Essentials of Inventory Management

Inventory management is about more than counting what you’ve got. It’s about understanding business realities and making decisions that balance current demand with future needs. Author Max Muller teaches readers how to do this while keeping overhead and operating costs at a minimum by maximizing productivity in key areas--from physical stock issues to problem identification and resolution to technologies like RFID and other automated inventory mechanisms. Novice and veteran managers alike will gain ultra-practical tips and tricks on topics including forecasting and replenishment strategies, retail vs manufacturing inventories, materials requirements planning, formulas for calculating quantities and schedules, and supply chain risk management. Complete with detailed examples, handy tools, and a revised and expanded chapter analyzing “Why Inventory Systems Fail and How to Fix Them,” the second edition of Essentials of Inventory Management is perfect for both instructional and on-the-job use. Inventory management is complex, but it can be simplified. With up-to-date insights to maximize productivity, identify and solve issues quickly, forecast and replenish, incorporate automation, and much more, this nontechnical yet thorough guide will teach you how to manage inventory as a physical reality--and maximize its monetary value.