Contractors Hot Line October 4, 2024 | Page 35

Nothing creates more goodwill than being able to neutralize a challenging situation and giving a grateful customer exactly what he needs exactly when he needs it.
menting the principles of both— the Just in Time( JIT) Strategy. The JIT model relies on companies having raw materials on hand but not actually creating the product until the demand comes in. While this does keep overhead low, it runs the risk of creating delays in delivery if the demand fluctuates. Although no strategy is foolproof, a careful analysis of business metrics will help companies find a method that produces the most predictable results for that company.
The Future
A real game-changer in the world of business analytics has been the advent of AI. This technology enables machines to mimic human intelligence by learning from input data, making predictions and automating tasks.
AI is able to perform virtually all of the processes that have been mentioned so far and many more. It can gather relevant data, employ predictive analysis, propose the most effective business decisions and even make those decisions for you, if you choose, and it can do all of this quickly, accurately and tirelessly.
At first blush, it would appear that AI is the panacea for all inventory-related problems, but there are a few caveats included with these benefits. Because AI relies entirely on data input, if little data is available or if it is inaccurate, incomplete or outdated, it could lead to flawed predictions.
Implementing AI can be a substantial investment. The

Nothing creates more goodwill than being able to neutralize a challenging situation and giving a grateful customer exactly what he needs exactly when he needs it.

cost of the hardware and the software, as well as the training of skilled personnel, could prove to be prohibitive. Challenges could also occur in integrating AI into existing systems, which could require custom development and additional costs.
And because AI involves using sensitive data, security and privacy concerns arise. Any AI business system would have to be robust against cyberthreats and protect the business data.
In addition, only having been in common use for a few years, AI is effectively still in its infancy. Whereas it has been a boon for many businesses, including machinery parts manufacturers and suppliers, it still has a long way to go and a lot more to learn. That being said, these facts should not deter businesses from exploring AI for inventory management. This knowledge should just serve as points of awareness and preparation when considering if, when and how to integrate AI into their business models.
The key takeaway from this discussion is that inventory management is not an option; it is a necessity. Closely related is the need for regular audits to keep a business transparent and to be able to make necessary adjustments quickly. Numerous models are available for customizing a management system to a business. Each company should perform its due diligence and research and choose one that fits its needs.
Remember, your inventory is the lifeblood of your company, and inventory management keeps it flowing.
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