If you’re in discrete manufacturing—building stuff like car parts, gadgets, or furniture—you know inventory can be a headache. Get it right, and production hums along. Get it wrong, and you’re stuck with slow-moving and obsolete inventory, or SLOB, clogging up your warehouse and burning cash. The good news? Tools like iMiner for Infor VISUAL ERP can help you spot and sort this mess with helpful reports. Let’s talk about what SLOB is, why it’s a pain, and how to kick it to the curb.
What’s SLOB Inventory, Anyway?
SLOB is the stuff that sits on your shelves too long. Slow-moving inventory barely budges—think parts you ordered for a big job that never materialized. Obsolete inventory is worse; it’s dead weight, like components for a product you don’t make anymore. In discrete manufacturing, where every widget is specific, SLOB piles up fast if you’re not paying attention.
It happens because of things like:
- Under/Over estimating what customers will buy.
- Switching to a new design that makes old parts useless.
- Orders falling through, leaving you with extra stock.
- Not keeping a close eye on what’s in the warehouse.
Why SLOB Is a Big Deal
SLOB isn’t just annoying—it hits your business where it hurts:
- Money’s Stuck: Cash tied up in dusty parts can’t buy new tools or pay for marketing.
- Storage Costs: You’re paying rent, utilities, and people to babysit stuff you don’t need.
- It’s Going Nowhere: The longer it sits, the more likely it’s headed for the scrap heap.
- Slows You Down: A packed warehouse makes it harder to find what you do need.
Picture this: you’re making custom tools and have a ton of specialty screws for a model you discontinued. Those screws are eating space and money you could use for something customers actually want.
How to Get a Handle on SLOB
You don’t have to live with SLOB forever. Here are some real-world ways to deal with it, plus how iMiner for Infor VISUAL ERP can make your life easier with its Slow-Moving and Obsolete Inventory Report and other tools.
1. Get Better at Guessing Demand
Nobody’s got a crystal ball, but you can use sales history and market trends to order smarter. iMiner hooks into VISUAL ERP and crunches the numbers to help you figure out what’s likely to sell, so you don’t overbuy.
2. Try Ordering Just What You Need
Ever heard of Just-In-Time? It’s about getting parts right when you need them, not stockpiling. It keeps SLOB at bay, but you’ve got to have suppliers you trust to deliver on time.
3. Check Your Stock Often
Don’t let slow movers sneak up on you. Peek at your inventory regularly—say, every few months. iMiner’s Slow-Moving and Obsolete Inventory Report flags stuff that’s been sitting too long, like parts untouched for 90 days. That’s your cue to do something about it.
4. Sort Your Inventory
Not everything in your warehouse is equal. Try this:
- A Stuff: Big-ticket items that sell fast.
- B Stuff: Middle-of-the-road in price and speed.
- C Stuff: Cheap, but collects dust. Focus on the C stuff to stop it from going obsolete. iMiner’s reports make it easy to see what’s what.
5. Clear Out the Junk
Got SLOB? Don’t just stare at it. You could:
- Slash prices to move slow stuff and get some cash back.
- Use parts for something else, like prototypes or training.
- Donate it for a tax break.
- Recycle what you can to cut losses.
Say you make electronics and have old capacitors. iMiner might show they’re not moving, so you sell them cheap to a hobbyist market before they’re worthless.
6. Use Tools That Work
iMiner for VISUAL ERP is like a spotlight on your inventory. Its Slow-Moving and Obsolete Inventory Report, plus others like Stock Status or Turnover Reports, shows you exactly what’s happening in your warehouse. You’ll know what’s stuck and what’s flying out the door, so you can plan better.
7. Talk to Your Suppliers
Talk it up with your suppliers. Ask for smaller orders or deals where you can return extras. That way, you’re not stuck with parts you can’t use if plans change.
8. Design Smarter
If you can, use parts that work in multiple products or go for modular designs. It’s a lot harder for stuff to go obsolete if it fits more than one thing you make.
Make It a Team Effort
Beating SLOB isn’t just about reports or tricks—it’s about getting everyone on board. Get your purchasing folks, shop floor crew, and sales team talking to each other. Share iMiner’s data so they see why overstocking hurts. Teach them to spot slow movers early and come up with fixes together.
Wrapping It Up
SLOB inventory can weigh down your manufacturing business, but it doesn’t have to. With practical steps and tools like iMiner for Infor VISUAL ERP—especially its Slow-Moving and Obsolete Inventory Report and other inventory trackers—you can keep your warehouse lean and your cash flowing. It’s about staying sharp and making sure every part has a purpose.
