{"id":216,"date":"2022-05-25T22:45:39","date_gmt":"2022-05-25T22:45:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/au\/inventory-management\/"},"modified":"2025-08-12T19:59:24","modified_gmt":"2025-08-12T19:59:24","slug":"inventory-management","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/au\/inventory-management\/","title":{"rendered":"Inventory Management Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<section class=\"wp-block-shipbob-blocks-section-hero-standard-form hero-standard\"><div class=\"container row\"><div class=\"col hero-standard-content\"><h1 class=\"hero-standard-title \"><strong>Inventory Management &amp; Maintenance Guide<\/strong><\/h1>\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Everything you need to know to stay on top of the inventory management process.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Managing inventory strategically has never been more important, and it only gets more challenging as you grow in both product development and units sold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">So, what do you want to learn?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"#what-is\">Introduction To Inventory Management<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#techniques\">Inventory Management Techniques<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#system\">Inventory Management System<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#software\">Best Inventory Management Software<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><div class=\"col hero-standard-form offset-1  \"><div class=\"card hero-home-customer-card form-card\"><h3 class=\"form-title\">Request Fulfilment Pricing<\/h3><h3 class=\"h4 form-subtitle\">Let&#8217;s talk. Our experts can help you boost your order volume by 30% year over year.<\/h3><p class=\"form-copy\"><\/p><div class=\"card-body form-fbd53fc0-a20b-4df6-8df7-0fa1e8d5b8d4\" data-controller=\"form-controller\" data-form-controller-form-id-value=\"fbd53fc0-a20b-4df6-8df7-0fa1e8d5b8d4\" data-form-controller-form-container-query-value=\"form-fbd53fc0-a20b-4df6-8df7-0fa1e8d5b8d4\"><\/div><p class=\"form-note\">A fulfilment expert will get back to you shortly. <a href=\"\/privacy-policy\/\">Privacy Policy<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-is\">What is inventory management?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Inventory management is the management and monitoring process of a company\u2019s stocked goods (inventory). Inventory management is vital for supply chain management in online, omnichannel, and brick-and-mortar businesses, and includes ordering and restocking inventory, storing inventory, adjusting frequency, order quantity, and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/inventory-management\/inventory-forecasting\/\">inventory forecasting&nbsp;<\/a>for the final point of sale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why is inventory management important?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Managing inventory the right way is crucial, especially for growing ecommerce businesses. Here\u2019s why.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. It ensures you never run out of stock<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Part of inventory management is figuring out how much inventory you should have on hand at all times. Too much inventory, and you risk \u2018<a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/inventory-kpis\/dead-stock\/\">dead stock<\/a>\u2019: inventory that can no longer be sold due to being outdated. Too little, and you\u2019ll run out of stock, fail to meet customer demands, and miss out on potential sales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By using a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/blog\/reorder-point-formula\/\">reorder point formula<\/a>, you can ensure that you keep an eye on your inventory so that it doesn\u2019t dip below a critical level. (More on this later.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. It helps you save money on storage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Too much inventory can result in too much money spent on storage space. Storing inventory is a variable cost \u2014 it\u2019s based on how much space your\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/blog\/beginning-inventory\/\">beginning inventory<\/a>\u00a0takes up at any given time. When you have more product on hand than you need, you end up paying more for\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/warehouse-operations\/inventory-storage\/\">inventory storage<\/a>. Being smart about inventory levels can help you reallocate those funds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. It prepares you for the unexpected<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It pays to be prepared. Do you know what you\u2019d do if any of the following supply chain mishaps took place tomorrow?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You unexpectedly sell out of a product<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You miscalculate your storage needs and run out of space<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Incoming inventory from the manufacturer is delayed<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You run into a cash flow issue and can\u2019t purchase more inventory<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Strategic&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/ecommerce-inventory\/\">inventory solutions<\/a>&nbsp;can help you get out of these sticky situations.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/inventory-management\/inventory-tracking\/\">Tracking inventory<\/a>&nbsp;over time and having contingency plans in place for potential inventory problems will prepare you for situations that would otherwise seriously impact your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. It shows trends in customer behaviour<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Keeping track of what inventory sells like hotcakes versus what ends up covered in metaphorical cobwebs can share some important insight about what your customers are \u2014 and aren\u2019t \u2014 into. You can also gauge the success of prior promotions or product launches by assessing inventory levels before and after those events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. It predicts the future<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Well, kind of. Good inventory management lends itself to good inventory forecasting, which can help you predict and plan for demand. You can leverage past inventory trends on a monthly, seasonal, or SKU-by-SKU level to better prepare for future levels of sales and demand. Make sure to keep any planned marketing promotions or new product launches in mind, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. It helps you track costs of goods sold<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/blog\/inventory-accounting\/\">Inventory accounting<\/a>&nbsp;is when you track and account for changes in the value of