MANAGEMENT OF INVENTORY SYSTEMS

Introduction to Inventory and Materials Management

PROF PRADIP KUMAR RAY

DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
IIT KHARAGPUR

1
Sub Topics
1. Importance of Inventory/Materials Management System, Inventory and
its Definitions, Types of Inventory
2. Why Inventory, Classification of Inventory Problems
3. Classes of Inventory Problems, Inventory Costs
4. Types of Inventory and Product Positioning Strategies, Inventory
Management and Financial Performance
5. Concept of Inventory Flow Cycle, Objectives and Decisions of Inventory
Control

PROF PRADIP KUMAR RAY

DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
IIT KHARAGPUR 2
Introduction to Inventory and Materials Management

 Importance of Inventory/Materials Management System

 Inventory and its Definitions
 Types of Inventory

PROF PRADIP KUMAR RAY

DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
IIT KHARAGPUR 3
 Importance of Materials or Inventory Management
Systems

• Almost all organizations use, transform, distribute, or sell materials of one kind
or another.

• Inventory investment in any organization may be substantial.

• Inventory/Materials Management is one of the most important functions in

any organization.

PROF PRADIP KUMAR RAY

DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
IIT KHARAGPUR 4
 Importance of Materials or Inventory Management
Systems

• The performance (operational and financial) of an organization -

manufacturing or service, government or non-government - is significantly
dependent on effective management of materials or inventory - made
available in a number of forms as they are being processed in a
manufacturing/service stage.

• Materials management may influence tremendously the cost of production as

well as of product.
PROF PRADIP KUMAR RAY
DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
IIT KHARAGPUR 5
 Importance of Materials or Inventory Management
Systems
• A good and acceptable materials or inventory management system ensures a
smooth flow of materials within an organization or a plant. This flow should
connect the suppliers to the production systems and subsequently to the
customers/end users of the products through the distribution system with
generation of minimum or no wastes.

• For achieving the main objectives of materials management function as stated

above, a total and an integrated inventory management system needs to be
developed and used.

PROF PRADIP KUMAR RAY

DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
IIT KHARAGPUR 6
 Inventory and its Definition
• The core issue of materials management is maintenance and control of
inventory.
• This issue is common to all organizations in any sector of the national
economy.
• The term ‘inventory’ can be interpreted in a number of ways
 Stock on hand of materials at a given time.
 Tangible asset that can be seen, measured, and counted.
 List of items (physical assets).
 Quantity of items on hand.
 Value of stock of goods owned by an organization at a particular time.

PROF PRADIP KUMAR RAY

DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
IIT KHARAGPUR 7
 Inventory and its Definition
• In view of all these interpretations, ‘inventory’ is defined as ‘an idle resource
that has an economic value’.
• When a resource loses its economic value (after its use in one or multiple
cycles), it ceases to be an inventory.
• Sometimes, in certain situations, we may be careful in calling items with
certain characteristics/features as inventory,
e.g., is ‘hoarding’ an inventory, or is ‘waste’ an inventory?

PROF PRADIP KUMAR RAY

DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
IIT KHARAGPUR 8
 Types of Inventory
• The classification of inventory is based on two aspects:
i. State of inventory
ii. Utility of inventory
• Based on state of inventory, it is classified under four categories:
i. Supplies (in the form of maintenance, repair, and operating supplies
or MRO)
ii. Raw materials (R/M)
iii. Work-in-process (WIP)
iv. Finished goods (F/G)

PROF PRADIP KUMAR RAY

DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
IIT KHARAGPUR 9
 Types of Inventory
• MRO – not part of final product.
• R/M – inputs to production process, usually purchased from suppliers.
• WIP – partially completed products still in production process.
• F/G – final product, ready for storage, distribution, and sale.
• In a production system for a product, these categories of inventory need to be
explicitly defined.
• As the state of inventory changes, the function or the use of each category of
the inventory also changes. This concept is depicted in the figure below:

PROF PRADIP KUMAR RAY

DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
IIT KHARAGPUR 10
 Types of Inventory
State of inventory Subsequent Function

Sale
F/G

MRO
Idle Use
R/M

Transform
P
WI

Incomplete

PROF PRADIP KUMAR RAY

DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
IIT KHARAGPUR 11
 Types of Inventory
• Based on utility of inventory, inventory is classified under six categories:
i. Working stock (cycle or lot size stock): amount of inventory as determined
by its lot size as required to meet its demand for a specific time period.
ii. Safety stock (buffer or fluctuation stock): amount of additional inventory
required exclusively as a protection against stock-out situation due to
fluctuations of demand during replenishment period.
iii. Anticipation stock (seasonal or stabilization stock): amount of inventory
built up to meet the higher or pick seasonal demand.

PROF PRADIP KUMAR RAY

DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
IIT KHARAGPUR 12
 Types of Inventory

iv. Pipeline stock (transit or work-in-process stock): amount of inventory being

processed or waiting to be processed, both internally and externally.
v. Decoupling stock: amount of inventory accumulated between dependent
processes or stages so that it can operate independently.
vi. Psychic stock: amount of inventory required to stimulate demand.

PROF PRADIP KUMAR RAY

DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
IIT KHARAGPUR 13
Introduction to Inventory and Materials Management

 Why Inventory
 Classification of Inventory Problems

PROF PRADIP KUMAR RAY

DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
IIT KHARAGPUR 14
 Why Inventory
• Inventory is needed to meet demand. Demand occurs at instant of time or
during a period of time.
• If supply is made as and when demand occurs, there is no need of
inventory – a perfect match between supply and demand.
• However, such a condition, in all likelihood, can rarely be achieved due to
many kinds of practical difficulties and constraints, like can it be possible to
arrange instantaneous production/supply as soon as the demand occurs –
even if with demand of small quantity and there is on-time real-time
information control system related to inventory management in place,
creation of inventory with its acceptable value, quality, and quantity needs
certain time.
PROF PRADIP KUMAR RAY
DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
IIT KHARAGPUR 15
 Why Inventory
• In this context, there are four possible reasons for existence of inventory in any
system:
Time factor, Discontinuity factor, Uncertainty factor, and Economy factor.

i. Time factor: Creation and supply of inventory needs time.

ii. Discontinuity factor: As each stage of production must act
independently from other stages or processes in production and post-
production phases, inventory allows a process or a stage to act
independently even it there is discontinuity in operation, due to some
reasons, at the precedent or subsequent process or stage.

PROF PRADIP KUMAR RAY

DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
IIT KHARAGPUR 16
 Why Inventory
iii. Uncertainty factor: Inventory offers protection against unplanned and
unanticipated occurrences of events that may affect supply system. Such
factors may be of many types, including ‘Acts of God’.
iv. Economy factor: Inventory offers cost-reduction advantages when bulk
purchases with quantity discounts is allowed or when procurement at
lowest price in condition of seasonal price fluctuation is justified.

PROF PRADIP KUMAR RAY

DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
IIT KHARAGPUR 17
 Classification of Inventory Problems

• Before we attempt to classify inventory problems as they exist in

manufacturing or service organizations, it is pertinent to know what is to be
determined related to inventory management for an item/for specific
questions need to answered against an item:
 When to order for this item? (time)
 How much to order for this item? (quantity)

PROF PRADIP KUMAR RAY

DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
IIT KHARAGPUR 18
 Classification of Inventory Problems

• Hence, there are two parameters, related to above questions, for any
inventory control system.
• A number of factors may affect this inventory problem.
• Each of these factors may have different levels.
• Combinations of the types and levels of these factors determine classes of
inventory problems.

