Why real-time inventory is the new productivity factor – and how a digital classic like INVRPT helps you minimize risks, reduce costs, and meet ESG goals.
Reality check: Stockouts aren’t operational mishaps – they’re a competitive disadvantage.
Inventory is like your pulse – you rarely think about it until it skips a beat. And then it gets expensive: supply shortages (so-called stockouts) account for up to 35% of logistics costs, from express shipping to lost sales. In retail alone, we’re talking about \$1.8 trillion globally each year.
If you can’t see what’s missing, you pay twice – in money and in trust.
INVRPT explained: The file nobody wants – but everyone needs.
INVRPT sounds like Excel in 1995 – but it’s actually the EDIFACT message that keeps supply chains running. It delivers up-to-date inventory data from your suppliers straight into your ERP system. Available, blocked, in transit – no more guessing games, just hard facts in real time.
Where INVRPT Makes the Difference
| Scenario | Your Advantage |
|---|---|
| Vendor-Managed Inventory | Suppliers handle replenishment – you save on planning and tracking |
| Drop-Shipping | Only show what’s actually in stock |
| Co-Packing & Manufacturing | Semi-finished goods delivered just in time for final assembly |
| Consignment Warehouse | Automatic reordering when items are consumed |
Implementation in 4 Steps
-
Consolidate Data Sources
ERP, WMS, and possibly sensors – all integrated into a central inventory “core.” -
Mapping & Validation
Use VDA or EANCOM standards, verify quantities, eliminate sources of error. -
Automate Message Flow
Status updates every 4 hours, for example → conversion → dispatch → automatic booking. -
Monitoring
Traffic light logic highlights what’s missing – like flight radar for your warehouse.
Economic Impact – Measurable, Not Just a Feeling
| KPI | Before | After (6 Months)* | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safety Stock | 18 days | 11 days | –39% capital tied up |
| Emergency Shipments | 22 / quarter | 7 / quarter | –68% in express shipping costs |
| Delivery Performance | 92% | 97% | +5 percentage points in customer satisfaction |
* Project data from international SEEBURGER customers, 2023/24
Governance, Compliance & ESG – With Data, Not Excel
- Audit Trail: Every INVRPT message is archived – essential for ISO certification
- Proof of Compliance: The CSDDD requires transparency, not gut feeling
- ESG Reporting: Less overstock = fewer emissions = fewer excuses
Three Classic Mistakes – and How You Can Do Better
- Master Data Chaos → Use standardized item numbers, e.g., GS1
- No Binding Commitments from Partners → Demand SLAs, don’t just hope for them
- Underestimating Versions → EDIFACT doesn’t update itself – bring in the expertise
Looking Ahead: EDI Isn’t Dead – It’s Evolving
Anyone who still thinks EDI is outdated IT underestimates the power of well-structured data. With the right setup, a simple message becomes a C-level control tool.
Your Roadmap
| Phase | Goal | Time-to-Value |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-study | Map out process & system landscape | 2 weeks |
| Pilot | 1 supplier, 100 items, daily INVRPT | 6 weeks |
| Roll-out | Top 10 suppliers | 3–4 months |
| Fine-tuning | SLA dashboard, alerts, KPI tracking | Ongoing |
Conclusion: Once You Know Real-Time, You Don’t Order on Guesswork Anymore
INVRPT isn’t a “nice to have” – it’s your ticket to a resilient supply chain.
Less risk, less capital tied up, more control.
Labal gets you there – with experience, industry standards, and a clear language your IT understands and your procurement team values.
Get in touch – before your inventory makes the call.