inventory over time as it relates to manufacturing and costs of goods sold. If you don\u2019t have an accurate method for keeping track of the value of your inventory, you can\u2019t properly value your assets or goods sold and budget for the inventory you need to buy for your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"techniques\">10 inventory management types &amp; techniques<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There are countless inventory management techniques to employ, but here are some of the basics that ecommerce teams need to get right in today\u2019s world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Set reorder points<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Also called par levels, reorder points are the minimum quantity of each product that must be on hand that signals it\u2019s time to order more inventory in order to prevent stockouts. When your inventory level hit the reorder point, it\u2019s time to order more products from your manufacturer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To calculate reorder points for your products, add up the following (in days):<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Your manufacturer\u2019s lead time for sending inventory to your fulfilment centre<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Your&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/blog\/retail-fulfillment\/\">retail fulfilment<\/a>&nbsp;provider\u2019s receiving turnaround time (if applicable)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A recommended \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/inventory-kpis\/safety-stock\/\">safety stock<\/a>\u201d of at least 14 days in case of a sudden demand spike<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Then, multiply the sum of 1, 2, and 3 by your average units of the product sold per day. This number is your reorder point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Although it requires some math upfront, setting reorder points will help streamline and take the guess out of restocking inventory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Make sure that you check your reorder points over time and adjust as necessary, especially before peak times like the holidays when you\u2019re likely to need more&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/blog\/holiday-inventory-preparation\/\">holiday inventory<\/a>&nbsp;on hand. At this time, you might need to increase both your reorder points and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/blog\/reorder-quantity-formula\/\">reorder quantity<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Use the FIFO approach<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cFirst-in, first-out,\u201d aka FIFO, is an inventory management principle that means that your oldest inventory (first-in) gets sold and shipped out first (first-out). This is especially important if you\u2019re selling perishable products or those with expiration dates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Even if your goods are shelf-stable, FIFO can still be a good strategy. Because packaging, design and branding, and product features tend to change over time, it\u2019s important to change out inventory so you don\u2019t end up with obsolete products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re storing inventory and fulfilling purchase orders in-house, you\u2019ll have to monitor this manually. If you\u2019re outsourcing to a third-party logistics (3PL) provider, they\u2019ll likely be able to implement a FIFO system for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Regularly audit your inventory<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>While auditing&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/blog\/physical-inventory\/\">physical inventory<\/a>&nbsp;is often tedious, it\u2019s important to check actual inventory levels against the amount of inventory you have listed electronically. If you work with a third-party provider, you\u2019ll probably be relying on their software system and reporting to keep track of inventory levels. However, it\u2019s important to make sure that the system\u2019s numbers match up with your physical stock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Spot checking can be a more manageable way to keep&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/blog\/inventory-audit\/\">inventory audits<\/a>&nbsp;under control in between full physical inventory audits. This means choosing a specific product, counting the number of units on hand, and comparing it to the number of units listed in the system or&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/blog\/inventory-sheet-template\/\">inventory sheet<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is especially helpful if you have a large product catalogue  with lots of different SKUs. Inventory management technology can help simplify this process by prompting a spot check when the system marks the product stock as zero.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After checking your inventory levels, it\u2019s important to have regularly updated backups of this data. This can be as simple as exporting the data from your inventory management software to a CSV file at least once per week. Additionally, you can set up automatic backups of the inventory levels provided in your ecommerce platform using apps like&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/rewind.io\/\">this one<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Maintain a relationship with your suppliers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Choosing the right manufacturer is a huge step for growing businesses to find the most cost-effective and efficient partner that can help elevate growth. But finding the right supplier for your business is just the beginning. Maintaining a good relationship with your manufacturer will ensure they\u2019re a partner in inventory management rather than an obstacle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Make sure to&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextiva.com\/products\/internet-phone-service-for-business.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">communicate frequently<\/a>&nbsp;with your manufacturer, especially when you\u2019re anticipating an increase in sales or they\u2019re running behind schedule on production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have inventory quality issues, a product that won\u2019t sell, a product that sells out more quickly than anticipated, or any other situation that calls for production adjustments, having a good relationship with your supplier will help your&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/blog\/retail-supply-chain\/\">retail supply chain<\/a>&nbsp;run more smoothly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Use inventory management software<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Software that is specifically designed to help you manage your inventory, whether in-house or in a 3PL\u2019s warehouse, can help avoid losing money from unsold products,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/blog\/inventory-report\/\">inventory reports<\/a>&nbsp;on stock levels and trends in real-time, and offer suggestions for inventory distribution. It can also help automate several of the techniques above, saving time and potential human errors for your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-style-blog is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>\u201cWe have a Shopify store but do not use Shopify to track inventory. In terms of tracking inventory, we use ShipBob for everything \u2014 to be able to track each bottle of perfume, what we have left, and what we\u2019ve shipped, while getting a lot more information on each order.