales.
Moreover, it aids in effective demand planning and decision-making. By understanding the importance of items, businesses can align production and procurement strategies accordingly.
Lastly, it enhances customer service by ensuring sufficient stock levels for critical products, leading to timely order fulfillment and improved customer satisfaction.
3. What Is Demand Forecasting in Inventory Management?
Demand forecasting is a technique for estimating future customer demand for products.
In inventory management, it helps businesses determine the right amount of inventory to have on hand to meet customer needs without incurring excess costs.
Demand forecasting involves analyzing historical data, market trends, and any other factors relevant to your business to predict future demand patterns.
By understanding the expected demand, businesses can make informed decisions about ordering, production, and stocking levels.
Accurate demand forecasting helps optimize inventory levels, minimize stockouts, and avoid overstocking.
It enables businesses to streamline their supply chain and improve customer satisfaction by ensuring product availability and use resources efficiently.
Effective demand forecasting requires reliable data, sound analytical techniques, and knowledge of factors influencing demand, such as seasonality, market trends, and customer behavior.
What Are the Four Steps Involved in Demand Forecasting?
Demand forecasting consists of four essential steps that help businesses predict customer demand and plan their inventory effectively.
- Data Collection—Gather historical sales data, market trends, customer feedback, and other relevant information.
- Data Analysis—Analyze the collected data using statistical techniques, like moving averages or regression analysis.
- Forecasting Method Selection—Choose an appropriate forecasting method based on the nature of the data and its accuracy.
- Forecast Validation and Review—Evaluate the forecast accuracy, make adjustments if needed, and regularly review and update the forecast based on changing market conditions.
What Are the Top Three Techniques of Demand Forecasting?
When it comes to demand forecasting, three techniques stand out as effective strategies.
- Time-Series Analysis: This technique uses historical data to predict future demand patterns, factoring in seasonality and trends.
- Qualitative Techniques: These involve subjective judgments from experts, market surveys, and customer feedback to forecast demand.
- Causal Forecasting: It identifies cause-and-effect relationships between demand and other variables, such as price, promotions, or economic indicators.
These three techniques can give businesses valuable insights into future demand trends and make informed inventory management decisions.
4. What Is Dropshipping?
Sometimes spelled ‘drop-shipping’ or ‘drop shipping,’ it is an e-commerce fulfillment method where the merchant does not keep products in stock.
Though dropshipping is more of a fulfillment method than an inventory management technique, it impacts your inventory management.
Dropshipping eliminates the need for merchants to handle inventory (or manage the shipping process), making it an attractive option for online businesses with minimal costs and inventory management responsibilities.
How Does Dropshipping Work?
Dropshipping is relatively straightforward. When a customer orders a product, the merchant purchases it from the supplier, who sends it onward to the customer.
The supplier then delivers the product directly to the customer on behalf of the merchant. The merchant earns profit by selling the product at a higher price than the supplier’s cost.
Dropshipping allows sellers to focus on marketing, customer service, and driving sales while relying on the supplier for inventory management and order fulfillment.
You could think of dropshipping as inventory management without inventory management.
What Are the Rules for Dropshipping?
There are not any specific rules for dropshipping, but to ensure smooth operations and customer satisfaction, here are some essentials you might want to stick to:
- Choose reliable suppliers with good product quality and timely shipping.
- Provide accurate product information and transparent communication with customers.
- Ensure seamless coordination between the merchant, supplier, and customer for order fulfillment and customer support.
- Keep track of inventory availability and promptly update product listings to avoid selling out-of-stock items.
- Monitor customer feedback and address any issues promptly to maintain a positive reputation.
Is Dropshipping for Beginners?
Yes, dropshipping can be a suitable option for beginners due to its low startup costs and minimal inventory management requirements.
In fact, dropshipping is highly appealing to small business owners or those with limited funds yet to start a business.
However, it still requires careful planning, market research, supplier selection, and effective marketing to succeed.
5. What Is Cross-docking?
Cross-docking is another fulfillment technique where products are received at a distribution center or warehouse and immediately transferred to outbound transportation without being stored in inventory.
Again, it is another fulfillment method that keeps stock out of inventory, bypassing your warehouse or wherever your stock is located.
What is the Difference between Cross-docking and Dropshipping?
While both cross-docking and dropshipping involve the movement of goods without storing them in inventory, there are notable differences between the two.
Dropshipping primarily occurs at the retail level, where the merchant doesn’t hold any inventory and relies on suppliers to ship directly to customers.
