Vendor Managed Inventory — A Guide to Inventory Management
Vendor managed inventory (VMI) can help suppliers to make informed decisions and manage their inventory levels. However, what is it?
In this article, we will discuss what vendor managed inventory is. We will talk about how it works and the three factors that make the VMI system. We will also tackle the limitations and benefits of VMI. Furthermore, we will tell you the best practices and show you an example of VMI.
Once you finish reading this article, you will gain a deeper understanding of what VMI is. Thus, enabling you to decide if it will be the suitable approach for managing your inventory.
Vendor Managed Inventory:What is it?
Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) refers to the approach where suppliers handle a retailer’s inventory for them. They make decisions and keep restocking the products continuously. To make VMI work, there’s a way for suppliers to get the retailer’s sales and inventory data, like through the Internet. This data helps suppliers know what to stock and when to order more. Traditionally, the retailer does all of this.
With VMI, the supplier and retailer share inventory data automatically. This makes the supply chain work better and match the actual demand. It helps to predict what’s needed, send products at the right time, and keep enough stock in stores. This way, they can quickly adapt to what customers want.
Furthermore, vendors may use special software to plan when to ship and produce goods called Vendor Management Inventory System (VMIS). Utilizing a vendor management system allows the vendor to handle and restock inventory at the customer’s location based on their specific needs. Customers share important data like sales, inventory levels, targets, and forecasts with the vendor using EDI (Electronic Data Interchange). The vendor then creates a detailed plan customized for each customer.
VMI is a fantastic tool for businesses using it, as it offers benefits like quicker lead times, better transportation planning, improved customer experience, and more efficient operations.
HowDoes it Work?
Now that you know what Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) is, let’s now explore how it works.
Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) is an arrangement where a seller and a buyer work together by setting specific goals and measures for their partnership. These goals usually focus on having enough products available, how fast products are sold, and the cost of transactions. The agreement also covers important details like when the buyer pays for the inventory and how excess inventory is handled.
In the VMI process, the seller directly sends products to the buyer or retailer. The seller then takes responsibility for closely watching the sales and inventory levels at the buyer’s location. They use predictions and calculations to know when to reorder and restock products.
To make sure everything works well, the seller’s VMI specialist carefully checks the calculations before placing orders. The success of VMI depends on how well the seller understands when the buyer needs more products, which relies on the buyer sharing their sales and demand data with the seller.
In a nutshell, successful VMI relationships are based on teamwork and sharing information between the seller and the buyer. This helps manage inventory efficiently and ensures products are available when needed.
The Three Factorsin VMI System
Vendor managed inventory (VMI) stands out from other inventory methods because of three key qualities. The following characteristics define what makes a VMI system special and different:
1. Vendor-controlled reordering and stock keeping
Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) simplifies inventory management for businesses. With VMI, the vendor takes charge of reordering and stock-keeping tasks, saving companies time and effort. The vendor ensures the right amount of stock is available, reducing the burden on the buyer.
2. Vendor-controlled inventory management
In regular inventory management, business owners have control over their products. But in a VMI system, vendors take charge of inventory. They keep track of where products are in the supply chain and decide when to reorder them. It’s the vendors’ responsibility, not the business owners.
3. Business and vendor information sharing
In a VMI system, maintaining the right inventory levels involves sharing a lot of information between the business and its vendor. This means giving suppliers access to inventory counts at customer locations and sharing customer demand data. This helps the vendor plan their manufacturing effectively.
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Limitationsof Vendor Managed Inventory
The following are some of the limitations that many vendors commonly face in VMI:
1. Dealing with unreliable partners
When a business uses VMI, the vendor becomes responsible for delivering inventory on time and in the right amounts. However, some suppliers may lack expertise, proper infrastructure, or the right software, leading to supply chain disruptions.
2. Challenges in supplier delivery
In a VMI system, dishonest vendors might send excessive inventory to boost their sales figures. Customers may face difficulties returning the surplus stock, causing inconvenience.
3. Losing control
With VMI, businesses give up control of inventory and rely entirely on the vendor. This might be challenging for some businesses who find it hard to trust a third party with their data and decision-making.
4. Adapting to customer preferences
Customer preferences can change rapidly, affecting business success. VMI contracts should account for these changes to avoid being stuck with unwanted inventory. Instead, vendors should adjust their inventory according to customer tastes and preferences.
Benefitsof Vendor Managed Inventory
Although vendors face many challenges with VMI, they also gain lots of benefits from VMI which are the following:
1. Increased collaboration and data sharing
VMI fosters closer collaboration between vendors and buyers, promoting better communication and data sharing. This collaborative approach leads to improved decision-making and a more agile supply chain.