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ines Guien, Vice President of Operations at&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/blog\/dossier\/\">Dossier<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>There are countless inventory management techniques to employ, but here are some of the basics that ecommerce teams need to get right in today\u2019s world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/inventory-management\/inventory-tracking\/\">Inventory tracking<\/a>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Knowing which SKUs you have in your possession, their locations in storage, and the quantities available at each location is mission critical for ecommerce brands. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/inventory-management\/real-time\/\">Real-time inventory<\/a> management involves implementing technology that enables the ability to track <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/blog\/inventory-flow\/\">inventory flow<\/a>, and view and manage inventory levels throughout the ecommerce supply chain on demand.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This level of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/inventory-management\/inventory-visibility\/\">inventory visibility<\/a> is the first inventory management technique to nail, as without it, you can\u2019t measure efficiency and improvements, know when to order more products, or refine your strategy as you grow.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">7. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/inventory-management\/inventory-optimization\/\">Inventory optimisation&nbsp;<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The right tools, technology, processes, and infrastructure can help you not only forecast demand and optimise storage but also understand when you should expand into another fulfilment centre, or even in new markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/blog\/inventory-allocation\/\">Inventory allocation<\/a> involves strategically tracking inventory levels across a distribution network to meet customer demand efficiently, while accounting for each unit sold across each channel and fulfilled from each location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With global supply chain shortages, manufacturer shutdowns due to COVID outbreaks, and rising costs, diversifying your supplier or manufacturer mix is another great way to optimise inventory control and reduce risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">8. Add items to your product range<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you\u2019ve optimised your inventory, you should be able to understand whether it makes sense to expand your product line by selling complementary or supplemental products. Common examples include introducing a best-selling item in a variety of new colours, or expanding from selling just peanut butter, to a variety of jellies and jams.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/blog\/sku-proliferation\/\">SKU proliferation<\/a> refers to the process of adding more products to your inventory based on changes in the market and to attract more buyers to increase your sales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">9. Reduce the number of products you sell<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the best things some brands can do to optimise inventory management is to cut back on the products they sell (yes, you read that correctly!).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/blog\/sku-rationalization\/\">SKU rationalization<\/a> is the process of identifying whether a product at the SKU level should be discontinued due to declining sales and overall profitability.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By understanding this, in addition to having the ability to track inventory performance, you can focus on your fastest-moving products and double down on profitability.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">10. Measure everything&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/inventory-kpis\/inventory-analytics\/\">Inventory analytics<\/a> are metrics that gauge the movement and performance of your physical products. The ongoing assessment and evaluation of inventory provides:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The insights needed to optimise stock availability to meet demand while keeping storage costs to a minimum (including COGS, inventory turnover, revenue, internal processes, and more)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The ability to help reduce risks and common challenges related to inventory, such as stockouts or accumulating dead stock<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Data to operate more efficiently, optimise cash flow, and increase profitability<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Information on whether your operations are improving or getting worse&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Check out our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/inventory-kpis\/\">15 most valuable inventory KPIs to keep track of<\/a> and example <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/blog\/inventory-report\/\">Inventory reports<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why outsource inventory management to a 3PL?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You may think that outsourcing inventory storage and ecommerce order fulfilment to a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/3pl\/\">3PL provider<\/a>&nbsp;means turning inventory management over to them. In reality, a good 3PL partner provides merchants the tools, data, and transparency they need to manage their inventory efficiently and cost-effectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-style-blog is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>\u201cOff the bat, I liked that I would be able to control multiple warehouses through one page with ShipBob. With my old 3PL, I could never just open a page and get the info I wanted. I had to click several times, then export it, and try to make sense of it. ShipBob lets you manage your inventory while providing important data in a very digestible way.