In contrast, cross-docking typically occurs at a distribution center or warehouse level, where products are transferred between inbound and outbound transportation without storage.
What Are the Different Types of Cross-docking?
There are two common types of cross-docking—‘pre-distribution’ and ‘post-distribution’ cross-docking.
Pre-distribution cross-docking involves consolidating and sorting products from different suppliers before sending them. This approach enhances efficiency by minimizing handling and storage time.
On the other hand, post-distribution cross-docking involves sorting and combining products from multiple suppliers into specific customer orders before shipping them out.
This type of cross-docking facilitates faster order fulfillment and reduces the time products spend in inventory.
What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Cross-docking?
Advantages of cross-docking include reduced inventory holding costs, shorter order fulfillment time, and improved supply chain efficiency.
Disadvantages include increased transportation complexity, limited customization options, and dependence on coordination between suppliers and transportation providers.
When Should Cross-docking Be Used?
Cross-docking is advantageous when products have a high turnover rate, there is a need for rapid order fulfillment, or when transportation costs must be minimized through consolidation and direct transfer.
Perishable goods, time-sensitive products, or those with high demand fluctuations can greatly benefit from implementing cross-docking strategies.
Additionally, e-commerce businesses focusing on fast and efficient order processing can leverage cross-docking to enhance their operations.
6. What Is Safety Stock?
Safety stock, ‘safety quantity,’ or ‘buffer stock’ is extra inventory held to protect against unexpected demand or supply chain disruptions.
It acts as a cushion to ensure enough stock is available to meet customer demands even during unforeseen circumstances.
What Is the Difference Between Inventory and Safety Stock?
Inventory refers to all the stock held by a company. That includes regular stock for expected demand and safety stock for unexpected situations.
So, safety stock is a part of your inventory. It’s just reserved. That’s the difference.
Safety stock is specifically reserved to mitigate the risks of stockouts, ensuring sufficient inventory to fulfill customer orders even when faced with uncertainties.
How to Calculate Safety Stock?
To calculate safety stock, you must consider factors such as desired service level, demand variability, lead time, and the desired level of risk mitigation.
Various statistical formulas and models, such as the standard deviation of demand, can determine the appropriate safety stock level.
These calculations help businesses balance minimizing stockouts and managing inventory costs effectively.
7. What Is Vendor-Managed Inventory (VMI)?
Vendor-Managed Inventory (VMI) is where the supplier monitors and replenishes a merchant’s inventory based on predetermined metrics.
The supplier holds visibility into the merchant’s inventory levels, allowing them to proactively manage replenishment, optimize inventory levels, and ensure the timely delivery of goods.
What Is the Difference between VMI and SMI (Supplier Managed Inventory)?
VMI and SMI involve the supplier managing a customer’s inventory, but there can be slight differences in scope and implementation.
VMI typically refers to a specific supplier managing the inventory for one customer, while SMI can involve multiple suppliers collectively managing the inventory for a single customer.
What Is the Purpose of VMI?
VMI aims to improve supply chain efficiency, reduce inventory holding costs, and enhance collaboration between suppliers and customers.
Enabling suppliers to monitor and manage inventory levels, VMI minimizes stockouts, optimizes replenishment, and ensures a seamless flow of goods between suppliers and customers.
What Are the Different Types of VMI?
There are different types of VMI arrangements based on the level of collaboration, data sharing, and decision-making responsibilities between suppliers and customers. Common types include:
- Continuous Replenishment Program (CRP)—A supply chain strategy where inventory is automatically replenished based on real-time data, ensuring products are consistently available to meet customer demand.
- Collaborative Planning, Forecasting, and Replenishment (CPFR)—A collaborative approach between trading partners to share information, improve forecast accuracy, and align production and inventory plans to optimize supply chain efficiency.
- Scan-Based Trading (SBT)—A retail model where suppliers retain ownership of their products until they are scanned and sold at the point of sale, reducing inventory risk for retailers and improving efficiency in the supply chain.
These variations provide different levels of integration and coordination between suppliers and merchants, so ultimately, it comes down to which works best for them.
Key Points From Chapter 3
If you remember anything from Chapter 3 of Sellercloud’s inventory management guide, make it these key points.
- There are several different inventory management techniques, each with advantages and nuances.
- Some inventory management techniques, such as cross-docking and dropshipping, minimize the need to store inventory, instead diverting products from vendors straight to customers.
- Other techniques focus on calculating or reserving stock to avoid stockouts.
- Ideally, your company’s chosen warehouse inventory management software should work with your preferred inventory management technique.