Controlling your inventory of lab consumables is tricky business. You can't
afford to get caught short on necessary items, but you also can't afford to be
overstocked. Use these helpful tips to keep stock of lab supplies at the proper level.
Creating an Efficient Inventory System
You can't move forward until you know where you are. Take an accurate
inventory of your current lab supplies, whether it's electronic or "old school"
with paper and pencil.
Carefully review current ordering rates vs. actual usage. Do some
products run out too quickly while others sit past their expiration date? Will
upcoming projects require different supplies? Storage space equals money, so
make sure each item justifies its spot.
Improve efficiency by arranging inventory in a way that makes sense.
Group like items based on criteria such as frequency of use and expiration
date. Again, you have the option of tracking electronically, such as with a
barcode system, or manually with a posted spreadsheet.
Once you have a handle on current inventory and usage requirements,
talk to your supplier about bulk discounts, automatic reordering and other
methods to simplify your restocking system.
Hold a team meeting to assign specific inventory roles and make sure
that everyone understands the objectives.Stellar Scientific is more than just a vendor. We consider ourselves a
partner in your success. Visit our website to learn how you can save money on high-quality lab supplies.