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Wes Brown, Head of Operations at&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/blog\/black-claw\/\">Black Claw LLC<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Inventory management involves much more than just warehousing your products. Fulfilment and inventory management go hand in hand. Here\u2019s how a 3PL helps you manage your inventory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sync SKUs and orders from your store<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/blog\/technology-enabled-3pl-fulfillment-top-benefits\/\">tech-enabled 3PL<\/a>\u2019s software seamlessly integrates with all major ecommerce platforms and marketplaces. This enables merchants to connect their store in just a few clicks without needing a developer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Connecting these channels provides a cohesive view of all orders, inventory, fulfilment centres, sales channels, and customers in one place. You can easily pull over all of your SKUs from your store into your 3PL\u2019s system. And as you add new products, you can easily sync your new SKUs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-style-blog is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>\u201cWe roll out new products and designs on our website 1-3 times a month and send new inventory to ShipBob each week. It\u2019s really easy to create new SKUs and restock existing ones using ShipBob\u2019s technology, which is especially important with high inventory turnover.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Carl Protsch, Co-Founder of&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/blog\/fleo-shorts\/\">FLEO Shorts<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">View real-time inventory counts<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Once your 3PL has your inventory at their fulfilment centres, you can check the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/blog\/quantity-on-hand\/\">quantity on hand<\/a> and units sold per day at any given time for direct visibility into what is available to ship to your customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For instance, from the ShipBob dashboard, you can:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Visualise SKU velocity and days of inventory remaining on hand.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Input changes in projected order volume or scenarios to calculate changes in inventory turnover.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This type of real-time visibility allows you to view historical inventory levels and how much inventory is remaining at each&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/blog\/distribution-center\/\">distribution centre<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/art22.png?w=1280px\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12386\" data-responsive-img srcset=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/art22.png?w=700px 650w, https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/art22.png?w=860px 768w, https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/art22.png?w=1180px 1080w, https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/art22.png?w=1400px 1280w, https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/art22.png?w=1600px 1440w\" fetchpriority=\"low\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-style-blog is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>\u201cSo many 3PLs have either bad or no front-facing software, making it impossible to keep track of what\u2019s leaving or entering the warehouse.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>On the supply chain side, I just throw in what we placed at the factory into a WRO in the ShipBob dashboard, and I can see how many units we have on-hand, what\u2019s incoming, what\u2019s at docks, and so on. I can see all of those numbers in a few seconds, and it makes life so much easier.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Harley Abrams, Operations Manager of&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/blog\/superspeed-golf\/\">SuperSpeed Golf, LLC<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Proactively reorder inventory<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Tech-based fulfilment uses historical data to help project when you should reorder inventory to prevent stockouts and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/inventory-kpis\/backorder\/\">backorders<\/a>. You can set reorder notification points for the stock levels at which you want to be automatically reminded to restock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For instance, SHipBob provides access to daily inventory history data at any point in time. You can search by item, filter by specific lot number, and account for inventory in transit:<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/art19-1.png?w=1280px\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12298\" data-responsive-img srcset=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/art19-1.png?w=700px 650w, https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/art19-1.png?w=860px 768w, https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/art19-1.png?w=1180px 1080w, https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/art19-1.png?w=1400px 1280w, https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/art19-1.png?w=1600px 1440w\" fetchpriority=\"low\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>This helps you connect the upstream activities of purchasing and manufacturing to the downstream activities of sales and product demand, ultimately helping you make more accurate purchasing and production decisions to save on inventory and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/blog\/logistics-costs\/\">logistics costs<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Store inventory in strategic locations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If your 3PL has multiple fulfilment centres, they should be able to help you determine the optimal fulfilment centre locations based on your customers\u2019 shipping destinations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Your customers most likely don\u2019t all reside in one geographic area. Using one fulfilment centre can make it difficult to efficiently reach the majority of people who buy from you. Instead,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/blog\/3-benefits-using-more-than-one-warehouse-ecommerce-fulfillment\/\">distributing your inventory<\/a>\u00a0to major hubs or cities can ensure you ship to lower\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/ecommerce-shipping\/shipping-zones\/\">shipping zones<\/a>, delivering orders more quickly and at a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/ecommerce-shipping\/reduce-shipping-costs\/\">reduced shipping cost<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Each time an order is placed on your online store, the 3PL\u2019s&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/blog\/order-management\/\">order management system<\/a>&nbsp;will automatically choose the fulfilment centre closest to the end customer to draw inventory and ship the order. Additionally, if you run out of inventory at one fulfilment centre, you\u2019ll have backup at another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For instance, ShipBob makes it easy to&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/inventory-management\/inventory-optimization\/\">optimise inventory<\/a>&nbsp;distribution. By aggregating historical order data, you get an analysis of which fulfilment centres you should stock to best leverage ShipBob\u2019s network of fulfilment centres for the most cost-effective and fast deliveries (see example below).