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Check out our library of resources for optimising inventory, written by 25+ years experienced supply chain pros

What Is ROI? Understand its meaning and how to calculate
November 6, 2025
8 min read

What Is ROI? Learn How to Calculate Your Business Returns

ROI, or Return on Investment, measures how effectively a business turns resources into measurable results. This guide explains what ROI means, how to calculate it, and why it matters for decision-making in inventory management. Drawing on insights from Investopedia, the Corporate Finance Institute, and our own experience, it explores both financial and operational benefits. You’ll learn how to interpret different ROI types, from annualised to social, and how to use them to assess long-term value. See how companies improved efficiency, visibility, and profitability through smarter, data-driven investment decisions.
What Is S&OP? Definition, Process & Key Benefits
November 6, 2025
8 min read

What Is S&OP? Definition, Process & Key Benefits

Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) aligns every part of your business—from sales and marketing to operations and finance—under a single, data-driven plan. It balances customer demand with supply capability to ensure efficiency, profitability, and long-term growth. With shared data and consistent reporting, teams can collaborate effectively and make faster, more confident decisions. Modern S&OP goes beyond planning to deliver real-time insights powered by AI and automation, turning data into actionable foresight. Discover how AGR’s platform strengthens S&OP by connecting forecasting, ERP data, and performance visibility across your entire supply chain.
Stock Replenishment: Definition, Process & Best Practices
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November 6, 2025
7 min read

Stock Replenishment: Definition, Process & Best Practices

Efficient stock replenishment keeps businesses running smoothly by ensuring the right products are always available without overstocking. This blog explains what stock replenishment is, how the process works, and why it’s essential for maintaining strong service levels and healthy cash flow. Readers will learn about common replenishment methods, best practices, and how data-driven decision-making can improve performance. Real-world examples from AGR customers demonstrate the impact of smarter replenishment on growth and efficiency
FIFO Meaning: Understanding the First in, First out Method
October 29, 2025
8 min read

FIFO Meaning: Understanding the First in, First out Method

FIFO, or First In, First Out, is a key principle in inventory and accounting management that ensures the oldest stock is sold or used first. This method helps businesses keep products fresh, reduce waste, and maintain accurate financial reporting. It’s especially useful in industries with perishable goods or fast-changing product lines.
Obsolete Stock: How to Identify, Reduce, and Prevent Inventory Obsolescence
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October 9, 2025
8 min read

Obsolete Stock: How to Identify, Reduce, and Prevent Inventory Obsolescence

Obsolete stock is more than just slow-moving goods—it’s inventory that’s lost its value and ties up working capital. This blog explains what causes products to become obsolete, from poor forecasting to overproduction, and how to spot the warning signs early. It also shares strategies to prevent obsolescence through better planning, visibility, and collaboration. Finally, it shows how AGR helps businesses like PanzerGlass stay ahead in fast-moving industries with precise forecasting and real-time inventory control.
By Randi W. Stebbins Randi W. Stebbins
Stock management platform
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September 30, 2025
4 min read

4 Key Reasons to Include a Stock Management Platform in your Budget

Keeping stock under control is one of the hardest parts of running a wholesale or distribution business. A stock management platform helps you reduce stockouts, improve forecasting, and free up working capital. It also automates time-consuming processes, so your team can focus on strategy instead of firefighting. This blog explains four clear reasons why investing in a platform like AGR is a smart decision for your business.
By Randi W. Stebbins Randi W. Stebbins
Stock management system
September 30, 2025
8 min read

Take Full Control with AGR’s Stock Management System

AGR’s stock management system gives wholesalers and distributors complete control over their inventory. By combining real-time tracking, demand forecasting, and automated replenishment, AGR helps businesses prevent stockouts and reduce excess stock. With built-in reporting, supplier lead time analysis, and ERP integrations, the platform streamlines complex operations into clear, actionable insights. The result is lower costs, higher service levels, and a supply chain that scales with confidence.
By Randi W. Stebbins Randi W. Stebbins
Stockouts: Causes, Impacts, and Prevention
September 29, 2025
10 min read