PROF PRADIP KUMAR RAY

DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
IIT KHARAGPUR 19
 Classification of Inventory Problems
• The following factors need to be considered for classification:

i. Knowledge of demand: Demand may be in two types

a) Independent demand e.g. demand of F/G, final product.
or
Dependent demand e.g. demand of R/M depends on demand of F/G (as
per BOM of the F/G or the final product)

PROF PRADIP KUMAR RAY

DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
IIT KHARAGPUR 20
 Classification of Inventory Problems
b) Constant demand (or demand under certainty): demand level is known
exactly
or
Variable demand: this may be defined in two ways:
 Demand under risk: when probability distribution of demand is
known.
 Demand under uncertainty: when even probability distribution of
demand is not known, only partial information related to demand is
made available.

PROF PRADIP KUMAR RAY

DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
IIT KHARAGPUR 21
 Classification of Inventory Problems
ii. Source of Supply: This may be of two types:
Outside supply: item is procured from outside supplier
Inside supply: item is supplied from inside (self-supplying)
iii. Decision process (repetitiveness): This may be of two types:
 One-period decision (static): Single order, specific time period during
which only demand exists.
 Multi-period decision (dynamic): Repeat orders, demand exists for
countably infinite time period, item being produced regularly.

PROF PRADIP KUMAR RAY

DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
IIT KHARAGPUR 22
 Classification of Inventory Problems
iv. Knowledge of lead time or lag time (time lag in receiving order): Time
between placement of an order and receipt of its supply. This may be of two
types:
 Constant Lead Time (CLT)
 Variable Lead Time (VLT): Probability distribution of lead time is known
or specified.

PROF PRADIP KUMAR RAY

DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
IIT KHARAGPUR 23
 Classification of Inventory Problems
v. Inventory Control System: For any item, its inventory control system can be
decided independently. A large number of such control systems have been
developed by researchers and practitioners, and are in use.
Among a large number of such systems, the following control systems are
widely used:
 Perpetual (or Continuous) Review (P1)
 Periodic Review (P2)
 Material Requirements Planning (MRP) (P3)
 Distribution Requirements Planning (DRP) (P4)
 Single Order Quantity (P5)

PROF PRADIP KUMAR RAY

DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
IIT KHARAGPUR 24
 Classification of Inventory Problems

• Over and above these factors as stated, the demand distribution over time
may be assumed to be fixed (stationary) or variable (non-stationary).

• Inventory control classification may be depicted with the following Figure:

PROF PRADIP KUMAR RAY

DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
IIT KHARAGPUR 25
 P1

P2

P4
T
CL
P1
nt VLT
de P2
en d
d ep a n
In Dem P4
CLT

Depend VLT
ent

ut ly
Deman

e)
(O upp
d P3

sid
S
CLT
VLT P1
Su
(In ppl P2

ID
sid y
er e)
rd CLT
-o ic) P4
ulti nam DD
M y VLT
(D P1

P2
CLT
CD VLT P4

VD
Sin CLT

(O upply
gle

)
ide
(St -orde VLT

u ts
ati
c) r

S
P5
CLT
Su side VLT
(In
pp )
ly CD

VD CLT
VLT

PROF PRADIP KUMAR RAY

DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
IIT KHARAGPUR 26
Introduction to Inventory and Materials Management

 Classes of Inventory Problems

 Inventory Costs

PROF PRADIP KUMAR RAY

DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
27
IIT KHARAGPUR
 Classification of Inventory Problems
• Each class of inventory problem is represented by a route as depicted in the
Figure.
• In simplest form, the inventory problems can be classified as per the
following schemes:

Type of Demand
problem
(Supply) Certainty Risk Uncertainty

Static *  
Dynamic   
PROF PRADIP KUMAR RAY
DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
IIT KHARAGPUR 28
 Classification of Inventory Problems

• There are six classes of problems.

• However, static inventory problem under certainty does not come under
inventory problem as two decisions (when to order and how much to order)
can be made without even formulating the problem. The decisions are
already known. Only when a number of items are considered under this
class, the problem may be referred to as a typical scheduling problem.

