寻找库存管理合作伙伴的前三件事

在一个以前的帖子我们解释了为什么更多制造商采用供应商管理的库存（VMI），以及为什么其他制造商继续优化其库存管理程序。 VMI的好处有很多：简化的流程，更好的数据可见性，改进的工作流程，更高的生产率和更低的成本。但是要获得这些好处，您需要一个成功的计划，而成功计划的关键是拥有合适的VMI合作伙伴。

启动VMI程序（或优化现有程序）需要供应商和客户之间真正的伙伴关系。

在考虑可能的库存管理解决方案提供商时，请牢记以下三个主要标准：

1 – They’re Experienced VMI Providers

首先，寻找一个在评估，开发和实施类似组织的VMI解决方案方面拥有成功经验的合作伙伴。您的VMI提供商应深入了解您的市场和对产品的市场需求。他们需要拥有强大的供应链，以便可以在无法预料的需求或市场动荡时做出响应。他们应该告诉你有据可查的结果 helping other organizations in your industry. And while it seems like common sense, make sure they focus on accuracy and quality. Paul Przyby, Vice President of Sales & General Manager at Optimas Solutions, explains:

“No part is inconsequential. Fasteners are a great example. How many fasteners does it take to build a lawnmower? 他们全部. If just one fastener isn’t where it’s supposed to be when our customers need it, their production line shuts down and they lose money.”

2 – They’ll Customize Your VMI Program

Make sure you’re not getting a cookie-cutter VMI program that was recycled from a previous customer. A good partner will start by gaining a deep understanding of your organization. They’ll conduct a walkthrough of your plants and warehouses. And they’ll take the time to speak with anyone who can provide insights that would be helpful in building and implementing your program, including, but not limited to:

供应链经理
工厂经理
线路运营商
它
金融
C-Suite利益相关者

保罗解释说： “We need to be flexible and meet our customers where they are. The key to developing a successful VMI program is understanding our customers’ ordering methodologies and workflows and then creating customized programs to improve and support them.”

3 – They’re Looking Ahead

除了经验和定制功能之外，您的VMI合作伙伴还需要对未来有一个愿景。优秀的库存管理合作伙伴将寻求方法，以不断改进您的程序并提供数据以帮助您做出明智的决策。您的VMI合作伙伴应定期报告以下内容：

正在进行的业务审查和分析
市场走向
您的库存和消费趋势/模式
数据驱动的改进建议

寻找一个可以将技术大量集成到您的自定义VMI解决方案中的合作伙伴，以便您可以应对需求波动并降低供应链复杂性。

保罗解释了 Optimas引领潮流借助来自以下领域的尖端技术（例如机器学习自动化软件）工具组为我们的客户提供更好的预测并提高供应链确定性：

“The technology we leverage for our customers provides us with near real-time status of inventories and orders, allowing us to constantly adjust inventory levels, and streamline our customers’ operations to be more efficient.”