Stockouts: Causes, Impacts, and Prevention

Stockouts happen when demand outpaces supply, leaving businesses unable to meet customer needs. They lead to lost sales, frustrated customers, and costly operational inefficiencies. This blog explains the most common causes of stockouts and outlines practical strategies to prevent them, from accurate forecasting and supplier collaboration to maintaining safety stock and using automation. With AGR, you can take control of your inventory, reduce shortages, and keep your customers satisfied.
By Randi W. Stebbins Randi W. Stebbins
Lead Time Meaning: Definition and Business Importance
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September 29, 2025
10 min read

Lead Time Meaning: Definition and Business Importance

Understanding lead time is key to building a faster, more resilient supply chain. This blog explains what lead time means, the different types that affect operations, and the factors that can cause delays. It also shows how lead time impacts inventory, customer satisfaction, and overall business performance. Finally, it explores strategies and tools, including AGR’s lead time analysis and supplier data centralisation, to help you reduce risk and improve efficiency.
MOQ meaning
September 25, 2025
11 min read

MOQ Meaning: What Minimum Order Quantity Means and Why It Matters

Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) is the smallest number of units a supplier will sell in one order. It affects everything from production costs and cash flow to inventory planning and customer satisfaction. This guide explains the meaning of MOQ, why suppliers use it, and how businesses can manage it effectively.
Ten types of BOM demand
September 8, 2025
5 min read

10 Types of BOMs: Why Do they Matter?

Discover the 10 key types of bills of materials (BOMs) and why they matter for product design, manufacturing, and inventory control. Learn how single-level and multi-level BOMs compare, and see how AGR helps streamline BOM management across your supply chain.
By Randi W. Stebbins Randi W. Stebbins
Inventory Turnover Ratio
September 2, 2025
9 min read

Inventory Turnover Ratio: Definitions, Calculations and Examples

Track it. Improve it. Turn inventory into revenue. Understanding your inventory turnover ratio helps you identify slow-moving stock, free up capital, and boost supply chain performance. In this guide, we break down the formula, benchmarks by industry, and how AGR helps you track turnover in real time via Power BI or your own custom dashboard.
Inventory management explained
August 15, 2025
14 min read

What Is Inventory Management? Definitions, Examples and Guides

Inventory Management: A Complete Guide for Smarter Stock Control Looking to understand how to run leaner, smarter inventory operations? This in-depth guide covers everything from raw materials and BOMs to reorder points and reporting. Learn the key methods, tools, and strategies that power modern inventory planning—plus how to integrate forecasting, warehouse flows, and vendor coordination for maximum efficiency.
Deadstock meaning
July 17, 2025
13 min read

Deadstock Explained: More than Unsold Inventory

Deadstock isn’t just unsold inventory — it’s a silent profit killer. This in-depth guide explains what deadstock is, why it happens in wholesale environments, and how to prevent it through smarter forecasting, better SKU management, and supply chain automation. Includes examples, formulas, and visuals to help your team take action.
What is a sku
July 17, 2025
8 min read

What Is a SKU? A Guide to Smarter Inventory Planning

Understanding SKUs is fundamental to managing inventory with accuracy and control. In this blog, we break down what a SKU is, how it differs from a UPC, and why it matters whether you're tracking 50 products or 5,000. Learn how to use SKUs to improve forecasting, optimise your warehouse, and integrate seamlessly with your demand planning tools.
5 Ways to Manage Supplier Closures Without Losing Control of Your Inventory
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July 14, 2025
4 min read

5 Best Ways to Manage Supplier Closures Without Losing Control of Your Inventory

Supplier closures don’t have to disrupt your operations. Learn five practical ways to manage them with smarter inventory planning—so you can stay in control year-round.
Lead time analysis key for supplier relations
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June 11, 2025
5 min read

Why Lead Time Analysis is the Secret Weapon of Strong Supplier Relationships

Lead times are more than estimates; they are commitments that shape your supply chain’s success. In this post, we explore how lead time analysis uncovers the gap between promised and actual delivery times, strengthens supplier relationships, and helps you hit key KPIs with confidence. Learn how the right tools turn data into accountability and better performance.
Supplier relationships are the #1 concern for supply chain experts
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May 12, 2025
5 min read

