> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://betterdatainc.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Inventory Overview

> What's happening right now with your inventory

# Inventory Overview

Inventory management is the core of supply chain operations. In the **Sense** pillar, you monitor current inventory state, demand signals, and risk indicators.

## Recommended Starting Points by Role

<Note>
  **Don't Hide Menu Items**: All users see the same menu structure. This guide explains recommended starting points for each role, but you can access any feature you have permissions for.
</Note>

### Operations (Warehouse/Inventory)

**Start here:**

1. **[Browse Inventory](/analyze/inventory-overview)** - Check current stock levels
2. **[By Location & Bin](/analyze/inventory-by-location)** - View inventory organized by location
3. **[By Channel](/analyze/inventory-by-channel)** - See inventory allocated across sales channels
4. **[By Lot & Expiry](/analyze/inventory-by-lot)** - Track lot numbers and expiration dates

**Daily workflow:**

* Morning: Review inventory alerts and low stock items
* During day: Monitor stock levels and channel allocations
* End of day: Review expiring stock and risk indicators

### Planner (Forecasting + Replenishment)

**Start here:**

1. **[Stock Analytics](/analyze/stock-analytics)** - Analyze inventory trends and patterns
2. **[Demand & Consumption](/analyze/demand-consumption)** - View demand signals and consumption patterns
3. **[On-Order](/analyze/on-order)** - Monitor inbound commitments
4. **[Expiry Risk](/analyze/expiry-risk)** - Identify products at risk of expiration

**Daily workflow:**

* Review demand signals and consumption patterns
* Monitor on-order commitments
* Identify expiring stock and risk items
* Use insights to inform planning decisions

### Finance (COGS, Holding Cost, Cost-to-Serve)

**Start here:**

1. **[Stock Analytics](/analyze/stock-analytics)** - View inventory value and holding costs
2. **[On-Order](/analyze/on-order)** - Monitor committed inventory costs
3. **[Expiry Risk](/analyze/expiry-risk)** - Assess potential waste costs

**Daily workflow:**

* Review inventory value and holding costs
* Monitor committed costs from on-order items
* Assess risk of inventory write-offs

### Executive (Summary Dashboards)

**Start here:**

1. **[Stock Analytics](/analyze/stock-analytics)** - High-level inventory overview
2. **[Inventory Health](/analyze/inventory-health)** - Overall inventory health dashboard

**Daily workflow:**

* Review high-level inventory metrics
* Monitor key risk indicators
* Track inventory value and trends

## Inventory Views

### Browse Inventory

The main inventory view shows all products with current stock levels, organized by location and channel.

**Key features:**

* Search and filter by product, location, channel
* View quantity on hand, available, and reserved
* See expiration dates and lot numbers
* Filter by low stock, expiring soon, or out of stock

**Success criteria:**

* Can quickly find any product's current stock level
* Can identify low stock items
* Can see expiration dates for perishable items

**Common pitfalls:**

* Not filtering by location when working in a multi-location environment
* Forgetting to check reserved quantities (already allocated to orders)
* Not accounting for in-transit inventory

**Troubleshooting:**

* **Inventory shows zero but you know there's stock**: Check location filter, verify you're looking at the correct location
* **Quantities don't match physical count**: May need to perform cycle count or check for pending adjustments
* **Can't see certain products**: Check permissions and location access

### By Location & Bin

View inventory organized by physical location and storage bin.

**Key features:**

* Navigate by location hierarchy
* View bin-level detail
* See location-specific stock levels
* Filter by location type (warehouse, store, etc.)

**Success criteria:**

* Can locate any product's physical location
* Can see bin assignments for picking operations
* Can identify locations with low or high stock

**Common pitfalls:**

* Not understanding location hierarchy (parent/child relationships)
* Confusing location types (warehouse vs store vs distribution center)
* Not checking bin assignments before picking

**Troubleshooting:**

* **Location not showing**: Verify location is active and you have access
* **Bin information missing**: May need to configure bin structure for the location
* **Wrong location selected**: Use location switcher to change context

### By Channel

View inventory allocated across different sales channels (DTC, wholesale, marketplace, etc.).

**Key features:**

* See ATP (Available to Promise) by channel
* View channel-specific inventory levels
* Monitor channel allocation policies
* Identify channels with low stock

**Success criteria:**

* Can see how inventory is allocated across channels
* Can identify channels that need more inventory
* Understand channel policy effects on availability

**Common pitfalls:**

* Not understanding channel allocation policies
* Confusing ATP with physical inventory
* Not accounting for reserved inventory per channel

**Troubleshooting:**

* **Channel shows zero ATP but inventory exists**: Check channel policy settings, may be allocated to other channels
* **ATP doesn't match expectations**: Review channel allocation rules and priorities
* **Can't see channel**: Verify channel is configured and active

### By Lot & Expiry

Track inventory by lot number and expiration date for traceability and risk management.

