Implementing an effective inventory management system

Inventory control problems often result in record and physical count discrepancies which may ultimately lead to higher than preferred inventory levels. Conversely, accurate inventory records result in lower inventory investment and are the foundation for forecasting, ordering, tracking, vendor evaluation, and dead stock administration programmes. Guidelines, based on general systems theory, to identify the presence of inventory control problems in both physical operations and information systems areas are presented. Next, procedures to correct control problems are discussed. These include the formation of a permanent taskforce, corporate-wide education on the importance of record accuracy, and the development of a general management plan based on sound principles for effective inventory control. Recent experiences within a telecommunications company having inventory control problems are used as a case example to illustrate specific points.