A retailer wants to improve its service level in inventory management from 95% to 97%. Which of the following is the best course of action?
For single items, an extra investment in inventory (higher levels of safety stock) will always in-crease customer service levels. Conversely, higher service levels imply larger quantities of safety stocks and an increased investment in inventory. (Procurement and Supply Chain Management - 9th Edition)
LO 2, AC 2.2
XYZ Ltd is a major distributor of electrical equipment protection products in the United States. XYZ found that there was a lack of communication between the company and its key supplier, leading to the supplier trying to predict distributor needs and distributor attempting to estimate lead times. Essentially, both the supplier and the distributor have different sets of information, spending time and money trying to predict what the other will do. To deal with this problem, XYZ Ltd decides to implement new inventory management method in which the supplier manage the replenishment of items for sale. Both parties are obliged to share information on variations in demand and stock levels for goods used for or sale. Which inventory management method is XYZ Ltd implementing?
Floor-Ready Merchandise can be defined as the merchandise that is pre-tagged, pre ticketed and pre-occupied with all the necessary details and information such as marked to their specifications for style, size, type, color and price, this information is required in the retail store and is done before it reaches the retail store.
Economic order quantity (EOQ) is the ideal order quantity a company should purchase to minimize inventory costs such as holding costs, shortage costs, and order costs. This production-scheduling model was developed in 1913 by Ford W. Harris and has been refined over time. The formula assumes that demand, ordering, and holding costs all remain constant.
The full definition of reverse logistics, as according to The Council of Logistics Management, is the process of implementing, controlling, and planning the cost-effective flow of finished goods, raw materials, and in-process inventory. The flow is from the point of consumption (i.e. the customer) to the point of origin (i.e. the manufacturer), to properly dispose of these or to recapture value.
In the scenario, XYZ solves the current situation by letting the supplier to management the inventory and sharing stock level information with the supplier. Vendor managed inventory is the most suitable answer.
LO 3, AC 3.1
Which of the following is the material handling equipment which uses the suction force to lift an item?
VACUUM LIFTER uses the vacuum pad which attaches itself to a product. The suction force al-lows the product to be lifted (and rotated and placed). Vacuum lifters are used for moving and positioning glass sheets, but are also seen lifting boxes, plastic sacks, sheets of building materials and pipework. Some models feature hydraulic arms which allow easy movement of the lifted load. The lifting system will have a number of sucker pads and vacuum capability which determines the maximum weights and largest items that can be lifted.
DOLLY consists of stack and sets of wheels (either casters or rollers) under the stack that allow the dolly and the heavy object on top of it to move easily and smoothly. For moving in a straight line, rollers is ideal. If you want to move manoeuvrability, dolly with sets of casters will let you swivel and turn.
SACK TRUCK (hand truck) is an L-shaped box-moving handcart. It comprises a small base plat-form with two wheels at the base and a larger vertical structure. A small ledge to set objects on flat against the floor when the sack truck is upright. When moving, the truck and object are then tilted backward based on the vertical structure until the weight is balanced over the large wheels, making otherwise bulky and heavy objects easier to move.
PALLET STACKER is designed to lift and stack pallets. This one is fully mobile so can move easily around the warehouse. An operator would typically sit or stand while driving like a counter-balanced, reach or straddle lift truck.
LO 1, AC 1.3
In the periodic review system, the order quantity is the same for each order. Is this statement true?
Fixed-Time Period System (or Periodic Review system) is the inventory management system in which inventory is checked in fixed time periods, T, and the quantity ordered varies. The system also contains a target inventory level, R, which is restored when order received. The order quantity is calculated as:
Q = R -- IP
where: Q = order quantity
R = target inventory level
IP = inventory position
Inventory position (IP) is equal to inventory on-hand plus quantity on order minus backorder (if any)
The order quantity varies because the inventory position at each review point differs from each other.
LO 2, AC 2.3
When purchasing a capital asset, an organisation should analyse the costs and benefits that the asset may bring. Which of the following factors are considered in cost-benefit analysis? Select TWO that apply.
A cost-benefit analysis is a process businesses use to analyze decisions (such as capital investment). The business or analyst sums the benefits of a situation or action and then subtracts the costs associated with taking that action.
A cost-benefit analysis (CBA) should begin with compiling a comprehensive list of all the costs and benefits associated with the project or decision.
The costs involved in a CBA might include the following:
- Direct costs would be direct labor involved in manufacturing, inventory, raw materials, manufacturing expenses.
- Indirect costs might include electricity, overhead costs from management, rent, utilities.
- Intangible costs of a decision, such as the impact on customers, employees, or delivery times.
- Opportunity costs such as alternative investments, or buying a plant versus building one.
- Cost of potential risks such as regulatory risks, competition, and environmental impacts.
Benefits might include the following:
- Revenue and sales increases from increased production or new product.
- Intangible benefits, such as improved employee safety and morale, as well as customer satisfaction due to enhanced product offerings or faster delivery.
- Competitive advantage or market share gained as a result of the decision.
An analyst or project manager should apply a monetary measurement to all of the items on the cost-benefit list, taking special care not to underestimate costs or overestimate benefits. A conservative approach with a conscious effort to avoid any subjective tendencies when calculating estimates is best suited when assigning a value to both costs and benefits for a cost-benefit analysis.
Finally, the results of the aggregate costs and benefits should be compared quantitatively to deter-mine if the benefits outweigh the costs. If so, then the rational decision is to go forward with the project. If not, the business should review the project to see if it can make adjustments to either increase benefits or decrease costs to make the project viable. Otherwise, the company should likely avoid the project.
- Cost-Benefit Analysis (Investopedia)
- CIPS study guide page 175
LO 3, AC 3.2