**Key features:**

* View lot numbers and batch information
* See expiration dates and days until expiry
* Filter by expiring soon (30, 60, 90 days)
* Track lot-specific inventory levels

**Success criteria:**

* Can identify products expiring soon
* Can trace inventory by lot number
* Can manage FIFO/FEFO (First In First Out / First Expired First Out) workflows

**Common pitfalls:**

* Not checking expiration dates before picking
* Not using lot numbers for traceability
* Ignoring expiring stock until it's too late

**Troubleshooting:**

* **Expiration dates missing**: Verify products have expiry tracking enabled
* **Lot numbers not showing**: Check if lot tracking is configured for the product
* **Expiring stock not flagged**: Review expiry risk thresholds in settings

### Inventory Snapshots

View historical inventory levels at specific points in time.

**Key features:**

* Create snapshots at key dates
* Compare snapshots over time
* View inventory trends
* Export snapshot data

**Success criteria:**

* Can view inventory state at any past date
* Can compare inventory levels over time
* Can export snapshot data for reporting

**Common pitfalls:**

* Not creating snapshots at key dates (month-end, quarter-end)
* Forgetting to name snapshots meaningfully
* Not using snapshots for trend analysis

**Troubleshooting:**

* **Snapshot not available**: Snapshots must be created manually or scheduled
* **Data seems incorrect**: Verify snapshot was created at the intended time
* **Can't create snapshot**: Check permissions for snapshot creation

## Demand Signals

### Demand & Consumption

View demand patterns and consumption rates to understand what's being consumed.

**Key features:**

* View consumption by product, location, channel
* See demand trends over time
* Identify high-consumption items
* Compare demand across locations

**Success criteria:**

* Can identify products with high consumption rates
* Can see demand trends and patterns
* Can use consumption data for planning

**Common pitfalls:**

* Not accounting for seasonality in consumption patterns
* Ignoring outliers or one-time events
* Not comparing consumption across locations

**Troubleshooting:**

* **Consumption data missing**: Verify transactions are being recorded
* **Data seems incorrect**: Check date range and filters
* **Can't see consumption**: May need specific permissions

### On-Order

Monitor inbound inventory commitments from purchase orders and transfers.

**Key features:**

* View all on-order items by supplier
* See expected receipt dates
* Monitor order status
* Track committed inventory value

**Success criteria:**

* Can see all inbound inventory commitments
* Can track expected receipt dates
* Can identify delayed orders

**Common pitfalls:**

* Not accounting for on-order when planning
* Forgetting to update expected receipt dates
* Not tracking order status changes

**Troubleshooting:**

* **On-order items not showing**: Verify purchase orders are in correct status
* **Dates seem incorrect**: Check purchase order line dates
* **Can't see on-order**: May need purchasing permissions

## Risk Signals

### Expiring Stock

Identify inventory that is expiring soon or has already expired.

**Key features:**

* View products expiring in next 30, 60, 90 days
* See already expired inventory
* Filter by location and product
* Export expiring stock reports

**Success criteria:**

* Can identify all expiring stock
* Can prioritize items by expiration date
* Can take action before items expire

**Common pitfalls:**

* Not checking expiring stock regularly
* Not prioritizing by expiration date
* Ignoring expired inventory

**Troubleshooting:**

* **Expiring stock not showing**: Verify products have expiry tracking enabled
* **Dates seem incorrect**: Check product expiration date configuration
* **Can't see expiring stock**: May need specific permissions

### Expiry Risk

Assess risk of inventory waste due to expiration.

**Key features:**

* View expiry risk scores
* See products at high risk of expiration
* Monitor risk trends over time
* Get alerts for high-risk items

**Success criteria:**

* Can identify high-risk items
* Can prioritize actions based on risk
* Can track risk reduction over time

**Common pitfalls:**

* Not acting on high-risk items
* Not understanding risk scoring
* Ignoring risk trends

**Troubleshooting:**

* **Risk scores not showing**: Verify expiry risk calculation is enabled
* **Scores seem incorrect**: Review risk calculation parameters
* **Can't see risk data**: May need specific permissions

***

## Related Pages

* [Stock Analytics](/analyze/stock-analytics)
* [By Location & Bin](/analyze/inventory-by-location)
* [By Channel](/analyze/inventory-by-channel)
* [By Lot & Expiry](/analyze/inventory-by-lot)
* [Demand & Consumption](/analyze/demand-consumption)
* [On-Order](/analyze/on-order)
* [Expiry Risk](/analyze/expiry-risk)

***

## Permissions & Roles

<Tip>
  Inventory viewing requires `inventory.read` permission. Some features like snapshots may require additional permissions. Contact your administrator if you can't access certain inventory views.
</Tip>