<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Untitled-design-1-2.png?w=1280px\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12301\" data-responsive-img srcset=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Untitled-design-1-2.png?w=700px 650w, https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Untitled-design-1-2.png?w=860px 768w, https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Untitled-design-1-2.png?w=1180px 1080w, https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Untitled-design-1-2.png?w=1400px 1280w, https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Untitled-design-1-2.png?w=1600px 1440w\" fetchpriority=\"low\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Discover trends to drive growth<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>As we mentioned above, having accurate insights about your customers\u2019 purchasing trends can help you figure out the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/blog\/inventory-levels\/\">optimal inventory levels<\/a>&nbsp;for your products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, understanding which products aren\u2019t selling but instead incurring storage costs \u2014 as well as those that are selling more quickly than you can keep them in stock \u2014 can empower you to make better supply chain decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some 3PLs provide built-in reports that let you view a trend analysis of your products and give you more control of your inventory and the key metrics that drive business growth. These include peak fulfilment times, revenue of orders shipped by day, sales by channel, and sales and quantity of orders by USPS shipping zone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Control how products are grouped<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A 3PL\u2019s technology gives you the power to select how you group your warehouse inventory. This includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Bundling your products for promotions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Merging the same product across multiple sales channels<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Separating inventory by lot numbers and expiration dates to comply with regulations and be able to act promptly and effectively in the event of a recall. (This also helps with the FIFO technique we talked about earlier.)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/ecommerce-fulfillment\/kitting-assembly\/\">Kitting items to assemble them a certain way<\/a>&nbsp;before they are shipped to customers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Preparing orders to send in bulk or transfer inventory<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Today,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/ecommerce-fulfillment\/outsourced-fulfillment\/\">outsourced order fulfilment<\/a>&nbsp;often means receiving the tools needed to manage inventory from within their warehouse(s). A good 3PL shouldn\u2019t be a cost centre but rather a partner that helps prevent stockouts and can accurately&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/blog\/demand-forecasting\/\">forecast demand<\/a>&nbsp;to increase sales and reduce storage costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Request a fulfilment quote from ShipBob to learn how we manage your inventory and order fulfilment for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-inventory-management-glossary\">Inventory management glossary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Below is a handy table summarizing several basic inventory management terms you\u2019ll come across.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Inventory Term<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Definition&nbsp;<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Cost of goods sold (COGS)<\/td><td>The direct costs of producing your sellable inventory, including labour, materials, and other direct costs<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/blog\/economic-order-quantity\/\">Economic order quantity (EOQ)<\/a><\/td><td>A calculation used to figure out the optimal order quantity you should have with the goal to minimise logistics costs, warehousing space, and stockouts<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/blog\/minimum-order-quantity\/\">Minimum order quantity (MOQ)<\/a><\/td><td>The fewest number of units that are required to be purchased at one time<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/blog\/reorder-quantity-formula\/\">Reorder quantity<\/a><\/td><td>The total number of units you request from a manufacturer or supplier on an inventory replenishment purchase order<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Lead time<\/td><td>The amount of time it takes for an order to be completed, whether it be a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/blog\/how-to-cut-costs-and-production-lead-times\/\">production lead time<\/a>, a shipping courier transit time, or other turnaround time that involves inventory&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/blog\/pipeline-inventory\/\">Pipeline inventory&nbsp;<\/a><\/td><td>The value of finished goods ordered from a supplier or manufacturer that is currently in transit and has yet to reach a physical store or distribution centre (also known as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/blog\/goods-in-transit\/\">goods in transit<\/a>)&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/blog\/inventory-position\/\">Inventory position<\/a><\/td><td>Where a business\u2019s inventory is held \u2014 both its physical location in a storage space, and its position in the overall supply chain<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/blog\/inventory-levels\/\">Inventory levels<\/a><\/td><td>The quantities of products that you have in a fulfilment centre(s) or store at any given time<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/inventory-kpis\/dead-stock\/\">Dead stock<\/a><\/td><td>Inventory that is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/blog\/obsolete-inventory\/\">obsolete<\/a> and no longer sellable&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/inventory-kpis\/safety-stock\/\">Safety stock<\/a><\/td><td>The excess product you keep on hand in case of an emergency (also known as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/blog\/buffer-inventory\/\">buffer