> ## 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
> Role-oriented guide to inventory management and operations
# Inventory Overview
Inventory management is the core of supply chain operations. This guide helps you navigate inventory features based on your role and daily tasks.
## Recommended Starting Points by Role
**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.
### Operations (Warehouse/Inventory)
**Start here:**
1. **[Viewing Inventory](/execute/viewing-inventory)** - Check current stock levels by location and bin
2. **[Cycle Counts](/execute/cycle-counts)** - Perform physical inventory counts
3. **[Adjustments](/execute/adjustments)** - Correct inventory discrepancies
4. **[Shipments](/execute/shipments)** - Manage outbound shipments
**Daily workflow:**
* Morning: Review inventory alerts and low stock items
* During day: Process shipments, receive inventory, perform cycle counts
* End of day: Review adjustments and reconcile discrepancies
### Planner (Forecasting + Replenishment)
**Start here:**
1. **[Viewing Inventory](/execute/viewing-inventory)** - Understand current inventory position
2. **[Channel-Location Inventory](/execute/viewing-inventory#channel-location-drilldown)** - Analyze inventory by channel
3. **[Transfers](/execute/transfers)** - Execute transfer recommendations
4. **[Stock Requests](/execute/stock-requests)** - Review and approve stock requests
**Daily workflow:**
* Review forecast vs actual inventory levels
* Execute transfer recommendations
* Monitor channel inventory allocations
* Review stock requests and approve replenishment
### Finance (COGS, Holding Cost, Cost-to-Serve)
**Start here:**
1. **[Viewing Inventory](/execute/viewing-inventory)** - View inventory valuation
2. **[Inventory Reports](/analyze/reports)** - Generate inventory valuation reports
3. **[On-Order Reports](/analyze/on-order-reports)** - Track committed inventory costs
4. **[Dashboards](/analyze/dashboards)** - Monitor inventory KPIs
**Daily workflow:**
* Review inventory valuation and holding costs
* Analyze cost-to-serve by channel
* Monitor on-order commitments
* Review inventory aging and slow-moving stock
### Executive (Summary Dashboards)
**Start here:**
1. **[Dashboards](/analyze/dashboards)** - High-level inventory overview
2. **[KPIs](/analyze/kpis)** - Key performance indicators
3. **[Service Levels](/analyze/service-levels)** - Customer service metrics
4. **[Inventory Reports](/analyze/reports)** - Executive summaries
**Daily workflow:**
* Review dashboard summaries
* Monitor key metrics and trends
* Review service level performance
* Analyze inventory health indicators
## Key Inventory Concepts
### Inventory Levels
Inventory is tracked at multiple levels:
* **Location Level**: Total inventory at a physical location
* **Channel Level**: Inventory allocated to specific sales channels
* **Bin Level**: Inventory in specific storage bins (if bin tracking enabled)
* **Lot Level**: Inventory by lot number (if lot tracking enabled)
* **Expiry Level**: Inventory by expiry date (if expiry tracking enabled)
### Channel Inventory
The same physical product can be allocated to different channels:
* **DTC Channel**: Direct-to-consumer inventory
* **Marketplace Channel**: Amazon, eBay, etc.
* **Retail Channel**: Physical store inventory
* **Wholesale Channel**: B2B inventory
Each channel has its own:
* Inventory allocation
* ATP (Available to Promise) calculation
* Replenishment rules
* Alert thresholds
### Inventory Status
Inventory can have different statuses:
* **Available**: Available for sale/fulfillment
* **Reserved**: Reserved for specific orders
* **Allocated**: Allocated to channels
* **On Hold**: Temporarily unavailable (damage, quality check, etc.)
