May 11, 2022

Surprise out-of-stocks create a frustrating experience for workers and customers because workers who need to do their job cannot find products, and customers who are promised a product can’t get it. This leads to a loss in profit and missed opportunities with potential or current customers. Studies show that out-of-stocks were up 250% in 2021, and while the 2020 health crisis had its part to play in the increase, normalcy levels have yet to be attained. New research shows that out-of-stocks have continued to steadily increase, entering a double digit difference compared to last year. When left unchecked, it’s estimated that issues like stockouts can inflate operational costs by 62%, contributing to all-time high inflation rates nationwide across multiple industries. Therefore, if out-of-stock rates are on the rise and your warehouse operations aren’t prepared for it, it could cost much more operation expenses and valuable employee time than usual.

 To combat this, some warehouses are turning towards solutions that can improve inventory visibility, so workers can pinpoint counts to stay ahead of stockouts. Despite the looming impact of stockouts on warehouse productivity and expenses, only 6% of companies report complete visibility. Without solutions that can improve visibility to enhance inventory management, warehouses have to operate with an incomplete vision of their counts, which can cause unwarranted stockouts to slip under the radar. Luckily, Heartland works to help distribution centers and warehouses implement visibility and streamline inventory management with these pieces…

1. Real-time data capture capabilities - Managing assets in real-time will improve inventory management to help streamline visibility in your supply chain. Faster data capture capabilities can efficiently track your assets, and if your current scanning solutions cannot efficiently capture barcodes, stockouts are more likely and it also leads to slower order fulfillment. Luckily, through Heartland’s barcode hardware solutions, our solutions help supply your workers with real-time access to valuable insights, which provides them with the information they need to streamline inventory accuracy, minimize out-of-stocks, and meet delivery times.
   
2. Secured inventory accuracy with reliable scanning - Faster scanning capabilities deliver real-time data access to your workers, but it’s important that those scanning solutions are secured. Choosing rugged mobile devices that are built for warehouses ensures reliable data capture even in challenging environments. This helps secure the higher visibility that comes with advanced data capture to keep inventory management consistent and accurate.
   
3. Enhanced barcode printing quality and efficiency - When your workers are equipped with printing solutions that print barcodes more efficiently and accurately, it helps them maintain a smoother warehouse and more accurate inventory to reduce out-of-stocks. An optimal printing solution that prevents stockouts is versatile and consistent to streamline asset tracking and inventory management even when things get busy. Innovative and precise printing solutions, Heartland’s mobile and industrial printers, empower workers with the ability to print an expanded range of barcodes and reduce errors. This achieves unparalleled visibility, reduces downtime, eliminates return shipment costs, and reduces stockouts to simplify inventory management and asset tracking.

Real-time asset tracking and faster barcode printing can help prepare your warehouse for rising out-of-stocks. Contact us today for a free assessment of your inventory management.