PROF PRADIP KUMAR RAY

DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
IIT KHARAGPUR 29
 Inventory Costs

• While formulating any class of problem, we need to know the working of the
inventory control system, its parameters, the constraints, if any, and
assumptions for modelling.
• Usually the values of these parameters are determined such that the cost of
the inventory control system under consideration is held at a minimum level.

• In this context, the types of inventory-related costs are to be known and

identified.

PROF PRADIP KUMAR RAY

DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
IIT KHARAGPUR 30
 Inventory Costs
• There are a number of inventory-related costs that need to be considered.
These costs are as follows:

i. Purchase Cost: This is also known as procurement cost. While an item is

purchased from an outside source (supplier), unit purchase price for the
item determines the purchase cost.
ii. Setup Cost: This cost is relevant when the item is supplied from within
(self-supply). The cost associated with setting up of the process or the
machinery as per production run and lot size is the setup cost. It is usually
measured per setup basis.

PROF PRADIP KUMAR RAY

DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
IIT KHARAGPUR 31
 Inventory Costs
iii. Production Cost: This is incurred when the item in required quantity is
produced by the production department (self-supply). The production cost
per unit is its measure.
iv. Order Cost: This cost is relevant when the item is supplied from outside
(supplier). An authorization note, in the form of purchase order, is to be
placed to the supplier. The cost of preparing and placing the order for the
item in required quantity and quality under agreed terms and conditions is
referred to as the order cost. Usually, it is measured per order basis.

PROF PRADIP KUMAR RAY

DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
IIT KHARAGPUR 32
 Inventory Costs
v. Inventory Carrying or Holding Cost: This is essentially the cost of money
tied up in inventory. There is a time lag between the arrival/production of
inventory and its use. While it is stored for the time period, it is essential
that it is kept in good condition. The costs associated with the lost earning
power (due to cost of the money tied up in inventory without getting the
return if this tied up money were invested elsewhere), storage,
deterioration, insurance, and other prevention measures taken to maintain
inventory of the item in acceptable/usable condition. This cost is measured
either as a proportion/percent of the cost of average inventory or as a cost
per unit price of the item (in absolute term).

PROF PRADIP KUMAR RAY

DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
IIT KHARAGPUR 33
 Inventory Costs
vi. Overstock Cost: This cost is incurred when supply is more than demand,
and at the end of the selling season, an extra amount of inventory beyond
demand is kept. Elimination or at least, minimization of overstock amount
is one of the main objectives of any inventory control system.
vii. Understock Cost: Also referred to as ‘out-of-stock’ or ‘stockout’ cost, this is
incurred when supply is less than demand during a period of time.
Depending on the response of the customer to unfulfilled demand, there
may be two types of understock cost: Backordering Cost (in case unfulfilled
demand remains and can be met later or next time period) and Lost Sales
Cost (in case unfulfilled demand is lost forever and cannot be met later or
next time period).
PROF PRADIP KUMAR RAY
DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
IIT KHARAGPUR 34
 Inventory Costs
• Among these costs, the Purchase Cost is considered a fixed cost as it
remains same irrespective of order quantity, number of orders, and
ordering cycles or ordering period.

• Other types of costs as stated are considered a variable cost as these costs
are dependent on inventory control system or policy.

• While formulating a problem, Understock Cost may be assumed to be a

constant (irrespective of amount of shortages) or a variable (per unit of
shortage).

PROF PRADIP KUMAR RAY

DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
IIT KHARAGPUR 35
 Inventory Costs

• While formulating an inventory control problem, we need to identify, and

consider those costs found relevant in a given problem.

• An important type of cost, called Systemic or Implementation Cost (cost

incurred for making changes in the system) needs to be considered when a
new or better inventory control system is introduced for an item.

