By having a clear understanding of inventory needs and ordering patterns, businesses can negotiate more favorable terms with suppliers. That means, each time your inventory reaches 18, you’ll order 6 more. Min/Max is also ideal for distributors with a short supply chain that don’t have a lot of extra time for in-depth forecasting. It provides a quick way to keep an item in stock without heavy mathematics. Meanwhile, the MAX function multiplies together the most significant value in a collection.

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Just like the MAX function, you can find the minimum number in any given range by highlighting the range of values instead of typing them in one by one in the MIN function. To find the highest or maximum value in a set of values, use the Excel MAX function. In a nutshell, manually tracking is a check considered cash or accounts payable item usage and adjusting min/max settings ends up being wasteful and inefficient. This can lead to cost savings, improved delivery schedules, and increased overall efficiency in the supply chain. Atlas Precision Consulting offers forecasting services as well as full P21 management.

Step 2: Set Clear Objectives 🎯

In this article, we explain the min max inventory formula in detail and how you can apply it. We will also walk you through our simple real-world examples to illustrate how it works. Said differently, we want to reduce inventory levels to the absolute minimum to save cash while making sure we do not stock out of any item to keep the job moving. This method tracks the current total stock level, which is typically the sum of the stock-on-hand plus the stock-on-order for every single SKU. When total stock reaches the Min value, a reorder is triggered. The reorder quantity targets the Max value for the new total stock level, hence the reorder quantity is the difference between Max and Min (i.e. Max minus Min).

• The process of finding the extreme values of function is also known as optimization.
• Lead time is the period between placing an order and receiving it.
• However, the only way to set accurate minimum and maximum levels that will prevent stockouts and help optimize inventory levels are to calculate average daily usage.
• The Min/Max method attempts to hold the inventory within a certain range.
• In addition to improving cash flow management, a min/max inventory system can also contribute to better supplier relationships.

MIN and MAX with a Pivot Table

The maximum value is the point at which the function has the highest value of all other values while the minimum value is the lowest value throughout the function. Sometimes, you need to find the highest or lowest amount for a specific item. To do that, you can add the IF function to the formula, in older versions of Excel. The MIN function in Excel has the same syntax and argument as the MAX function. Only it will help you find the lowest or minimum value in a set of values. Min-max planning calculates whether the totalavailable quantity is less than the minimum quantity to decide whetherto suggest a new order.

This would give you a projected usage rate of .33 Widgets per day. Azure Couture observed fluctuating demand for a specific summer dress. Typically, they sell 200 dresses daily, but sales can spike to 500 on peak summer or promotional days. The average lead time for dress deliveries is 5 days, extending to 8 days during peak production periods. Stay proactive by staying updated on industry trends, identifying potential risks, and exploring opportunities for improvement.

Step 4: Determine Min Inventory Level

They will re-evaluate their numbers every quarter to ensure their inventory calculations remain aligned with the actual sales trend. Safety stock is the amount of inventory you maintain as a buffer against uncertainties like sudden demand surges or supply delays. Here’s a straightforward approach to help you determine these critical inventory thresholds. The first step is to determine the stationary point at which the first derivative is zero. Then calculate the second derivative at the same stationary points. There are two methods to find the extreme values of a function.

By doing so, you can adapt your min/max inventory levels accordingly, ensuring inventory control and sustained business success. Optimize reorder points (ROP) by accurately calculating your company’s demand during lead time and your supplier’s lead time (in days). If there’s a difference in lead times among various suppliers, create individual ROP calculations for each of those suppliers.

We hope this article has given you a better understanding of how the min max inventory method works and how to calculate your min/max inventory levels. ETurns TrackStock is a mobile app for self-service CMI, or customer-managed inventory. Users scan the barcodes of items that are being removed from inventory and used.

TrackStock keeps track of all of these variables and calculates the optimized min/maxes. “TrackStock’s Min/Max AI Dashboard shows users how much money they can save in one-time inventory reduction as well as in annual carrying costs by moving to optimized min/max levels.” Furthermore, implementing a min/max inventory system can also enhance demand forecasting accuracy. By analyzing historical data and consumption patterns, businesses can make informed decisions about inventory levels.