Inventory Management Resources

Customized vendor managed inventory (VMI) programs enable manufacturers to establish automated fastener replenishment cycles. Our innovative OptiTech Inventory Management Solutions blend secure technology, market forecast and consumption data and just-in-time (JIT) processes to optimize inventory levels for production, which increases efficiency and output.

Scale made out of fasteners

Optimas Customer Success Metrics

0%

Shortage Rate Achieved

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45%

Less On-Hand Inventory

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$1.8M

Annual Cost Savings

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The Optimas part standardization program not only reduced our piece part costs, but it also enabled us to launch new products quicker, decrease inventory obsolescence, improve product quality and increase customer satisfaction.

– Rainer Schulze, Global Commodity Director, Metals & Mechatronics, Faurecia

The OptiTech VMI Cycle

From order through replenishment, Optimas’ tech-enabled inventory management solutions automate every aspect of the stocking process. OptiTech advanced VMI offerings use multiple, secure technologies to ensure fastener supply chain continuity. This Just-In-Time (JIT) system feeds demand-planning software that blends real-time consumption and market forecast data to optimize your inventory replenishment cycle.

Step 1:

Order Triggers

Step 1

Part hits minimum trigger, OptiTech auto transmits a signal to create a replenishment order.

Step 2:

Package & Ship

Step 2

Optimas picks, packs, labels and delivers to your specifications (dock, market, area racks, and/or point-of-use).

Step 3:

Audit & Optimize

Step 3

Optimas systematically audits for all quality categories (SKUs, quantities, labels, safety and accessibility) and optimizes to elevate efficiency.

Delivery Programs

1

DOCK TO DOCK

Stock is delivered to a single location.

2

DOCK TO SUPERMARKET

Stock is delivered to a designated area(s) close to the point of use.

3

DOCK TO LINE

Stock is delivered to the point of use.

Tech-Enabled Inventory Management Solutions

OptiTech solutions provides access to customized, real-time reports for greater transparency into your inventory and consumption data. Any OptiTech configuration works with a single- or multiple-bin Kanban system. Using EDI and web tools, OptiTech integrates into your ERP and legacy systems for easy processing of orders, shipping notifications and invoicing.

Click on our technologies for details.

Swipe left for technology details.

JIT System
Is a secure, cloud-based just-in-time platform that receives and processes orders from any OptiTech VMI Solution. Access customized, real-time reports for greater transparency into your inventory and consumption data.

OptiScale
Uses the latest weighing technology to measure real-time inventory status down to the part quantity level in a bin. Embedded sensors monitor the weight capacity and then automatically trigger orders based on pre-defined min/max levels and reorder/unit pack sizes. Stock levels can be accessed 24/7/365. OptiScale can be configured in a bin, shelf or container.

OptiRack
Uses advanced RFID technology to automate inventory replenishment. When empty bins are placed on an RFID mat on the rack shelf, it detects the RFID chip embedded in the bin label and then wirelessly triggers an order. OptiRack can be set up in any designated area— a supermarket, area rack or at the point of use.

OptiZone
Uses advanced RFID technology to automate inventory replenishment. An RFID antenna points to a designated area—a pallet, cage, gaylord container or bulk area. When an empty bin is placed in that area, the antenna detects the RFID chip embedded in the bin label and then wirelessly triggers an order.

OptiDrop
Uses advanced RFID technology to automate inventory replenishment. Each bin has a unique card with an RFID embedded chip. When the bin is empty or low, simply remove the card and place it inside the OptiDrop box to wirelessly trigger an order. OptiDrop can be placed at any location inside the plant.

OptiBeam
Uses the latest in scanning and barcode technology for easy inventory replenishment. Our cellular-enabled scanners allow Optimas or the customer to check inventory levels and send orders instantly. The scanner includes auditing software so you can search parts, validate bin location and set optimal reorder/unit pack sizes.

Inventory Management Solutions + Optimas Engineering

Application and manufacturing engineers, with decades of experience, design part functionality and optimize cold-form production. Industrial engineers identify wasteful practices inside customer facilities and devise more efficient production solutions.

Ensure You Have the Right Parts

Part Rationalization

Uncover ways to consolidate and standardize your SKUs to reduce cost and complexity.

Part Standardization

Develop a universal catalog of standard fastener parts for use across multiple programs.

Optimization

Identify and optimize the best process and tools for efficient production.

Ensure You Have the Right Process

Line Walks

Assess your operations for increased productivity, efficiency and labor savings.

Part Consolidation

Find alternative solutions and ways to re-engineer parts for design, cost and quality improvements.

BOM Analysis

Streamline your bill of materials and increase your speed to market.

Getting Started

Implementing an inventory management solution is the new monarch in industrial manufacturing. It’s essential to have a few things in place to ensure a smooth transition. Read our white paper to learn more about inventory management implementation best practices.

Inventory Management Digitization Deep Dive

Take a deeper dive into inventory management implementation best practices.


Real Results, Real Impact

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Annual Cost Savings
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Part Reduction
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Parts Met Standard Requirements

FAQs

Armed with years of effective inventory management expertise, we’ll take over the management of your parts—whether the parts are sourced through Optimas, customer-directed or customer-owned.

You can select a full-service or self-managed program for your inventory management solution. With a full-service program, Optimas technology can be set to manually or automatically place replenishment orders based on pre-determined min/max quantities. Optimas teammates deliver to a central market and/or replenish bins directly at their point of use at a scheduled time. In a self-managed program, Optimas technology can be set to manually or automatically place replenishment orders based on pre-determined min/max quantities. Optimas ships parts directly to your dock, Your staff inbounds and stores the inventory and replenishes the bins.

Parts can be deployed to multiple areas within your plant to ensure maximum efficiency: Supermarket: Stock is delivered to a single location. Area Racks: Stock is delivered to a designated area close to the point of use. Direct to the Line: Stock is delivered to the point of use.

Our OptiTech solutions use the latest inventory management technology inventory management systems to create a seamless path from order and delivery through invoicing and payment. After implementation, our experts will train yours on how to access our JIT System for tracking and reporting. Optimas regularly analyzes your market demand and part consumption to maximize your program’s impact.

We believe that transparency is important to any partnership – especially when it comes to effective inventory management. With our industry-leading standard and customized reports, you’ll gain a thorough understanding of your inventory usage for improved production planning, including order status, usage reports, bill of material profile, inventory turns and more.

Each inventory management program has an Optimas customer service representative who monitors the flow of your parts and transactions to ensure zero disruption to your line. For additional support, our JIT Hotline is available 24 hours a day.