2. Higher customer satisfaction
With accurate demand forecasting and better inventory availability, VMI ensures products are consistently in stock, reducing the chances of disappointing customers due to out-of-stock situations.
3. Focus on core competencies
As the vendor takes on inventory management tasks, businesses can focus more on their core competencies, such as product development and marketing, leading to increased innovation and competitiveness in the market.
4. Opportunities for continuous improvement
By closely monitoring inventory levels and sales data, businesses can identify areas for improvement, optimize supply chain processes, and enhance overall efficiency in inventory management.
5. Lower costs
VMI leads to a more precise understanding of product demand, enabling businesses to optimize their inventory levels. By reducing work-in-process inventory, raw materials inventory, and finished goods inventory in the warehouse, as well as minimizing in-transit inventory and safety stock, carrying costs can be significantly decreased.
6. Decrease the bullwhip effect
VMI helps to mitigate the bullwhip effect, a phenomenon where material orders increase significantly as they move up the supply chain in response to demand fluctuations. VMI allows for better coordination and more accurate inventory management, minimizing these fluctuations.
The Three Best Practicesin VMI
Here are three best practices for using a VMI system to ensure your e-commerce business grows well and maintains a steady cash flow:
1. Set clear goals
Clearly define the objectives and expectations you have for your business and the VMI relationship. Establish specific metrics to measure the vendor’s performance, such as on-time delivery, inventory turnover, and order accuracy. Regularly review and assess these goals to evaluate the success of the partnership and identify areas for improvement.
2. Notify changes in demands and seasonal changes
Market conditions can change suddenly, leading to shifts in customer demand. If you observe a sudden increase or decrease in demand for specific products, promptly inform your vendor. This enables them to adjust their production and delivery schedules accordingly, preventing the accumulation of excess inventory or potential stockouts.
Additionally, In many businesses, demand fluctuates throughout the year due to seasonal variations. By informing your vendor about these changes in advance, they can adjust their inventory planning to meet the expected surge in demand during peak seasons.
3. Share information
Effective communication with your vendor is crucial in a VMI system. By openly sharing inventory data, sales trends, and customer insights, you provide your vendor with valuable information to optimize inventory levels. This ensures they can fulfill customer orders promptly and avoid stockouts or excess inventory, leading to higher customer satisfaction.
Exampleof VMI
Here is an example of a vendor managed inventory for you to understand it further. A cell phone retailer, “TechZone,” has a VMI agreement with “Samsung.” “TechZone” regularly shares its sales data, current inventory levels, and demand forecasts with “Samsung” through electronic data exchange (EDI) or an online system.
Using this data, “Samsung” calculates the lead times and replenishment requirements. Its inventory specialist reviews the calculations and places all the replenishment orders for “TechZone.”
A successful VMI relationship between “TechZone” and “Samsung” relies on consistent and accurate information sharing. This collaboration is essential for a well-functioning and profitable vendor managed inventory system.
In this scenario, “TechZone” wants to ensure that they always have the latest Samsung cellphone models and popular variants in stock without running out (in-stock performance). On the other hand, “Samsung” aims to optimize its inventory turnover rate to minimize excess inventory and associated costs. Both parties also seek to reduce transaction costs related to ordering and managing inventory.
As per the VMI agreement, “Samsung” owns the cellphone inventory, but it is stored at “TechZone” retail locations. Here’s how the process works:
- “TechZone” shares its sales data, current inventory levels, and demand forecasts with “Samsung.”
- Using this information, “Samsung” calculates the best order sizes and frequencies to maintain inventory levels and meet “TechZone” demand.
- “Samsung” ships the required cellphones to “TechZone.”
- A VMI specialist or planner from “Samsung” closely monitors “TechZone” inventory levels and sales patterns to ensure optimal stock levels are maintained.
- When it’s time to reorder, the VMI specialist or planner from “Samsung” places the replenishment order with their own inventory, which is then sent to “TechZone.”
By using VMI, both “TechZone” and “Samsung” benefit from reduced inventory costs, better inventory management, and improved in-stock performance. The VMI arrangement streamlines the ordering process, leading to lower transaction costs for both parties and a more efficient supply chain for Samsung cell phones.
Frequentlyasked questions
+ What is vendor managed inventory?
Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) refers to the approach where suppliers handle a retailer’s inventory for them.
+ What information is typically shared in a VMI arrangement?
In a VMI agreement, the buyer shares sales data, demand forecasts, inventory levels, and any other relevant information with the vendor. This data helps the vendor understand the buyer’s inventory needs and enables them to plan replenishments effectively.
+ Is VMI suitable for all businesses?
VMI can be beneficial for businesses with stable demand patterns, consistent inventory requirements, and a willingness to share data with their vendors. However, it may not be suitable for highly variable demand or businesses reluctant to relinquish some control over inventory management.
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