The following are some informational articles ( white papers) I have authored on topics related to inventory management, manufacturing, and warehouse operations.  I am pleased to have had my articles published in many publications including IIE Solutions, APICS Performance Advantage magazine , Parcel Shipping and Distribution Magazine, and many others.  

If you have a specific topic on which you would like to see more information, or if you have comments on the articles please contact me at email@inventoryops.com.

Don't forget to check out my book.

Just for fun, check out the new InventoryOps Lame Lists

Inventory Management Articles.

Guide to Inventory Accuracy  Defines 11 steps to more accurate inventory operations including emphasis on process evaluation, procedure documentation, employee training, and accountability.

Cycle Counting and Physical Inventories Avoid the pitfalls of the annual physical inventory by designing a more effective custom cycle counting system.  Insights on why you should cycle count, tracking inventory accuracy, blind counts, count timing, and effects of adjustments.

Optimizing Economic Order Quantity (EOQ)   Many organizations fail to take advantage of one of the most fundamental inventory management tools available.  This article details data inputs, applications, and implementation of EOQ. Specific detail on Accurate order cost and Carrying cost calculations are key to calculating EOQ.

Optimizing Safety Stock    Determining optimum safety stock levels to provide high levels of customer service while maintaining minimal inventory is possible through the use of statistical based inventory models.  This article focuses on the Standard Deviations of a Normal Distribution Model. Details include calculating Safety
Stock using Service Factor calculation, Lead Time Factor, and Order Cycle Factor. 

Using Excel's Forecast Function    While not a complete forecasting system, the Forecast Function in Excel (and OpenOffice Calc) can prove to be useful in forecasting trend or basing a forecast on a predictor variable.

Consignment Inventory. The pros, cons, and implications of consignment inventory. When does it provide a strategic advantage and when is it just moving costs.

Negative Inventory. What you don't know about negative inventory balances may result in your making things worse by incorrectly "fixing it".  This article is an excerpt from my book Inventory Accuracy: People, Processes, & Technology.

Software Selection and Implementation Tips.  Nuts and bolts tips on software selection and implementation, including tips on defining functionality needs, software testing, employee training.

Enhance Inventory System Functionality Through Custom Reporting.   Although software packages continue to get better it is unlikely that software manufacturers in the near future will be able to deliver adequate pre-defined reports to meet the diverse needs of their customers.  Discusses database terminology and various types of reporting tools available.

Backflushing.  Article defines backflushing as a means for issuing inventory in a manufacturing environment, its application, and implementation tips.

Warehouse Operations Articles

Lift Truck Basics   Lists basic information about truck types and functionality. Details functionality of most common types of vehicles such as counterbalanced forklift, motorized pallet truck, order selector, reach truck, swing reach and turret truck.  Also discusses common lift truck attachments.

The Aisle Width Decision.  Provides more detailed information on Narrow Aisle (NA) and Very Narrow Aisle (VNA) storage configurations and the lift truck designs available including comparisons of reach trucks and turret trucks.

Order Picking:  Methods and Equipment for Piece Pick, Case Pick, and Pallet Pick Operations.  Batch Picking, Zone Picking, Wave Picking, Carousels, Flow Rack, Static Shelving, Pick-to-Light, Bar-coding . . .  there are a lot of choices out there in methods and equipment for order picking operations.  Choosing the best systems requires thorough analysis of the characteristics of your unique operation.

Automated Data Collection (ADC) Basics   Intro to ADC technologies including bar codes, barcode scanners, portable terminals, voice systems, pick-to-light.

RFID Update. The latest on RFID, including the Wal-Mart mandate, EPC, privacy concerns, and more.

RFID Technology Updates. This is from my other website (for my book on Inventory Accuracy) and contains some different information from the above article on RFID.

Warehouse Optimization . . . The Little Things.  Discusses the often neglected little issues that affect warehouse operations.

Warehouse Management Systems (WMS).   What are they?  Do you need one? Describes functionality of warehouse management systems WMS.

Trailer Loading Techniques.   Methods for loading trailers.

How Effective is your Lift Truck Safety Program?   Tips on forklift safety and reference to the OSHA 1999 ruling on Powered Industrial Truck Training.

Loading Dock Safety.    Education and Equipment can increase safety in your loading dock. 

Warehouse Fire Safety.  Tips on compliance and the need to go beyond compliance to ensure adequate fire safety.

OSHA’s Ergonomics Program Standard    Original article plus updated info on recent repeal by Congress.  

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Inventory Management Explained:

A focus on Forecasting, Lot Sizing, Safety Stock, and Ordering Systems.

Inventory Management Explained focuses on the key planning aspects of inventory management. Forecasting, Lot Sizing, Safety Stock, and Ordering Systems are explained in great detail. The book goes well beyond typical inventory management books by tearing apart the calculations and logic we use in inventory management and exposing the hidden (or not so hidden) flaws and limitations. It then builds on this by showing readers how they can use their understanding of inventory management and their specific business needs to modify these calculations or develop their own calculations to more effectively manage their inventory. The emphasis on practical solutions means readers can actually use what they've learned. Calculations are explained in plain English and through the use of Excel formulas and spreadsheet examples.

Inventory Accuracy: People, Processes, & Technology

I'm pleased to announce the release of my first book.

Inventory Accuracy: People, Processes, & Technology is a comprehensive treatment of Inventory Accuracy and Cycle Counting in distribution, fulfillment, and manufacturing environments. I have long known that many businesses struggle with accuracy and are often unclear as to what they should be doing to improve operations. The interest I have received on the articles I have written related to inventory accuracy inspired me to write what I like to refer to as "the ultimate resource on inventory accuracy." Rather than just writing a little book on cycle counting or bar coding, I decided to write a book that not only comprehensively covers these topics, but also goes beyond bar codes and cycle counts to cover many other key facets of accuracy.

For more detailed information, sample pages, and ordering information go to www.accuracybook.com.