inventory<\/a>)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/inventory-management\/inventory-forecasting\/\">Inventory forecasting&nbsp;<\/a><\/td><td>The process of calculating the inventory needed to fulfil future customer orders based on how much product you predict you will sell over a specific period of time<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/inventory-kpis\/stockout-costs\/\">Stockout<\/a><\/td><td>When inventory is unavailable, preventing an item from being purchased or shipped<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/blog\/just-time-inventory-ecommerce\/\">Just in time (JIT) inventory<\/a><\/td><td>A method designed to cut costs, increase efficiency, and decrease waste by receiving goods just when they are needed<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/blog\/restocking-inventory\/\">Restocking<\/a><\/td><td>The process of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/blog\/inventory-replenishment\/\">replenishing products<\/a> at the right time and at the right place based on demand and projected sales<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/inventory-management\/lot-tracking\/\">Lot tracking<\/a><\/td><td>A system used to trace parts or ingredients associated with a group of products back to a manufacturer or supplier, or organise inventory by production batch or expiration date<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/blog\/reorder-point-formula\/\">Reorder points<\/a>&nbsp;<\/td><td>The minimum unit count or stock level for a specific product that triggers the reordering of more inventory when reached<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/inventory-kpis\/inventory-turnover-ratio\/\">Inventory turnover<\/a><\/td><td>A ratio that measures how many times inventory is sold and then replaced in a specific time period<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Below are some <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/blog\/inventory-accounting\/\">inventory accounting<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/blog\/inventory-valuation-methods\/\">inventory valuation<\/a> terms as well:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Inventory Term<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Definition&nbsp;<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/blog\/inventory-discrepancy\/\">Inventory discrepancy<\/a><\/td><td>When the amount of inventory on hand is different from current inventory records (can also be expressed as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/inventory-kpis\/inventory-accuracy\/\">inventory accuracy<\/a>)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/inventory-kpis\/inventory-shrinkage\/\">Inventory shrinkage<\/a><\/td><td>When actual inventory levels are less than accounting has them recorded as<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/blog\/inventory-write-off\/\">Inventory write-off<\/a><\/td><td>The process of removing or reducing the value of inventory that has no value from accounting records<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/blog\/inventory-write-down\/\">Inventory write-down<\/a><\/td><td>When your inventory\u2019s market value falls below the book value, but it still considered sellable (also known as inventory impairment)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/blog\/inventory-reconciliation\/\">Inventory reconciliation<\/a><\/td><td>The process of comparing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/blog\/physical-inventory\/\">physical inventory<\/a> counts with records of inventory on hand (e.g., during an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/blog\/inventory-audit\/\">inventory audit<\/a>)&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/blog\/inventory-carrying-costs\/\">Inventory carrying cost&nbsp;<\/a><\/td><td>The total cost of all expenses related to storing unsold goods (also known as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/inventory-kpis\/holding-costs\/\">inventory holding cost<\/a>)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/blog\/inventory-weighted-average\/\">Inventory weighted average<\/a><\/td><td>An inventory valuation method that uses a weighted average to determine the amount of money that goes into COGS and inventory<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/blog\/beginning-inventory\/\">Beginning Inventory<\/a><\/td><td>The total value of a business\u2019s current inventory in stock at the beginning of an accounting period<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/blog\/perpetual-inventory-system\/\">Perpetual inventory<\/a><\/td><td>An inventory valuation method that records when stock is sold or received in real-time<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/blog\/periodic-inventory-system\/\">Periodic inventory<\/a><\/td><td>An inventory valuation system where the business\u2019s inventory and COGS are not updated in the accounting records after each sale and\/or inventory purchase, but instead when a designated accounting period has passed<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/blog\/fifo\/\">First-in, first-out (FIFO)<\/a><\/td><td>An inventory valuation method that assumes goods purchased or produced first are sold first (this also means the oldest inventory gets shipped out to customers before newer inventory)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button aligncenter\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/quote\/\"><strong>Get A Fulfilment Quote From ShipBob<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-inventory-management-faqs\">Inventory management FAQs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Now that you\u2019ve gotten more familiar with managing inventory for an ecommerce business, here are some frequently asked questions you may want to know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-shipbob-blocks-single-faq single-faq direction-col\" data-controller=\"faq-controller\" data-faq-controller-open-value=\"true\"><div class=\"single-faq-title-contianer\"><h4 class=\"single-faq-title\">How do I know when to reorder inventory?<br><\/h4><div class=\"single-faq-expand\" data-faq-controller-target=\"expand\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/shipbob-2022\/resources\/svg\/plus-solid.svg\" \/><\/div><\/div><div class=\"single-faq-childs\" data-faq-controller-target=\"answer\"><div>\n\n<p>Calculate reorder points either manually or through your inventory management system\u2019s software. Some&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/inventory-management\/software\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">inventory management software<\/a>&nbsp;allows you to enable automatic reorder notifications when stock drops below the designated reorder point.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-shipbob-blocks-single-faq single-faq direction-col\" data-controller=\"faq-controller\" data-faq-controller-open-value=\"true\"><div class=\"single-faq-title-contianer\"><h4 class=\"single-faq-title\">How do I know how much inventory to order?