High customer service levels are critically important to Internet Retailers. An unserved order generally means a lost sale-there are few customer barriers to a vendor change. Service level shortfalls directly reduce the top line. Maintaining an inventory to support a large number of different products with distinctions such as size, color, and style can be very difficult.

Seasonal items, for most e-Tailers, are purchased before the season, and there is seldom a chance for replenishing stocks mid-season if the item is a hit-a good forecast is paramount. Many distributors also import goods from overseas and are challenged with filling containers and maintaining visibility during the long transit times. Enhancing processes and taking advantage of inventory planning automation are becoming top priorities.

At the end of the day, it’s all about how efficiently you can provide the best possible service to your customers.

• Stock-outs of the year’s ‘hottest’ items
• Consistently high customer service levels-an unserved order usually means a lost sale
• Incorrect mix of inventory items
• Lost sales and revenue due to incorrect stocking levels
• Accurately forecasting future demand
• Ramping stock up and down for seasonal demand
• Fickle customer buying habits
• Managing spreadsheets that determine what to stock, how much, and when to order
• Difficulty maintaining appropriate min, max, and safety stock levels
• Purchasing/replenishment optimization
• Managing excess and/or obsolete inventory

• Demand Manager – forecasting, safety stock, and reorder point planning
• Requirements Planner – advanced supply planning, optimization, and PO generation
• Economic Order Manager – Economic Order Quantity, ABC analysis, and service level goals
• Exception Signals – exception based management of both supply and demand streams
• Supply Base Manager – vendor lead time performance management

• Sales & Operations Planning -connect organizational strategy with operations
• Demand Collaboration Portal -collaborative forecast facilitation tool
• Logistics Collaboration Portal – PO tracker for offshore product in transit
• Retail Store Planner (RSP) – plan at the retail level using a plan-o-gram

• Read some of our success stories in Internet Retailing
• Download RockySoft product literature
• Contact us to request more information
• Contact us to schedule a demonstration of the Pack Light Inventory Management Suite®

• Pharmaca
• HD Supply (Canada)
• Tool King.com
• Golf Cart.com
• Marine Depot.com
• BodyBulding.com