* **Quarantine**: Isolated for inspection
## Common Tasks
Browse inventory by location, bin, lot, expiry, and channel
Perform physical inventory counts and reconciliation
Make inventory adjustments and corrections
Create and manage outbound shipments
Execute manual transfers between locations
Create and manage stock requests
## What Success Looks Like
### Operations Success
* ✅ Inventory levels match physical counts (within tolerance)
* ✅ Cycle counts completed on schedule
* ✅ Adjustments documented with proper reason codes
* ✅ Shipments processed accurately and on time
* ✅ No unexplained inventory discrepancies
### Planner Success
* ✅ Inventory levels aligned with forecasts
* ✅ Transfer recommendations executed promptly
* ✅ Channel inventory properly allocated
* ✅ Stock requests approved and fulfilled efficiently
* ✅ Safety stock levels maintained
### Finance Success
* ✅ Accurate inventory valuation
* ✅ Holding costs tracked and minimized
* ✅ Cost-to-serve metrics available by channel
* ✅ On-order commitments properly tracked
* ✅ Slow-moving inventory identified and addressed
### Executive Success
* ✅ Dashboard shows clear inventory health
* ✅ Service levels meet targets
* ✅ Inventory turnover within targets
* ✅ No critical stockouts
* ✅ Inventory investment optimized
## Common Pitfalls
### 1. Not Understanding Channel Allocation
**Problem**: Assuming all inventory is available for all channels.
**Solution**: Understand that inventory is allocated to channels. Check channel-specific inventory levels, not just location totals.
**How to avoid**: Always check channel inventory when planning fulfillment.
### 2. Ignoring Lot/Expiry Tracking
**Problem**: Not considering lot numbers or expiry dates when viewing inventory.
**Solution**: Use lot/expiry filters when browsing inventory, especially for:
* Healthcare (lot tracking required)
* Food & Beverage (expiry tracking required)
* Products with recalls
**How to avoid**: Enable lot/expiry filters in inventory views.
### 3. Making Adjustments Without Reason Codes
**Problem**: Creating adjustments without proper reason codes makes it hard to analyze trends.
**Solution**: Always select appropriate reason codes when making adjustments. This enables:
* Trend analysis
* Compliance reporting
* Root cause analysis
**How to avoid**: Make reason codes required in your workflow.
### 4. Not Reviewing Channel Policies
**Problem**: Not understanding how channel policies affect inventory availability.
**Solution**: Review channel policies to understand:
* ATP calculations
* Safety stock levels
* Replenishment rules
* Alert thresholds
**How to avoid**: Familiarize yourself with channel policy configuration.
## Troubleshooting
### Inventory Levels Don't Match Physical Count
**Symptoms**: System shows different quantity than physical inventory.
**Steps to resolve:**
1. Perform a cycle count for the location/product
2. Review recent transactions (shipments, receipts, adjustments)
3. Check for pending transactions (in-progress shipments, etc.)
4. Verify lot/expiry filters aren't hiding inventory
5. Create adjustment with appropriate reason code
**Prevention**: Regular cycle counts and proper transaction documentation.
### Can't See Inventory for a Channel
**Symptoms**: Inventory shows at location but not available for a channel.
**Possible causes:**
1. Inventory not allocated to that channel
2. Channel policy restricts availability
3. Inventory on hold or in quarantine
4. Filters hiding inventory
**Steps to resolve:**
1. Check channel-location inventory view
2. Review channel policies
3. Check inventory status (available vs. on hold)
4. Remove filters and check again
### Transfer Recommendations Not Showing
**Symptoms**: Expected transfer recommendations don't appear.
**Possible causes:**
1. Forecasts not generated or published
2. Transfer policies not configured
3. Insufficient inventory at source location
4. Recommendations already executed
**Steps to resolve:**
1. Verify forecasts are generated and published
2. Check transfer policy configuration
3. Verify source location has sufficient inventory
4. Check if recommendations were already executed
***
## Related Pages
* [Viewing Inventory](/execute/viewing-inventory)
* [Cycle Counts](/execute/cycle-counts)
* [Adjustments](/execute/adjustments)
* [Shipments](/execute/shipments)
* [Transfers](/execute/transfers)
* [Stock Requests](/execute/stock-requests)
***
## Permissions & Roles
Basic inventory viewing requires standard user permissions. Making adjustments, creating shipments, and executing transfers may require additional permissions. Contact your organization administrator for details.