Inventory Management System – Meaning, Evolution, Types, and Benefits

Inventory management could as be defined as managing inventory with the primary objective been determining and controlling stock levels within the facility to balance the need for product availability against the need for minimizing stock holding and handling costs. A management system is an information system that is used by a business to ensure they can manage and fulfill their tasks through a framework of procedures and processes. Typical management systems are used to maintain data within an organization as well as ensuring data is shared accurately, or for the management of services or products offered. A management system could also be defined as the integration of traditional management methods with a computer system to create a tool for strategic and automated information management. An inventory management system is usually used to automate a sales order fulfillment process. These types of system are designed containing a structure whereby it contains Continue reading

Factors Affecting the Structure of Industrial Channels

Industrial marketing channels are set of independent, external organisations involved in the process of marketing an  industrial  product available to  industrial  buyer. Marketing channels satisfy the demand of industrial buyers by supplying products  at the right place, in the exact quantity requirements and at correct price. The factors influencing industrial channel structure are: Type of market: If a manufacturer product can be sold only to the members of one or few industries, and the number of firms in each industry is small, direct distribution is profitable. On the other hand, if the market is horizontal, the product must be sold to buyers in many industries. Market financial:  If the probable volume of sales in a market area is quite large, direct marketing may prove profitable. On the other hand , if the sales volume of a specific product is low, the direct method may be too expensive. To what extent Continue reading

Global Company Competitiveness Analysis

A domestic company may extend its products to foreign markets by exporting, licensing and franchising. Initially, the exporting is indirect. It may develop a more serious attitude towards foreign business and move to the next stage of development. International company is normally the second stage in the development of a company towards transnational corporation. The orientation of the company is basically ethnocentric and the marketing strategy is extension. The marketing mix developed for the home market is extended into the foreign markets when a company decides to respond to market differences, it involves into the stage there multinational that pursues a multidomestic strategy. Multinational company’s each foreign subsidiary is managed as if it were an independent city stage. The subsidiaries are part of an area structure in which each country is part of a regional organization that reports to world headquarters. The transnational corporation is much more than a company Continue reading

ERP Software Assessment and Selection

ERP Software Assessment Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) has changed the way the multi-location companies work. All the departments in one location share a single database. And a remote sales manager can access this database and release purchase orders. One can extend this to the suppliers as well. The suppliers can see the stock of their product in your inventory and can replenish the stock immediately to the minimum stock level. All these are possible if you implement your ERP well. However, your ERP shall have the features that may be required tomorrow. Hence, it is important that you do a proper Erp Software Assessment. It is not easy to decide on a single ERP. Not all the ERPs may suit to your operations. If you have expertise internally to make Erp Software Assessment, you may go ahead with the inquiries. ERP software is expensive. Implementation is more expensive. And you Continue reading

Gender Bias in International Business

The gender bias toward women managers that exists in many countries creates hesitancy among U.S. multinational companies to offer women international assignments. Questions such as, Are there opportunities for women in international business? And should women represent U.S. firms abroad? Frequently arise as U.S. companies become more international. As women move up in domestic management ranks and seek career related international assignments, companies need to examine their positions on women managers in international business. In many cultures-Asian, Arab, Latin American, and even some European women are not typically found in upper levels of management. Traditional roles in male-dominated societies often are translated into minimal business opportunities for women. This cultural bias raises questions about the effectiveness of women in establishing successful relationships with host country associates. An often-asked question is whether it is appropriate to send women to conduct business with foreign customers. To some it appears logical that if Continue reading

Customer Value Analysis (CVA)

Whatever product a marketer has to offer in the market, one thing is sure, it’s going to get competition. It depends on the product type and marketplace what degree of competition it’ll get. In highly competitive marketplace, managing the non-price purchase and satisfaction drivers that matter most to customers can positively impact market share. Customers make purchase decisions based on how valuable they perceive the quality of available products or services as they relate to price. Those organization’s that are perceived to offer low value are highly unlikely to attract new customers and retain their existing customers. In a highly competitive market, an organization’s competitive position is determined by the perceived value of its products and services, relative to the competition. Customer value analysis is a powerful analytical technique that help marketing managers to measure and grow relative market share. What is Value Analysis Value analysis is a process to Continue reading