• In this context, as an example from a typical production system, the

inventory cost accumulation profile is presented in the following Figure:

PROF PRADIP KUMAR RAY

DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
IIT KHARAGPUR 36
 Inventory Costs
Storage
C

B In a repetitive manufacturing
system, (batch production),

y
bl
m
se
As
Storage
bly
ss
em the cost profile consists of
ba

n Storage
Su
Material cost (OA), Labour
tio

Storage
Fa
b rica
cost (AB), Overhead cost (BC),
A and Total Product cost (OC)
R/M F/G
O

Manufacturing Cycle time

Throughput time
Material Product
Acquisition Shipment

PROF PRADIP KUMAR RAY

DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
IIT KHARAGPUR 37
Introduction to Inventory and Materials Management

 Types of Inventory and Product Positioning Strategies

 Inventory Management and Financial Performance

PROF PRADIP KUMAR RAY

DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
IIT KHARAGPUR 38
 Types of Inventory and Product Positioning
Strategies

• Manufacturing companies may have different strategies for product

manufacturing and selling. These are referred to as ‘product positioning
strategies’ that have a bearing on the kinds of inventory to be stocked and
processed.
• There may be many types of product positioning strategies. Some of the
important product positioning strategies are: Make-to-Stock, Assemble-to-
Order, Make-to-Order, and Engineer-to-Order.

PROF PRADIP KUMAR RAY

DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
IIT KHARAGPUR 39
 Types of Inventory and Product Positioning
Strategies
These strategies are briefly explained below:
i. Make-to-Stock: concerns availability of F/G when order is
received.
ii. Assemble-to-Order: concerns assembly of a group of
parts/subassemblies available as inventory when order is received.
iii. Make-to-Order: concerns manufacturing of parts and assembly for
the final product, in inventory, when order is received.
iv. Engineer-to-Order: concerns design and manufacture of specialty
products with required inventory as per order requirements.

PROF PRADIP KUMAR RAY

DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
IIT KHARAGPUR 40
 Inventory Management and Financial
Performance
• In any organization, financial performance is closely linked with inventory
management. If inventory management is poor, financial performance goes
down.

• An efficient inventory management ensures a healthy working capital.

• For continual assessment of financial performance, two important

documents are prepared at regular intervals, as per statutory obligation, and
reviewed for understanding the growth or decline of financial health of any
organization or company:

PROF PRADIP KUMAR RAY

DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
IIT KHARAGPUR 41
 Inventory Management and Financial Performance

i. Balance sheet, equating assets with liabilities and owners’ equity at

any instant of time.

ii. Profit and loss statement, representing relationship between sales

and profit during a period of time.

• Inventory, being one of the current assets, significantly affects the

performance in both counts.

PROF PRADIP KUMAR RAY

DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
IIT KHARAGPUR 42
Typical Balance Sheet
Current Asset (in Rupees) Current Liabilities  (in Rupees)
Cash and securities 40,000 Accounts payable  80,000
Accounts receivable 100,000 Notes payable  20,000
Inventory 300,000 Accrued expenses  10,000
Prepaid expenses 10,000 Current Long term debt  50,000
Fixed Asset   Long Tong Term Debt  300,000
Net plant & equipment 550,000    
    Owners' Equity  
    Preferred stock  140,000
    Common stock  300,000
    Retained earnings  100,000
Total Liabilities & Owners’
Total Assets  1,000,000 Equity  1,000,000

PROF PRADIP KUMAR RAY

DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
IIT KHARAGPUR 43
Typical Profit and Loss Statement
Sales   1,000,000
Direct material 400,000  
Direct labor 200,000  
Factory overhead 100,000  
Cost of Goods Sold 700,000 -700,000
Gross Profit   300,000
Selling expenses 50,000  
Administrative expense 100,000  
Total Selling/ Administrative Expense 150,000 -150,000
Operating Income   150,000
Interest Expense   -50,000
Net Income Before Taxes   100,000

PROF PRADIP KUMAR RAY

DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
IIT KHARAGPUR 44
 Inventory Management and Financial
Performance
 

PROF PRADIP KUMAR RAY

DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
IIT KHARAGPUR 45
 Inventory Management and Financial
Performance
 

PROF PRADIP KUMAR RAY

DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
IIT KHARAGPUR 46
 Inventory Management and Financial
Performance
 

PROF PRADIP KUMAR RAY

DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
IIT KHARAGPUR 47
 Inventory Management and Financial
Performance

• In today’s industrial context, JIT concept as developed in Japanese

organizations, needs to be applied to develop the best possible inventory
management system in an organization with the assurance of minimum
waste, maximum turnover, and minimum cost of inventory.