<br><\/h4><div class=\"single-faq-expand\" data-faq-controller-target=\"expand\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/shipbob-2022\/resources\/svg\/plus-solid.svg\" \/><\/div><\/div><div class=\"single-faq-childs\" data-faq-controller-target=\"answer\"><div>\n\n<p>Stocking the right amount of inventory is a delicate balance you have to strike. If you order too much inventory, you\u2019ll end up with extra stock for which you have to pay for storage; too little, and your customers will look elsewhere.Analising historical data and trends from previous months will help you determine how much stock you\u2019ll need moving forward. If you\u2019re launching a new product, make sure to clear storage space for excess inventory before it arrives.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-shipbob-blocks-single-faq single-faq direction-col\" data-controller=\"faq-controller\" data-faq-controller-open-value=\"true\"><div class=\"single-faq-title-contianer\"><h4 class=\"single-faq-title\">How do I deal with stockouts on my store?<br><\/h4><div class=\"single-faq-expand\" data-faq-controller-target=\"expand\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/shipbob-2022\/resources\/svg\/plus-solid.svg\" \/><\/div><\/div><div class=\"single-faq-childs\" data-faq-controller-target=\"answer\"><div>\n\n<p>If you frequently find your products selling out, make sure that you order a higher quantity of inventory the next time you restock. If you\u2019re in the situation where you\u2019ve run out, keep customers in the loop on when they can expect your product to be back in stock by displaying&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/blog\/restocking-inventory\/\">inventory restock<\/a>&nbsp;dates on the product page and offer them the option to be notified when it\u2019s back in stock.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-shipbob-blocks-single-faq single-faq direction-col\" data-controller=\"faq-controller\" data-faq-controller-open-value=\"true\"><div class=\"single-faq-title-contianer\"><h4 class=\"single-faq-title\">How do I plan for seasonality?<br><\/h4><div class=\"single-faq-expand\" data-faq-controller-target=\"expand\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/shipbob-2022\/resources\/svg\/plus-solid.svg\" \/><\/div><\/div><div class=\"single-faq-childs\" data-faq-controller-target=\"answer\"><div>\n\n<p>Seasonal variations in supply and demand can put a lot of pressure on a growing business. If your business has been around for over a year, analising previous years\u2019 seasonal trends can help you plan properly for upcoming seasonality.If your business is brand new, you can research seasonal trends in your industry to help you form predictions. For example, if your product is meant for winter use only, you\u2019re likely to find that demand is highest just before and during the winter months, while you\u2019ll want to have less stock on hand in the summer.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-shipbob-blocks-single-faq single-faq direction-col\" data-controller=\"faq-controller\" data-faq-controller-open-value=\"true\"><div class=\"single-faq-title-contianer\"><h4 class=\"single-faq-title\">How do I manage inventory in multiple warehouses?<br><\/h4><div class=\"single-faq-expand\" data-faq-controller-target=\"expand\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/shipbob-2022\/resources\/svg\/plus-solid.svg\" \/><\/div><\/div><div class=\"single-faq-childs\" data-faq-controller-target=\"answer\"><div>\n\n<p>If you are operating several of your own warehouses or inventory storage locations, make sure to set up a WMS and inventory management system that allows you to keep track of inventory across locations. Having the right technology in place can streamline in-house inventory management.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>If you&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/blog\/outsourced-supply-chain\/\">outsource supply chain management<\/a>&nbsp;and the warehouses are all owned and operated by the same 3PL, they should be able to provide visibility into all of your orders, stock levels across fulfilment centres, and shipments in one place.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>If your inventory is stored in warehouses operated by several different fulfilment providers (e.g., in different countries), an inventory management system can help you manage all sales channels, locations, and currencies to streamline inventory control from a single dashboard.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-shipbob-blocks-single-faq single-faq direction-col\" data-controller=\"faq-controller\" data-faq-controller-open-value=\"true\"><div class=\"single-faq-title-contianer\"><h4 class=\"single-faq-title\">What\u2019s the difference between inventory management and inventory control?<\/h4><div class=\"single-faq-expand\" data-faq-controller-target=\"expand\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/shipbob-2022\/resources\/svg\/plus-solid.svg\" \/><\/div><\/div><div class=\"single-faq-childs\" data-faq-controller-target=\"answer\"><div>\n\n<p>Inventory management oversees the entire process of ordering, storing, and using products. Inventory control, meanwhile, focuses on maintaining optimal stock levels in warehouses and stores to avoid overstocking or understocking. <\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What is inventory management? Inventory management is the management and monitoring process of a company\u2019s stocked goods (inventory). Inventory management is vital for supply chain management in online, omnichannel, and brick-and-mortar businesses, and includes ordering and restocking inventory, storing inventory, adjusting frequency, order quantity, and&nbsp;inventory forecasting&nbsp;for the final point of sale. Why is inventory management [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":149,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"hub.php","meta":{"content-type":"","inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-216","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.5 (Yoast SEO v27.5) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Inventory Management Guide: Types &amp; Methods in 2025<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn how to stay on top of the inventory management process for your ecommerce store, including the best software, techniques, and FAQs. I\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/au\/inventory-management\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Inventory Management Guide\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Learn how to stay on top of the inventory management process for your ecommerce store, including the best software, techniques, and FAQs. I\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/au\/inventory-management\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"ShipBob Australia\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-08-12T19:59:24+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"19 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.shipbob.com\\\/au\\\/inventory-management\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.shipbob.com\\\/au\\\/inventory-management\\\/\",\"name\":\"Inventory Management Guide: Types & Methods in 2025\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.shipbob.com\\\/au\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.shipbob.com\\\/au\\\/inventory-management\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.shipbob.com\\\/au\\\/inventory-management\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.shipbob.