Why You’re Always Chasing Supplier Answers (and How to Stop)

Many supply chain teams rely on scattered spreadsheets and emails to track supplier information, leading to outdated lead times and missed opportunities. This blog explores how fragmented vendor data silently disrupts planning, creates inefficiencies, and makes supplier relationships harder to manage. It shows how centralizing supplier performance tracking—especially around lead times—can transform daily operations from reactive to strategic. Plus, it offers a free Vendor Data Checklist to help teams get started with the right data in one place.
Sustainability That Pays Off: How Better Data Cuts Waste Across Your Supply Chain
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April 10, 2025
5 min read

Less Waste, More Growth: The Case for Smarter Inventory and Supply Chain Data

Sustainability in the supply chain isn’t just about being green—it’s about reducing waste in all forms: time, space, money, and products. The root cause of much of that waste? Disconnected or inaccurate inventory and supply chain data. When data is centralized and reliable, businesses can forecast more accurately, automate smarter decisions, and avoid costly mistakes. The result is a more efficient, resilient, and sustainable operation—one that’s built for long-term growth.
The Key Supplier Data You Need for Stronger Relationships and Smarter Inventory Decisions
April 1, 2025
4 min read

Supplier Relationship Management: The Crucial Data Your Business Can’t Afford to Miss

Strong supplier relationships are built on more than just communication—they rely on data. From accurate lead times to fulfillment rates and future purchase forecasts, the right information can transform how you collaborate with vendors. In this blog, we break down the key supplier data your business needs to reduce risk, negotiate better, and streamline purchasing decisions.
A single source of data is essential for inventory management
March 27, 2025
3 min read

The Power of a Single Source of Truth in Inventory Management

Centralizing inventory data into a single, reliable source—like an ERP system—reduces errors, improves visibility, and streamlines decision-making. When paired with advanced inventory management software, businesses can automate processes, improve forecasting, and boost efficiency. In today’s unpredictable environment, accurate, accessible data isn’t just helpful—it’s a strategic advantage.
Safety Stock: What Is It and Why Is It So High?
March 20, 2025
5 min read

Safety Stock: What Is It and Why Is It So High?

Whether you’re new to logistics or a veteran, safety stock is an important concept that many people can be confused about. As a simple explanation, safety stock is an extra amount of stock that is maintained to mitigrate a risk of stockout. That is all well and good, but how is safety stock calculated in order to prevent a stockout? The answer to that is affected by a number of different variables: How predictable is the product in sales? How well is the forecast model fitted? What is the lead time? What is the forecast for the item? What is the confidence level and set service level? That may see like a lot, but all of these factors will affect an item’s safety stock.
7 Painful Ways Poor Data is Sabotaging Your Supply Chain
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March 7, 2025
4 min read

7 Ways Poor Data is Sabotaging Your Inventory Management

If your supply chain isn’t data-driven, you’re making costly mistakes—stockouts, overstock, unreliable suppliers, and lost customers. Without accurate data, you’re operating blindly, wasting money, and falling behind competitors who are optimizing their operations. This blog breaks down seven critical ways poor data is hurting your business—and how you can fix it before it’s too late.
How to Turn Tariff Challenges into Supply Chain Success
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February 11, 2025
4 min read

How to Turn Tariff Challenges into Supply Chain Success

Tariffs are reshaping global trade, prompting businesses to rethink sourcing strategies and optimize their supply chains. This blog explores how companies can navigate these challenges, leveraging AGR's advanced inventory management solutions to build resilient and cost-effective operations. Discover actionable insights on managing disruptions, rising costs, and the power of AI-driven decision-making.
2024 inventory management innovation report
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January 22, 2025
2 min read

2024: A Year of Innovation in Inventory Management

Discover how AGR, a leading provider of inventory management software, revolutionized supply chain operations in 2024. Our retrospective highlights key innovations, including multi-location inventory optimization, advanced forecasting, and automated order scheduling. Learn how these developments simplify complex processes, reduce waste, and empower smarter decision-making for wholesalers and retailers.

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