How do we gain insight into our warehouse inventory levels around the clock?

Client Background

The client, as a large distributor, requires high levels of inventory visibility as well as real-time access to inventory data. Business success is directly related to the measurement of metrics in these areas.

Key Challenges

Often, customers contact our client out of regular business hours. Occasionally, the product they are seeking is needed urgently and is often a result of equipment breakdown, making their order time-sensitive. Gaining real-time visibility into the current inventory level was difficult at the best of times. After regular business hours, it was even more challenging.

After an inventory inquiry, it would take the client one or two hours to confirm whether the product was in inventory or if it needed to be ordered. This was usually accomplished by physically walking the aisles of the warehouse to find the product in question. This process allowed for the introduction of human-error. There were times when purchased product, which should have remained on hold, was re-sold to emergency clients.

Considering the time delay required to carry out this manual process, the client’s customers, typically in dire straits, turned to alternate suppliers who were able to provide them with immediate answers. The lengthy wait-time resulted in lost business.