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Inventory Pop Quiz: What's Your Solution?

December 13, 2022
By Blue Print Editorial Team
Employee in FASTPod
Being in charge of inventory can feel like you’re taking a calculus test ... and you barely understand algebra. If managing your inventory feels like a constant pop quiz, we have a cheat sheet for you. Actually, it boils down to a pretty simple equation:​

Products + People + Technology = The Solution​

So set down your graphing calculator, and let’s break this equation down.

The Variables
Shifting demand, stock-outs, and supply chain disruptions. Those are just a few of the unknowns. So what can you count on? You need to know your items will arrive. You want to work with trustworthy people. And you want to take back time in your day. That’s all possible.

Let’s start with the products you need.


The Products
Your work doesn’t fit a cookie-cutter solution. It never will. You need a variety of items to get the job done. That means you need a supplier who has a massive reach, knows what you need BEFORE you need it, and a process for ensuring product availability.
​

The People
Having the right products only takes you so far. You’re going to need a team to stock and monitor. You may want experts to come help with safety, metalworking, and Lean manufacturing. Really, it’s as simple as divide and conquer. Hand off work to your supplier and free your team up.
Two employees talking in POD
The Technology
To solve this, let’s put things right where they are needed. Place vending machines with PPE near the workspace. People will always have what they need, and they’ll spend a fraction of the time walking to get things.
Vending machine lineup in POD

The Solution

The FASTPOD
What’s this all adding up to? Products. On. Demand. Simply put, it’s one secure location that acts as an inventory hub.
  • Need an automated supply chain in a remote location? Can do.
  • Want to give your team 24/7 availability to what they need? Done.
  • Hope to gain full traceability on PPE, tools, and hardware? No problem.

At a glance, it may seem just like another trailer on your jobsite. But it’s actually an automated inventory management system you can customize with vending, lockers, and bin stocks.
Want three more reasons

Want three more reasons?
  • You can control employee access.
  • Plus, collect data on what's being used.
  • Oh, and some models are climate controlled.

If a FASTPOD sounds good, check out the details and specs here. 
Safety employee in vest opening POD door

​You may also like:
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Why Strategic Partnerships are a Better Value Than Low-Cost Supply Chain Models
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How to Get Started with Industrial Vending
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The Three Cs of Strong Supply Chains
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"Everyone in the construction field is looking to strengthen their supply chain, and that's exactly what we're doing by putting products right on the jobsite."
John Cherry
Vice President of Sales
​
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