Avoiding the Out-of-Stock Nightmare

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Being out of stock on high-demand items isn’t just an inconvenience; it can be a relationship killer with customers who depend on your products. This not only delays work but also risks driving loyal customers straight into the arms of your competitors, potentially losing them forever. Windward Software has inventory management tools and reports to help you manage effectively.

Business Problem:

Businesses may run out of items due to a variety of factors, including unexpected increases in demand, supply chain disruptions, poor inventory management, and financial constraints. Additionally, variability in lead times, changes in product life cycles, seasonal trends, and physical space limitations in stores or warehouses can also contribute to stock shortages.

Here are some of the consequences of running out of inventory:

Inconvenience: Being out of stock on high-demand items isn’t just an inconvenience; it can disrupt operations and frustrate customers.
Customer Relationships: When customers depend on your products, stock shortages can strain relationships. Loyal customers may turn to competitors if they consistently face stock issues.
Project Delays: Consider the example of a window or door installer missing a crucial piece. Without it, they can’t finish their project, leading to delays, missing building inspector deadlines, or even breaching contracts.
Risk of Losing Customers: If customers repeatedly encounter stock shortages, they may switch to competitors, impacting your business in the long term.

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These challenges require effective supply chain strategies and sophisticated inventory management to maintain sufficient stock levels.

Software Solution:

Windward System Five is equipped with robust reporting tools designed to prevent these scenarios.

Multi-Location Stock Transfer Report: This tool is your first line of defense against location-specific stock shortages. By transferring inventory from low-demand to high-demand locations, you ensure stock balancing across your business.
Back Order Report: Over-selling can happen, but it doesn’t have to be a disaster. With the back order report, you can manage customer expectations by ensuring items are restocked just in time for project completion or special orders.
Restocking Report: Stay ahead of the curve with regular restocking reports that help you maintain optimal inventory levels, preventing popular items from running out.

Proactive Inventory Management

Remember, being out of stock at the primary sales location doesn’t mean you’re completely out of options.

Often, you may have staple stock stored in the backroom—out of sight but not out of reach.

Windward System Five helps you keep track of all your inventory, no matter where it’s located.

Multi-location businesses can even queue up a stock transfer to satisfy customer needs.

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Advanced Reporting Features

Windward Intelligence Reporting bridges Windward System Five with Microsoft's Power BI, seamlessly syncing data and presenting sales insights in a user-friendly format.

Analyze year-over-year sales by category to inform precise inventory decisions and avoid surprises from out-of-stock products.