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2019\\\/08\\\/art22.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2022-05-25T22:45:39+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-08-12T19:59:24+00:00\",\"description\":\"Learn how to stay on top of the inventory management process for your ecommerce store, including the best software, techniques, and FAQs. I\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.shipbob.com\\\/au\\\/inventory-management\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-AU\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.shipbob.com\\\/au\\\/inventory-management\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-AU\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.shipbob.com\\\/au\\\/inventory-management\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.shipbob.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2019\\\/08\\\/art22.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.shipbob.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2019\\\/08\\\/art22.png\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.shipbob.com\\\/au\\\/inventory-management\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.shipbob.com\\\/au\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Inventory Management Guide\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.shipbob.com\\\/au\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.shipbob.com\\\/au\\\/\",\"name\":\"ShipBob Australia\",\"description\":\"Just another ShipBob Network site\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.shipbob.com\\\/au\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-AU\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Inventory Management Guide: Types & Methods in 2025","description":"Learn how to stay on top of the inventory management process for your ecommerce store, including the best software, techniques, and FAQs. I","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/au\/inventory-management\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Inventory Management Guide","og_description":"Learn how to stay on top of the inventory management process for your ecommerce store, including the best software, techniques, and FAQs. I","og_url":"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/au\/inventory-management\/","og_site_name":"ShipBob Australia","article_modified_time":"2025-08-12T19:59:24+00:00","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Est. reading time":"19 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/au\/inventory-management\/","url":"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/au\/inventory-management\/","name":"Inventory Management Guide: Types & Methods in 2025","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/au\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/au\/inventory-management\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/au\/inventory-management\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/art22.png","datePublished":"2022-05-25T22:45:39+00:00","dateModified":"2025-08-12T19:59:24+00:00","description":"Learn how to stay on top of the inventory management process for your ecommerce store, including the best software, techniques, and FAQs. I","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/au\/inventory-management\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-AU","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/au\/inventory-management\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-AU","@id":"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/au\/inventory-management\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/art22.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/art22.png"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/au\/inventory-management\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/au\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Inventory Management Guide"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/au\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/au\/","name":"ShipBob Australia","description":"Just another ShipBob Network site","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/au\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-AU"}]}},"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","canonical_url":"https:\/\/shipbob.com\/au\/inventory-management\/","smart_links":{"inbound":0,"outbound":0},"traffic_boost_suggestions_count":0,"meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"WebPage","headline":"Inventory Management Guide","url":"http:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/au\/inventory-management\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"http:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/au\/inventory-management\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":""},"articleSection":"Uncategorized","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Nigel Stevens"}],"creator":["Nigel Stevens"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"ShipBob Australia","logo":""},"keywords":[],"dateCreated":"2022-05-25T22:45:39Z","datePublished":"2022-05-25T22:45:39Z","dateModified":"2025-08-12T19:59:24Z"},"rendered":"<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"wp-parsely-metadata\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"headline\":\"Inventory Management Guide\",\"url\":\"http:\\\/\\\/www.shipbob.com\\\/au\\\/inventory-management\\\/\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/www.shipbob.com\\\/au\\\/inventory-management\\\/\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"url\":\"\"},\"articleSection\":\"Uncategorized\",\"author\":[{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Nigel Stevens\"}],\"creator\":[\"Nigel Stevens\"],\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"ShipBob Australia\",\"logo\":\"\"},\"keywords\":[],\"dateCreated\":\"2022-05-25T22:45:39Z\",\"datePublished\":\"2022-05-25T22:45:39Z\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-08-12T19:59:24Z\"}<\/script>","tracker_url":"https:\/\/cdn.parsely.com\/keys\/shipbob.com\/p.js"},"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/216","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/149"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=216"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/216\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22161,"href":"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/216\/revisions\/22161"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=216"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}