Inventory Management / Optimisation, Demand Planning & Forecasting, Order Management

September 14, 2026

13 min read

What Is a Backorder? Definition, Causes, and Management

Backorders can help retain sales when stock runs short, but frequent backorders may point to problems with forecasting, replenishment or inventory planning. Learn what causes backorders, how they affect customer service and operations, and how inventory management software like AGR can help businesses anticipate demand, optimise stock levels and reduce unnecessary backorders.

Randi W. Stebbins

Inventory Management / Optimisation, Demand Planning & Forecasting, Order Management

September 8, 2026

10 min read

What is the Procurement Process? Steps, Stages & Workflow Guide

Learn what the procurement process involves, from identifying business needs and selecting suppliers to purchasing and performance review. Explore common challenges and how better demand visibility, inventory planning and automation can support smarter procurement decisions.

Randi W. Stebbins

Order Management

June 2, 2026

11 min read

Wholesale Inventory Planning: How Leading Distributors Are Widening the Gap

Wholesale distribution remains a powerful business model, but the rules for success have changed. Demand volatility, margin pressure, and rising customer expectations are forcing wholesalers to move beyond reactive planning and manual processes. This article explores the growing gap between reactive and predictive operations, highlights the strategies used by top-performing wholesalers, and explains how better forecasting, inventory optimisation, and replenishment planning drive stronger service levels and profitability. Learn what it takes to stay competitive in an increasingly complex wholesale environment.

Randi W. Stebbins

Inventory Management / Optimisation, Order Management

March 30, 2026

9 min read

Assortment Planning in Retail: The Complete Guide

Assortment planning in retail determines which products you sell, where you sell them, and how well your inventory performs. This guide explains how retailers balance product variety, demand, and profitability through structured assortment strategies. It covers key components such as SKU selection, localisation, and seasonality, alongside a step-by-step planning process. You will also learn how assortment decisions connect to forecasting and replenishment, and how modern software improves accuracy and efficiency. The result is a clearer approach to reducing excess stock, avoiding stockouts, and driving stronger retail performance.

Randi W. Stebbins

Inventory Management / Optimisation, Order Management

February 4, 2026

8 min read

Dual Sourcing to Increase Supply Chain Resilience

Dual sourcing is a practical strategy for reducing supply chain risk without adding unnecessary complexity. By working with more than one supplier for critical products or materials, businesses can protect availability, respond faster to disruption, and reduce dependence on single points of failure. This guide explains how dual sourcing works, when it makes sense, the benefits and trade-offs to consider, and the best practices that help organisations strengthen resilience while maintaining cost control.

Randi W. Stebbins

Inventory Management / Optimisation, Order Management

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

Randi W. Stebbins

Inventory Management / Optimisation, Order Management

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.

Inventory Management / Optimisation, Order Management, Reporting & insights

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.

Demand Planning & Forecasting, Inventory Management / Optimisation, Order Management, Process Automation, Reporting & insights, S&OP

October 22, 2024

6 min read

Choosing the Right Stock Management Solution for Your Business

When choosing the right stock management solution, it’s important to focus on more than just its basic features. You need a platform that integrates seamlessly with your existing systems, offers modular features to fit your specific needs, and can grow with you as your business evolves.

Inventory Management / Optimisation, Order Management, Process Automation

October 15, 2024

5 min read

OrderPro by AGR: Take Full Control of Your Purchasing Process

No more manually placing orders each time your stock runs low. With OrderPro, you can set up recurring orders for specific suppliers or internal locations on the days that work best for you. Whether it’s store replenishment or supplier orders, you choose the location, the items, and the schedule, and OrderPro takes care of the rest.