In-depth insights from managing supply chains for over 25+ years

Learn how reorder points help balance stock availability and inventory costs. This guide explains what a reorder point is, how it is calculated, and why it plays a critical role in preventing stockouts and overstocking. You will find practical formulas, examples, and planning insights that show how reorder points support more reliable replenishment and smarter inventory decisions across the supply chain.

On time in full (OTIF) is a core supply chain metric that shows whether orders are delivered exactly as promised, both on time and in the correct quantity. This guide explains how OTIF is calculated, why it matters across retail, manufacturing, and distribution, and how different industries apply it in practice. It also covers common OTIF challenges, performance benchmarks, and proven ways to improve service levels through better forecasting, inventory policies, and supply chain visibility.

Safety stock is the buffer inventory that protects availability when demand or supply does not go to plan. It absorbs forecast errors, supplier delays, and demand spikes while helping businesses maintain service levels without tying up unnecessary working capital. Understanding how to calculate and manage safety stock is essential for balancing risk, cost, and customer satisfaction in modern inventory planning.

AI inventory optimisation helps businesses manage stock more intelligently by connecting demand forecasting, inventory policies, and replenishment decisions in one adaptive system. Instead of relying on static rules, AI continuously learns from demand signals, supplier performance, and real-time inventory data. The result is fewer stockouts, less excess inventory, and more confident decision-making under uncertainty. This guide explains how AI inventory optimisation works today and why it has become a practical capability for modern supply chain teams.

Finance in supply chain is often reduced to cost control, but its real impact runs much deeper. Procurement, inventory, and service level decisions directly shape revenue, margins, and cash flow. In this Chain Reactions episode, Elva and Keith explain why supply chain sits at the centre of financial performance, not on the sidelines. They explore how shared data, clear metrics, and cross-functional collaboration help teams move beyond silos. The result is a supply chain that supports smarter financial decisions and stronger business outcomes.

Days Inventory Outstanding (DIO) shows how long stock remains on hand before it is sold. It is a key measure of supply chain efficiency, cash flow health, and inventory performance. In this guide, we explain how to calculate DIO, what high or low results mean, and how to use it to strengthen forecasting and replenishment. You will also learn how different industries benchmark DIO and which practical steps reduce it. With the right tools and planning, you can improve stock rotation and free working capital.