PROF PRADIP KUMAR RAY

DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
IIT KHARAGPUR 48
 Inventory Management and Financial
Performance
• Organizational objectives, such as profitability and market share, are closely
linked with how the manufacturing system is being run achieving a condition
where minimum manufacturing lead time, maximum quality with minimum
wastage, and minimum production cost are ensured.

• For assurance of such a condition, we need to analyze and control the

existing inventory flow cycle within a manufacturing system.

PROF PRADIP KUMAR RAY

DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
IIT KHARAGPUR 49
Introduction to Inventory and Materials Management

 Concept of Inventory Flow Cycle

 Objectives and Decisions of Inventory Control

PROF PRADIP KUMAR RAY

DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
IIT KHARAGPUR 50
 Concept of Inventory Flow Cycle
• Inventory management system in any organization involves controlling the
flow rates of materials from upstream to downstream process.
• The flow rate of materials (inventory) through the system depends on a
number of factors:
i. Level of supply and purchasing rate in respect of R/M
ii. Production control-related R/M and WIP
iii. Marketing rate in respect of F/G and level of demand
• The flow rates across the system balance supply with demand.
• A typical inventory flow cycle for manufacturing system is shown in the
Figure:

PROF PRADIP KUMAR RAY

DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
IIT KHARAGPUR 51
 Supply

Purchasing

R/M and Supplies

Concept of Inventory Production control

Flow Cycle
WIP

Production control

F/G

Marketing

Demand

PROF PRADIP KUMAR RAY

DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
IIT KHARAGPUR 52
 Concept of Inventory Flow Cycle

• How would you represent mathematically the relationship between supply

and demand considering flow rates of different types of inventory with
relevant control parameters?

PROF PRADIP KUMAR RAY

DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
IIT KHARAGPUR 53
 Concept of Inventory Flow Cycle
• In this context, the application of Theory of Constraints is relevant.
• In Theory of Constraints, we need to balance the flow rate of materials in
different forms among different stages/resources of a manufacturing system.
• While you try to maintain a balanced workflow of materials in the system
determining the system performance, we need to look into the relationship
between capacity and demand with respect to a particular resource treated
as an inventory itself like a capital equipment.
• These resources are classified under two categories: (i) Bottleneck: capacity
is less than demand, and (ii) Non-bottleneck: capacity is greater than
demand.

PROF PRADIP KUMAR RAY

DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
IIT KHARAGPUR 54
 Concept of Inventory Flow Cycle
• While we study the inventory flow system, we need to increase the flow rate
of inventory from a bottleneck resource.
• Inventory control systems are developed and updated in such a way that
there is always a scope of improvement in the utilization of bottleneck
resources.
• Under Theory of Constraints, the meaning of the term, inventory, is the
amount of money invested in plant, equipment, and materials for producing
the ‘throughput’, the amount of actual sales made.
• The details of Theory of Constraints specifically in relation to inventory
management will be discussed in Week-10.

PROF PRADIP KUMAR RAY

DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
IIT KHARAGPUR 55
 Objectives of Inventory Management System
• The objectives of any inventory management system are manifold:
i. Elimination/minimization of overstock.
ii. Elimination/minimization of understock.
iii. Minimization of inventory investment.
iv. Shortening of production throughput time.
v. Assurance of smooth flow of inventory (in different forms) within
the organizational process.
• For inventory control of an item, the decision may be of two types:
i. If mathematical modelling is necessary for analysis and control of
inventory, or
ii. If on-time real-time control is necessary.
PROF PRADIP KUMAR RAY
DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
IIT KHARAGPUR 56
Thank You!!

57