How do you handle car stock?

[dckm]

We have a set inventory. Everybody has different types of machines, sizes, printers etc. I run a 3 month usage report, give it to the guys, and show them what they use. I limit their inventory to 1 months worth of parts. Average tech carries about $4500. At inventory time, I run a 6 month obsolete part report. (dead stock) I get that stuff back, or give the tech the option to keep it. Many things run in cycles. But that way, it is never older than 6 months, and when I get it back, somebody else can use it, or it goes into the warehouse inventory.

We assign each tech his own warehouse and restock levels.

This system seems to work. when I took over, I had $75000 worth of junk. Was lucky to dump some here and there, but ended up writing much of it off.
My guys could not live without car stock. Some get into the office 6 times a year only!

[mjarbar]

This system seems to work. when I took over, I had $75000 worth of junk. Was lucky to dump some here and there, but ended up writing much of it off.

That's the biggest problem I have is getting the bean counters to realise that just because it has value on the system means that it has value on the shelf!

Fuser roller for an NP1010 anyone!!!

[Jules Winfield]

We run boot stock and find it very help full. Especially in closing calls faster, once a tech comes in for parts he wastes at least 2hours plus. Sorting his parts, chatting to fellow staff or just sit around smoking and drinking coffee.

Each tech has his high mortality parts on him at all times, so he cleans up his calls much quicker. He books out his own stock and controls it by himself, with his PDA he will book out the parts he has used and shoot pass the warehouse and pick up the new parts from his pigeon hole when he gets a free moment.
He pays for whatever is short on the list at month end count so he makes sure his stock is up to date.
He is not allowed at the workshop unless there is a technical meeting, so that means, he will sometimes only come in to workshop once a month.

It works for us now, but it took us along time to get it sorted out.

So what's the suicide rate for your technicians?

[atwageman]

So what's the suicide rate for your technicians?

Suicide rate must be high. A competitor I know down the street, had a system in place that whatever the tech was short on at the end of the month, he would have to pay for. That worked until the company got sued and lost big time. Apparently the techs were able to prove that the office girls weren't always keying in the proper usage etc. from the service invoices or whatever.